Got a 50cc with 18000km on it, looking to frankenscoot it...  By  carpespasm (Read 827 times)

Like the title says, I just picked up a scooter with a bunch of miles on the frame and engine. Body plastics are busted up but present, the carb, belt, rollers, rear tire, and spark plug are all new. The main issue with it right now is presumably lack of compression as even after a valve adjustment it's barely able to idle, and with that many miles I'm amazed it can try to run at all.

All that said, I've got a new piston waiting for me at the house, a new battery a couple days out, and a mind to rat-rod it up. Before tossing any more money in it (I've got under $200 in it including the 60cc BBK and battery) I'd like to know what all I might expect to need service given the scooter's got a relatively high number of miles on it. I'm familiar with chinascooters, but never had one with that much on the clock. Anyone know lifespan expectations for things like the various bearings, rear gears, etc... assuming they've had decent maintenance? I'd hate to get a decent fraction of a whole new engine's cost into this one if there's not a reasonable amount of life left in the valves, bearings, etc...

Assuming all major gear drive train and brakes are in okay shape once the BBK is in place I'm planning to weld in a center support bar, Putting on different headlight cluster, removing some of the body panels, maybe making a wood floorboard, and new seat frame and seat more in a Ruckus style.

I'll post photos as I go as well.