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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 13, 2016 12:05:32 GMT -5
So I bought myself a birthday present last night, it's a Derbi Predator Replica Racer here is a picture of its twin:
Of course for $300 it didn't look like that but more like this:
I have all of the plastics and only one piece is cracked. For those of you not familiar with these bikes here are the high lights: 50cc liquid cooled Derbi engine (pre Piaggio) 13" wheels dual disk brakes Rumor has it they will do 50-60mph stock. The story I got from the seller who is pretty bike knowledgeable, he had 30 around his place, they were only imported for 2 years when the DOT stopped them because they were too fast stock. They were replaced by the GP1 which was restricted. They also were priced about the same as Vespas and couldn't compete. This particular model is a replica of Youichi #41. It is number 7 in the series.
As you can see it only has 1449km so its just broken in. The seller has owned it for a few years and it sat. He decided to sell it to make room. The paint is a little faded and it looks like a spray paint can blew up on the rear of it. The brakes have no pressure but the disks are in good shape. He says the water pump doesn't pump but the coolant nooks 16 years old and probably needs draining. Here are some pictures of it:
I like the hemostat cut off valve. I'm glad I just restocked my fuel and vacuum line supply.
A very different rea shock set up. You can see some of the black paint
Hmmm must be for racing no holes for the plate
This is the stock exhaust
Nice front shocks
A Weber carb, all of the adjustment is done from the right side
Nice radiator, it has no cooling fan or wiring for one. The wiring diagrams I have found don't show any fan or wiring.
If the rumors about this scoots performance are true, I'm not sure how much modding I'll be doing. My hope is to get it running and cleaned up, then see what I want to do on it. So that's what I know now, I'm off next week and this should keep me busy sorting it out and getting running. The plastics are pretty faded and I don't want to lose the stickers so I guess there will be a lot of hand rubbing to get it back to something. I am curious about the cooling fan, I guess its designed to just drive it fast all of the time so no need for a fan. There is limited information on this scoot so I would appreciate any info any one has on them. Thank you for taking the time to follow my build.
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Post by Chris Cristini on Aug 13, 2016 12:43:44 GMT -5
Gorgeous I wouldn't worry about what it looks like ATM just get it running ride it and let it tell you what to do about its appearance if its a beast I'd freshen it up. Great find!!
Is that a Minarelli engine?
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 13, 2016 15:25:58 GMT -5
I don't know if its a Minarelli or not maybe one of the Derbi guys here know. I know that Derbi made their own engines until 2002 when Piaggio bought them and used there engines. Being a Spanish company it could be a Morini engine.
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Post by Chris Cristini on Aug 13, 2016 17:03:16 GMT -5
Well regardless that's a bad motor scooter.
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Post by spaz12 on Aug 13, 2016 18:56:44 GMT -5
It's a Morini, but better than any 4 puke, that's for sure. I'm sure they make a 70 for it and with a decent pipe you'll be embarrassing people on their 150's. And it's just fine without a fan. I doubt you'll have problems even if you make it a 70, and if you do, put a large computer fan on it and it'll be just fine.
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 14, 2016 8:58:13 GMT -5
Thanks Spaz. Just what I need another Morini in the garage this makes 3, but its nothing like the other 2. I have seen a Malossi 70cc for it and I'm sure theres a pipe for it. I may try to go through the steps to get it tagged as a motorcycle since I have to insure it any way I may as well be able to drive it to its potential. It doesn't look like its much trouble, I call it a custom build and have an inspector took at it and be sure nothing is stolen. Because of no title I might have to post a bond. All of it will be worth it.
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 15, 2016 21:20:31 GMT -5
I had a day off today so I spent the morning stocking up on shop supplies. Then I got at the Derbi. My goal was to get it running. I drained the coolant, Its supposed to have 80cc but it looked more like 300. After draining I decided it was a good time to flush it. There isn't a radiator cap or and real way to get water in for a flush so I improvised. The Previous Owner had cut one of the hoses to see if the pump was pumping because it was running hot. I took the connection and added a hose connection and flushed:
I let it run for about 10 minutes until it was clear. I rejoined the hose and started filling. The service manual say just put the liquid in the expansion tank and let it fill from there. I put water in because I have a feeling I'm going to be draining it again soon. I then drained the gas and replaced all of the hoses. The previous owner had clamped of a hose with forceps so the gas wouldn't leak; I never looked closely but today discovered it was the vacuum line. The carburetor is a Weber 19mm carb. It has a starter jet as well:
I was confused for a moment to see 3 jets but followed it up to below the enricher. I thoroughly cleaned the carb and put it back together. It is a real well built carb. The screws on the bowl are straight head and look like they can stand up to some use. There is no drain for the carb. so you just have to remove it and drain it. The bowl was dry except for some shellac. I'm starting to think that this scooter has sat for most of its 16 years. I got it all back together and most of the water was in the engine. I figured if the pump worked it would pull theres through. It started right up and sounded good very nice sound. I let it warm up and played with the A/F mixture and it was perfect. The engine started to get warm so I shut it down. I decided whether the pump worked or not I was going to add an electric one just as insurance. I bought the Malossi Water Pump It was a solid unit at an okay price. They talk about the control unit to run it but aren't clear. I'll see when it comes. Then on to the brakes, both brakes were non existent but the pads were barely used. I pulled the lids off both and they were a mess. I cleaned them out and cleaned the plumbing and started bleeding. I finally got frustrated and used a method I picked up on another site. You leave the covers off over night and let the air rise on its own. I have done it before and it worked. I'll see if these do. I read the methods on here and if mine doesn't work I'll try them. As soon as the brakes finish bleeding I'll put it together enough to take a quick run up and down my street. Maybe even get plates for it.
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Post by spaz12 on Aug 15, 2016 21:26:40 GMT -5
I love good scoots and that is a good scoot.
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 15, 2016 21:35:25 GMT -5
Spaz, you and Niz both encouraged me to buy it and so far I have no regrets. I really can't wait to get it on the road and see what it will do.
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Post by spaz12 on Aug 15, 2016 21:39:06 GMT -5
I've only ever seen one of those in person and didn't spend much time around it, but if it's anything like my Derbi's then it's gonna be an awesome scoot that you'll love. You'll end up judging every other scoot by it because they're that good.
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 15, 2016 21:47:50 GMT -5
I bet I won't get the looks I get when I'm on my Pink scoot.
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Post by sambo2013 on Aug 16, 2016 3:13:18 GMT -5
I own 1 of these and ride it daily the rumours of standard 1's hitting 60+ I have just an exhaust in mine and will hit 65 70 down a big hill fastest scooter I've ridden standard. On another note I was wondering would anyone know why I'm using a lot of coolant no noticeable leaks no white smoke either ?? HELP !!! Lovely scoot to ride its a joy to find bends on
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 16, 2016 6:58:09 GMT -5
I own 1 of these and ride it daily the rumours of standard 1's hitting 60+ I have just an exhaust in mine and will hit 65 70 down a big hill fastest scooter I've ridden standard. On another note I was wondering would anyone know why I'm using a lot of coolant no noticeable leaks no white smoke either ?? HELP !!! Lovely scoot to ride its a joy to find bends on It's nice to know someone else here has one, what year and series number is yours? I'm still new to it so I can't answer the coolant question but I have one of my own, do you run the stock water pump or an electric one?
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Post by Jwhood on Aug 16, 2016 8:22:01 GMT -5
I own 1 of these and ride it daily the rumours of standard 1's hitting 60+ I have just an exhaust in mine and will hit 65 70 down a big hill fastest scooter I've ridden standard. On another note I was wondering would anyone know why I'm using a lot of coolant no noticeable leaks no white smoke either ?? HELP !!! Lovely scoot to ride its a joy to find bends on You must have an internal leak somewhere possibly around water pump seal or at cylinder head, it might be small enough to evaporate before you can see it leaking out!!
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Post by pinkscoot on Aug 16, 2016 21:12:54 GMT -5
Having another day off it was clean the house or work on the Predator, hmmmm. So My plan with the brakes didn't work so I took the calipers off and cleaned them. They weren't bad but now I know they are clean. here are some pictures:
Here the 2 pieces are apart. Its a 2 piston caliper, one for each pad. Heres a shot of the other side Here the piston is in the caliper
They were pretty clean except for old brake fluid. I should have gotten a rebuild kit but the seals looked good. If I ever see a kit I will pick it up and do that, its probably easier to upgrade them. Here is a trick to get the pistons out, I'm not sure where I learned it, maybe here but hers a bad video of it:
I just thought I would share that. I got the brakes back together and was able to pump up the front one, the back is still soft so I'll go at it again tomorrowI pumped it until no bubbles but they're still there. Last night when I was running it I say some liquid in the vacuum line to the petcock. This morning it was full and the scoot wouldn't start. Time to get rid of that. I decided to clean the tank while I was at it. The petcock connection was a new one to me, its a plastic tank with a nipple at the bottom. The petcock slid in and it was hose clamped in. Here is the petcock, see no bolt:
Off to Lowes for hardware and a stop at Advance Auto for hose. After 15 minutes of looking and fiddling I came up with this:
Not the prettiest but it works. I think my next try will have an elbow and smaller clamps. I tried to pull the thermostat but it wasn't on the head where it was supposed to be. Either it never happen or someone removed it. I got the scoot running and it really purrs. I watched the temperature gauge and it stayed very nicely at about 1/3. It never got hot. I guess the fan does work. I have one coming anyway as insurance. Maybe I put it on a switch and use it when the engine gets hot. I put the seat on and really looked at it. It swallows a full face helmet with no problem. I also found the tool kit hanging by its hook. Looking at the tires they are michelin boppers, they still have their cubbies on the side. I guess the POS never took turns at speed. Tomorrow I'll keep working that rear break. When I have it I'll get insurance and a plate and take it on the road. I will give me a chance to see what the big deal is.
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