Kimjon

I never envisaged I'd end up here. But just like weed is a precursor to more dangerous and experimental risk taking, it turns out gopeds are too. Unknowing I've gone from this: To this: And now somehow ended up here... Yes the equivalent of smoking a few harmless joints with your mates one day...then waking up on a blood stained mattress, down a dark alleyway with a smack needle hanging out your arm a few years later. Somehow, and I never saw the warning signs (though everyone else did) I've ended up buying a pocket bike. Not the best decision for a 6' 4" 100kg ginger. However...fuck yeah, seriously fuck yeah...this thing is ridiculous!!! It does 80kph, you have to be so careful or it will pop the front wheel up. It's simply mad how stupidly fast this motor is. So for now I'm embracing my new addiction...I'm in control, I only do it socially...I could give up anytime I wanted to.

This is the 5th one I've built. Or should I say building. This one below is only 50cc. I've since put an expansion chamber and walbro carburetor on it. It has zero torque...but goes well once revs get up. It's underpowered, but still lots of fun. This is 49cc, a bit of mild engine work plus expansion chamber...goes like a rocket! This is 212cc, pulls like a school boy!!! Power to burn...perfect motor for these in my opinion. The one I'm building now will have similar power to the "Mike trike". Asphalt would be fine...you'll just wear out the plastic quicker on the tyre sleeves. No big deal, its cheap and they're still making it. I kind of make these up as I go. Always looking for secondhand parts to keep the cost down. It also adds a bit of character so each one comes out differing from the last one.

Mine gets thrashed at home, as I put down about 300m2 of concrete "for the kids to play on". A drunk chick hit my house once...and I really can't throw too many stones, as I crashed into our people mover (yes a little part of my soul did die bringing home a people mover). There's even been reports of a drunken lookalike diving it on the road...but that came from an unreliable source? The main thing is that once enough alcohol is added you won't give two fucks how old or silly you look

Rear assembly done: Motor with governor removed the lazy way (I'll tidy this up later). And I modified a honda GX200 velocity stack and performance air filter to fit this motor. I was very happy to see mikuni make the carburetor for these Subaru motors, so at least you know it's quality. Everything will get a clean up and paint after I test it.

All sorted: So a couple hours, to save about $70. Some would argue that's a false economy...but hey, every little bit soon adds up if you're making a project like this.

After 10hrs making shit for other people I walked inside...then had an epiphany for the drift trike! So, back into the shed to act on the idea. You see, anyone can solve a problem by throwing money at it...but cobbling shit together on the cheap takes ideas and time. I now have some solutions to finally move this project forwards again using a combination of junk I already own...i.e.free!

I don't know why...but I like that mouse trap! Guess it's hard to feel empathy for something as annoying as rodents. Sentence them all to the electric chair!!!

Would the size of the carb be in the ballpark? I've got a 19mm deulorto (spelling?)...but I've always thought it to be a little small, despite it running okay.

Your bike is badass!!! Question: Would the VM26 work on a 2-stroke...say a 180cc twin cylinder wajax motor for example??? I can make an adapter to fit, just not sure about if it's worth trying?

This thing is a torque monster! It's not even hitting power band on my driveway (not enough room), just as it's about to scream... I'm thinking about needing to stop! With more room, power band kicks in and front end feels light as it tries to lift. Flat spot all gone. Could improve tune a little, but pretty much good to go.

Solved the mystery...coil, coil, coil...mother fucking brand new coil was a dud! It had me fucked as it (the God dam fucking coil) was a new part, so I was thinking it must be fuel related hesitation...but once my logic circle came full circle, I tried another coil out of desperation...bingo!!!! No more flat spot in the mid range. Now time to ride this thing like I stole it!

The price of education continues. List of things that engines don't like...earlier in the day a reed petal came loose...the screw and washer went through the lower end and jammed the motor up. Took about 2hrs to tear it down and free up the crank.

3hp???

Is there a Facebook page selling goped stuff?

Ok...I think I have mental health issues: This came up for sale on trademe...Looks like another project is in the making...

99% finished. Huge flat spot as high jet kicks in, but I can hopefully tune that out without too much trouble. No brakes yet...but brakes are for pussys! ***edit: runs sweet now, I leaned out both jets. Much smoother transition between jets and power to burn. I'll run it a tad rich to brake in...then retune for max performance after a couple tanks have gone through it.

I've been heat cycling the motor on very rich settings, and a 25:1 fuel/oil mix in order to bed in the new rings and cylinder. The motor is doing all the right things and is making good power. I'll have to spot weld a few pin holes in my exhaust...but nothing too bad. Still waiting on that stem to arrive! But I hooked up a cable throttle today and rode it around with just a pole (no handlebars attached). Sketchy as fuck, zero safety!!! I got a feel for its potential...and I think it's got some. I have handlebars, just no way of attaching them . I shortened the bars right down as much as allowable while still been able to fit grips and levers. Now just a waiting game until I get my stem in the mail.

What's the details of that car? Got a website link?

And offered up to the motor So that solved that problem. It started right up, idling a bit low...then stalled. Did this a few times...then this happened! Fuck me...this thing is cursed!!! Well I guess it's what you gotta expect, massive compression versus a cheap (and possibly damaged) pull start. I'll steel one off one of my other projects, then try again. Cue Chambawamba song again...

I'm putting way to much time into this thing. But waiting has never been a strong attribute of mine...

Not 100% sure. But suspect a fin on the flywheel broke off, then jammed up the flywheel inside the cover...but I'll never really know for sure? It stopped in a hurry which flogged out the keyways on the crank. However years ago, to advance timing on a goped, I once removed the key entirely and advanced the flywheel a calculated amount, then simply did it up tight! That motor still goes great to this day...no key used at all. The taper is enough to hold it there. So on this one, I hammered the crankshafts two flogged out keyways back into "rough enough" shape, filed off the excess, put the keys back in and did it up tighter than before...seams to be working fine I'm sure this shit goes all the time...just most mechanics wouldn't tell ya?

As Chumbawamba once said: "I get knocked down, but I get up again You are never gonna keep me down I get knocked down, but I get up again You are never gonna keep me down" And V2.0 rises from the ashes like a Phoenix! The epoxy on the manifold cracked...but at least I know it all works. So I ordered a proper manifold (like I did months ago) and fingers crossed they send me the right one this time?

Manifold gets some epoxy love!

Yeah, I've already stripped it completely down and rebuilt it. Back together again. I was too focused I forgot to take many photos.