Falling in Head First

Miss Mercedes · 08-01-2018, 12:54 PM

Hiya everyone! I'm Mercedes! This summer I decided to follow one of my dreams and I decided to get into motorcycles. I got my motorcycle license in early June and I already have four two-wheeled addictive conveyances. As it happens, two of my new toys are from China. I think they have a bit of charm to them that my others don't have.

I'm happy to subject this forum to my madness! I love to tinker with things and have always enjoyed modding and repairing my cars. I've found it easy to transition my curiosity for shattering my nails working on things to motorcycles and scooters.

Here's what I'm working with so far!

2012 Jinlun 150cc Ruckus - [haven't given it a name yet] (forgot the actual model name, it's a word and number soup). I picked this one up last week for $300. It has some rust and it "ran when parked" at the end of last season. In all, it should be an easy project. So far it just needs a battery, maybe a carb clean (or a new one, they're only $20), and maybe some fuel treatment. I'll then add some nice customizations, clean up the rust, and have myself a fun scooter that looks awesome.

2008 Bashan MC-16-150T - "Imperator Slowiosa". I got this one to participate in the Illinois Gambler 500 navigational rally this Fall. The idea was that I was going to strip it naked, add some gerry cans, some spotlights, and give it a "Mad Max" theme. The last time this thing ran was when it was at the dealership back in 2008. It has all of 3 miles on it. The story was that the original owner bought it, trailered it home, then let it sit for ten years. He didn't even title it. I will be the first registered owner of a brand new ten year old scooter!

I couldn't get it running. Tried as I might, it just wouldn't work. I had a hunch that the petrol tank must have started disintegrating from the inside out from the ten year old fuel. I didn't like the premise of fixing it, so I sold it on Facebook to a scooter mechanic for the price I paid for it ($200). Not even 24 hours later, its new owner told me that he got it running on an external tank. As it turned out, I was right about the petrol tank. I had already replaced the carb by that point and was apparently pretty close to getting it running. The tank looked absolutely gnarly inside. He said he'd fix it, get it running on the onboard tank, then sell it back to me for the price he paid plus about $50. He'd rather I keep it than him. I can't say no to that!

Once I get it back, I'll finish my Mad Max theme! If it survives the Gambler, it will also be my "winter bike".

Number three is a 2005 Honda Rebel 250 (named "Velma") that I picked up off Craigslist for $600. Its original owner dropped it on himself and decided he needed it gone. Four is the bike I bought almost a month before the MSF, a 2000 Buell Blast (named "Neutron")! I've ridden significantly more than I've driven this summer.

The "Ruckus" one is going to be my favourite project of the lot.

Edit: Oh my, those photos didn't automatically resize, brb!

cbrfxr67 · 08-01-2018, 01:06 PM

Sweet rides! I like the ruckus! Really interested in seeing what you with that scooter. Welcome to the forum!

**JerryHawk250** · 08-01-2018, 01:22 PM

Welcome aboard! Got quit a stable started up.

Miss Mercedes · 08-01-2018, 01:33 PM

Thanks you two!

The general idea with the Ruckus is to first clean up the rust, change out the indicator housings and brake light housing (they're in pretty bad shape), then I'll get it a new seat (a different colour or at least one with stitching), handlebars, and brake levers. The look will be capped off with some RGB lighting in the frame.

blanc12 · 08-01-2018, 01:35 PM

Hi

You have very nice toys.

Merlin · 08-01-2018, 01:43 PM

Hi glad you found us. Nise stable.

Cravin01 · 08-01-2018, 03:17 PM

I like the looks of the Ruckus a lot and have always wanted to mess with one. Welcome to the forums.

ben2go · 08-01-2018, 04:27 PM

Nice stable. My all time favorite scoot is the Honda 250cc Big Ruckus and the runner-up is the duel bug-eyed Yamaha Zuma 125cc.

Essayons · 08-02-2018, 02:29 AM

Welcome Miss Mercedes. Look forward to seeing your projects.

Huck369 · 08-02-2018, 07:27 AM

Welcome, I hope you find the site helpful! (Nice Stable)

**cheesy** · 08-02-2018, 08:17 AM

Howdy. Nice toys. Tell us more about this Illinois Gambler 500. IL-WI border here, too.

Weldangrind · 08-02-2018, 10:57 AM

Welcome!
I appreciated your nail shattering comment; my cuticles are a mess.

Miss Mercedes · 08-02-2018, 12:13 PM

This community rocks! You all are awesome!

Yeah, I usually have nails that are a half-inch long. They tend to get snapped whenever I work on a car or bike!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheesy

Howdy. Nice toys. Tell us more about this Illinois Gambler 500. IL-WI border here, too.

It's a navigational rally where you take super cheap cars and take them offroad. The idea is that the rally is a "gamble" because the vehicle (recommended you don't spend more than $500 on the vehicle, but it's not a rule) you choose may not make the trip. You'll see guys in Geo Metros, Chevy Cavaliers, all sorts of wrecks that are a pothole away from destruction, and other weird things. I've never done one myself before, so this is going to be fun!

Since I don't have garage space for another car, I decided to team up with the "Born to be Mild Scooter Gang" and we're going to do the Gambler on cheap 150cc or greater scooters. This is after we were told by organizers that bikes/scooters are allowed so long as they're legal! Here's the official site: https://gambler500.com/

The Illinois Gambler 500 group is organized on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/234526623612818/

**JerryHawk250** · 08-02-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Mercedes

This community rocks! You all are awesome!

Yeah, I usually have nails that are a half-inch long. They tend to get snapped whenever I work on a car or bike!

It's a navigational rally where you take super cheap cars and take them offroad. The idea is that the rally is a "gamble" because the vehicle (recommended you don't spend more than $500 on the vehicle, but it's not a rule) you choose may not make the trip. You'll see guys in Geo Metros, Chevy Cavaliers, all sorts of wrecks that are a pothole away from destruction, and other weird things. I've never done one myself before, so this is going to be fun!

Since I don't have garage space for another car, I decided to team up with the "Born to be Mild Scooter Gang" and we're going to do the Gambler on cheap 150cc or greater scooters. This is after we were told by organizers told us that bikes/scooters are allowed so long as they're legal! Here's the official site: https://gambler500.com/

The Illinois Gambler 500 group is organized on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/234526623612818/

Now that's looks like something I would be interested in doing.

kirbo7106 · 08-02-2018, 07:11 PM

Ok, you know what happens when you leave two bikes alone together!?! Oh yes, it turns into four...then eight! Then you start coming up with crazy ideas on getting more! AND you come up with ways to justify it! Don’t think for one moment that this forum will help you curb that! Look around this forum, we are a NEW kind of crazy, but we make it look good!

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum! Bring on your crazy! We love the pictures too!

Keep us posted about that race!

08-01-2018, 01:06 PM	#2
cbrfxr67 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: HOuston Posts: 357	Sweet rides! I like the ruckus! Really interested in seeing what you with that scooter. Welcome to the forum! __________________ BD125-15
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08-01-2018, 01:22 PM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,562	Welcome aboard! Got quit a stable started up. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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08-01-2018, 01:33 PM	#4
Miss Mercedes Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: WI-IL Border Posts: 13	Thanks you two! The general idea with the Ruckus is to first clean up the rust, change out the indicator housings and brake light housing (they're in pretty bad shape), then I'll get it a new seat (a different colour or at least one with stitching), handlebars, and brake levers. The look will be capped off with some RGB lighting in the frame. __________________ ~ Mercedes ~ 1972 Yamaha U7E "Endeavour" 1972 Yamaha DT175 "World Discoverer" 1980 Honda GL1100 (naked) "Poseidon" 1982 Suzuki GS850G "Atlantic" 1996 Honda CBR600F3 "American Star" 2009 CF Moto Fashion 250 "Phoenix" 2012 Jinlun Ruckus "Gambler"
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08-01-2018, 01:43 PM	#6
Merlin Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,107	Hi glad you found us. Nise stable. __________________ Bashan Blaze Mods: Alloy Rim's, Muffler, Mukuni VM26 Carb, Foam Filter, Tachometer, Volt Meter,LED Headlight, LED Blinkers
	1

08-01-2018, 03:17 PM	#7
Cravin01 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 498	I like the looks of the Ruckus a lot and have always wanted to mess with one. Welcome to the forums. __________________ Visit me on YouTube at "Project Next"! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6KTCi2GVbfRDv-2XCqHhsg?view_as=subscriber 2017 Bashan Storm Keihen PZ30 Pumper Carb,115 main jet,35 pilot jet, gutted factory exhaust, Sambo Digital Speedometer,LED blinkers, H4 headlight,D.I.D X-ring chain 428,17/42 sprockets,UNI cone filter.
	1

08-01-2018, 01:35 PM	#5
blanc12 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Northern Maine Posts: 55	Hi You have very nice toys.
	1

08-01-2018, 04:27 PM	#8
ben2go Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,335	Nice stable. My all time favorite scoot is the Honda 250cc Big Ruckus and the runner-up is the duel bug-eyed Yamaha Zuma 125cc.
	2

08-02-2018, 02:29 AM	#9
Essayons Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: fontana, california Posts: 333	Welcome Miss Mercedes. Look forward to seeing your projects.
	1

08-02-2018, 07:27 AM	#10
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 686	Welcome, I hope you find the site helpful! (Nice Stable) __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
	1

08-02-2018, 08:17 AM	#11
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,803	Howdy. Nice toys. Tell us more about this Illinois Gambler 500. IL-WI border here, too. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
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08-02-2018, 10:57 AM	#12
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! I appreciated your nail shattering comment; my cuticles are a mess. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	2

08-02-2018, 07:11 PM	#15
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	Welcome to the Forum! Ok, you know what happens when you leave two bikes alone together!?! Oh yes, it turns into four...then eight! Then you start coming up with crazy ideas on getting more! AND you come up with ways to justify it! Don’t think for one moment that this forum will help you curb that! Look around this forum, we are a NEW kind of crazy, but we make it look good! Oh yeah, welcome to the forum! Bring on your crazy! We love the pictures too! Keep us posted about that race! __________________ Dan-O -2018 Tao Tao HellCat - DOA -2016 Hawk 250 - Kitty Hawk - eBay exhaust, Mikuni carb(120 main/30 Pilot), airbox mod with K&N filter, digital cluster, total LEDs, 17/45 sprockets, RK chain, Shinko 244 tires, trunk, aftermarket levers, burrito tube, skid plate, Sargent Cycle Seat... -2003 HD Sportster 100th Anniversary -1999 Buell X-1 Lightning - Race kit, Buell Seat
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