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Post by rollingbender on May 28, 2023 18:03:13 GMT -5
I agree that it needs something to break up the seat side. Maybe even a yellow divider with a little flare between blue and black if you go that route. I dunno. Could go the wrong way and end up gaudy or could be great. Other thought was, am I mistaken about the idea of saddlebags on this at one point? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else. If you had the sorta typical cruiser leather saddlebags mounted up higher in the rear, you'd basically only see the large triangular bottom of the front seat area.  Something like that is definitely on the table for possible solutions the the problem. I bought some footman loops a while back so that I could possibly reconfigure the mounting straps on the saddle bags and buckle them directly to the side skirts of the seat pan. I need to explore this a bit more also. Today I made this little dodad…  It’s the steering stop so the triple tree doesn’t hit the fuel tank.  |
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Post by jackrides on May 30, 2023 13:24:18 GMT -5
Yellow 'Von Dutch' style pinstripes.
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 4, 2023 21:20:04 GMT -5
Today was the day for tear-down.   Down to the bare frame. Using a pair of sawhorses, I was able to finish welding everything from underneath and welded in the (second to) last part, the bottom support for the battery/electronics box. Then I spent several hours grinding and sanding to get it to a level of smoothness that made me happy (tired…good enough…it’s just a frame). Just in time on the welding too…  Down to mostly bare metal with just a bit of original paint scuffed and ready for finishing.  Then I went ahead and gave it a heavy coat of primer.  Shiny black paint coming soon! |
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 5, 2023 11:20:39 GMT -5
Now it’s shiny and black.  |
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Post by aeroxbud on Jun 5, 2023 14:53:58 GMT -5
Looks great
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 5, 2023 21:31:51 GMT -5
Here’s a gigantic kick-in-the-head I received a few weeks ago… the wife HATES this bike!!! She says it’s too big (only 6” longer than her old Zuma and 10” shorter), it’s too heavy (I think this is going to end up the lightest scooter in the barn) and it looks too much like a motorcycle (guilty on that one).
So, I’m going to double down and call this one my daughter’s bike. It’s already her colors. The rear seat was designed specifically for her legs and butt. I’m adding a few more things on final fitment that are all about her likes and passions. I’m even thinking about adding some sort of stereo system that she can control from her rear perch.
We went on a family excursion last weekend and the only scooter set up for 2-up riding is the Zuma. There is really not enough room for the both of us on there… my knees are up against the dash. It is very uncomfortable. I can’t wait to get this on the road. My daughter is going to love it. She is very grateful…unlike another woman I know.
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Post by aeroxbud on Jun 6, 2023 3:21:14 GMT -5
That's a shame. Especially after all the hard work you've put in. Now you will have to build another one.  |
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 8, 2023 1:35:01 GMT -5
That's a shame. Especially after all the hard work you've put in. Now you will have to build another one. Oh, I already have the donor scooter hidden in a secret off-site location for the next build😏 |
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Post by aeroxbud on Jun 8, 2023 3:26:58 GMT -5
Crafty 😂
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 9, 2023 11:49:38 GMT -5
The shiny black paint on the frame has set up and hardened nicely. Time to commence the re-assembly process. The painter “buried” the top of my rivnuts in the fenders wilst doing the body work so now I am drilling out the body filler and chasing the threads.
I have remade the mounting plate for the front caliper so that all lines up now. I am going to make a spacer to replace the mechanical speed sensor then I will also need to shorten the axle bolt because I did narrow the forks from the original donor design. A thorough cleaning of the shop is probably in the cards so that I can find the nut for the axle.
I still have not sorted out the backrest for the daughter’s seat but that will need to be done soon. I am adding some chrome emblems from a mismatched pair of cars to show off one of her passions… it will be cool😎
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 11, 2023 21:33:57 GMT -5
Today, reassembly began. I gave the triple tree brackets the polishing which I neglected to do at the time of manufacture.  I then made the spacer for deleting the mechanical speed sensor and assembled the front end. Two motor mount bolts and two shock mount bolts and the motor is mounted.  After seeing the black seat against the black frame, I’m now not so concerned about the seat overpowering the bike. I’ll keep putting things together and see where it goes. |
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Post by rollingbender on Jun 14, 2023 1:15:18 GMT -5
Found this vinyl material today…  It’s definitely not a match regarding the blue color…  ….but, to my eye, neither does it clash. Seems like it might work as a subtle yet effective way of tying the blacks and blues together. As always, input is most welcome. |
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Post by 90GTVert on Jun 14, 2023 10:55:43 GMT -5
Tell your wife she's wrong. I'm certain that will go well. I've ran this forum for 14 years and moderated on 3 other scooter forums for years prior to that and this has been one of my favorite builds to watch. I've seen people do the motorcycle tank conversion for the bike look, but I've never seen anyone take it all the way like you did and you've displayed a high level of skill all along the way. I mean, who else builds their own wheels and triple clamps? I do have to ding you for not putting a two-stroke in it, but I guess nobody's perfect.
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Post by jackrides on Jun 14, 2023 11:51:14 GMT -5
What He said!
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Post by br4inl3ss on Jun 14, 2023 11:58:23 GMT -5
what Brent said.
i dont like the fact that it doesnt have the spirit of a scooter anymore, which is very sad. such a build should keep its spirit. but i still follow and watch every update because its THE best build ive seen to date.
unmatched skills level.
the truest BUILT NOT BOUGHT !
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