I'd like to attach a 26cc Ryobi 4 cycle weed trimmer motor to a commuter bicycle to supplement pedaling. I'd like to do this as efficiently and elegantly as possible.
Versions I've seen resort to friction drive direct to the tire or enormous pulleys to acquire speed reduction straight off of the motor's shaft. I'd rather see if it's possible to mount the engine more traditionally within the frame (like a motorcycle) and bolt a small planetary gear reducer directly to the back of the little gas engine. In this fashion I could more easily integrate the motor right into the bicycle's original drivetrain.
A cursory look at such reducers on the web reveals the tiny sets for use within power hand tools, and the industrial sized versions that weigh many time more than I can use.
Can anyone point me in a direction to start looking for a gear box that would be in useful range for this project?
Versions I've seen resort to friction drive direct to the tire or enormous pulleys to acquire speed reduction straight off of the motor's shaft. I'd rather see if it's possible to mount the engine more traditionally within the frame (like a motorcycle) and bolt a small planetary gear reducer directly to the back of the little gas engine. In this fashion I could more easily integrate the motor right into the bicycle's original drivetrain.
A cursory look at such reducers on the web reveals the tiny sets for use within power hand tools, and the industrial sized versions that weigh many time more than I can use.
Can anyone point me in a direction to start looking for a gear box that would be in useful range for this project?