"A caution".........
This is my last recument trike
View attachment 1715810454
The engine in question is not mounted in this older photo. I had bought a small 4 stroke for it because I figured it would "pull" at lower RPM and be a bit more quiet.
Now this trike is "1 wheel drive" off the chain. The left wheel idles on a shaft. I made a new shaft and modified it so the left wheel is driven by that new shaft and connected an ELECTRIC drive to the left shaft
When I got the 4 stroke I left that all connected, and added a second sprocket to the RIGHT shaft and connected the 4 stroke to that. So now the pedals and 4 stroke drive the right side wheel
The "CAUTION?"
The 4 stroke, even though small and not very powerful, DESTROYED the right hand wheel by stretching the spokes. I am guessing the constant "pounding" by the "put put put" applied a "pulsing" energy which stretched and ruined the spokes.
This all happened in the space of one summer
My advice: Drive the wheel with friction, or find some sort of alloy wheel, etc
Also be aware that (so far as I know) all the commercial bike engines meed a maximum HP/ CC figure for unlicensed operation (at least in some states)
By using a lawn more or other large engine such as this, you might be "in danger" of law enforcement. Check what you are up against in your state.
