Super Scooter

So I finally got around to taking apart the so-called "Jackhammer", It's been on the back burner for way too long now. About April 08' I wrecked it and it's been non-functional since. I never really finished this scoot, I got it running for a rally and kept on riding it, after all, why take apart a decent runner? But every time I looked at the thing, I'd think about how much more I'd like to do to it. Well, now's the time.

 

 Fortunately, I started rehabbing some of the front-end parts well before the move to Seattle. So the rebuild will mainly consist of:

1. Making composite bodywork

2. Minor Frame repair and powder coating

3. Remaking the front fork tubes, rear hub, handlebars, ect..

4. Buying any needed parts

5. Reassembly

So, Here it is torn down to the frame, first time since April 05'

  

So, First order of business is to start mocking up the bodywork and seating, stay tuned!

_More pictures here_

Vespa Learnin'

It was about that time, time to do something about that nagging problem of slipping out of gear. Anyone owning an older Vespa knows what I'm talkin' about... The shift-cross syndrome! Many a vintage owner has had to endure the gradually increasing frequency of sloppy and erratic gear changes up until the point that the bike is darn near unrideable, then and only then, biting the bullet to change out that small but oh-so-important piece of metal.

And this is an image of the "depth of disassembly" usually required to rectify that nagging little problem.
Really though, it's not that big of a deal except for the fact that you are certain to find all manner of other little things that need fixing, little things that make you wonder how this scooter lasted as long as it did... Furthermore, my penchant for "over doing it" had me improving and tweaking every last little detail as it were, turning a weekend project into a 2 week ordeal.

So here's some of the things I've done:
custom grind output shaft spacers, lapped head and cylinder mating surfaces, port matched carb and case, replace all "tiny bits", cleaned EVERYTHING, lightened flywheel, new points and condenser, all new gaskets, replaced cables. Also replaced tank cap gasket, front shock bolt, tightened seat spring, installed step-thru channel rubber mat, custom made front suspension cover, blah, blah, blah.. I'm leaving so much out here.
And after all that, getting this bike in good running condition, standing back and feeling very smug about it all, I decided to take it off the stand and guess what? The front tire slips off the ramp and bonks the front fender! Ugh, nothing is ever PERFECT.

btw, thanks Scooterworks for having everything I needed in stock. You care for my needs.

Another (new) workspace

Lately I've been putting off the supercharger to attend to more immediate needs, namely my work space.
I spent a lot of time just getting rid of junk in the garage and basement to make room for my stuff.
Finally, I've arranged everything in the garage to be functional and efficient as well as repairing my lathe and building a scooter work stand.
The stand was a "weekend project" that ended up taking 40hrs and a couple hundred bucks, but it's so worth it not having to crawl around on the floor while working on the scooters. And as usual, I went way overkill on the construction, casters, height levelers, forged eye bolts, grip tape, aluminum machined parts, ect..
Now that the work space is in order, It's time to get back to making scooter parts, The best damn scooter parts I can make.

Really small superchargers

So I'm back from chilly, snowbound and slushy Indianapolis!
I went with high hopes and returned with:

Sore feet

A lighter wallet

Better camera skills

Awesome industry contacts

And a whole lot of hope for the future.

As per 2009, I took along a prototype of a new product idea, It's a supercharger for under 250cc 4 stroke scooters and small motorcycles, specifically the Madass125. But because of the nature of the design, it should be easy to adapt to other vehicles also.

To give you a sense of scale, the impeller is 2" in diameter and the inlet to the compressor housing is a diminutive 1.1"

If time allows, I'll have a fully functional prototype in a month.

Indy Dealer Expo 10'

It's that time of year again, time to hoof it around the Indy Dealer Expo and check out all the new and interesting products. As usual, I'll be helping Steve at The Scooter Scoop by manning the camera. This will be the third year I've gone and I'm just as excited to go this year as the first year. Last year I tried to throw together a last-minute prototype of a part I was thinking about producing but didn't get much interest but that's ok because it was a total learning experience. This year will be much the same, I'm going to try and take some time off from my busy schedule of making stuff for other people to throw together a prototype of an idea I've had in my head for a very long time.. and hopefully show it around and get some feedback from people in the industry.

BST Blackstone's Carbon fiber 12" wheel