Started a Drover Project
- Thread starter DaddyJohn
- Start date
Trying to keep this cheap (and since the bike is already pretty hacked-on) I made my own seat arrangement from an old kids bike and a sprung saddle I had hanging on the wall. New tires from Lowe’s when you could get a set for $20 (I stocked-up), and added a Tecumseh HS40 from an old Sears snowblower. Have to convert the engine to minibike use, then decide if I want to try to refurbish the worn-out scrub brake, or cut it off and install a clutch brake. Clutch brake would require a 1” brake handle, which cost more than I like. 7/8” are a dime a dozen!
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For better or worse, if you look at pics of a stock Drover, you’ll see the seat puts your butt in almost exactly the same spot. Also, the seat (a genuine Mesinger) is pretty wide (wider than the widest part of the frame), though I realize it’s hard to tell from the side. The footpegs are a kind of goofy welded-on bar, but are factory standard. I may extend them an inch or so for better purchase for your feet (especially on the recoil side), but may not bother.
The scrub brake is currently a glob-welded mess that looks like it’s suffered multiple repair attempts with various bits of scrap metal. I could definitely make a nicer scrap metal repair, but undecided on expending the effort. Since scrub brakes don’t work particularly well and increase rear tire wear, I’m leaning towards a clutch brake. An assembly will cost me some money, but they usually come with a clutch guard, so I won’t have to make or buy one of those.
The scrub brake is currently a glob-welded mess that looks like it’s suffered multiple repair attempts with various bits of scrap metal. I could definitely make a nicer scrap metal repair, but undecided on expending the effort. Since scrub brakes don’t work particularly well and increase rear tire wear, I’m leaning towards a clutch brake. An assembly will cost me some money, but they usually come with a clutch guard, so I won’t have to make or buy one of those.
My first inclination was to mount a banana seat with a sissy bar (like a Bird Lark), but I had trouble finding a set that looked decent for the right money. This project sidelined for over a year while I waited for something to come along. Eventually, I just went with what I had. Plus, the Mesinger saddle is likely more comfortable, lol. On the other hand, if someone decided to do the banana seat and sissy bar later, I think you could just bolt it all right on with the way I set it up.
On the brake, I also have to weld a kickstand assembly of some sort on the same side as the brake lever. I’ll have to see how that all might live together.
On the brake, I also have to weld a kickstand assembly of some sort on the same side as the brake lever. I’ll have to see how that all might live together.
Done… Decided to keep the scrub brake, because I wanted to avoid buying all the stuff for a clutch brake. This meant I needed a chain guard, but it didn’t want to buy a generic one for $20, so I spent a couple hours cutting and banging on the dash panel from an old snow blower. Looks cool, and free!
