4 Stroke Motorized Bicycle: How to Make a Predator 212 Look OLD [Part 2]

Do you want that vintage look on a budget? The predator 212 engine is a Honda clone with the aftermarket support to build reliably. Rotated to mount vertically, it resembles a 1916 Excelsior Single in my latest tribute. How much oil to use? What brackets do you cut off to strip it down? I answer these and more in this video.
Stay to the end to see the final patina, first ride, and startup sequence.
Imagine pulling up to the local car or bike show in a one-off, head turning tribute that everyone drools over…
👉 GET ACCESS TO KEITH'S PARTS LIST!
(THE SECRET TO MY KILLER BUILDS 🤫)
shorturl.at/lzR18
#motorcycle #predator212 #harborfreight #vintagemotorcycles #motorizedbike #motorizedbicycle #motorized #diy #vintagecars #americanpickers

[@TrueHelpTV]

"pass it off as a vintage motorized bicycle" my inner desire to push the boundaries of loopholes is screaming "officer it's grandfathered" as I go 45-50mph

[@Tipi_Dan]

The best looking motorized bicycle I have seen. These things are so perfect for the new normal, and so few of us have the skills to build one. I hope they go viral and the market explodes so competition can deliver a simple and reliable product to the public.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

So kind of you to take time to write this comment. It’s been a fun process so far building a community (on here and also almost 100k followers on Instagram) around these bikes and I believe the best is yet to come.

[@hulksmashnoobsgotit2387]

get a cast aluminum flywheel, if that flywheel fails (which stock ones are known to do) you will have severe shrapnel damage to your leg, especially with how low geared that thing is. a cast aluminum flywheel from a Tillotson 212 will run you about 40 bucks and keep the vintage look.

[@hornmonk3zit]

You can just get a whole Tillotson 212 instead of the Predator anyway, they're better built and a little spicier for only $50 more than the going rate for a Predator these days.

[@stephenyetman]

Wow, had no idea that these flywheels can fail and cause damage like that, thanks for the info my friend,I'll definitely be looking into an up grade.

[@stephenyetman]

​@@hornmonk3zit I'm up here in Canada eh..lol We have a 212cc power fist engine from princess auto our version of your harbor freight. I've had it 4 yrs, velocity stack air filter and exhaust, Governor still on it,never had a problem with it, idk much about the flywheels in this engine,came with starter attached,key start and I've been clocked at over 70+ mph...96km, says I shouldn't be able get that fast out of these motors with Governor still intact but I does that with a bit more left in her, gets very sketchy tho, especially on a micargi stretch beach cruiser, it's kinda like riding a spaghetti noodle..lol Coast was 175.00$ can. roughly, so about 125$ U.S

[@hornmonk3zit]

@stephenyetman The issue with the flywheel is mostly a problem when you remove the governor, the stock cast iron flywheel isn't rated for more than 3600 RPM. Also 96kph isn't 70mph, it's not even 60.

[@stephenyetman]

@@hornmonk3zit thank you for the info and yes you're right on mph/ km I was never any good at converting km to mph ..lol. And it's only simple..lol thanks again eh

[@kennyh5083]

That thing is way off-the-charts cool man!

[@LordMekanicus]

Looks like a 3d powersports twin disc clutch would be more authentic for you. Hand lever controlled, solid lockup, also allows engine braking. Also kinda' funny to think that the real thing made the same power from a vee-twin 1000cc on barely 60 octane fuel in 1917. Nice work! I love it when things are as real and raw as they can get.

[@TorquePowerVideo]

Very cool! If I hadn't watched this, I'd have never known it was a Predator motor!

[@sonovoxx]

Lol! Great build, but where's the "how to make it look old" bit of the video?

[@dennisyoung4631]

Perhaps spray the engine with WD-40, then run it? Do this a few times, wiping matters off so as to build “patina?” The thing that worries me is these engines were designed for fan-cooling, and hence might run overly warm.

[@sonovoxx]

@@dennisyoung4631 we'll never know! If you look at the Pt1 of this video 10 months ago, he had the same comments because he didn't tell us there either - he even said in the comments that it would be in Pt2... and of course, here we are, and it isn't!

[@loopwithers]

I agree. Maybe it is time for a new category after "original" "restored" "tribute" and " retro-mod". Let's call it "utter bollocks". Available for shipping NOW!

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Which part are you referring to? I go over the bracket removal and strip down extra parts as well as adding the different valve cover and vintage plug wire. Are you referring to the patina? I cover this other videos but I use high temp black paint and then add iron oxide and rust activator to give it a weathered look.

[@sonovoxx]

@@SeymourCycleWorks thanks for replying, bit yes - referring to the patina. Not sure how others feel, but what you did here was fit a new motor in the bike, and it still looked (mostly) new at the end of it. So yes, going by the title, I WAS expecting the patina to be part of it. The only other video I could see re patina didn't cover the main hot parts of the engine, unless I've missed a video somewhere. It's all good though, you've answered my questions for now, but if you do go on to patina the engine too, please make a video! 💪👍👏👏👏

[@bruceperron3796]

That thing is killer,love it.

[@mwk1996]

Just what I was looking for! Thanks.

[@Bata.andrei]

The idea is great, but i would modify the internals of the engine so that the lubrication will work with the different angle

[@Del350K4]

I was worrying about oil scavenging, too.

[@hulksmashnoobsgotit2387]

they take a full quart of oil in that orientation , works fine.

[@Del350K4]

@@hulksmashnoobsgotit2387 After all, the "lubrication system" is just a sort of plastic splashy thing fixed to the con rod - as long as there's a pool for it to dip into, II suppose it's happy!

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

@@Del350K4it’s not plastic wtf have you never been in side a predator engine. Then you shouldn’t comment on something you don’t know about.

[@RomoRooster]

The governor was not hooked up to the carb, and I'm curious if it stays cool enough without the cooling fan and shroud

[@TheBigred1781]

That was my thought too. If the throttle cable goes directly to the carb, the govenor is doing nothing.

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

Yes it’s just flopping around in the engine and engine won’t last long.

[@slvrktman7824]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@321CatboxWA]

I found the regular black belts shred/wear fast . I switched to a impliment belt like a deck belt . It handels the torque much better . Good job !

[@greenbassboosts8872]

If you are slipping it then the black belts do go bad faster. They seem to get hot and screech too lol. I think they grip better though

[@321CatboxWA]

@@greenbassboosts8872 I needed a belt that could take a load on the inside surface and the black ones would shred quickly. I had modified a chainsaw clutch drive with liquid steel and the torque was delivered to the inner face as opposed to the sides like a normal v drive. I agree with you about slipping, like using it as a clutch for sure. Have you built one? What did you use for a motor and drive?

[@greenbassboosts8872]

@@321CatboxWA I built a bike with a Tecumseh 8hp and v belt slipper clutch and a 49cc 2 stroke with direct drive v belt

[@321CatboxWA]

@@greenbassboosts8872 Cool, was the 2 stroke a kit motor?

[@greenbassboosts8872]

@@321CatboxWA It's a 49cc pocket bike engine with a pulley welded to the piece of the clutch that mounts to the drive shaft. It works ok but the gearing still isn't ratio'd enough to pull up a lot of hills even though I put the smallest pulley I could on the engine and have it going around a 20 inch (18 inch) bike rim on the other end. I'm thinking this concept might work better with a bigger wheel, but I also plan to hash out a jackshaft setup on future builds

[@BicycleMotors-ep6pc]

I love classical motorcycles. I think I may try to build one kind of like that. 👍👍

[@AnnEdington-ok2qb]

Dude, that is awesome!

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Back tire almost flat, cool build.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

I’m just a big guy.😂

[@ElijahMiniBikes]

How’d you get the patina look on the block and head of the engine? Also keeping the governor inside the engine and putting a slide carburetor that isn’t attached to the internal governor doesn’t help it slow down. It’ll just keep going up in rpm’s until valve float or possibly even the magnet on the flywheel coming off. Otherwise, great video. I’m doing some vintage stuff not as a old as this but would like to know more how to make a newer engine look older.

[@feraltweed]

Needs a wood handle on the starting rope. Cool build

[@SL8T3R]

awsommmeee ! I want one 2 !! REALLY NICE BRO !

[@rockcrusher4636]

Brilliant, thanks for sharing. Cheers.

[@MrKdr500]

very cool, be nice if you could pedal start it?

[@garymccord4277]

Like the way it looka. Great build

[@carlosg1165]

How about the cooling without the fan and covers , does it Overheat with out it ???

[@terranovnicek1567]

These engines are designed to be stationary in stuff like generators and wood splitters. In a bike, there's a lot more airflow because it's moving. That's why you don't see many air cooled motorcycles with cooling fans.

[@thebrokeway9838]

so the predator 212 will run in that position?? i have beeen bustin my ass trying to cram it in a cruiser, a racing bike and whatever bro you are a life saver, time saver, frustration saver you are my Hero take care and peace ty

[@randyrhodes9124]

so cool u were able to do that and btw i thought the old school bikes had to be pop started? peddle then dump the clutch?

[@MrMadenuff]

nice job

[@mp-xt2rg]

How are you handling the oil splash finger on the crank rod being at the wrong angle?

[@dadsrustorations5103]

How many horse is the motors? Very cool build👍

[@Earth11111]

Nice as is.:. Kick start would be cool

[@DarnellAlls]

You do awesome work. That looks great. I build bikes with gas powered motors on them also. Just give me a ton of ideas thank you so much. .

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Thank you very much! It means a lot you would take time to say these kind words. Happy building!

[@simonallan9941]

Are you using a different carburetor? if so how do you connect the governor to the throttle? awesome video and a great choice of vintage motorcycle, thank you for sharing.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

This is a different carb. A mukini and I never hooked up the governor, just left the mechanism in the engine.

[@simonallan9941]

​@SeymourCycleWorks thats a good idea incase you decide to connect it later on, like to stop the new owner from over reving the engine 😀

[@simonsimon3907]

that thing is prity cool looking and old looking

[@Rudestude]

Where did you get the valve cover, that was on the motor you pulled off

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

On eBay. I have full parts list here: shorturl.at/lzR18

[@earllsimmins9373]

Here in Bogota Colombia motorized bicycles are quite popular

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Love it!

[@gunghoadventures871]

awesome

[@90FF1]

Nice work! I can't recall ever seeing a bicycle with a large curve in the down tube just forward of the bottom bracket. Is this something you add to facilitate motor installation and/or vintage motorcycle appearance?. Thanks.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

This frame is custom built but yes, a lot of builders will take bicycle frames and add a drop loop and longer top tubes

[@shawngoldsberry747]

The dog is very concerned

[@legendarydave333]

is there a sump: or a splash system?

[@parkerhammond3258]

How does it get oil?

[@b-18bolo_bomber3]

What frame is used for the bike itself? I want to make a 1920's style motor bike

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

This one is from Taylar Cycles who is not making frames at the moment. I have a parts list link in the description that breaks down many of the parts I use.

[@EMNM22]

How did you make the steering fork pivot?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

It’s actually has a bearing on each side of the tube and a 5/8” bolt through them if I recall

[@tgetbehead]

looks cool but keeping the governor in the block dose not mean the governor is still working it only works if the linkage is connected to the carb

[@TheTrooper777]

Awesome

[@joezambrano9651]

Right on what price range do you have on something like that how much for a build

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

This one went for $7k

[@coltonkirkman8714]

What rims do you run on this build? I would think it will break the spokes on the stock rims.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

These are custom built with way thicker spokes than normal. No issues with the belt since it’s more evenly distributed around the wheel.

[@screamnmonkee]

What size tires on this bike?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

26”x3”

[@markdanielisrael5554]

Great build, but how to stop the bike?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

This one has a front drum brake and a rear coaster brake.

[@atleeriksen8514]

NIce. Looks great...but the title says "How to make a Predator 212 look old" . The only thing you didnt cover :)...and those allen screws. Hmmmm!!?

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

Classic ✌️

[@kennyh5083]

The only thing I really really hate about it is the pull start and the belt drive!!

[@aksenof154Poehali]

Что вы сделали с механическим регулятором оборотов?

[@funone8716]

If you really want to convince the know-it-alls you need to make all the bolts and nuts square. Square = OLD

[@thebrizzell]

Where's part one

[@screamnmonkee]

We’re did you get intake for 90 degree set up?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Custom made

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

So why did you leave the governor in it and it’s not hooked up and just flopping around in the engine. This bikes cool looking but definitely a death trap 💯

[@stonedsurvival420-kk6ol]

Me and my brother build a 1979 stingray mini chopper predator 212cc engine hits 65 mph peged

[@dogpaw775]

had ne do a double take.

[@BuildBreakFix]

use a g2 belt with gator grip teeth! grips like mofo in wet weather! smaller pully wont slip vs that multi link things. just saying personal experience anyhow looks super nice vintage sinces was what they used back the day as well on old track racers. g3 belts are horrible though most mix two up slip like hell. red/ green normally g3 why i say that blue/orange are g2 in multi link anyhow depending on brand. just took old 110cc 4 stroke out for ride in rain last night actually uploading historic challenge video thing actually as write this.

[@apex107lrp]

Modern Chinesium engine in a true classic cycle seems like such mechanical sacrilege...until you fire it up and puttputt brraaap down the driveway. Who cares?? It works!

[@unboxsicfi7845]

What to do for your live life????

[@SchoolforHackers]

Uh, what?

[@unboxsicfi7845]

@@SchoolforHackers what is you profession?????

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

@@unboxsicfi7845 I actually work with teenagers as a youth pastor and do this as a fun hobby business.

[@jasongooden917]

MoPed

[@nuclearpowerphysics5409]

Yeah how to lose money too XD

[@someguydino6770]

I know that the people advising you on "how to put together effective videos" say that having a thumbnail of yourself expressing some type of powerful emotion is " the right thing to do" but to my weak mind; it immediately signals "BS content ensuing" sorry ....

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

I seriously appreciate the feedback as I’m always learning. Thanks for taking the time to comment and I hope the content exceeded your expectations from the thumbnail.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

This looks really cool. You should have left the studs in the block for the exhaust. It's not good to be screwing a bolt in and out of the aluminum. That's just asking for stripped out threads. That's why there were studs in the engine. Besides, the whole idea is to look old. There were no Allen head bolts for a LONG time .

[@apex107lrp]

Wise point...but we're long past authenticity here 😉😂

[@inspireonex]

I'd think oiling to the top end would suffer a bit in this configuration. Not to mention no shrouds or fan for cooling. I guess 212s are cheap enough though...

[@apex107lrp]

More technical wisdom...that's waaay out of running angle specs...but I wonder are the antique brakes and/or tires more to be concerned about? 😋

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

You both obviously don’t have a clue. It oils just fine. 😂

[@inspireonex]

@@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436 thanks for having enough clues for us all. You obviously know everything. Let's not go by the likes on my comment on the public agreeing with my statement. Let's also hope you have a clue about sarcasm. Of course you do! You know everything.

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

@@inspireonex how do I know everything? I just know a lot about 212s I’ve been building them for 20years.

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

@@inspireonex you have 12 people that agreed with you and that’s for people that don’t know how a 212cc works lol 😂 get over yourself

[@dekon70]

What a fantastic looking machine!

[@cal28kim]

Will it still leak just the right amount of oil on to the floor to pass as a classic 🤣🤣🤣❗

[@bluesman3794]

Beautiful build!

[@tafsirnahian669]

Now do it with predator 600cc vtwin

[@corey6393]

So how did you fake patina the new engine? That was the main reason I watched this video. I like your builds, but I gotta say the title is a little misleading. Love the look and sound you have achieved. Next step is to build the frames yourself.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

thanks so much for the feedback! I’m always learning so these comments really help me to know what you guys want to see. In this video, I talk about prepping the motor by removing certain parts, mounting tabs, and mounting vertically. I’m working on another video covering my paint/ patina techniques. Stay tuned.

[@corey6393]

@@SeymourCycleWorks OK cool, thanks. Would love to see and know more.

[@hotrodderrecycler3202]

Any air holding tire has less rolling resistance and wear when properly aired up. Just need to master the tube bender, sheet metal bender and welder. Make your own version of the frame, handle bars and tank to launch your own modern version. Then upgrade to cutting table for artsy gears and mounting stubs. Then enforce the closest friend to learn how to make custom leather seat covers and handle grips. Catching name for the bikes and live the dream making a living from home with a stocked beer fridge.

[@Charger1908]

Man talk about ingenuity! Great job, if you aren’t a gear head this would slip by and rightfully so. Nice job!

[@amend5269]

If the head is straight up instead of normally at a 45 degree angle would that not change the ability to lubricate itself?

[@mortenhansen3455]

Seymour this looks and sounds HELLA COOL!!!!! I wish these were legal in Denmark, Europe. I'd have one already :-D NICE build bro!!!

[@huntfishexplore7636]

I should do this so my wife doesnt see that i got a brand new one

[@robertmcwhinney4596]

How stupid have you got to be to over tighten a flywheel nut lol, I haven't done that since I was five and my pappy was letting me work on some old lawnmower engines he had laying around lol.🙏😁🤠👍

[@frogpedals]

If you are going to drive that on the road, will you have to register that as a motorcycle?

[@balboa8694]

Amigo seimour las ruedas son de una fat bike?

[@bielatorta55]

How do you get lubrication up to the head?

[@Jarda_B]

good, But not so for the orientation of the motor.

[@williamlowe2545]

What degree do you have the engine

[@beckwerks]

Do you have to do anything for making sure the engine gets oiled everywhere when you mount the engine upright like you have it? It looks great btw!

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Nope, just over fill it and it works. No issues yet

[@alfreddurbyn642]

Looks cool but 2 major problems the first being the engine isn't designed to run at this angle, it's a oil slung engine and gets lubricant by dipping the rod connection down into the oil and slinging it on moving parts. At this angle there's no way of knowing if it's even reaching the oil or too much. The second being this is a air cooled engine and comes with a shroud and fins on the flywheel to force air over the head cooling it. It's a good system but if taken away it will over heat and seize, I know from experience from a kid doing just what you are here. It will run for a short time but that's all.

[@anunnakielohim2727]

fan shroud is added for stationary use, look at all the air cooled motorcycles from the past, don't see many fan shrouds on them, riding creates a breeze that cools them.

[@alfreddurbyn642]

@@anunnakielohim2727 that's what I thought also when I was just a kid I put one of these small engine on a bicycle and it just didn't look cool with the shroud and it lasted about a week and the rings collapse from heat. It runs at a temp that is at its limits while moving then a few stop and idle it's a dead duck. Even Harley Davidson has gone to a small radiator cooling the head in the exhaust area. If these engines had a pressurized oil system going through a oil cooler they may hold up to it but they don't.

[@1down4upworkshop61]

Is that a custom made valve cover?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

No, you can get them on EBay if you search tall finned valve cover for predator 212 or honda gx200

[@thesausage351]

Shit that style of motorcycle looks so awesome. Right on that change over period from pedal to this new fangled sparky bangy go thing that’s the newest fad. I’d love one.

[@jasonliebenberg7918]

Im a 56 year old,South African,don't own a motor cycle,but i did,this would be my thing...❤❤😊🇿🇦

[@BigBoyLies]

i guess this is the equivalent of swapping LS into a model T?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Except the model t is a replica. Everything is new on this bike.

[@BigBoyLies]

@@SeymourCycleWorks really?! Well i be damned. Those some convincing patina. GOOD WORK!

[@mijithebub]

I've been wanting to build one of these for a long time. do you think the Predator 420 engine would fit in one of these frames?

[@4zstudio42]

Best looking GX bike on whole YT!!! EVER!!! I' try to do 5% of that in my GX120

[@alvaroalves9608]

Nice Motorbike, really an Amazing job, and thanx for sharing such a Beauty as this one.

[@simonallan9941]

I think it would still look good and vintage with the cylinder leaning forward at least 30°

[@Brickedaboss07]

I’ve always wanted to predator swap an excelsor sadly couldn’t find one

[@calebcook3546]

You should keep it original because that’s worth more than it is the other way

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

This entire bike is brand new. Made to look old like the originals.

[@deathwrenchcustom]

🤣🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@joshuafouts-k9k]

awesome built keep up with it on KZbin but good job man

[@johnhess351]

Very nice build, but the how-to of making it look old consists of grinding off tank mounts and a couple of fins and 'applying patina'? How did you 'apply patina'?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Working on that for the next video. Stand by

[@marcinos303]

It looks great! I'm wondering about lubrication though. Actually, this engine shouldn't be tilted at that angle because it has splash lubrication. Aren't you afraid that there will be seizing of poorly lubricated elements??? Are you using any other oil, e.g. fully synthetic, high viscosity??? Sam plans to do something similar, based on the Polish SHL motorcycle, after major modifications. It would look more or less like this: [img]i.imgur.com/Wue3Wmy.jpg[/img] [img]i.imgur.com/V7anvNL.jpg[/img]

[@tiberiolincoln5687]

Very good...

[@chrisanderson6611]

Awesome 👍👍

[@joevalicenti2722]

How do you adjust chain tension on your primary chain... it looked way to loose before you put the cover on.

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

I ended up taking a link out. There really wasn’t an adjustment other than getting a bigger tooth sprocket/ tanking links out.

[@BryanM362]

Cool bike! Where did you source that headlight?

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

eBay. It is an actual old carbide lamp. This is actually the only old thing on the bike. Everything else is brand new made to look old.

[@BryanM362]

@@SeymourCycleWorks I looked at those, but they are pretty expensive. Thought about tryin to make a replica...

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

@@BryanM362 sometimes you can get a deal on a lot of several or find them from local antique shops. The mining carbide lamps are cheaper but significantly smaller so there’s a trade off.