Planet Minis

mexicanyella

My plan is to rebuild a manual-clutch motor with a four-speed to put in my '71 hardtail. I don't plan to thrash it but I am 200+ lb. I want to be able to gear it up a little bit so I can cruise at 30+ mph without screaming the motor and putting my hands and feet to sleep with vibration. I've been thinking 72cc at least and maybe even an 88cc kit, but going for mild and torquey instead of cammed up and revvy.

I've seen a couple references here to the Honda 4-speeds being fragile. I figured the extra ratio would help pulling my weight on hills. I don't want to put in a clone motor; is my intended use asking too much of the stock 4-speed? Would I be better off using the manual clutch but a 3-speed trans, or would that be any advantage at all?

I've ridden a CT70H and a CL70 and liked the four-speed manual clutch arrangement a lot, but not if it's going to be too weak for my intended use. Maybe the increase in torque but staying with the 3-speed auto clutch, or just swap to a manual clutch, would be more bulletproof?

Please discuss.

Mexicanyella