1994 Honda Giorno

[shego]

Hello everyone!

I recently picked up this Honda Giorno in San Marcos, Texas from a dealer as is for $750.

Ideally, I would like to get this scooter in top shape engine-wise and attempt a restoration by filling cracks and adding a coat of fresh paint.

I hope to use this post as a log of my history with the scooter as well as hear what you guys have to say as far as suggestions or improvements. All replies are very appreciated!

I also curious about this issue where the back end seems pretty bent. How bad is this?

Ive looked it over and cant seem to find what might be bent. Swing arm looks alright but I guess I wouldn't know for sure without taking the engine off which I wanted to avoid for now.

I thought I might mention that I have experience with small engines as I have worked on many while working Home Depot Tool Rental as well as had a bunch of Chinese bicycle engine kits over the years.   

Here's my favorite; 4-stroke, rear axle drive folding bike.

Thats all I got for now!

[goodkat]

shego hey pal,take the rear wheel out and see if the wheel itself is bent from the hub.

[geoffh]

She go,cracking good first post,that wheel issue looks bad,you need to address it before you waste any money on making it petty,

Geoff

[mrchilled85]

i would be checking that rear wheel 1st be for spending anything on that as if the wheel is fine then may have bent engine mounts or frame

[190mech]

AHHH,the frame and mounting points are easy to repair with the right gear!Need to give it a hard look over to find the problem..

[shego]

geoffh mrchilled85 Thank you for the replies, guys! I assumed the worst and yall know best :/
goodkat I've read your build thread. Good stuff, man. Unfortunately i'm pretty sure the wheel itself is not the problem as the wheel spins straight. I looks like the whole engine/trans is corkscrewed.

I guess I didnt mention that I have been riding this around and it doesnt FEEL wrong or anything...
never the less it looks like ill be taking this engine off.

Here's just a few more of the bike naked before I do;


190mech you have my attention! Ill be posting pics and updates as soon as I get the engine off maybe this weekend. (school)

















yellow paint still on carb?

[goodkat]

shego thanks man! Strip the engine and frame down and tell me if you need any measurements. I am really curious about the cause of the issue.

Just and idea, been scratching my head...After you take the engine down (10 minutes job) Check the engine mount bushings.

[hellish100]

That shock looks not straight. I’m crossing my fingers that it’s just the replaceable engine bushings.

I saw this advertised but I’m in Austin. I’m glad that you found this forum and created this build thread. Scoots are lots of fun. Keep up the progress and WELCOME!

[shego]

Okay I got around to getting the engine off and found that the issue is that the engine hanger is bent.
Im currently thinking of ways to bend this back or better yet, replace it.








LINK ASSY.,ENGINE
product number: 50350GZ5700

Unsurprisingly, I wasnt able to find anyone online selling this part. The closest I found was an NCY extension kit for a dio (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33033405708.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.2e0b3c00reBHKg&mp=1)
and from the looks of this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG6SDsWG5dQ&t=371s)(~1min) it will take fabrication anyway.

Can I bend this thing back? I havent tried anything yet but I was thinking maybe I could bend it with a crowbar and vice? or use the hydraulics from a tractor? I can cut and weld if I half to just curious what you guys think.
Here's the engine bushings ill probably replace :






and the rusted cylinder and dirty/scratched plastics :






theres a lot of info i've found on prep and painting. If anyone has a technique they swear by, I'd like to hear it!

hellish100 the shock is bent a little so that will go eventually too. and thats awesome, man I lived in Austin my whole life I just recently moved to SM for school.

[hellish100]

Maybe get a long cheater bar and try to bend it back? I know other members will have better suggestions.

That’s cool! If you were back up in Austin, I’d be happy to check it out with you. Nice work so far.

[190mech]

I'd leave it in the frame and try twisting it back in shape with a long/stiff pry bar..Could also remove it and set it up in a hydraulic press to straighten it out,would be careful not to heat it as the large rubber pivot bushing would fail..Keep us posted!

[goodkat]

I wouldn't try to straighten that thing while in frame. Would put unnecessary stress in the frame. Take it down and put it in a vice with the end that attaches to the frame, use a long bar inserted where the bolt that holds the engine holes to have them aligned and force it bit by bit. I'm sure you can get it straight.

[shego]

I tried straightening it and it just wont budge. I'm very confused as to how this got bent without other areas being damaged.

I placed the hanger in a vice and used two pipe wrenches on both sides and two full grown men torquing it.
I tried heating it just a bit and hammering as well.







next to try would be heating more with an actual torch or maybe cut a bit and bend it then re-weld it. would this compromise this strength too much?

Might also see about taking it to a machine shop. any idea on what that would cost or if they would take this?

[hellish100]

I’d try making sure that it’s glowing red and get a 6 ft breaker bar/pipe. It’s going to give you more leverage. Stick the pipe over through the space the in middle and torque it that way. Or get a longer bolt to stick through the mounting holes and slip the pipe over that. Just make sure you can get the bolt out if you bend that instead.

It’s pretty odd that it got bent without damaging anything else. Weird!

[hellish100]

Any updates?