Motor recommendations for a Cushman

N

notmeofficer

New Member
#1
#1
Hello All

This is my first question in this forum after lurking for years on here. Thank you for the wealth of information that is provided in this forum.

I have a 1958 Cushman Pacemaker that I am looking to modern re-power (it has an original 8hp flathead)

I would like to use a modern engine (not a vangard which is more than I want/need) couple to a TC with a jackshaft setup

The motor should be 9hp or larger, available with electric start option, and have an alternator to drive the lights (as the scooter is registered)

Ive looked around and seen some B and S and Kohler options (which have to be retrofitted for scooter operation). I am wondering if there are other options that I should look at?

I am an older rider and I have excellent fabrication skills/facility

Thanks for the input.. ride safe!!!



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toomanytoys

toomanytoys

Well-Known Member
#2
#2
Most common is a vanguard on the other cushman models. I'm not familiar with that one. I had a couple different year Eagles.

Look into the Honda clones, you can get larger HP ones, with electric start if you look around, not sure about the lightening coil.

Very nice bike BTW
 
N

notmeofficer

New Member
#3
#3
Thank you TMT

The V twin is really a shoe horn fit and requires cutting sheet metal and hacking on the frame.. something which I would like to avoid as much is possible (just adding the jackshaft will be enough...).. Im less worried about frame mods as sheet metal mods.. I want to keep that bone stock

There is a pacemaker displayed on this site with a v twin... not what Im interested in. I really want a modern engine to replace my 50 plus year old one... for better power et al. ( a 45 MPH single lung scooter.. not a 75 mph-v twin )

I looked at the 420 predator, which is electric start, but there is no info on the lighting coil.. perhaps it has a stator.. Im just not familiar enough with it to know

The Robin 9hp is a possible option ..electric start is available..but again.. lighting is an issue.. (to comply with the vc an alternator is the best way to go if possible).. stators work and is what is on the husky flathead...

Thanks all
 
KustomKartKid

KustomKartKid

Administrator
#4
#4
That's a really cool looking scoot notme......just curious, what do you have against the flathead...:shrug:

......besides the fact that it's hard to start, smokes and leaks oil and fuel :laugh:
 
DZLBIKE

DZLBIKE

New Member
#5
#5
Take a look at the 10hp Tecumseh, they are pretty compact. I have a couple on my Super Broncs and they pull well. :thumbsup:
 
texasfabguy

texasfabguy

New Member
#6
#6
WOW nice scooter,I hope to find one soon.

I think all electric start have some kind of charging coils,Honda start at 3 amp and go up to like 30 amps I think. I ordered my 420cc clone from Home depot they seem to have better pricing on the larger clones.
 
creia

creia

#7
#7
notmeofficer,
We have a member here "Yellowhand" who is very knowledgable about Cushmans, and he worked as a machinist for them for many years. Hopefully he will see your post and have some ideas for you- or you could send him a PM? I'm an "older rider" too (as are many of our members) and the photo of your nice bike brought back great memories- I remember seeing MANY of these back in the day!:thumbsup:
 
steven Durham

steven Durham

#8
#8
With the Tecumseh engines they can be bought with electric start and dual alternators off e-bay I have one with e start and the dual alternators in 6.5 HP
A 10 HP should be easy enough to find.
Steve :scooter:
 
Motra

Motra

Active Member
#9
#9
I think the Cushman/Husky engine runs opposite rotation compared to all the standard engines mentioned. I'd check that first.
 
N

notmeofficer

New Member
#10
#10
KustomKart said:
That's a really cool looking scoot notme......just curious, what do you have against the flathead...:shrug:

......besides the fact that it's hard to start, smokes and leaks oil and fuel :laugh:
Click to expand...
And it does all of what you said... well.. it starts fine.. normally 2 kicks,, but it does leak both gas and oil.. nature of the beast

The idea is to keep it looking stock outside but update it underneath.. disc brake it (Id take recommendations there as well)... put a tc on it with a jackshaft setup

Its currently a dog... too heavy with a single speed to go up any hill without a running start.. it probably will hit 40 on a slight downhill..but again if I just want to cruise around town.. its a dawg!!!

I really bought it because the sheet metal was sano, California bike.. no rust and 99 percent there.. its missing some of the logos and the the back potmetal chrome is pitted ..but restorable.. right now its an acceptable rider..I looked at other Cushmans but its the lines on this one that I like so much

But I would love/electric/pull start etc..

I looked at Harbor Freights Predator 420 (which is cheap on sale with with a 20 percent off coupon)... but I didn't find anything about its charging system and everyone there or online was clueless...

So I can be properly schooled.. why would a reverse rotation matter if I was going to tc and jackshaft in anyway?.. am I missing something

Thank you

notme
 
Outlaw Ace

Outlaw Ace

#11
#11
If you have to modify it in any way to go a different route just don't do it. They wont make any more new ones and you have a treasure there. I think you get what I'm saying, there are options including replacing it with the same setup with no points ignition. That would be as far as I'd go.:thumbsup:
 
N

notmeofficer

New Member
#12
#12
One issue with the pacemaker was that it was a dog.. cushman tried to overcome that by making the roadking.. which was a two speed.. and far more collectible.. I knew this going in and paid 2200 for the scooter.. which was fmv... the owner claimed to have rebuilt the flathead.. it runs well for what it is.. but they are notoriously expensive to rebuild .. and used bring prices that rival a vangard... this is just a big,long and heavy scooter,, think the 57 chevy of scooters of the day,,, heavier than the eagles... and less power

Mine was already shadetree wrenched on and has a different front end.. so as far as collectible.. its already been modded

I totally get the purist thing.. and the collector value...I wrestle with that in many builds

I would be careful with a repower so that it could be converted back.. including any frame mods

I really wonder.. in reading all the blogs about small engines if any particular one is better than another.. obviously not Chinese clones.. although it appears a fair amount of small engines are made there now

Hondas,vangard, and robins.. jap... it appears everything else is some version of chinese...
I have looked at several hondas with electric start and alternators... spendy but worth it?..probably.. the robin gets good reviews but I know zip about them..
The tecumseh... who knows.. crap shoot.. the chinese clones... even more so..

decisions

thanks
 
Motra

Motra

Active Member
#13
#13
If you have the bucks and want a top quality engine that'll be durable and reliable get a Honda or Robin/Subaru. Plus with those you can choose the options you want, like which charging system will work best for you.
 
Outlaw Ace

Outlaw Ace

#15
#15
notmeofficer said:
One issue with the pacemaker was that it was a dog.. cushman tried to overcome that by making the roadking.. which was a two speed.. and far more collectible.. I knew this going in and paid 2200 for the scooter.. which was fmv... the owner claimed to have rebuilt the flathead.. it runs well for what it is.. but they are notoriously expensive to rebuild .. and used bring prices that rival a vangard... this is just a big,long and heavy scooter,, think the 57 chevy of scooters of the day,,, heavier than the eagles... and less power

Mine was already shadetree wrenched on and has a different front end.. so as far as collectible.. its already been modded

I totally get the purist thing.. and the collector value...I wrestle with that in many builds

I would be careful with a repower so that it could be converted back.. including any frame mods

I really wonder.. in reading all the blogs about small engines if any particular one is better than another.. obviously not Chinese clones.. although it appears a fair amount of small engines are made there now

Hondas,vangard, and robins.. jap... it appears everything else is some version of chinese...
I have looked at several hondas with electric start and alternators... spendy but worth it?..probably.. the robin gets good reviews but I know zip about them..
The tecumseh... who knows.. crap shoot.. the chinese clones... even more so..

decisions

thanks
Click to expand...
Well that makes sense and there's enough sheetmetal on it to hide an engine swap so go for it. There are memberes who would know better than me what big ohv to use and what TAV setup. I thought yours was a weergin having never been touched is why I sounded alarmed. We had a guy come on here and take a bonanza Hodaka bike and highly modify it to run a gy6 moped setup and while the engineering was sound he desecrated a rare and highly collectable bike. I bout lost my mind and would gladly given him something else and some $ for it to save it. Anyway let us know what you end up doing, it's a bitchin' scooter for sure. The 50s vibe will always be cool!:thumbsup:
 
N

notmeofficer

New Member
#16
#16
george3 said:
I have a clean briggs, and a clean tecumseh 10HP with lighting coil. Tec. not in pic.
Click to expand...
Thank you George for the display of your engines... if you would like to IM me with more details and costs of your engines..or post them here..please do. I do think, honestly, if Im going to convert it will be with a brand new engine.. if its worth the effort to convert the cost of the engine is really... minimal... but I do like the more retro style of some of your engines (70-80s vintage are they?)

Im leaning towards a Honda... because of their reliability.. and so I can pick and choose.. elect start... lighting etc
Cost is NOT the primary concern,,, quality is... I dont mind spending money for quality.. 500.00-700.00 for an new engine for a classic scooter is not unreasonable.. its all relative... at 15 years old that would be impossible.. at 55.. its understandable.. I thought a budget of 1000,00 was a fair assessment of what it will cost to convert it (engine, t/c, jackshaft,chain, sprockets)

I have seen a pacemaker with a robin 9hp.. but it still used a single speed clutch through a jackshaft.. an improvement over stock... but not by much
A t/c makes ultimate sense to me (a 40)

I have seen one vangard conversion on a pacemaker that was immaculate,, I estimate he had 100 hours into the conversion and at least 2500.00 in specialized parts/engine... and the scooter was only worth 6k resto'd.. and then only to a very select buyer who could appreciate it for what it was... I want to build a rider and not a show queen.. hence a horizontal.. and what I estimate is a reasonable budget

My background...
I have built many street rods and custom motorcycles
I have full fabrication abilities

I know nothing about small engines,, save keeping them running on power equipment..Ive never had to ever pull one apart... normally when they die its because of service hours (and that's been a rare occurrence in my life) and I would just replace it with a new one.... never hotrodded one... etc

So.. again.. I do appreciate the information and education I receive here... I will try to use the "search" feature before asking noob questions.

I invite input by anyone... many ideas makes easier fabbing and less mistakes... especially in engine selection


thank you

notme
 
N

notmeofficer

New Member
#18
#18
steven Durham said:
Sounds like you need a Tecumseh Star motor a full 10 HP used on Jr. Dragsters might be the ticket for power and quality.
Steve :scooter:
Click to expand...

Thank you Steve for the suggestion.. I will research it today

update... this does not appear to be a motor that is readily available.... from the google search I did "10hp tecumseh Star"

Any good sources?

Thank you
 
Last edited:
Oldsalt

Oldsalt

Well-Known Member
#19
#19
I have a 1947 Cushman series 50; see pic below. Everything has been nicely restored. However, I am TOTALLY done with getting a clutch to work properly. The straw that broke the camel's back. Not only is the original 4 HP engine outrageously underpowered for the heavy scooter, I've got more money in it than it took to rebuild the little Dodge hemi in the picture to the left. All that stock garbage is going to be put on the shelf [I'll now stop sniveling]. I know Predator engines [Harbor Freight] have been put in Cushmans utilizing a Comet vari-speed TAV. and a jackshaft. But all I have been able to get are pictures of Eagles and other early Cushmans that DON'T have a full sheet metal body. I 'spose I could wing it and figure all of it out myself. However, if anyone have some concrete information like part numbers of parts for the drive system back to the stock rear sprocket for a twin cylinder Predator engine swap or pictures of a successful swap in a Cushman with a body, I would be most appreciative.
 

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