Airborne mini bike bad idea

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pearl111

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Hello and thanks to all at DIY who helped me out. I finished my first mini bike build from welding the square tube frame to making the seat. Although I did use new Azusa forks. Took the bike out the other night for about the 6th test and adjustment run. I use the street in front of the house for test runs. Found out I needed to work on the new clutch brake system. So I took another lap when I got back my friend who lives across the street was standing on the driveway pad. I pulled up on the pad and turned the motor off. Brandon said wow that's cool, loud and fast. After we talked a little I turned the switch on pulled the cord more than once no start. It does that sometimes after its been warmed up. So this time standing over the seat I gave the throttle a little gas then pulled cord no start. This time standing over the seat I pulled the cord with my left hand and at the same time giving the throttle grip gas with my right hand. OOPPSS BAD IDEA (having mussel and nerve damage in my right hand after almost losing it years ago) I must have been giving it more gas than I realized. The bike started rite up and took off on me. So I tried holding the bike back with my right hand using the throttle grip. OOPPSS SECOND REAL BAD IDEA. Because it only gave the bike full throttle. As it took off from under me going across the driveway pad screaming wide open doing a wheelie (all of this is happening so fast as I'm standing there about to s&^*##-myself) it hit the driveway pad slope just rite. The driveway pad slopes up on each end of the pad to meet the sidewalk. As kids we always used driveway pad at the slope where it meets sidewalk for bike ramps. well that mini bike hit the driveway slope wide open still doing a wheelie and shot straight up in the air like a rocket. It was high enough I had to look up at it. I know the front wheel was at least 7 foot high in the air. With the motor still running the bike came slamming down on its right side. We ran over to get the bike and I hit the kill switch. WOW everything was still in one piece. I looked it over everything seemed ok. So I pulled the cord it started up (it figures). Told my buddy I was going for a test run. Took off slowly praying nothing would go hay wire again. Went up the street slowly made u turn so far ok. Went down the street a little faster made u turn and the chain popped off locking up the back wheel. Freed the chain walked the bike back to the house told Brandon I'm done for the night. The next day I looked it over saw that the axle sprocket was tilted inward. the pull cord cover had a small dent at the bottom and motor was knocked a little loose. Well had to grind the axle hangers off, pull the bottom rails out. Welded hangers back on adjusted this and that worked on clutch brake system. Started bike took it for some test laps every thing seemed to be ok. Its a little loud scary fast and a lot of fun to ride. And now after all summer long on the build its done. I have to say thanks to DIY. I cant name everyone who answered my questions and gave me advice. I'm sure glade for everyone who took time to work with me. I'm slow at doing things because of my disability but I'm use to it. Now I'm starting my second build. I will get the info and the pictures in on the first one as soon as I can. Thanks again mike.
 

pearl111

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I'm sorry for the wall of words as you can tell I don't do much writing. Promise not to let this happen again. I am goin to get pictures in soon as I can.
 

ML-TOYS

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:smiley_omg:
So short version would be like this:
Hey guys, started my mini bike it took off full throttle weelie. Hit end of driveway went airborn.
Test driven and no good. Heres pics of the damage.
:mad2:
 

B_Bimmer

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I enjoyed your wall of text story. Glad you're okay. Isn't it awesome to be able to fix it yourself since you understand it and have the skills and confidence necessary? I'm always trying to convince people to try things themselves because I want them to share in that joy, but alas, most would rather set it by the curb and buy new.
 

OzFab

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most would rather set it by the curb and buy new.

I was in a lawn mower repair shop some time ago when a customer came in; after discussing some details with the shop owner (mower had been sitting & needed some TLC) a repair quote of around $400 was offered; the customers response was "I can buy a new mower for less"... which is the main issue...

Some people simply don't have the necessary knowledge or skills to fix it themselves so, they need to pay a professional to fix it for them...

I'm all for & about teaching the younger generation the skills I've learned over the years; after all, that's why I entered the auto industry to begin with...
 
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