Saved from the scapheap: Quasi-moto!
by: carpespasm - Apr 8, 2015 21:13:29 GMT -5
scooter likes this
Post by carpespasm on Apr 8, 2015 21:13:29 GMT -5
I like crappy scooters. Real crappy. "why are you fixing that?" crappy. See previous examples:
itistheride.boards.net/thread/5505/new-me-scooter-frank
planetminis.com/forums/chinese-import-minis-general-discussion/133744-hooptie-scooter-cycle.html
Picked up a grimy, dilapidated, and grown-in 50cc scoot a month or two back. It's carb slimed, tank dry and rusty, screws stripped all over, busted body plastics, rotted seat cover, butchered wiring. The whole 9 yards. Offered the guy half his asking price (it wasn't much to start) and he bit since he was trying to get to where he could mow that spot more than to sell a half-rotten scooter.
I started digging into it, and aside from all the parts he'd tried to do anything to it was pristine. Engine looks factory-new inside, under 3k miles on the engine, and started roughly well on a battery charger and cheater fluid. So I ordered a new throttle cable, carb, air box, and set about cludging anything else wrong with it into functionality. This included:
*replaced bad hoses
*added shutoff valve to fuel line (vacuum-diaphram stuck-open)
*shook bolts in tank with some kerosene until they got the majority of the rust out
*new fuel filter
*zip tied bits of wiring harness into decent places
*quick shot of flat black for remaining body plastics, and a shot of engine paint for dull engine bits
Right now it's running GREAT, really quite nice, with the following caveats:
*a few things that should be held with screws have tape holding them.
*a few things that should be held with bolts are held with zip ties.
*a few things that should be held with plastic are held with wood/steel/aluminum.
*the belt is a bit slippy
*the wiring is an absolute shambles. (screwdriver start, and a shutoff button from an old Missle Command video game)
*plywood footplate
*chinese takeout tray for battery holder
*seat recovered with an old pleather jacket
*zero lights working at the moment
*no front brake
Friend and I zipped around the block for a test-run
I'm debating the use of an unrestricted CDI, new belt, and parts to get the front brake working. I love these ridiculous little scooters, doubly so when they get a layer of unkempt grime on them, but are still mechanically solid. I might weld in a frame-brace between seat and front tube and add a coconut shell headlight.
itistheride.boards.net/thread/5505/new-me-scooter-frank
planetminis.com/forums/chinese-import-minis-general-discussion/133744-hooptie-scooter-cycle.html
Picked up a grimy, dilapidated, and grown-in 50cc scoot a month or two back. It's carb slimed, tank dry and rusty, screws stripped all over, busted body plastics, rotted seat cover, butchered wiring. The whole 9 yards. Offered the guy half his asking price (it wasn't much to start) and he bit since he was trying to get to where he could mow that spot more than to sell a half-rotten scooter.
I started digging into it, and aside from all the parts he'd tried to do anything to it was pristine. Engine looks factory-new inside, under 3k miles on the engine, and started roughly well on a battery charger and cheater fluid. So I ordered a new throttle cable, carb, air box, and set about cludging anything else wrong with it into functionality. This included:
*replaced bad hoses
*added shutoff valve to fuel line (vacuum-diaphram stuck-open)
*shook bolts in tank with some kerosene until they got the majority of the rust out
*new fuel filter
*zip tied bits of wiring harness into decent places
*quick shot of flat black for remaining body plastics, and a shot of engine paint for dull engine bits
Right now it's running GREAT, really quite nice, with the following caveats:
*a few things that should be held with screws have tape holding them.
*a few things that should be held with bolts are held with zip ties.
*a few things that should be held with plastic are held with wood/steel/aluminum.
*the belt is a bit slippy
*the wiring is an absolute shambles. (screwdriver start, and a shutoff button from an old Missle Command video game)
*plywood footplate
*chinese takeout tray for battery holder
*seat recovered with an old pleather jacket
*zero lights working at the moment
*no front brake
Friend and I zipped around the block for a test-run
I'm debating the use of an unrestricted CDI, new belt, and parts to get the front brake working. I love these ridiculous little scooters, doubly so when they get a layer of unkempt grime on them, but are still mechanically solid. I might weld in a frame-brace between seat and front tube and add a coconut shell headlight.
