just scored a doodlebug.

[toofarnorth]

I just bought a doodle bug of craigslist for $100 it's in pretty decent shape and no one up here sells them any more so they are getting hard to come by. The owner said it only had two hours on it but it had clutch problems. It would kinda run on the nasty gas that was in it but it died and now it wont start with fresh gas so I think the bad gas fouled out the plug, and neither of my spark plug sockets fits it so I gotta run to the store to get one I'll get some snap ring pliers to take apart the clutch too. The engine setting next to it is a gx160 I was thinking of cramming in it, but it would be a little wide with the reduction unit on it and if I take it off I'll have to turn down the 20mm crankshaft to fit a clutch.

 

[jmorey92]

ya try to put that engine in it will give you tons more power.

you only have to take a little tiny bit of the shaft off just run it at idle and use a sanding block.

the bad gas jus may of cloghed the carb.

and you can just use a deep socket to take the plug out. you dont have to use a "spark plug socket"

 

[residentg]

I noticed black spray on the rear fender, probably blow-by from the exhaust. See if the there is too much oil in the crankcase, better yet, change it, that way you know that you have good oil and the correct amount. Fresh gas and a fresh plug would be good too.

What is a doodlebug anyway? I see that it is a minibike, can you tell me more about it, seems very popular?

 

[toofarnorth]

I know I could have used a deep socket but I don't have any at my home I own a couple toolboxes full of tools but I make my living with them so I keep them at work. I have pitiful selection of tools at home, now + one 3/4"sparkplug socket and snap ring pliers. The plug was extraordinarily fouled I think someone put mixed gas in it that's what caused the black spray around the exhaust, I tried cleaning the plug but it still wouldn't spark so I snagged one out of a junk Tecumseh that was close enough and it fired right up. I pulled the clutch apart and oiled the bushing, turned down the idle a little and backed out the screw that limits the throttle. It barely has enough power to pull me out of my driveway which is pretty steep, but once I got it out on the road she cruises, much faster than I thought it would be without doing any mods. I think if I put the gx160 on it death may soon follow.

What is a doodlebug anyway? I see that it is a minibike, can you tell me more about it, seems very popular?

here's the manufacturer website they have a list of retailers too http://www.bajamotorsportsonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=83 They're just a basic Chinese made mini bike but considering you can buy one new for less then you can buy a kit that you have to paint and put together (I know that's part of the fun) and still have to buy an engine, I'd say there a pretty good buy.

 

[Raywelder]

Yea tsc has those same bikes still!

 

[EagleTalons]

here's the manufacturer website they have a list of retailers too http://www.bajamotorsportsonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=83 They're just a basic Chinese made mini bike but considering you can buy one new for less then you can buy a kit that you have to paint and put together (I know that's part of the fun) and still have to buy an engine, I'd say there a pretty good buy.

If I had a choice between building one and buying the DB 30. I'd have to say that the already painted DB frame out does most paint it yourself jobbies. Plus, it has a disc brake instead of a drum brake. (Mine doesn't slow me down much)

 

[residentg]

Thanks for the info. I checked out the web-site. I think that kid in the photo needs to lighten up a bit, wouldn't you say?

http://www.bajamotorsportsonline.com/product_category_minibike.php

 

[jorge0136]

Merely in physical size perhaps. I have seen smaller kids master some much smaller physical size bikes, but much higher hp dirt bikes.

How fun is the thing to cruise about on as is?

 

[toofarnorth]

If I had a choice between building one and buying the DB 30. I'd have to say that the already painted DB frame out does most paint it yourself jobbies. Plus, it has a disc brake instead of a drum brake. (Mine doesn't slow me down much)

I think they're missing the boat, they need to sell the db 30 as a kit, though with cheap Chinese labor that currently puts them together I doubt they'd save much money, but they could pass that $2.50 savings on to us.

Thanks for the info. I checked out the web-site. I think that kid in the photo needs to lighten up a bit, wouldn't you say?

http://www.bajamotorsportsonline.com/product_category_minibike.php

Yeah, why so serious?

How fun is the thing to cruise about on as is?

You really feel the lack of power trying to climb hills but I am about 30 pounds over the max rider weight of 150, once you get it out on fairly level road and let the engine wind up it'll go about as fast as I want to go on a bike with no suspension. I have no doubt it'd do 40 if you took off the governor. And the little engine that comes on it would have plenty of power for hills if it was fitted with a torque converter of some sort.

 

[napalmfire]

taking off the governor and adding a straight pipe, I got mine up to 39.9. Threw on the GX200 clone and it did 41.8. The pickup on the gx is so much better. It makes the bug a much more fun minibike to use.

For the price for the frame and everything you need, its excellent. It also has those nice disc brakes and its overall a very well assembled bike. The only thing that I dont like is that you need to drill new holes for a bigger engine, or pick up a mounting plate.

The stock clutch slips a lot and makes the whole bike a bit jumpy between 13 and 18mph but when it locks it'll take it all the way up to 40.

 

[toofarnorth]

The stock clutch slips a lot and makes the whole bike a bit jumpy between 13 and 18mph but when it locks it'll take it all the way up to 40.

I wish comet made a tiny torque converter for engines this small I think they'd sell a lot of them especially if they made an easy bolt on kit for these mini bikes, of coarse they would have to be priced according to their size