starter motor used for electric bike?

well i have a question about a project thats happening in my metal class, we are building electric bikes/choppers with 12v car batteries and starter motors to power them, im wondering what would be the life expectancy of the starter motor, would it fry from being used constently or should it be fine?

Started motors are not meant for continuous duty and will fry. They also draw alot of current. Battery life, as well as starter life, will be poor.

ok then ill look into getting a different motor (im wanting mine to last) what motor that runs on 12vdc would you suggest? hopefully made for a car or something (i can find those parts easily)

whatever motor you get that runs on on a 12 vdc battery wont last that long because the battery will drain extremly quick. you need to use an alternator that change the dc to ac so it doesn't use the battery up but instead uses AC from the alternator.

What about a chain saw motor?

I've had one laying around for a while and I've been trying to decide whether its worth trying to hook up to a scooter/bike...

Thanks for any info.