With a Weed Eater gas line trimmer motor and a little bit of ingenuity, Medina resident Thomas Rowland set about motorizing his Huffy mountain bike this summer. Not only is it safer for the environment than a car or motorcycle, it makes for one cool ride.
Complete with a basket and trailer, the invention carries Rowland all around town — with a helmet, of course. He says it cost him very little and has helped make pedaling easier.
The Journal-Register was curious to see what it was all about.
Question: Why did you decide to motorize your bike?
Answer: Normally just the motorizing kits run from $400 to $900. I realized I could build my own in my shop. I found all of the parts on the side of the road, which is the neat part of it. It’s very simple to do. It’s the kind of thing that any handyman could do with a minimal amount of tools.
•••
Q: When did you make the bike?
A: This summer, I put it all together. I had all of the parts, so I just started working on it. After a few trial and errors I finally got everything working. All I did was I kind of built a special mounting for the bike, using just a common line trimming motor, to power the bike. It’s a little two-cycle gas engine. Valu sells them; Wal-Mart sells them. Eventually I’d like to go to a little bit stronger motor.
•••
Q: What are some of the bike’s special features?
A: It was a half Huffy mountain bike that I’ve customized for my own use. The handlebars are all from a vintage bike, probably from the ’60s. It has an extra wide seat. I have an extra large basket and a trailer and a stabilizer wheel. This way, I won’t tip over. The idea was to have something that was really high mileage and really economical.
•••
Q: Where do you ride it?
A: I ride it around town by just pedaling, but once I get out of town, I start the motor. The motor really helps. I run back and forth to my shop in Jeddo regularly. On a hill, I actually help pedal, but the motor is still doing 90 percent of the work. With the motor running, the speed runs between 15 and 20 miles an hour.
•••
Q: How many miles do you get to the gallon?
A: I’m getting about 100 miles to the gallon, which is pretty good mileage. The little tank doesn’t even hold a quart.
•••
Q: It sounds like a neat little invention. What will you be doing with it next?
A: You have to kind of see it to appreciate it. Eventually, it’s something I would like to possibly market as a small kit.
Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 2227.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
September 17, 2007
AROUND TOWN: Medina man invents motorized mountain bicycle
- Local News
-
-
Market on Main will offer fresh produce, baked goods
Medina’s Main Street has more than its fair share of spots to pick up prepared food, but starting this summer there will be a place to buy artisanal bread and locally-grown produce.Dave and Bonnie Reigle have operated a produce stand on their Ridge Road farm for 17 years. They plan to open Reigle’s Market on Main in the former Whole Nine Yards and be open year-round as a bakery and produce store.
-
Lyndonville BoE approves budget propositions
The Lyndonville Board of Education approved the four propositions district residents will vote on May 15, including the school’s $12,964,687 budget.The 2012-13 budget decreases spending by 1.28 percent, but the property tax levy will rise by 1.95 percent to $4,620,374. The estimated property tax rate is $18.40, an increase of 1.38 percent and a bump of a quarter for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
-
Medina BoE OK's budgets for May 15 vote
Medina Central School District residents will have the option this May to vote for a budget that does not raise the property tax levy next year, but does increase the district’s budget by 1.74 percent.
-
Ridgeway sets public hearings
The Ridgeway Town Board will hold two public hearings at its next meeting on May 21.
-
Hoag will host STEM summer camp
The Hoag Library in Albion isn’t set to open until the weekend after Independence Day, but preparations are well underway for a two-week summer camp for a select group of Albion students.
-
Growing like a weed
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show had a new home this year, and a record crowd came out to Knowlesville for helpful advice, information about local businesses and organizations, and a wide range of activities, promotions and giveaways.
-
Village budget talks continue
Medina’s 2012-13 budget is coming together at a series of meetings between department heads and village board members that largely focus on projected spending plans and areas where cuts can be made and additional revenue can be found.The board met Monday with Police Chief Jose Avila, who said his department budget will be less than the current year despite increasing salaries and associated benefits.
-
Hoag Library era nears in Albion
The transition of Albion's long-time library to a modern South Main Street facility is quickly approaching, which had the Swan Library Board of Trustees discussing the closing of the current library in early June, a month of movement and plans to resume service at the new Hoag Library on the day after the facility's July 7 grand opening at their Wednesday meeting.
-
Pillars hosting Titanic evening
The extravagant experience that the high-class passengers enjoyed on the first and final voyage of the RMS Titanic will be replicated in a dinner at The Pillars Estate’s new ballroom this weekend.The Pillars echoes the luxury liner’s grand staircase and chandelier, with historic touches throughout the restored County House Road mansion’s ballroom.
-
Shelby formalizes reserve funds
The Town of Shelby has had a highway equipment reserve fund for as long as Supervisor Skip Draper can remember, but to be safe the town board formally created the fund and other others Tuesday.Draper said the origins of the town’s long-standing funds, used to prepare for large expenses and avoid a yo-yo-ing budget, were questioned in an audit of the town’s finances.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Market on Main will offer fresh produce, baked goods
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
NATO: Afghan Exit 'Irreversible'
Catholic Groups Sue Over Contraception Mandate
4 Arrested After Man's Beating at Dodger Stadium
