Opinions needed, please.

BrianW · 09-10-2010, 12:30 PM

I am on the verge of purchasing a Tomberlin MadAss scooter. It's the 49cc version and the guy is offering it to me for a great price.

Anybody know anything about these bikes? I really am having a hard time finding information on them. Although, it does appear that they are made in China...

- I might be wrong though.

Cal25 · 09-10-2010, 12:34 PM

the 4 strokes are very slow, maybe 30mph? I guess it depends on you uses for it.

Weldangrind · 09-10-2010, 12:57 PM

I think those are very cool little units for buzzing around town. I found this vid of a MadAss with a 70cc kit on it:

There's definitely a four speed in the video, which means that it doesn't qualify as a scooter (at least where I live), so you'd need a motorcycle licence for it. With that in mind, I wouldn't hesitate to drop in a complete 125 engine, rather than increase to 70cc with a big bore kit.

I'd promptly lose that catalytic converter too.

Reveeen · 09-10-2010, 01:22 PM

Fairly neat, probably @ less than 50cc licensed as a moped (or "noped" to be specific), larger motor, up to 180cc a bolt-in, though reliability becomes questionable over 125cc.

I'd buy one if the price was right.

katoranger · 09-10-2010, 02:27 PM

Easily upgradable engine wise. Reveen is right about the 125cc being the largest displacement and still be reliable.

Does WV title them or do they count as scooters. With a 125cc 50mph should be easily possible.

Allen

BrianW · 09-11-2010, 09:19 PM

I drove the 4 hours to the man's house today to purchase this bike. He straight faced lied to me about the condition of it over the phone. This bike is in pretty rough shape with hardly anything still working other than the wheels. :( Some people can't take care of anything.

I have faith in this bike, however, and would like to put some money into it to get it into decent shape again. The fellow was asking $400 for it and I ended up getting it for $100. I would like to invest the saved money back into this bike and get it running and looking good.
I will post some (very sad looking) pictures of this bike in days to come. Thank you for all of your responses, gentlemen!

Weldangrind · 09-12-2010, 02:29 AM

That's an amazing price. You can resurrect any bike when you're in it for that little.

Awaiting pics.

katoranger · 09-12-2010, 01:21 PM

Sounds like a fair price for a project. You can now build it to your specs.

BrianW · 09-12-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

...

I'd promptly lose that catalytic converter too.

Where the heck is that thing? Maybe mine is already missing it but I can't seem to find it.

Weldangrind · 09-12-2010, 05:08 PM

If you look at that video link I posted above, you'll see it as a bulge in the exhaust pipe, just downstream of the cylinder head (in the short vertical section). There is a decent shot of it from 00:50 to 1:05.

BrianW · 09-13-2010, 10:08 AM

Oh, okay I see it now. I though it may have been the thing running up under the frame in this picture. Mine doesn't have it, I think it may be the air intake?

Weldangrind · 09-13-2010, 12:00 PM

Nope, a catalytic converter (usually) converts unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. It can also convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, depending upon the design. If you don't see a bulge in the exhaust pipe, there's no cat.

mizke · 09-13-2010, 06:55 PM

that thing looks awsome for scooter, i wouldnt mind having a scooter that looks like that..

katoranger · 09-13-2010, 07:11 PM

Okay, so where are the pics?

BrianW · 09-13-2010, 10:25 PM

http://s894.photobucket.com/albums/a...dra681/MadAss/

I had taken the seat off prior to the pictures. I am recovering it, which is turning out to be very difficult due to the seats unusual shape. I'll figure it out, though.

The oil that came out of the engine doesn't look too bad, surprisingly.

One of the pictures shows a busted headlight, which looks like it will be hard to find or rig a replacement.

The scariest part of this bike, to me, is that the ignition is missing and there is no key. I don't know anything about ignitions (or any electricals for that matter). Also, it's got a locking gas cap that will wiggle around since the key is missing.

09-10-2010, 12:30 PM	#1
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	Opinions needed, please. I am on the verge of purchasing a Tomberlin MadAss scooter. It's the 49cc version and the guy is offering it to me for a great price. Anybody know anything about these bikes? I really am having a hard time finding information on them. Although, it does appear that they are made in China... - I might be wrong though.
	0

09-10-2010, 12:57 PM	#3
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I think those are very cool little units for buzzing around town. I found this vid of a MadAss with a 70cc kit on it: There's definitely a four speed in the video, which means that it doesn't qualify as a scooter (at least where I live), so you'd need a motorcycle licence for it. With that in mind, I wouldn't hesitate to drop in a complete 125 engine, rather than increase to 70cc with a big bore kit. I'd promptly lose that catalytic converter too. __________________ 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
	0

09-12-2010, 02:29 AM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	That's an amazing price. You can resurrect any bike when you're in it for that little. Awaiting pics. __________________ 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
	0

09-12-2010, 05:08 PM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	If you look at that video link I posted above, you'll see it as a bulge in the exhaust pipe, just downstream of the cylinder head (in the short vertical section). There is a decent shot of it from 00:50 to 1:05. __________________ 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
	0

09-13-2010, 12:00 PM	#12
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Nope, a catalytic converter (usually) converts unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. It can also convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, depending upon the design. If you don't see a bulge in the exhaust pipe, there's no cat. __________________ 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
	0

09-10-2010, 12:34 PM	#2
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	the 4 strokes are very slow, maybe 30mph? I guess it depends on you uses for it.
	0

09-10-2010, 01:22 PM	#4
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	Fairly neat, probably @ less than 50cc licensed as a moped (or "noped" to be specific), larger motor, up to 180cc a bolt-in, though reliability becomes questionable over 125cc. I'd buy one if the price was right.
	0

09-10-2010, 02:27 PM	#5
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Easily upgradable engine wise. Reveen is right about the 125cc being the largest displacement and still be reliable. Does WV title them or do they count as scooters. With a 125cc 50mph should be easily possible. Allen
	0

09-11-2010, 09:19 PM	#6
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	I drove the 4 hours to the man's house today to purchase this bike. He straight faced lied to me about the condition of it over the phone. This bike is in pretty rough shape with hardly anything still working other than the wheels. :( Some people can't take care of anything. I have faith in this bike, however, and would like to put some money into it to get it into decent shape again. The fellow was asking $400 for it and I ended up getting it for $100. I would like to invest the saved money back into this bike and get it running and looking good. I will post some (very sad looking) pictures of this bike in days to come. Thank you for all of your responses, gentlemen!
	0

09-12-2010, 01:21 PM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Sounds like a fair price for a project. You can now build it to your specs.
	0

09-13-2010, 10:08 AM	#11
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	Oh, okay I see it now. I though it may have been the thing running up under the frame in this picture. Mine doesn't have it, I think it may be the air intake?
	0

09-13-2010, 06:55 PM	#13
mizke Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: austin, tx Posts: 1,452	that thing looks awsome for scooter, i wouldnt mind having a scooter that looks like that..
	0

09-13-2010, 07:11 PM	#14
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Okay, so where are the pics?
	0

09-13-2010, 10:25 PM	#15
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	http://s894.photobucket.com/albums/a...dra681/MadAss/ I had taken the seat off prior to the pictures. I am recovering it, which is turning out to be very difficult due to the seats unusual shape. I'll figure it out, though. The oil that came out of the engine doesn't look too bad, surprisingly. One of the pictures shows a busted headlight, which looks like it will be hard to find or rig a replacement. The scariest part of this bike, to me, is that the ignition is missing and there is no key. I don't know anything about ignitions (or any electricals for that matter). Also, it's got a locking gas cap that will wiggle around since the key is missing.
	0