Weed Eater Bicycle

BrianW · 05-09-2010, 07:23 PM

My little 12 year old cousin just asked me to help him build a gas powered bicycle. I started searching youtube and found quite a few videos regarding the topic. The one, most-credible, video I found said that "the most infinitely important part of the weed eater engine is that it has a clutch". My question to you all is this: The weed eater I am thinking of using is a Weed Eater brand Feather Lite FL20 20cc engine. Do you think this particular engine has a clutch? In the video the guy said that only the "better brands" have clutches. I would assume Weed Eater is a better brand, considering they claimed the general name.

I've never dealt much with engines as small as a weed eater so I must admit I know little to nothing about them.

waynev · 05-09-2010, 07:47 PM

I've ripped a few weedeater engines apart including a "weedeater" brand engine to convert them for use in my RC airplanes, my friend has also done a few, and all the ones we did had clutches. The easiest way to tell for sure is to track down the model number and find the exploded view of all the parts. Weedeater brand engines are made by poulan. I'll see what i can dig up on the one you plan to use, but i did do a weedeater 21cc engine, does yours have the carb on one side and a muffler attached with 2 springs on the opposite side?.

waynev · 05-09-2010, 07:54 PM

Well here's the exploded parts for the FL20 http://www.ordertree.com/ARI.aspx?Mfg=75&Model=FL20C Gas Trimmer&AFID=7

Just click on the "illistrated parts list" i do not see a clutch on that model.

FastDoc · 05-09-2010, 09:47 PM

I had the same unit, no clutch.

I also built a motorized bike out of a nice Trek I found on CL and a Chinese engine. It worked remarkably well. Alas, I sold it. I sell everything!

katoranger · 05-09-2010, 11:59 PM

I have an echo pole saw motor here. It has a clutch on it. More than 20cc too. :wink:

The cheaper home model units don't usually have clutches. The bigger models do.

Allen

waynev · 05-10-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

The cheaper home model units don't usually have clutches. The bigger models do.

Allen

Yeah, the new cheapy models don't seem to have them but the cheapy models from 10-15 years ago all seem to have them, i guess to make them cheaper they figured they were not needed.

BrianW · 05-10-2010, 08:53 AM

Thank you for your help and saving a poor-unfortunate-soul of a weed eater from an untimely death. I will keep my eyes peeled on my many ventures into the local thrift shops and garage sales. All the ones I can seem to find on CL are either too expensive or don't run. I'll keep you fellas posted!

katoranger · 05-10-2010, 10:01 AM

Brian, check out the homelite models too. They are less expensive and the larger ones had clutches. I will look around to see if I have any more here. I think I may have a craftsman too. It was working until a friend stripped the drive shaft.

Allen

05-09-2010, 07:23 PM	#1
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	Weed Eater Bicycle My little 12 year old cousin just asked me to help him build a gas powered bicycle. I started searching youtube and found quite a few videos regarding the topic. The one, most-credible, video I found said that "the most infinitely important part of the weed eater engine is that it has a clutch". My question to you all is this: The weed eater I am thinking of using is a Weed Eater brand Feather Lite FL20 20cc engine. Do you think this particular engine has a clutch? In the video the guy said that only the "better brands" have clutches. I would assume Weed Eater is a better brand, considering they claimed the general name. I've never dealt much with engines as small as a weed eater so I must admit I know little to nothing about them.
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05-09-2010, 09:47 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I had the same unit, no clutch. I also built a motorized bike out of a nice Trek I found on CL and a Chinese engine. It worked remarkably well. Alas, I sold it. I sell everything! __________________ Happy to serve.
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05-09-2010, 11:59 PM	#5
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I have an echo pole saw motor here. It has a clutch on it. More than 20cc too. :wink: The cheaper home model units don't usually have clutches. The bigger models do. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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05-10-2010, 10:01 AM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Brian, check out the homelite models too. They are less expensive and the larger ones had clutches. I will look around to see if I have any more here. I think I may have a craftsman too. It was working until a friend stripped the drive shaft. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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05-09-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
waynev Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 1,097	I've ripped a few weedeater engines apart including a "weedeater" brand engine to convert them for use in my RC airplanes, my friend has also done a few, and all the ones we did had clutches. The easiest way to tell for sure is to track down the model number and find the exploded view of all the parts. Weedeater brand engines are made by poulan. I'll see what i can dig up on the one you plan to use, but i did do a weedeater 21cc engine, does yours have the carb on one side and a muffler attached with 2 springs on the opposite side?.
	0

05-09-2010, 07:54 PM	#3
waynev Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 1,097	Well here's the exploded parts for the FL20 http://www.ordertree.com/ARI.aspx?Mfg=75&Model=FL20C Gas Trimmer&AFID=7 Just click on the "illistrated parts list" i do not see a clutch on that model.
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05-10-2010, 08:53 AM	#7
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	Thank you for your help and saving a poor-unfortunate-soul of a weed eater from an untimely death. I will keep my eyes peeled on my many ventures into the local thrift shops and garage sales. All the ones I can seem to find on CL are either too expensive or don't run. I'll keep you fellas posted!
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