Reviving a craigslist Taotao 50cc

fratermus · 09-12-2015, 07:07 PM

PIcked up a 2014 ATM50-A1 off Craigslist for $100. It was in really rough shape but I wanted something cheap and easy to learn repair on. Seller described it as "will start, won't idle".

I don't know anyone could beat a scooter this badly in so short a time. I have only found one body panel so far that isn't damaged. Fasteners rounded off, stuff just hacked together.

After reading on this forum here's the stuff I did before attempting to start. [Added: which it did. Starts fine now]

replaced fuel lines and filter
replaced vacuum lines
replaced stock plug with NGK
replaced aftermarket (blue "racing") CDI with stock, as I'd read the racing ones advanced spark even at low RPM and could cause hard starting
replaced kickstarter parts as the helical gears, bushing, etc, were broken
changed engine oil to Rotella diesel 15w-40
replaced transmission oil with 80w-90
cleaned and lighted greased appropriate bits as I encountered them
replaced nuts and bolts as needed, blue loctite when reassembling
replaced worn OEM belt with Gates
[Added] checked valve clearance; set exhaust side

Other stuff I can't remember at the moment.

Going to take it out on the patio for subsequent starts. I have a monster attic fan running which kept me alive during this short first run. :-)

More news as I figure stuff out.

fratermus · 09-12-2015, 07:18 PM

Ughhh, can't edit the first post to add a very short startup video link:

[Added: hmmm, can edit in firefox but not in Chromium]

tortoise · 09-12-2015, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fratermus

Taotao 50cc . . won't idle

Related . . also check valve clearance.

fratermus · 09-12-2015, 08:14 PM

Forgot to add that I did check/set the valve clearance. Intake was fine [at .04mm]; exhaust was tight [so I set it to .05mm].

Just got back from a test run. Pulled fine up to an indicated top speed of around 42mph. I guessing that's about 35mph actual. Regardless, it was fast enough for me on that wheelbase and with that tire size.

CVT acted fine, keeping the rpm steady as speed climbed. No weird behavior. This is my first CVT so it will require some brain remapping until this "same rpm" thing sinks in.

I had a 50cc Honda Spree before. It was a 2t and lighter so I would have expected it to be quicker, but the Spree had just the fixed speed. I was a little surprised how well the Taotao pulled around my 190#.

Weldangrind · 09-13-2015, 04:20 PM

You've done all the right things; excellent job.

The idle in the video sounds a little high to me. Have you tried turning the idle speed down? If you do, does it stall?

fratermus · 09-13-2015, 11:33 PM

Yes, I turned the idle speed down further than in the video. It hasn't stalled yet. I'll post another video of it running outdoors where the sound is more normal. Yes, I'm a bachelor and was doing the work in my living room. :-)

I just did 2 turns out on the idle mixture screw to get it in the ballpark. I need to watch another vid on tuning so I can set the mix better and set a correct idle.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have found a lot of good advice in your posts specifically.

Weldangrind · 09-14-2015, 12:08 AM

Happy to serve.

When you have some miles on your new scoot, perhaps you'd consider a free-flowing muffler, a pod filter and some fatter jets. That'll be a worth a few mph.

fratermus · 03-26-2016, 06:36 PM

Update: the little 50cc is running fine. There are still some issues but I've largely stopped active work on it since I'm having $&^@ trying to get the title sorted. I am in communication with the original (actual) owner; he seems willing to help but keeps losing the paperwork I send him. :-(

I'll use this one for bashing around the microRanch and letting people learn on. I've picked up another cheap CL scoot (better title sitaution, everything signed by the single owner who also signed my TX title app, bill of sale, etc). I'll put that scoot in its own thread.

09-12-2015, 07:07 PM	#1
fratermus Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 130	Reviving a craigslist Taotao 50cc PIcked up a 2014 ATM50-A1 off Craigslist for $100. It was in really rough shape but I wanted something cheap and easy to learn repair on. Seller described it as "will start, won't idle". I don't know anyone could beat a scooter this badly in so short a time. I have only found one body panel so far that isn't damaged. Fasteners rounded off, stuff just hacked together. After reading on this forum here's the stuff I did before attempting to start. [Added: which it did. Starts fine now] replaced fuel lines and filter replaced vacuum lines replaced stock plug with NGK replaced aftermarket (blue "racing") CDI with stock, as I'd read the racing ones advanced spark even at low RPM and could cause hard starting replaced kickstarter parts as the helical gears, bushing, etc, were broken changed engine oil to Rotella diesel 15w-40 replaced transmission oil with 80w-90 cleaned and lighted greased appropriate bits as I encountered them replaced nuts and bolts as needed, blue loctite when reassembling replaced worn OEM belt with Gates [Added] checked valve clearance; set exhaust side Other stuff I can't remember at the moment. Going to take it out on the patio for subsequent starts. I have a monster attic fan running which kept me alive during this short first run. :-) More news as I figure stuff out. __________________ Current: bikeless for now, moved into a campervan. Past: Honda NC700x, Suzuki DR650, Taotao ATM-50-A1, Taotao Evo 150cc, Honda Spree 50 2str, 1982 Katana 550 Last edited by fratermus; 09-12-2015 at 08:17 PM. Reason: added valve clearance
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09-12-2015, 07:18 PM	#2
fratermus Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 130	Ughhh, can't edit the first post to add a very short startup video link: [Added: hmmm, can edit in firefox but not in Chromium] __________________ Current: bikeless for now, moved into a campervan. Past: Honda NC700x, Suzuki DR650, Taotao ATM-50-A1, Taotao Evo 150cc, Honda Spree 50 2str, 1982 Katana 550 Last edited by fratermus; 09-12-2015 at 08:16 PM.
	0

09-12-2015, 08:14 PM	#4
fratermus Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 130	Forgot to add that I did check/set the valve clearance. Intake was fine [at .04mm]; exhaust was tight [so I set it to .05mm]. Just got back from a test run. Pulled fine up to an indicated top speed of around 42mph. I guessing that's about 35mph actual. Regardless, it was fast enough for me on that wheelbase and with that tire size. CVT acted fine, keeping the rpm steady as speed climbed. No weird behavior. This is my first CVT so it will require some brain remapping until this "same rpm" thing sinks in. I had a 50cc Honda Spree before. It was a 2t and lighter so I would have expected it to be quicker, but the Spree had just the fixed speed. I was a little surprised how well the Taotao pulled around my 190#. __________________ Current: bikeless for now, moved into a campervan. Past: Honda NC700x, Suzuki DR650, Taotao ATM-50-A1, Taotao Evo 150cc, Honda Spree 50 2str, 1982 Katana 550 Last edited by fratermus; 09-12-2015 at 08:19 PM. Reason: added clearance
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09-13-2015, 04:20 PM	#5
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	You've done all the right things; excellent job. The idle in the video sounds a little high to me. Have you tried turning the idle speed down? If you do, does it stall? __________________ 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
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09-13-2015, 11:33 PM	#6
fratermus Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 130	Yes, I turned the idle speed down further than in the video. It hasn't stalled yet. I'll post another video of it running outdoors where the sound is more normal. Yes, I'm a bachelor and was doing the work in my living room. :-) I just did 2 turns out on the idle mixture screw to get it in the ballpark. I need to watch another vid on tuning so I can set the mix better and set a correct idle. Thanks for the encouragement. I have found a lot of good advice in your posts specifically. __________________ Current: bikeless for now, moved into a campervan. Past: Honda NC700x, Suzuki DR650, Taotao ATM-50-A1, Taotao Evo 150cc, Honda Spree 50 2str, 1982 Katana 550 Last edited by fratermus; 09-14-2015 at 05:41 PM. Reason: s/low/idle/g
	0

09-14-2015, 12:08 AM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Happy to serve. When you have some miles on your new scoot, perhaps you'd consider a free-flowing muffler, a pod filter and some fatter jets. That'll be a worth a few mph. __________________ 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

03-26-2016, 06:36 PM	#8
fratermus Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 130	Update: the little 50cc is running fine. There are still some issues but I've largely stopped active work on it since I'm having $&^@ trying to get the title sorted. I am in communication with the original (actual) owner; he seems willing to help but keeps losing the paperwork I send him. :-( I'll use this one for bashing around the microRanch and letting people learn on. I've picked up another cheap CL scoot (better title sitaution, everything signed by the single owner who also signed my TX title app, bill of sale, etc). I'll put that scoot in its own thread. __________________ Current: bikeless for now, moved into a campervan. Past: Honda NC700x, Suzuki DR650, Taotao ATM-50-A1, Taotao Evo 150cc, Honda Spree 50 2str, 1982 Katana 550
	0