MBK Nitro Jaguar

[Timmer]

I've been looking around on and off for like 1.5years, spotted an ad yesterday and had the scooter on my trailer in about 3hrs after the ad was spotted by me (and it was around a 1hr drive). It was a MBK nitro Jaguar, with the papers mentioning it's a "5BR NITROBJAG", so i wanted it (tbh, the rossi, Mclaren or Jaguar ones don't pop up a lot, or like never. Or sometimes you find one, but then it's just the bodywork put on a standard one).
This one, matching number and certificate, was a plus for me.

I didn't know what i really wanted, i just wanted something to pass time with as a project. I've had a Booster Spirit (like back in 2001 i think?) and wrenched on pretty much all my mates scooters (BW's, Aerox's , Runners and speedfights mostly). I don't have a lot of space to start tinkering on it, but i might post some pics when it finally stops raining. And then i'll empty the shed and start building, but i think that'll be for around March, and it's gonna be a looooooong road to finish it.

This is how i picked it up yesterday;

So, off the bat, here's what they looked like new:





So, it's gonna need a lot, like really A LOT.
Bodywork incorrect, OEM handlebar/dashboard missing, central stand not present, weird mirrors, funky exhaust, the 'trunk' has a hole in, there is no lock for the seat, the oilreservoir is missing, it has 2 different keys,... I mean, the list is long...

I don't plan to make this a small crotchrocket (we need license plates now on these things, and  it's regulated to max 45km/h).
The plan is to this drivable, as for now, it's doesn't even run. The engine turns over, so that's a start.
 

I'll start dissambly/troubleshooting it in a few days/weeks, and try to keep you posted.

[aeroxbud]

It's been lightly modified! 😲
I'm taking it the centre stand is long gone. It's a nightmare to fit a replacement. As the pin is cast into the case.
I have drilled a couple out. But it's not a nice job to do.
I guess get it running first. Then go from there. Good luck.

[Timmer]

aeroxbud , that's a bummer to hear. I'll see wether this is fixable
I had a quick peek under her skirt just now, seems it's running a Malossi cilinder


Can't tell which one...

As for the 'lightly modified', I appreciate the sarcasm , but like i said, it's a long term project.*
I'll make some room for the parts in the shed, and then start disassembly. Currently making a list for tools;
Ignition puller
Vario/transmission blocker
Bearing puller
...

If there are any recommendations for tools, hit me up.
(Also, if you know reliable webshops, just keep in mind i'm from the mainland (Belgium))

[yambw’s]

Very cool! Like somthing from a “scootlook”magazine

[aeroxbud]

Racing planet www.racing-planet.com/index.php?sessID=686736f6d41707d722d8c958c435ff74
Or scooter attack www.scooter-attack.com/en/ should have most everything you would need.
Sometimes eBay can be cheaper for parts of tools.
For the variator one of these is good www.scooter-attack.com/en/product/variator-blocking-tool-minarelli-horizontal-aerox-29277?vctype_id=13
I use this puller I think www.scooter-attack.com/en/product/flywheel-puller-buzzetti,-minarelli-morini-suzuki,-3-bolts,-bolt-distance-d-48mm,-d-75mm-65310

[Timmer]

@yambw’s scootlook? I had complete’y forgot those magazines from back in the day. I only occasionally bought one, and i think it was called ‘SCOOTIN’.
And i get the vibe, i was into scooters early 2000’s, and then this was a trend, so it figures i’d find something like this…

What i’ll end up doing, i don’t know yet , i’ve got a general idea, but knowing myself, i’ll probably make it up along the way…

[yambw’s]

Scootin was an another good one but the French scootlook was my go to! 2000s scooters were at their peak

[aeroxbud]

I would have to agree with you there. Some of the builds at shows in the late 90's, early 2000's were crazy.
Loads of custom made parts and expensive paint.

[Timmer]

So, just ordered some tools to rip this thing apart. I've bought everything i think i'll need to go as far as split the case. We'll see. If i see how it looked on the outside, i'm a bit worried about what i'll find on the inside...
The tools should arrive somewhere next week, so i'm hopeful i can start somewhere then, but first i need to do a week of graveyard shifts :/

[Timmer]

Sooooo, i had some time, weather was good, kids at school and the wife at work. Seemed like an excellent time to make some space in the shed, and get to the nitro.

As i started taking the bodypanels off, i noticed half of the screws were either missing, or not completely screwed in.
Some of the fairings are in decent condition, some other are just sh!t. Basicly, the green ones, the footrest, and the leg cover seem ok. The battery cover, the undercover, the panel above the rear wheel are just trashed. Rough sanded, rattlecan paint, no finish,… the seat, it’s got to go. There’s pink coming through the white
Oh, and the ‘trunk’ or whatever it’s called in English is butchered…



As i removed panels, i found some professional modifications to the wire harness…


That, is aluminiumfoil, used to secure connections for when they installed (reinstalled maybe?) the CDI. wiring to head and taillights is of the same quality, but at least has insulation instead of aluminium over the connections.

I have found the choke wired to the cvt cover, the cable going to the locking mechanism under the seat was just going nowhere (well, it was routed next to the fueltank…)
The fuelsensor was broken inside the fueltank, that took me around 35min to get it out of the tank.

After that, i noticed that the scooter started marking it’s territory, and when i drained the coolant, there was not much left ( around 130ml, but that also has the remaing fuel from the nearly empty tank measured into it).

The waterpump cover also is a great example of how not to paint stuff. Even weirder for me, was that the hoses were tightened so hard the have punctures, and somehow they put pfte between it.









This is as far as i got today, by then the kids were home, wife too, family life comes first.


I knew when i bought this thing, it was gonna need a lot of work, but this might just go as far as a full rebuild.
I’ll strip it down even further when i can, and i’ll buy a new wire harness, cause i lost faith in this one…

As for now? I’m going to pour me a nice glass, and browse some shops/sites for prices and idea’s

[aeroxbud]

Some real class mechanics going on there. At least there are plenty of good used parts about.

[Timmer]

Mar 4, 2024 15:53:12 GMT -5 aeroxbud said:

Some real class mechanics going on there. At least there are plenty of good used parts about.

Well yes, the self proclaimed ‘master mechanics’, but i wouldn’t even call these ‘MacGyver’, as even he has standards.  Granted, it may have worked when in a pinch, but for now it does not have a spark, so i’m guessing there may be some kind of issue somewhere 

as for used parts, if it’s mechanical or cosmetic, i’m all for, but when it comes to electrical items i might prefer new to used.

[sinfull]

Bike looks amazing. So jealous of the bikes you guys get overseas.

Wiring I would just tear it out, and retrace wires and make your own wire harness. That way you can do the wiring and put things where you want them and not in some wierd places that the factory decided they should go.

Always hated to have to rip off the front end just to get to the relays or voltage reg when they could have just placed it somewhere else.

[aeroxbud]

Mar 5, 2024 0:16:04 GMT -5 Timmer said:

Mar 4, 2024 15:53:12 GMT -5 aeroxbud said:

Some real class mechanics going on there. At least there are plenty of good used parts about.

Well yes, the self proclaimed ‘master mechanics’, but i wouldn’t even call these ‘MacGyver’, as even he has standards.  Granted, it may have worked when in a pinch, but for now it does not have a spark, so i’m guessing there may be some kind of issue somewhere 

as for used parts, if it’s mechanical or cosmetic, i’m all for, but when it comes to electrical items i might prefer new to used.

My Aerox project had some pretty good wiring too. At least they used tape!

Aerox do seem to have so many people working on them with no idea.
This was another sign of a master mechanic at work.

[Timmer]

It’s sometimes scary what we can find in these things. The gasket had me laughing though. I found a new harness for around €70, and a new cdi from around €20, it’ll provide me with peace of mind. But first i’m going to strip it down, and i’m thinking of stripping it to the point where i open the cases and change the crank.

Any recommendations for a decent crank that doesn’t break the bank? I’m having a quick look around the ‘Doppler endurance’ with 10mm grabbed my attention, and it’ around €140. Should support 50, 70 and even 80cc’s, so it keeps the options open for future projects, as i haven’t made up my mind wether i’m going to keep it stock (45km/h) or if i’m going to push it faster.