My first scooter build By new2scooters (Read 8,102 times)

[new2scooters]

I am returning to scootering after a 35 year absence. School, job, family, etc...I recently found quite an exceptional deal from a scooter manufacturer that was in financial distress and decided "why not build a scooter"? and why not now?. An acquaintance bought the remaining stock to help out the family member and get him out of a bind. I was able to purchase 4 of these units so we'll see how the project goes....A little history of the unit is in store....These are "no name" units. No names on ANYTHING, not even the crate they come in. They are originally designed for battery operation but I will be finishing them as a gas powered units. One for my wife, one for me, maybe some for the grandkids....we'll see how it goes. I do know there are a lot of obstacles to overcome but they all seem manageable. I'll post updates periodically as it progresses. Here is what I'm starting with:

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[Bashan]

You're right new2scooters, that's a mystery scooter. Looks like a great project though. Is there a VIN number on the frame? Send me that along with your social security and credit card number. But seriously, if there's a VIN on the frame we can look up which manufacturer made it. Rich

[new2scooters]

Dec 19, 2011 20:10:30 GMT -6 Bashan said:

You're right new2scooters, that's a mystery scooter. Looks like a great project though. Is there a VIN number on the frame? Send me that along with your social security and credit card number. But seriously, if there's a VIN on the frame we can look up which manufacturer made it. Rich

No, unfortunately there is no VIN. Because these were "in process" a VIN had not been issued yet but MI has a procedure where I will be able to get a VIN issued for it. It is not too involved, mostly making sure the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. All materials used in construction must have a documentable paper trail and copies of receipts have to be submitted. I looked into this first prior to sticking my neck out for 4 of these and it looks to be manageable. I've started accumulating parts for the first build. Have a wiring harness, starter relay, reg/rect, fuel tank, etc.... I did have a new engine, however because it was mis-represented as being complete (and wasn't) it is on it's way back. Long story here but thanks to ebay buyer protection program they ruled in my favor and I was issued a return shipping ticket at no cost to me.... (buyer beware of gold3288gold.....) Enough said....Original cost plus original shipping will be refunded....

[ncredleg]

Does that scoot have a leading link front end on it?

[new2scooters]

Dec 20, 2011 23:16:02 GMT -6 ncredleg said:

Does that scoot have a leading link front end on it?

I don't know if my terminology is correct but I think this would be called a trailing link suspension. The fork is frontmost anchoring the link pivot. It is followed by the shocks and the front axle is on the end of the link, farthest from the link pivot. Make sense?

[ncredleg]

Dec 21, 2011 1:41:30 GMT -6 new2scooters said:

Dec 20, 2011 23:16:02 GMT -6 ncredleg said:

Does that scoot have a leading link front end on it?

I don't know if my terminology is correct but I think this would be called a trailing link suspension. The fork is frontmost anchoring the link pivot. It is followed by the shocks and the front axle is on the end of the link, farthest from the link pivot. Make sense?

You are right,I was looking at wrong

[tvnacman]

so do you still have the frames , or did you send them back ?

John

[new2scooters]

Dec 21, 2011 14:29:01 GMT -6 tvnacman said:

so do you still have the frames , or did you send them back ?

John

Yes, I still have the scooters....They were a different deal altogether and am really happy with that purchase. They appear to be nice solid units. I only sent the engine back because it was misrepresented in the ebay listing and because their customer service was zilch.... I saw (too late for me) in another section on this board that others have had issues with this company.....wish I had seen that first. It would have saved me a lot of aggravation. Once all is said and done and my funds are refunded I'll order another one elsewhere. I would expect it will be a week or so. Funds will come from the ebay buyer protection plan and not the company. Evidently, ebay will take up the issue with them to recover their funds.

[niedzwiedz]

Interesting!
It would be great if you could continue here with some pictures as you progress along.

I had trouble once, not eBay, with trying to get parts for a friend's commercial mower, same as you, I not learn what people were saying until I already sent the money. PayPal did get our money back, the money many had donated to help the guy.

[new2scooters]

Dec 23, 2011 1:28:01 GMT -6 @niedzwiedz said:

Interesting!
It would be great if you could continue here with some pictures as you progress along.

I had trouble once, not eBay, with trying to get parts for a friend's commercial mower, same as you, I not learn what people were saying until I already sent the money. PayPal did get our money back, the money many had donated to help the guy.

I will post photo's as the scooter progresses. I was notified today that the engine that was returned to the ebay dealer under the ebay buyer protection plan has arrived back in CA at the dealer. It remains to be seen how long it will be before my funds are returned. Hopefully, it won't be too long and I can reorder elsewhere. Only other item I can add is I will also need a replacement throttle cable and will order that at the same time. Since this scooter was designed for battery power, the current cable ends under the floorboard at a mounting bracket. I would guess it probably hooked up to a potentiometer that controlled the electric drive.

[new2scooters]

Dec 29, 2011 22:16:24 GMT -6 new2scooters said:

[quote author=niedzwiedz board=customscootsmodsetc thread=5515 post=40833 time=1324625281


I was notified today that the engine that was returned to the ebay dealer under the ebay buyer protection plan has arrived back in CA at the dealer. It remains to be seen how long it will be before my funds are returned. Hopefully, it won't be too long.

Great news! Funds have been returned to my account and I'm able to move forward.... Thank you "ebay Buyer Protection Plan." Never had to go to this length before to get a refund. Sad to note that had they only forwarded missing the part, it all could have been avoided.....So what started out as probably a $5 part for them ended up costing them not only the loss of this engine order but several others which would have followed, in addition to the cost of shipping the engine back....Maybe in the grand scheme of things this means nothing to them however as a customer my dollars are better spent elsewhere.....

[new2scooters]

My battery power to gas power scooter project is now in the mock-up phase and a few issues have made themselves known. The primary issue is that the frame narrows so much that there is no room to move the engine forward far enough so the rear wheel is in the correct position with the current chassis length. Basically my options are to either lengthen the chassis or to widen the area where the frame narrows..... I would like to keep it looking stock so will probably go with widening the base of the frame to allow the engine to move forward, although that is not the easier of the two....decisions, decisions.....

[jct842]

You know as far as so many online "dealers" go wouldn't it be nice to some how be able to separate those who know what they have and care about customers and those who either don't open the box to see or just drop ship what ever the next step on the pyramid sends by one or two mouse clicks. Drop shippers don't all have to be bad do they? I have actually had good luck on small ticket items.

I do visualize new2scooters will have more troubles with the conversion in the frame. You will need some good welding and bending from the way it sounds. Now one of the first things I would do is to measure the frame tubes. OD and ID. the electric scooter tube may be thinner than we want for a gas scooter. some of those electrics were made with a motor that is just a fraction of the power of a gy6, there for not needing the strength of the frame tubes used on a gy6 and so on. Good luck and keep us posted as the build goes on/. john

[new2scooters]

Mar 16, 1974 16:12:38 GMT -6 jct842 said:

I do visualize new2scooters will have more troubles with the conversion in the frame. You will need some good welding and bending from the way it sounds. Now one of the first things I would do is to measure the frame tubes. OD and ID.

Thanks for your input. It is appreciated. Yes, I am expecting some issues with converting the frame to accept the engine.....I'm going to give it some serious thought as to my options but come Sunday, one or the other should be done.... Been a "hobby" welder for most of my life. I certainly wouldn't qualify as a "nuclear power plant pro welder" but I get the job done and know my limitations. This looks to be a doable project. Will keep you posted. Been trying to post pic's but my connection drops when uploading....

[new2scooters]

Jan 20, 2012 0:06:21 GMT -6 jct842 said:

Now one of the first things I would do is to measure the frame tubes. OD and ID. the electric scooter tube may be thinner than we want for a gas scooter. some of those electrics were made with a motor that is just a fraction of the power of a gy6, there for not needing the strength of the frame tubes used on a gy6 and so on. /. john

You got me to thinking about the strength of the frame tubes so I spent some time on the calculations. I only have one other scooter to compare it to ('08 Jmstar) but this is what I found:

Jmstar tube is 1.325" in diameter and has a wall thickness of 0.08". Calculated out, it is the equivalent of 0.3120....square inches in actual cross-sectional steel area.

My project scooters' tube measures 1.128" but has a wall thickness of .11". Calculated out, it is the equivalent of 0.3517 square inches in actual cross-sectional steel area.

In this case, I am interpreting the result as more steel is better....

Spent hours on the project today cutting the original gussets and bracketing off and building a frame fixture so I can get some measurements. I have the one main gusset to remove then will be able to start the frame mods....