Electric to gas scooter conversion

[MilesGC1999]

I will be converting my ezip electric scooter to a gas scooter using a 212 cc predator engine and either a torque converter or a centrifugal clutch.

I will post pictures and videos on here updating as I go along.

Any tips or advice is welcome and appreciated.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Lets start here:
Drivetrain: What size is the chain on that scoot right now? I'd venture a guess that it can not handle the leverage laid down by a 6.5 hp gas engine. Also the rear wheel needs the sprocket on the other side (just turn it around). You'll need some kind of jackshaft to get the power off the engine down into that narrow frame.
Frame: Mega reinforcement is needed here, to handle the torque and HP, and weight of the engine. also, you'll have to try to keep the engine as close to the ground as possible to keep the CoG where you can actually balance this thing.

This is an ambitious project. I want see you try though, so get after it.

 

[MilesGC1999]

Lets start here:
Drivetrain: What size is the chain on that scoot right now? I'd venture a guess that it can not handle the leverage laid down by a 6.5 hp gas engine. Also the rear wheel needs the sprocket on the other side (just turn it around). You'll need some kind of jackshaft to get the power off the engine down into that narrow frame.
Frame: Mega reinforcement is needed here, to handle the torque and HP, and weight of the engine. also, you'll have to try to keep the engine as close to the ground as possible to keep the CoG where you can actually balance this thing.

This is an ambitious project. I want see you try though, so get after it.

Would it be safe to say that a welder is a good investment?

The chain is extremely thin. I plan to replace it. What type of reinforcement do you speak of?
Where would you recommend the engine be put.

Is this a good jackshaft? http://www.bmikarts.com/Used-Clutch-Mount-with-Jackshaft_p_5348.html

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

You will not succeed without welding significant triangulation into this frame, IMO. Illustration below would be my 1st draft:

 

[MilesGC1999]

You will not succeed without welding significant triangulation into this frame, IMO. Illustration below would be my 1st draft:

Thank you for the illustration. What welder would you recommend for a high schooler that makes like 50 a week(budget options)

 

[pRoFiT]

Lots of cheap options

couple car batteries and some stick rod!

dumpster dive for some microwaves and pull the transformers out. build arc welder. Need some 8 gage wire or bigger.

Build at friends house with welder?

Oh wait high schooler? Join welding shop!!! Take ROP welding!

Um bug parents for a welder? parents should encourage this kind of things.

 

[MilesGC1999]

Lots of cheap options

couple car batteries and some stick rod!

dumpster dive for some microwaves and pull the transformers out. build arc welder. Need some 8 gage wire or bigger.

Build at friends house with welder?

Oh wait high schooler? Join welding shop!!! Take ROP welding!

Um bug parents for a welder? parents should encourage this kind of things.

I might ask the welding class at my school if I can get stuff welded. Where is a good place to get old car batteries?

 

[Functional Artist]

Don't get stuff welded

Learn to weld.

Don't wait on others!

Control your own destiny.

It's NOT hard.

I read a couple of books from the library & taught myself.

or you can take a class @ school.

Just a thought:

Maybe a weed wacker motor may be a better fit for your scooter.

Powerful but, smaller, lighter & most already have a cent clutch.

May be able to mount sprocket off elec motor so chain will work too.

 

[MilesGC1999]

Where could I get metal that I wouldn't have to pay for? I am thinking changing to a steering wheel and going to a caryard near me and getting a supra wheel.

---------- Post added at 06:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:15 PM ----------

Don't get stuff welded



Learn to weld.



Don't wait on others!



Control your own destiny.



It's NOT hard.



I read a couple of books from the library & taught myself.



or you can take a class @ school.



Just a thought:



Maybe a weed wacker motor may be a better fit for your scooter.



Powerful but, smaller, lighter & most already have a cent clutch.



May be able to mount sprocket off elec motor so chain will work too.

I will ask. Might be able to stay after school. My plan was to be able to haul a wagon as a trailer and go around the woods near my house. I will look into weedwackers a bit more

 

[OzFab]

Don't get stuff welded
Learn to weld.
Don't wait on others!
Control your own destiny.
It's NOT hard.
I read a couple of books from the library & taught myself.
or you can take a class @ school.

Why pay someone to do something you can do yourself? Welding is a very useful skill to have...

Just a thought:
a weed wacker motor may be a better fit for your scooter.
but, smaller, lighter & most already have a cent clutch.
be able to mount sprocket off elec motor so chain will work too.

Again, A 212 Predator will, most likely, weigh more than the scooter, even a 79cc Predator would be a better choice...

The thing is, you don't need a lot of hp to haul weight, all you need is the correct gearing; yes, you will sacrifice speed for torque but, running it through the woods, you won't want to be moving very fast anyway...

Where could I get metal that I wouldn't have to pay for?

Your best option? On the sidewalk

Seriously, people throw away all kinds of "junk";

"one mans trash is another mans treasure"

Option #2, junkyard; you'd pay for it but, not much & you have a broader choice of material...

I am thinking changing to a steering wheel and going to a caryard near me and getting a supra wheel.

That's up to you; you will need to make an adapter of some description...

My personal opinion, why spend time & money you don't need to?

 

[MilesGC1999]

Why pay someone to do something you can do yourself? Welding is a very useful skill to have...







Again, A 212 Predator will, most likely, weigh more than the scooter, even a 79cc Predator would be a better choice...



The thing is, you don't need a lot of hp to haul weight, all you need is the correct gearing; yes, you will sacrifice speed for torque but, running it through the woods, you won't want to be moving very fast anyway...







Your best option? On the sidewalk



Seriously, people throw away all kinds of "junk";



"one mans trash is another mans treasure"



Option #2, junkyard; you'd pay for it but, not much & you have a broader choice of material...







That's up to you; you will need to make an adapter of some description...



My personal opinion, why spend time & money you don't need to?

Thank you for the advice and info. Do you think I will need a torque converter or will I be fine with a cent clutch?

 

[bob58o]

Everybody is probably right about 212 being too large for this.
A clutch will be fine.

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------

In two short weeks (if you can save)...
You can own this.
http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...-amp-ac-120-volt-flux-cored-welder-61849.html

They are often on sale for less than $100.
Just replace the wire with some decent Lincoln flux core wire.

 

[MilesGC1999]

Everybody is probably right about 212 being too large for this.
A clutch will be fine.

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------

In two short weeks (if you can save)...
You can own this.
http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...-amp-ac-120-volt-flux-cored-welder-61849.html

They are often on sale for less than $100.
Just replace the wire with some decent Lincoln flux core wire.

I will do that then. Now to hunt for free metal!

 

[Jfive]

Maybe an engine like this would be better. http://m.ebay.com/itm/49CC-2-STROKE...BIKE-SCOOTER-ATV-NEW-/272020644922?nav=SEARCH

 

[MilesGC1999]

Maybe an engine like this would be better. http://m.ebay.com/itm/49CC-2-STROKE...BIKE-SCOOTER-ATV-NEW-/272020644922?nav=SEARCH

That was one of my ideas, but I decided I'd rather have a 4 stroke

 

[Jfive]

They have 4 stroke versions too.

 

[MilesGC1999]

They have 4 stroke versions too.

I can't seem to find any. I will look some more. I also might go for a weedwacker.

 

[Jfive]

http://www.bikeberry.com/gas-engine...2teVSOH9zH9xPjinkzHMgAO9N7f4QEamYsxoCdY7w_wcB

 

[OzFab]

Hmm, half the engine at more than twice the price but, I see your point...

 

[Jfive]

Kinda like a 79cc for the price of a 212cc. Lol. The weight and integrated clutch and less weight and the fact that the wheel and sprocket can be left alone have some factor right?