My first scooter build By new2scooters (Read 7,833 times)

[new2scooters]

Picture of scooter on bench. Nearly all frame gussets and misc frame attachments have been removed and welds cleaned at this point.

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[tmec]

lookin good! stock motor?

[new2scooters]

Yes, it is a stock engine. Just got a new carb and cvt belt and am hoping the rest is in fair shape. I bought it used but it was supposed to be in working condition, less a broken kickstarter which has also been replaced. New tire and tube were installed this afternoon and built an engine stand so it will be positioned at correct height for mock up.

[new2scooters]

Project update: Scooter is now past the point of no return. Front section has been separated from the rear downtubes.....and is ready for widening. Since I want to keep it stock in appearance by using the stock plastic side panels I am somewhat limited by how much I can widen it but after a bit of trial and error it appears that opening the frame up 3" will give enough room to get the engine in and and far enough forward to keep the wheelbase within 1/2" of stock. I don't think that will be too noticeable and it doesn't impact the rear fender mount/tire clearance in this position.

I'd like to throw out a question to the forum participants. Since this is a "project", I have a lot of leeway on all of the specifics. The next item to be solved after frame widening is the engine mounting. My engine donor scooter has a swingarm type of engine mounting arrangement. I've seen (online) other project scooters where this has been eliminated and they have gone to a rigid fixed mount. Anyone care to comment on the pro's or con's of this type of mounting? If I go to this fixed type of mount, are the front mounting bolts standard bolts or do they need to be shouldered so they allow the mount to move a bit? Thanks in advance for your insight.

[tmec]

seems rigid mounting would make for a hell of a bumpy ride.

[new2scooters]

Update: photo of frame mod: ready for widening....




Frame widened, welded and gusseted....

[tmec]

nice work id love to be able to weld

[new2scooters]

Jan 25, 2012 2:22:25 GMT -6 tmec said:

nice work id love to be able to weld

Thanks. I was able to get the room for the engine that I needed by opening the frame up 3" and I still will have the original wheelbase length..... All of the plastics will fit as originally designed.....so that part of the project was a success. Thanks for your input on the fixed engine mount issue....I probably need to clarify my engine mount question though... I will still have a rear shock but what I'm undecided on is whether I need a swing arm or can I mount the front of the engine to a fixed point and will the bushings that are there give me enough flex....?

[tmec]

NO THEY WILL BREAK! ive seen this tried before.

[new2scooters]

Jan 25, 2012 9:27:07 GMT -6 tmec said:

NO THEY WILL BREAK! ive seen this tried before.

Thanks tmec for your input. Was hoping that wouldn't be the answer but I did think that was a possibility.....Another thought along this line is using shouldered bolts that tighten on the shoulder and not pinch the rubber mount so much that it stresses the aluminum mounting tab. Any input on something along that arrangement?

[Bashan]

I'm going to have to go with Tmec on this one..... Just kidding you a little bit bud.

The scoot engines with the mounting ears underneath generally mount like the old Tank scooters:

That provides a pivot through the engine ears where the support bolt goes allowing for the swing arc of the wheel. It also provides some horizontal buffering of the engine via the mount arms. The mounts with the ears on top of the engine do the same thing but the horizontal movement is stopped by the rubber bumpers:

We've had a couple guys do a rigid mount with a bolt through the frame right into the ear and they said it was a pretty harsh ride. You of course have to allow for the pivoting of the engine from shock compression. I hope that answers your bolt shoulder question. I made one of my Bashans, the one above in fact, a rigid mount by putting some grade eight bolts where the rubber bumpers are on the engine mount. The bumps were so brutal I took them out before one of the ears cracked. Rich

[jct842]

Good looking welds. I believe you will end up with a nice scooter. john

[tmec]

Jan 25, 2012 11:15:35 GMT -6 new2scooters said:

Jan 25, 2012 9:27:07 GMT -6 tmec said:

NO THEY WILL BREAK! ive seen this tried before.

Thanks tmec for your input. Was hoping that wouldn't be the answer but I did think that was a possibility.....Another thought along this line is using shouldered bolts that tighten on the shoulder and not pinch the rubber mount so much that it stresses the aluminum mounting tab. Any input on something along that arrangement?

the stock motor mount has rubber in it too as well as the bushings in the case. There is lots of rubber on the way these mount up as you can see. the way it bolts up has a rubber bumper that presses against a crossmember on the frame. some just have the rubber bumper that presses against that crossmember and some have a bolt that goes through the bumper and crossmember

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[tmec]

2

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[tmec]

Jan 25, 2012 14:09:38 GMT -6 tmec said:

3

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