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Post by drc174 on Nov 2, 2020 10:57:52 GMT -5
Hey Guys! I... am back. Took me a while to get settled in, but I opened a shop. I am situated in Atlanta, you can find the place by googling ThatScooterShop. But the point of this thread is bound to a story. When I opened here, Jan. 2020, I took on a lot of work with QMB139 scooters. Truth be told, there are a ton of "warehouse" places here that sell them and then never pick up the phone when customers have issues. In the end, the work on them, as a business, is not profitable, in the mix of my custom Vespa builds, engine builds and general maintenance. So I stopped taking on QMB139 and GY6 bikes. However, not before I got one myself and will do to it what I do... build something stupid. I will try to combine my usual HQ build approach and throw way too much fabrication, suspension work and money at this thing. So i bought your run of the mill QMB139 Chinese bike. This was from one of my very first customers at the shop. She put on a solid 1600 miles in just a few months. Right now it runs, it has some valve issues. But as it is with these bikes, it is very slow. Picture: The plan, which always deviates. Step 1: Run it, see what I can squeeze out of it. Step 2: Drop the motor. - I got a 82cc kit with large valve head. I really like this kit, the piston looks much more solid than the 88cc. I build a few of these before I stopped GY6 work. - Hot cam. - Complete Naraku variation - PWK 24mm intake. I will see what other possibilities there are, I have been toying with a Si24mm intake idea, as it is insanely short intake length. - Leovince exhaust because "fancy parts make a crappy bike fancy" Step 3: Drop, stretch, fancy suspension, solid brakes, slicks, cuz... lol Step 4: Deal's Gap. Somewhere in between, custom paint job/decal job.
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Post by jbjhillbilly on Nov 2, 2020 17:51:04 GMT -5
I totally understand about not taking in any more QMBs. Too many people balk at the quote you give them for repairs. At my friend’s shop, we only do service on them - oil, tires, maybe a belt and rollers.
Honestly, it’s not a bad design or anything, but the quality control is so spotty, and because many are made from contract overrun parts, it’s tough to even know where to begin. We had two on the same make and model in the shop, and they had completely different wire harnesses, including different CDI boxes.
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Post by pinkscoot on Nov 2, 2020 18:37:53 GMT -5
My friends suggest I repair scooters in my retirement. All I see around town are broken down slow QMB139's with different names on them. I have helped a few friends out, oil plug filter changes. Cleaning up the CVT and getting them running better. Adjusting the valves so they start, basic stuff. They all ask me to do BBK on their daily riders and I say no thank you. I usually take things in trade so there is no money to get stiffed on.
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Post by 190mech on Nov 2, 2020 18:45:54 GMT -5
Glad to see you back!!So sorry you are dealing with a 4Poke build,hope its your last as you say..If its gonna be a strong motor,guess youve won a lottery(HA-HA)...
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Post by CrankingWithCG on Nov 2, 2020 18:55:18 GMT -5
Let me know which kit you plan on using! I honestly wanna build up a little stunt scoot out of a Taotao. Its a complete waste of money, but man its gonna be hilarious
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Post by aeroxbud on Nov 2, 2020 19:05:48 GMT -5
This will be good. Not cheap, but good. 👍
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Post by drc174 on Nov 2, 2020 23:03:21 GMT -5
It is more a "get rid of my stock cuz I don't do qmb anymore" project. And to dick around, mostly. Bring my own little signature to it.
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Post by hippo008 on Nov 2, 2020 23:09:02 GMT -5
I've seen some TaoTaos that aren't too bad. The issue I've found is the amount of money you need to put into them to make them worth keeping as a rider.
Is the goal here to build a reliable but faster daily driver?
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Post by drc174 on Nov 3, 2020 0:05:08 GMT -5
No.
Something dumb. I love dumb.
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Post by CrankingWithCG on Nov 3, 2020 0:40:19 GMT -5
No. Something dumb. I love dumb. This 😂😂
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Post by geoffh on Nov 3, 2020 16:27:00 GMT -5
Have fun with the build,goggled your shop and site,nice and well presented,and if you can stand constructive well meant comments? there,s not a smile or welcoming person picture on there,I,m sure you are full of fun and southern hospitality.
Geoff (had to google earth Atlanta at least I,m a little wiser)
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Post by pinkscoot on Nov 3, 2020 18:02:34 GMT -5
Nice shop, as clean as your old garage. I wish you the best of luck with it.
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Post by fugaziiv on Nov 4, 2020 10:08:08 GMT -5
Well built QMBs can be surprisingly fun little bikes.
Do you have one of the SSP-G strokers hanging out in the shop? I forget if you ever bought one or not...
Matt
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Post by drc174 on Nov 4, 2020 11:12:51 GMT -5
Well built QMBs can be surprisingly fun little bikes. Do you have one of the SSP-G strokers hanging out in the shop? I forget if you ever bought one or not... Matt All the stuff I have right now is from you guys. The thing I do not have is the crank. I love the 82cc kit with the super light piston, so I am going with that. If you wanna send me other stuff, sure, just add it to the most recent order
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Post by fugaziiv on Nov 4, 2020 11:56:37 GMT -5
Well built QMBs can be surprisingly fun little bikes. Do you have one of the SSP-G strokers hanging out in the shop? I forget if you ever bought one or not... Matt All the stuff I have right now is from you guys. The thing I do not have is the crank. I love the 82cc kit with the super light piston, so I am going with that. If you wanna send me other stuff, sure, just add it to the most recent order I don't have any of the strokers to send unfortunately. The factory that makes them for us is way behind schedule right now and I don't expect to see any more until next year. I was hoping that maybe you already had one on hand as they really liven up that engine. We actually designed that 50mm kit for small bore 4t drag racing builds on a wet shot. Light piston, free flowing head, it's an excellent choice. Matt
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