Hi everyone...

[davidstipek]

To introduce myself, Name is David I am from Seattle. Retired and now living with my wife in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Where we have Bike weather year around. We have 2 seasons where it is Hot and Hotter.

Rainy Season is kinda like Seattle, but in cloud bursts then its gone. Predictable when rain comes so you can plan around it. If you like like Seattle Summers and Ohio Summers... Just combine the 2. Great no more subzero weather!! Right now it is for us in Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) cold late night. Even for me, I have to wear my heavy Levi Jacket.

I have 2 Yamaha bikes one is a 1984 Yamaha Y80 Belle. The other is just aquired and all I know is that it is a Yamaha. Do not know year orModel or size of engine. This is why I came here to the site.

The Belle frame was getting old... but the engine had very low miles as we bought new. So as I was Building a Chopper Bicycle. Using two steelbike frames and double frame tubing for support. I had stretched frame 18 1/2inches and lowered seat 14 inches. I had relocated BB with pedals and crankgear forward to give same leg stretch as original (I am 6' 1" tall). I had planned to get bike motor from China for it. So I had used the following gear setup.

I retained the original BB mount to use to transfer any Petrol power from left side of bike to right side to attach to freewheel gear at rear wheel. So I used 4 HD 4 bolt freewheels. One at pedal/crankgear, two at original BB (1 one left and the other on right side of bike) and the fourth at rear wheel.

Idea was to let pedals coast as under Petrol power and if engine failed or was not being used, to let it coast without having to find neutal in a hurry. Or to use as a Bike and just pedal...I added right side BB freewheel to ease the drag when using pedals(so BB axle not turning)

For those intiged yes I did use the Y80 engine and headpost. Kawasaki chromed fork, 26"x2" steel bicycle tire/wheel with disc brakes and sealed rollerbearings. Honda Phantom petrol tank. Hard-Tail rearend with 17"x3.5" Motorcycle tire/rim and spokes. I added a custom steelhub I had built to accept 12g spokes and again sealed rollerbearing and bicycle disc brakes. Small and light plus pads are cheap and they do work well. Added Honda rearbrake switch (activated from rear caliper-spring loaded) and front brake from original Yamaha lever switch.

Gearing goes from engine to freewheel gear @BB on left side of bike. Using axleit is transfered to right side freewheel and doublegears (stacked). One goes to rear wheel gear and frewwheel. The other goes to pedal/crankgear and freewheel. All chains are M/C 420 as well as gears. Using original spoke driven speedometer adapter and Honda Chromed Speedometer I have logged an easy 85 kph.

This is all done from 85% recycled MC parts, and new when neccessary and common sense deemed. I have given the Belle new life. Alsosparked the interest in others to follow in some form or another. Showing other how too,safely and promoting Helmet Safety.(Name on Tank of Bike is "Thai One On...!) referring to Helmets of courselol

[davidstipek]

I will post Pictures of Yamaha Chopper as soon as I can.

Also a note: It is street legal. It has lights, all of them. Same as MC. dual mirrors, horn, working Pedals and the use of Helmet! I ride weekly with group of Military and retired Police Officers. We travel around 60-100 at a time, I get alittle under 1 liter petrol per 150 Km's. Great! (all in the gearing!)

Ah...pictures are posted of Yamaha "Belle" Chopper in 1st of my Albums,the second Album when it's ready will have pictures of V80 Yamaha. (wish I could get more info on this Bike... see Posts)

Cheers!
David