Freshman Rider
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Post by ungabunga on Jan 8, 2016 18:38:27 GMT -5
So apparently some guy in California has started manufacturing Cushman Scooters again. They seem a bit on the expensive side but ooh, I'm having a geek-gasm. Website is www.kjackmotors.com/ but has little real info. They have a facebook page as well. I'm planning on opening my own scooter shop eventually and if these are as good as they look, they'd be in the running for a product line, maybe with Genuine as a secondary brand. |
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Post by JerryScript on Jan 8, 2016 20:12:40 GMT -5
So they have the equipment to build the frames and bodies, no info listed about the engines. Interesting, I'll be watching!
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Freshman Rider
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Posts: 89
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Post by ungabunga on Jan 8, 2016 21:58:53 GMT -5
I've found information that the engines are made by Subaru, but I've only seen one mention. Here: maxi-scoots.com/scoot/index.php?topic=5811.0;prev_next=prev#newseems crazy to get such minimal hp out of such a large displacement engine (400cc), and they could save weight with a smaller displacement, but still, I'm geekin out over here. |
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Post by cyborg on Jan 8, 2016 22:13:26 GMT -5
I dig em,,,brembo brakes,,,all steel ,,,ol timey look,,,chain drive,,,,,and I'm sure it's a carb and pipe away from 20-22 hp with any kind of luck at all,,,but at $5995 for the one I like,,,I can get a gently used bmw or Ducati ,,,or better yet the g400c from genuine with over a grand left over,,
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Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Down but not out
Posts: 89
Likes: 14
Joined: Jan 5, 2016 21:15:02 GMT -5
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Post by ungabunga on Jan 8, 2016 23:22:11 GMT -5
I dig em,,,brembo brakes,,,all steel ,,,ol timey look,,,chain drive,,,,,and I'm sure it's a carb and pipe away from 20-22 hp with any kind of luck at all,,,but at $5995 for the one I like,,,I can get a gently used bmw or Ducati ,,,or better yet the g400c from genuine with over a grand left over,, Sure, but it's a frikkin Cushman! And it's made in the US, which is something. But, yeah, that's majesty, Burgman, and Silverwing money. |
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Post by Paladin on Jan 9, 2016 10:51:05 GMT -5
K-Jack Engineering Co. is 2.3 miles from my home. Local dealer is 8.7 miles away, California Boss Hoss Motorcycles. The engines are www.subarupower.com/products/engines/ex-series-features-benefits/ industrial motors with a five year warranty. I took a short spin on a 14 bhp. Oy Vey!! It is not fast, it is not pretty, it is not smooth. It is a Sherman Tank. The finish is very high quality. As an industrial motor it is not balanced, it shakes like a Harley. Old pictures... if you want more I could take more.    |
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Post by wheelbender6 on Jan 9, 2016 18:15:18 GMT -5
I wish the new Cushman company would make a model with larger diameter wheels. I would enjoy hot-rodding one of those engines.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 9, 2016 20:20:19 GMT -5
These are slick!
I saw features on them some time ago. I don't know if they will ever get into full production; so FEW of these efforts ever do, but I hope so. Lots of truly creative modernizations of original Cushman staples like the coil-over front suspension which emulates the old, stone-age Cushman "barrel-spring" design while providing modern performance.
I think they'd have generated a LOT more interest with a modern Cushman Eagle, than this rather unusual utility scooter. Even the classic "turtledeck" Cushman scooter would THRILL Cushman fans. But time will tell...
I never was lucky enough to own a Cushman, but one of my earliest chances to ride 2-wheels was a pal's Eagle. It was SO crude... But SO much fun to ride! If I recall, the venerable old flathead was probably around 500 cc, putting out a whopping 8 hp. However... it likely had around 30 lb/ft of TORQUE. Enough to provide major "snap" off the line... Augmented by the unique 2-speed tranny and combo centrifugal/manual clutch it was no slouch.
One could come to a stop without disengaging that clutch, and start up like a modern "twist 'n go" scooter. Then, manually use the foot-clutch pedal to disengage and shift gears.
One could also open the throttle with the clutch pedal down, then dump the clutch and SMOKE the rear tire and do zero to 35 as fast as ANYTHING made in the fifties... Then hit second and reach an honest 60 mph... Uphill or in any wind.
And nothing short of a hot Hog, or Ford flathead with straight-pipes could equal that SWEET Cushman exhaust note (especially with the Eagle wearing those beautiful twin straight-pipes with long megaphones).
THERE was one SINGLE-CYLINDER mill that barked with authority! 
I hope this company will make it, and offer the complete Cushman line one day!
Leo (reminiscing of all-steel and flatheads) in Texas
PS: Here are a few restored Cushman pix to stir the old memories!
SWEETEST sound this side of a Stradivarius playin' Cajun music in the swamp!!!
I checked out the new Cushman II website. Doesn't look like much is happening. They do show a new version of the turtledeck Highlander, and a "proposed" Eagle. Nice, but sit WAY too high to capture the original look, and the engine looks ALL wrong in the Eagle.
I think I'd rather find a restored original, and keep it stock, or... Pull the drive-train, sell it and get a nice maxi-scoot engine/tranny and graft it in, while upgrading the old suspension with coil-overs and disk brakes. Lots of work, not cheap, but you'd have original Cushman CLASS with 80 mph speed and modern handling... As for the old balloon-tires on tiny rims, I have seen modern wheel/tire combos for the Cushman fanatic (especially those dropping in a Harely V-twin Sportster motor/tranny) which seems to fit nicely!
Like the Ford Deuce, Harley flathead and classic wood inboard-speedboats, the original Cushmans are hard to replicate and have them look just "right". Not much market for them either, but oh, are they BEAUTIFUL...
We DID have some marvelous toys "back in the day"... |
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