How to Convert a Mountain Bike Into Gas Powered

A mountain bike is a versatile bicycle for all-around commuting. Its heavy-duty frame and wide tires, built to withstand the pounding of off-road riding, also lend the strength and durability needed to stand up to daily use and carrying heavy loads. Mountain bikes are well-suited for conversion to hybrid gas and pedal power. With the relatively simple addition of a two-cycle gasoline engine, you can pedal normally when desired, then start the engine and motor away when the hills become steep and the load gets heavy.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle engine kit
  • Combination wrench set
  • Knife
  • Socket wrench set
  • Screwdriver set
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the engine into the triangle of the bicycle frame, as low as you can get it without interfering with the pedals. Fasten the rear mounting clamp to the seat tube and hand-tighten.

    • 2

      Fasten the front engine mounting clamp to the down tube. Use a wrench to tighten the front and rear engine mounts.

    • 3

      Remove the rear wheel from the bicycle. Use the knife to split one of the fiber washers from the kit, and slip the washer around the wheel hub behind the spokes.

    • 4

      Insert the supplied bolts through the sprocket, then through the second fiber washer. Hold the sprocket against the wheel hub on the side opposite the freewheel cassette, and slide the bolts through the first fiber washer. Slide the metal washer segments over the bolt ends inside the spokes, then put a lock washer and nut on each bolt. Tighten the nuts with a wrench.

    • 5

      Reinstall the wheel. Route the included chain around the wheel sprocket and engine sprocket, then install the master link in the chain.

    • 6

      Clamp the idler wheel assembly to the left-side chainstay and adjust it to eliminate the slack in the chain. Tighten the bolts in the idler wheel assembly.