Derbi Drivel

[stepthrutuner]

This thread will be a hap-hazard posting of mods, ideas, maladies, fixes and who knows what.


It starts with my home made battery charger.


Although I sometimes regret it I am a born pack rat.... I like to salvage bits and pieces that I think may later prove to be useful. Plastic and metal bits that might be slightly modified to make useful items, tubing, circuit boards and components, fittings, fasteners, wire, electric motors, plastic bottle caps and lids, coffee cans.... the list goes on and on.

In this case I salvaged one of the wall power supplies/chargers I had saved and now use it to charge my scooter battery. Apparently this P.S. used to go to a cordless phone. 12v @ 500mA.... perfect for small scooter batteries. Unloaded output was 17vdc.





I used to have it permanently wired to the male lighter socket plug-in since I had installed a cig. lighter socket in my glove box hooked directly to my battery. This made battery charging very hassle free.... just open the glove box and plug in the charger.

Today I made it more flexible by putting spade connections on everything and color coding with a black permanent black marker where necessary so now I can use the clips directly on batteries too.

I didn't have any male spades that fit the female receivers so I used small 'slip under screw' terminals I had. The 'hot' charger side terminals are insulated to prevent shorts.

[90GTVert]

Cool idea Reg. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.

[stepthrutuner]

TAKE-ALONG AIR COMPRESSOR



I have to admit that this was not my original idea. I got it off a motorcycle website I can't remember quite some time ago.

It started out looking like this. I think I paid $5 for it at WM. (Bad pic off eBay)



So it would fit in my glove box I removed the housing.



Since the nylon gear was exposed I built a primitive guard out of a narrow strip of steel. I drilled and tapped holes on the frame of the compressor to mount it.



When I wrap the wire and hose around it, it looks like this. I keep it in a ziplock bag in my glove box. I've used it twice in the last three months to inflate a flat after plugging it. I was 15-50 miles from home in both instances.

[90GTVert]

Another great idea! Keep 'em coming. ;D

I like how you aren't just satisfied with anything. That makes you sound like a jerk, but you know what I mean. lol I woulda looked at that and either just left it under the seat or said, "Eh, it won't fit". You made it work to fit your needs exactly.

[stepthrutuner]

I like to keep my underseat storage free for hauling cargo from point a to point b. :spin:

[stepthrutuner]

Convenient Oil Bottle Stowage.


This shot attempts to show the hole cut out for the neck of my 8 oz. oil bottle.



Up under the side fairing there is stowage for a roll of tools or whatever I can fit in there. You can't see the two pipe hanger straps I have screwed to the frame to keep items from falling through.



Another shot of the area cut out. My old oil reservoir is now an aux. fuel tank good for about 12 miles. Has shut off to main fuel line.



How the bottle looks in place. Right there where I need it. I keep another bottle in my glove box.

[90GTVert]

I've heard you mention it before, but I really like the idea of using the oil resevior as a reserve fuel tank. I can definitely think of times I coulda used that.

[stepthrutuner]

Yeah. The oil tank conversion was not my idea either. I saw it on another scooter forum probably back in 05. Just don't get too far away from a gas pump. I ran out about 16-18 miles from town a couple of years ago, switched over and ran out again about 2-3 miles out. Fortunately a kind Hispanic gentleman gave me about a quart and I made it in after some delay knocking on a few doors of empty houses before I got to his. And, oh yes, the tank conversion was sort of a necessity as my low fuel lamp (no gage) had quit working and I thought an empty tank taking up space was not cool so I did the conversion.

[190mech]

Love those practical mods!!Keep up the good work..

[2strokd]

Those are great ideas man :rockon: !
Love em, thanks!

[WT100]

Great ideas and great instigators for new ideas!

I have often thought about how much storage possibilities are hidden under the plastics. Seems like you could hide an extensive took kit in the floor boards alone. And a lot of extra fuel tankage in the back plastics.

My tip: Scooter / travel friendly jumper cables out of an old extension cord and cheep alligator clips. Used twice in the last month on friends scoots.

[stepthrutuner]

Those are the neatest 'mini jumpers' :thumb: i've ever seen. Great idea WT.

[stepthrutuner]

Broke the ol' Derb today. Trying to make it to the bank before it closed at five and hammering pretty hard on it for a couple of miles after a cold start. Lost power, died, no compression. Spark plug seemed tight. Pushed it home three blocks. Check it tomorrow. Hope it's just a stuck ring.

[WT100]

Bummer man. I'm sure you'll get it sorted.

We heading down to the border tomorrow (The Peels Ferry run). We'll send the Derby a good thought as we cross the line! ;D

[90GTVert]

Keep us posted.