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Post by scooter on Jan 25, 2015 20:36:25 GMT -5
Hi, im a 29yo from western PA. I joined the forum to try and find either an electric or gas scooter to commute to and from work. It needs to handle 10 miles on a single charge. Doesnt need to go fast. 10-15 mph is plenty. I am not afraid of fabrication or electronics. I've seen a few electrics on craigslist but I shied away because they are a few years old and I'm sure the batteries cost a fortune. I think they do 35mph or better. I wonder how expensive it would be to make your own lithium batteries? I remember watching a video of how they are made and it's not rocket science. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 25, 2015 0:19:33 GMT -5
The lady I bought the scooter from said she paid $2,800 to a custom paint shop called Deano's or something like that. She had the money to burn, so she did it up all fluflu. I really wish she'd have just left the factory paint on it. I don't want to waste a dime of my money repainting a 9 year old scooter. So the all weather tape will do just fine. I think it has more character now all taped up. 
I hope it doesn't take paint off when you remove it. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 20:01:50 GMT -5
purchased an electric fuel pump to replace the vacuum fuel pump. I don't want to cut a hole in the plastic, and I don't want to manually turn on and off by taking off an access panel. Because I could gravity feed it (my tank really is at the highest point on the bike that it can be), I am going to throw a manual petcock in the seat...in case the electric ever fails. I like auto-on/off.. I am going to replace some of the dino-bulbs with LEDs to balance the small amount of power consumed by the pump. Oh, and I rode with the neighborhood kids riding their four wheelers on the road. My scoot was faster... they must be geared for dirt. Nice! I just put in an electric pump myself. I put a relay on it and, conveniently, had an "extra" ignition switch wire next to the battery to hook it to. For now I have the pump tie wrapped to the frame. The ~1.2 amp pump doesn't seem to have affected the system negatively, but it's only been in there for a few days. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 19:56:02 GMT -5
For the one I'm fixing up, I painted and installed the muffler, detailed the rear wheel and rear of the engine area, took it for a test drive for the first time  , ordered a belt, scuffed the clutch pads, cleaned the variator and put new rollers in. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 16:53:30 GMT -5
I finally installed a windshield from Scrappy today. Hopefully will help to make my cold weather riding a bit more pleasant! I totally want to see your dog riding it with a tiny helmet on.  That would be some good YouTube material I think. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 16:49:23 GMT -5
It's a 155cc, and is for people with more money than taste. I have always looked at scooters, since they are so practical, but was always with a "but I can't see myself riding one." Age changed my opinion, step-through allows me to continue riding. And with the Vespa I came to find out that scooters are *FUN* -- hey!! why didn't anyone tell me? But $10K for a 150cc class scooter? A Moto Guzzi V7 Stone is more than $1,500 less! Yeah. I think you can get a new Burman 650 Exec for 12,000. I'll take that over a 150 Vespa any time.  |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 16:44:29 GMT -5
Alright guys, just wanted to give you guys a update-issue was a torn intake boot. the bigger carb actually caused a upward pull on the intake boot, which ripped it, im awaiting a larger intake manifold and as of now wrapped it with electrical tape. Anyway, after dialing everything in I wanted to show you what I actually did to the scoot! I used the front end of a 73 honda cb350 and modified the shocks to make them fit, also used the gauges, lights, seat, fenders, and fuel tank off it. front end required a bit of welding, however most other things were small modifications. Nice work! |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 16:18:22 GMT -5
Awesome!! 69MPH,,us 150's are going to be right on your tail...and maybe get you in the corners..  Yeeah! My 150 did 55-60, 60 or more on the Chinometer, it was a lot lighter, better handling, and the parts costed half as much as these 250 parts. You don't get much for the extra money except a few more miles per hour, but I hear these things can cruise without trouble.  You'll definitely get me in the corners! |
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Post by scooter on Jan 24, 2015 11:46:46 GMT -5
Found the VIN stamped on the frame, right side, just in front of the water pump, just behind a plate where a VIN tag would be.
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Post by scooter on Jan 23, 2015 23:04:30 GMT -5
Thank you. I have been wondering about it ever since I saw your avatar. It looks neat! Those newer Silver Wings look nice. I have only seen the old ones on the road, and they are... butt ugly. They look like someone hacked up a Gold Wing. The newer Gold Wings look pretty hot too. This Silver Wing trike looks pretty sturdy and stylish as well.  |
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Post by scooter on Jan 23, 2015 22:46:37 GMT -5
That is impressive. It looks like someone stripped the bike of EVERYTHING but what was needed to make it go. I think a chain cover and rear fender would be nice though. It looks like it would spray water all over you. It doesn't look like it could handle a 150 motor, looking at the brakes and everything. Doing 60+ on that thing looks like certain death. I'd like to chat with the engineer that designed it. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 23, 2015 22:39:49 GMT -5
I recently got a 50cc scooter (I have no idea what kind) from a friend of mine. She had it and I rode it more than she did, so she finally offered to sell it. It has been out in the elements for about 4 months (wind, rain, snow) and now will not start. I believe the issue is the petcock as there was no fuel getting through the lines. I was told to remove the petcock and run the fuel line straight to the carb to see if it would start. It did not. I have replaced the fuel filter, the spark plug, and and now waiting to see if I should order a petcock. Any ideas? Thanks! I'm assuming your tank is above the carb. If you think it's getting fuel now then I'd check the spark next by cranking the engine while touching the end of the spark plug to the metal of the engine and see if you are getting a spark. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 23, 2015 22:36:00 GMT -5
I'll try to explain this problema. at 35mph EXACTLY, every time, My scoot DIES untill it slows down to 30mph, then takes off like a bat outta hockey sticks until 35mph again. TGB delivery 50cc Bone stock. It normally hauls at 43-45mph de restricted. The problem just started yesterday. Carb is spotless, float height is perfect. I'm thinking the petcock is malfunctioning. Maybe a collapsing vacuum line to the petcock issue (i've read about it in TGB forums)? it feels like the fuel bowl empties and i have to wait for it to refill before it can take off again. But i can only use whats been refilled before it acts up again. I can get a gopro tomorrow of the problem, it will mostly be just audio as I dont (yet) know where to point the camera. That sounds like the same problem I had. Turned out to be a vacuum leak. The pump couldn't keep up with fuel demand and the bowl would empty faster than it could fill up, at least that's my assessment of the situation. I put in new lines and it ran great. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 23, 2015 21:55:57 GMT -5
Off topic, how does a trailer affect the handling of a cycle? What happens when you turn and so forth?
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Post by scooter on Jan 23, 2015 21:22:34 GMT -5
Over on the General Scooter Board, there is a thread going on called "Trike + RV = True Scamping" I've done some hunting around and looking at images and videos of the little (mostly 50cc) Piaggio Ape 3 wheel scooters and the bigger 200 cc Piaggio TM 200 3 wheel vehicles. As the title on the general board suggests, it is about 3 wheel scooters being used and converted into micro mini motor homes and campers. Just though I would try to bring some of that conversation over here on the trikes board. You could check the thread out and use the links in some of the posts to see what is about. Also try looking at some youtube videos on Ape tuning and Ape racing. Looks like fun. I also used the bing images search engine to see pictures of the Piaggio TM 200 and 3 wheel minivans and campers. Interesting stuff. I think they are too small and slow, being able to go only about 45 mph or so and are lacking enough HP. And, they don't seem to have a wide enough track at the rear and are prone to tip over in turns. Those attributes make them not really very practical over here in the USA. So I'm kind of toying with the idea of converting one of the larger 3 wheel scooters that are available to riders here in the USA. I think a larger trike would be better to use and would make for a bit more stable and roadworthy construct. Plus I think one that would be able to pull a small trailer with it would make it especially good for touring & camping trips. But the kind of 3 wheel scooter that I'd rather use are the true 3 wheel scooter trike types but not motorcycle, Piaggio MP3, Can-Am Spyder or the 4 wheel outrigger types. I'm talking the kind with full width rear axles that are either solid or articulating "live" axle types. Scooters with the type of trike kits like ones seen at this link would be acceptable: www.motortrike.com/TrikeHondaSilverwingGT3.aspxSo what do you guys that ride the bigger scooter trikes think? Is this just too crazy or could it be doable? What might need to be done to make it work? Any other comments would be appreciated. I think an inflatable camper would be fun. You could deflate it and store it down low with your gear stuck on top. I would think towing it would be good. Like Alley said, you can park your camper and go play on your scoot!  |
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