My last few projects. By mthomas (Read 7,423 times)

[bcgreatness]

Mar 4, 2012 20:47:05 GMT -6 trailheadmike said:

Really remarkable. Are you repainting the frame and cleaning/shining the chrome and engine or are you replacing parts when you do this?? It looks brand new - probably better than new. Thanks. This is one of my favorite threads.

yes i was also wondering what you were doing to the engines on your bikes to get them to look that friggin shiny and new. i was thinking more along the lines of you scrubbing and buffing it for weeks at a time but never stopped to think that maybe you did put new parts on it lol and i also second the motion that this is one of my favorite threads good stuff there, it inspires me to rip apart my scoot into a thousand pieces and do a full resto, too bad theres ALLOT more parts in the 2000 model 150cc scoots then there are on those classics there, or id consider actually doing a resto on mine lol.

[mthomas]

Mar 4, 2012 20:47:05 GMT -6 trailheadmike said:

Really remarkable. Are you repainting the frame and cleaning/shining the chrome and engine or are you replacing parts when you do this?? It looks brand new - probably better than new. Thanks. This is one of my favorite threads.

Thanks Mike,
The only things new on the bike are the tires. The only thing I painted so far is the cylinder/head in high heat black and the shock bases where the paint flaked off. I had to buy parts that are not new and clean them before installing. The first picture of the bike is literally how I bought it. I had to find a set of handle bars, luggage rack both fenders and both rims along with some stuff not yet on the bike. I use ALOT of steel wool, Scotch Brite pads and Meguiars cleaner/wax. I also spend quite a bit of time with a dremel and wire wheel.
The engine I bought separate last year from a guy and it was siezed so bad, I had to break the piston and cylinder to get them out. Cleaned the cases with Awesome and a hose. Dremeled and steel wooled them and then polished them with a dremel with a buffing pad and polishing compound then Meguiars, I must have been bored. New bearings, seals and gaskets and she is ready to go. Looking forward to some decent weather so I can make some more progress, been too cold to work for any period of time.

As long as there is interest, I will keep posting pics.

[mthomas]

After a week with vinegar in it.

[mthomas]

Pedals, sprocket, carb, throttle cable and a few other thangs.
Got it to fart today, will try and get it running tomorrow.

[trailheadmike]

looking good, as usual!

[mthomas]

My latest....picked it up for $150 and this is how it looked 5 minutes after unloading it. I have not even cleaned it yet, it also runs....not good but it runs. Perfect for my 12 yr. old daughter.

[justdon]

Everything you do turns out like a work of art.Do you retore these just for fun?

[mthomas]

Thanks,
I do it for fun and sanity. I buy them cheap for $75-$150 or so, tear them all the way apart and rebuild them. Once I get them done, my kids and myself will ride them around the neighborhood making sure they run right and once I find another one, I sell it and make a few bucks. I can usually totally rebuild one in about a month. Parts are usually plentiful and easy to find. They usually go between 30-35 mph and me and both kids will buzz around the neighborhood and to the park on nice days. Lots of looks and fun.

[mthomas]

With a little clean up, polish and paint.
Painted the cylinder and pipe.
Polished the frame and wheels.
Bought and installed rear rack and tailight lens.
Got it running over 30mph. I had to upjet from a 52 to a 58 and a little less air restriction, runs like a top.



Total cost to me, $185 and some elbow grease

[trailheadmike]

Still my favorite thread, and great job as always. Thanks for posting.

[dawg1964]

outstanding work! Your very talented.

[mthomas]

Thanks!
Pretty much finished. Put the plastic side covers on and switch plate. I still need a new set of decals and to tie up some cables and odds and ends. Been too busy riding it though.




And this is Bayli

[mthomas]

Finally got to install my new decals and gave her a bath. Snapped a few pics and then took her for a ride.

[Alleyoop]

Man oh man those are some really nice mopeds. Where do you find them for a song and do you have a collection of them or fix them and restore them and then sell them. Fantastic work Mthomas.
Alleyoop

[mthomas]

Thanks Ally,
I find most of them on CL. Just look under motorcycles and put in moped for the search word. I don't keep them long and I don't have a storage building to house them. I build them, me and the kids ride them and if I find another deal, I sell what I have to get the new one and it starts all over again. I will not sell the MB5 and might not sell the Magnum as they are worth more.