Took over a year to start messing with it, but finally started. The HS50 is off a Roof chipper vac someone rolled out on trash night. 1” shaft isn’t ideal, but I should be able to work around it. Had to straighten the fork legs on the hydraulic press. All the bearings were shot, cleaned-up the wheels and got some NOS Cheng Shin tires installed.
Started a MW Gilson XE424
- Thread starter DaddyJohn
- Start date
Well, I’ve assembled some things!
Unfortunately, I think I’m going to punt on the 1” shaft Tecumseh, as there’s not enough clearance between the jackshaft and swingarm “pivot” to mount the bigger JS sprocket needed to compensate for the larger sprocket found on a 1” clutch. Additionally, the cost of sprocket parts would likely exceed that of a used engine with the correct 3/4” shaft. To that end, I have a nice Honda GX200 that I can press into service. Not necessarily the right look, but it IS a nice looking engine! Much easier for me to just bolt that in than find a 3/4” shaft Tecumseh engine off a snowblower (that will probably be red or something) and convert it.
Also, I have to make myself a new brake bracket for the rear band brake. I had to buy a new drum for the rear (the old one was missing), and ended-up with a 5” model because it had a 3-hole mounting option. The original bracket is for an 4”, and all the 4” drums I could find were drilled into 2 4-hole patterns. Wasn’t too certain if I could accurately drill a 3-hole pattern in one, or even have room with 8 holes already drilled in. Also, I’m missing some of the other brake bracketry, all the chain guards, and the fenders are cracked and bent. Will have to get busy fabricating/fixing that stuff!
Unfortunately, I think I’m going to punt on the 1” shaft Tecumseh, as there’s not enough clearance between the jackshaft and swingarm “pivot” to mount the bigger JS sprocket needed to compensate for the larger sprocket found on a 1” clutch. Additionally, the cost of sprocket parts would likely exceed that of a used engine with the correct 3/4” shaft. To that end, I have a nice Honda GX200 that I can press into service. Not necessarily the right look, but it IS a nice looking engine! Much easier for me to just bolt that in than find a 3/4” shaft Tecumseh engine off a snowblower (that will probably be red or something) and convert it.
Also, I have to make myself a new brake bracket for the rear band brake. I had to buy a new drum for the rear (the old one was missing), and ended-up with a 5” model because it had a 3-hole mounting option. The original bracket is for an 4”, and all the 4” drums I could find were drilled into 2 4-hole patterns. Wasn’t too certain if I could accurately drill a 3-hole pattern in one, or even have room with 8 holes already drilled in. Also, I’m missing some of the other brake bracketry, all the chain guards, and the fenders are cracked and bent. Will have to get busy fabricating/fixing that stuff!
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No, it didn’t come with them, and I’m too cheap to spend the money anyway, lol.
In other news, I’m installing a clutch brake system instead of fabricating all the bits and pieces for installing a rear wheel band brake. It’s quicker and easier, not really any more expensive, and will keep me from getting bogged down in fabrication procrastination.
In other news, I’m installing a clutch brake system instead of fabricating all the bits and pieces for installing a rear wheel band brake. It’s quicker and easier, not really any more expensive, and will keep me from getting bogged down in fabrication procrastination.
Then you have an XE525 instead of a XE424…
https://oldminibikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/wards-xe525-my-first.81781/
And keeping it in perspective, if I bought the cheapest set of Chinese shocks available for, say $50, that’s half of what I spent on the whole minibike.
https://oldminibikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/wards-xe525-my-first.81781/
And keeping it in perspective, if I bought the cheapest set of Chinese shocks available for, say $50, that’s half of what I spent on the whole minibike.
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I’m glad you like it! I did the hammered silver because it was about 40deg outside when I painted it (outside), and it dries much better in the cold than the yellow paint does. Ideally, I’d envision the JD plates black and the “swingarm” yellow, but I’m too lazy to correct it.
Also, I had to weld cracks in the fenders and hammer them back into something roughly fender-shaped. That was fun…
Also, I had to weld cracks in the fenders and hammer them back into something roughly fender-shaped. That was fun…