Electric quad to gas conversion...possible or waste of money?

[Panhead5496]

Meant to add some pics sooner, but here they are.

First pic is before a good washing. It came in 2 boxes and after I assembled it I pressure washed it all off. It cleaned up pretty well. Going to touch it up with some black rustoleum here and there, but overall it's in good shape.

Next to a Coleman CT100U for size reference...it will look bigger when I get the seat and handlebars on it.

 

[ghost civic]

in the past 2 years I have bought 5 or 6 chinese 110cc quads. All non-running but complete. never spent more than $100 for them. Most got running with either a new carb ($20), re doing the wiring (cheap switches and safety stuff craps out) or worst case they have a bad intake or exhaust valve that won't seal. In any case, most I got running for under $50. I bought a 110cc and a 70cc 2 days ago...$150 for the pair. Both need carbs and batteries ($80) and the 110cc for sure just needs that. The 70cc will likely need to be re-wired. I usually find them on facebook marketplace. Just need to figure out what online place to look for in your area. Sometimes you can get them from metal scrap yards for cheap, though they are usually in rougher shape by them.

 

[Panhead5496]

in the past 2 years I have bought 5 or 6 chinese 110cc quads. All non-running but complete. never spent more than $100 for them. Most got running with either a new carb ($20), re doing the wiring (cheap switches and safety stuff craps out) or worst case they have a bad intake or exhaust valve that won't seal. In any case, most I got running for under $50. I bought a 110cc and a 70cc 2 days ago...$150 for the pair. Both need carbs and batteries ($80) and the 110cc for sure just needs that. The 70cc will likely need to be re-wired. I usually find them on facebook marketplace. Just need to figure out what online place to look for in your area. Sometimes you can get them from metal scrap yards for cheap, though they are usually in rougher shape by them.

Cool! Yeah I looked over Craiglist, FB market place, OfferUp, etc. and everything was either in really bad shape or way overpriced. For some reason the area I live in is really hard to find decent stuff that isn't junk or way overpriced.

I also didn't want anything that had a manual transmission, as this isn't for me but for family members that can't balance a mini bike. The quad was originally an electric set up...if converting to gas just doesn't work I'll buy a higher powered electric set up and be good to go.

After staying up late last night looking online and doing some measuring, I have come to realize a 79cc or 212cc predator just isn't going to fit. I could hack the frame and raise it up to get a 212 to fit, but I can't weld and would have to get help. Maybe in the future I'll go that route.

For now, I'm going to try and get a 49cc engine in it from Amazon. It should have enough power to get family members around the yard (heaviest person riding it will only be about 110 pounds).

Once I order the engine I will update the thread.

One thing I do like is the way it's set up you move the axle to tighten chain, rather than having to slide the engine forward like on smaller mini bikes. That will make mounting easier knowing I just have to drill for the engine and not worry about adjustability.

 

[Panhead5496]

After debating all weekend about it, I just found this deal and went ahead and ordered it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323511437921 I paid $51.76 (they changed the price)

$51 for the engine, chain, and sprocket is hard to beat in my opinion. I was looking at $99 for a predator 79cc, plus a chain and sprocket...we'll see how it goes.

 

[Panhead5496]

Update time!

The engine arrived today. It fits very well. I'm going to have to get some sort of mount plate and drill it for the engine to go on. Not sure my best option...luckily the axle moves to tighten the chain, so not having to deal with an adjustable engine is nice. I'm thinking something like this? And just cut to fit. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-12-in-x-18-in-22-Gauge-Metal-Sheet-801447/204225782 will it be strong enough?

The sprocket was basically bolt on and work. I had to enlarge the mounting holes slightly to get it all to line up, but that was no big deal and it fits great.

Got to order some more T8F chain, as the one included isn't quite long enough.

Gas tank (not pictured) I bought for like $8 off eBay. I cut off a metal tab in the front and the tank fits very nicely where it was. I'm going to try and make a bracket to bolt it to...if that doesn't work, I'll just use some heavy duty zip ties.

Going to run to the store tomorrow and get some fuel line, a few bolts I need, washers/locknuts, and hopefully a mounting plate like I linked above.

Stay tuned. Any insight/advice is welcome!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

22 gauge sheet metal is not the solution. Unless you are making body parts (fenders, shields, etc) out of it.

 

[Texan]

The link you posted is for 22 gauge, that's about the thickness of a credit card, way too thin in my opinion. I'd go with 7 gauge, which is roughly 3/16", but you could probably get away with something a little thinner.

 

[Kartorbust]

I'd go a bare minimum of 10ga or 11ga, which is 1/8", other wise 3/16 or 1/4" would be my first choices. 22ga is suitable for body panels and fenders, too thin for bash/skid plates.

 

[Functional Artist]

Yup, I have to agree.

That stuff is for light duty applications, notice in the description

•Suitable for gutter repair, duct work, patching and flashing

IMO you will want to use 1/8" steel at a minimum, for an engine mounting plate
...3/16" is preferable
…& 1/4" would be overkill

 

[Panhead5496]

Awesome info everyone! I will go to the hardware store today and see what they have in person.

I'll report my findings tonight

 

[Panhead5496]

Well, went to HomeDepot and no luck. They were very helpful when I said I needed some metal, but all they had was very flimsy. So I will have to order some.

On another note, I got a bunch of other stuff I needed at Ace...fuel line, hose clamps, and some spacers and bolt/washers.

I did some searching online and found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-Steel-Plate-1-8-x-6-x-12-11ga-A36-Steel/322741967308 is that more like what I'll need for the engine mount?

Only issue is it's too big. I measured and the plate needs to be 4.5"x10". I'm not sure what will cut it...dremel with metal cut off disk? Or would I need something stronger? I'll ask the seller if he can pre cut it for me or not first.

 

[Functional Artist]

Yup, something like that should do it.

I Googled metal shops in Athens Ga. there are a few so, see which one is nearest to you.

Here is one:

http://www.infra-metals.com/

Ask about "drops", that's what they call "leftover" pieces of metal that were cut off of larger pieces.
...usually you can get a deal on them
…& NO shipping fees

 

[Panhead5496]

Great idea! I didn't even think to go to a local shop and get some scraps lol. I will call around and see what they say.

 

[Panhead5496]

All right, update time.

Got a mounting plate and some spacers installed. Drilled out the spots for the motor to sit and got it all mounted. I managed to measure and drill correctly and got it to line up with the chain like it needs to be!

Installed throttle cable and gas tank (yeah I know the gas tank looks bad, but it works for now).

After getting a new carb (stock one leaked badly) I fired it up today. Took a few pulls but it did run. This thing is LOUD. Imagine a chainsaw at full power, then multiple that times a large number and that's what it sounded like...next up is getting some sort of muffler!!

Unfortunately my gearing is all wrong so that will need to be addressed. It would not accelerate from a stop on flat ground very well at all.

I added some pics, but forgot to put the chain on before I took them. Whoops!

Overall, it seems to be decent for what I've spent on it. Once I get the gearing re-done and get a muffler, it will be much more fun.

Oh yeah, the throttle kill switch did not work like I had it set up...so that was exciting to try and stop it and it now stop! Luckily I could pick it up to get the gas to go forward and kill it that way I will definitely get the kill switch hooked up before I try to crank it again!

Any comments or suggestions are welcome! Once it's 100% working I'm going to take it apart and cut the mounting plate and paint the whole thing.

 

[mrblanche]

Do you have rear brakes on that?

 

[Tpdingo]

Do you have rear brakes on that?

Yea, its Panhead's feet

 

[Panhead5496]

Do you have rear brakes on that?

Yes and no. It had them originally, but it was shipped broken. I decided to just use the front brakes for now until I could get the rear brakes fabbed back up. That's why the brake disk is still on the back.

Yea, its Panhead's feet

LOL, if it was for me I'd go no brakes, but the family members this was built for want brakes

 

[Panhead5496]

Update: new sprocket came in the mail yesterday. Got it on and it pulls better. Still not great, but definitely way better.

I also found a muffler off Amazon that came today. I knew a 49cc 2 stroke was loud, but not THIS loud. Wow! I had to wear ear plugs when I was adjusting the idle because it was killing my ears lol. Hopefully it will quite it down some. Imagine a chainsaw at full throttle and then times that by a large number...that's how loud lol!

 

[Panhead5496]

Another update: I got the muffler installed and it is MUCH better. It's a about the same noise as a Predator 212 with a straight pipe at idle, or maybe even a little more quite. So quiet enough now the neighbors won't freak out lol!

Also found the idle adjustment screw and it's idling and running well now. I cranked it and let it run for a few minutes and every now and then gave it some gas. Pretty impressed with this $55 engine so far!

It's really wet outside and I don't want to mess up the grass so no runs yet. I hope by the end of the week it will dry out and I can get some video. I still have to wire the kill switch and adjust the brakes and it will be finished!! The family members are so excited to ride it!

Thanks for the help so far everyone.

 

[Shep1970]

Just a heads up, it looks like you have rear suspension, be sure to check your chain tension with the suspension compressed(sitting on it) then no weight. You don’t want to bust your chain on the first bump. Or the bearing in your clutch bell will fail quickly if too tight. Happened to my kids yrs ago with a brand new little China 50cc quad, it quickly became a hardtail. Kids still had a blast on it though for a couple yrs.
Of course you may have already placed the motor in a good spot so the chains fine.

Shep