New here! Saved a TaoTao 50 from scrap... where to start?

[aaron7]

(TLDR version) 

Just saved this one from the scrap pile! Seems to have spark and all the electrics work, except the starter. 

Kick starter is stripped, dash lens broken, missing trim... but the bones are good.

I'm totally new to these TaoTao scooters, but have some experience with pocket bikes and ATVs. 

On something that's been ridden hard and put away wet... where do I start?

What are the common failures of these that I should check out? Or maintenance that should be carried out aside from a plug & carb clean?

Looks like all the hoses to the carb are pulled off. Is there a vacuum diagram available?

And lastly, aside from ebay/amazon... what's the best source for parts? Aftermarket would be nice... tuned pipe, big bore... but I'm getting ahead of myself here. Let's get this thing moving first!

[pinkscoot]

For your basic Chinese scooter Partsforscooters.com is the best place to start. 

[jackrides]

Scrappy dog scooters has a decent manual.

[benji]

Depends on where you wanna go with this one...

I'm gonna guess its a 4 stroke bike, probably a 1e39qmb or something close. If so, itbmay be cheapest/easiest/quickest just to source a brand new 150cc gy6 motor. Should be an easy swap, and I don't see a reason to rebuild a slow motor when you may wanna upgrade later.

[gsx600racer]

Save a Tao Tao, ride a 2 stroke.

[aeroxbud]

Welcome to the forum Aaron

[aaron7]

pinkscoot, thanks for the link. Looks like they'd have most anything I'd need.

jackrides, do you mean this one here? chinesescooterparts.com/product/gy6-service-repair-manual/

benji, though I'd love to throw a new motor setup at this project... a $300 part isn't really feasible at the moment! Hoping to be able to sort these small issues and enjoy this 49cc a bit. Yes, it is the 4-stroke version.

gsx600racer & aeroxbud, thanks for the welcomes!

[aaron7]

Yesterday I dug deeper into sorting the wires and vacuum lines. I'll start a new post with questions under the appropriate section, feel free to drop some insight!

[Senna1Rossi]

Welcome

[dan50]

Click on the Manuals link on the left of the screen. There is some good ones for the engine and electronics. I think one also has body stuff in it like front forks and triple tree. They also have torque specs for many of the bolts.

When you mod it, do a 47mm BBK (Big Bore Kit) install. It is really easy to do, cheap (under $150 including the carb) and really worth a few hours time to do it. I also installed a 47mm non-EGR head and non-EGR valve cover from Parts For Scooters to get rid of the PAIR system (smog system that puts air into the exhaust to burn any unburned fuel. No difference in performance).

I also went to a 20mm carb.

Buy a set of main jets to tune the carb. Link; chinesescooterparts.com/product/10-piece-139qmb-carb-tuning-kit/

Set of pilot jets. Link; www.ebay.com/itm/12pcs-Set-Slow-Pilot-Jet-for-PWK-Keihin-OKO-CVK-30-31-32-35-38-40-50-52-55-/332143633574?hash=item4d554da4a6:g:7WIAAOSwuxFYuN08&vxp=mtr