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Post by Rebel on Nov 24, 2009 16:18:28 GMT -5
I've been talking with Steve at California Scooters, looks like I'll be going down there and testing out one of their scooters, touring the facility and asking some questions. If you are not aware of this place, it is a California based scooter builder that is producing a reproduction of the Mustang Scooter that went out of production in the early 60's. This scooter is a 4 stroke 150cc with a manual tranny. I believe it is the only production scooter in this country. I've got some questions, if you have some and want to post them here or send me a PM, I can add them to my list.
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Post by astroprof on Nov 24, 2009 16:57:30 GMT -5
Doug - keep us posted!
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Post by leadsled on Nov 24, 2009 18:23:53 GMT -5
How 'bout some pics and a website link?
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Post by flyangler on Nov 24, 2009 19:37:05 GMT -5
Pics and prices
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Post by Rebel on Nov 25, 2009 2:19:48 GMT -5
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 26, 2009 3:57:39 GMT -5
Be still my beating heart!!! I LOVE it!
It actually looks even BETTER than the original! The slanted engine with carb in back, exhaust up front and the chrome oil bag are just what the original was missing cosmetically. These guys did it right...
If they are made here in USA, even if foreign parts are involved, it certainly explains why they are pricey. They will be at least slightly in competition with the KIKKER HARDKNOCK. While (almost) full-size, the 110 and 200 cc engines and styling of the Kikker put them squarely into the same market.
Pricey or not, I wish them all the best on resurrecting this marvelous scooter that died off WAY before its time.
Just for consideration, if I recall (I was 10 in 1956) the Cushman Eagle cost about $800 in the mid-fifties, and the Mustang was similarly priced. That's about $5,000 to $8,000 in today's money!!! We're just used to thousand dollar Chinese scoots!
My thoughts...
Leo in Texas
PS: Just opened the site, and the oil-bag appears to actually be the air-filter housing. Neat idea! With a 5-speed tranny, I'm surprised the advertised top speed is only 55 mph. Sounds like they're honest and conservative in their advertising.
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Post by Rebel on Nov 26, 2009 14:33:54 GMT -5
When I spoke with the owner, he said he had 15 completed in his shop and was building another five at that time. I am guessing it has an imported motor/trans, probably from China, and I assume he buys other things like the seats, lights, and possibly the tanks from other suppliers, then assembles them on a frame that he is building, this is all guess work at this time.
A few years ago I was dreaming of doing the same thing, only a repro of the Eagle and that was how I was going to do it.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 27, 2009 1:30:37 GMT -5
Doug, Sounds like a plan! If this Mustang replica is successful, it might signal a ready market for your Eagle. To keep the look and sound of the original, you'd almost have to use an industrial fan-cooled engine... Fortunately, there are a number of them available. Some, around the 10 hp range from Kohler, Wisconsin, etc. even have alternators for starter, battery charging and lights. Ain't that ol' Husky BEAUTIFUL?With their low rpm, compared to modern scooter engines, they might not work with a variator (though properly set up for the power band, the CVT tranny might be fine). The KIKKER HARDKNOCK seems to be in demand, even though their reputation for delivery and service is AWFUL. That certainly is a good indicator that there are buyers out there for a small vintage ride like the Mustang or Eagle. I was recently looking at a mint original Cushman Eagle at a local Korean scooter B&M store. I had almost forgotten just how neat they were "in person". What a magnificent pile of iron! Everything old is new again! And THAT is most refreshing!You MIGHT try doing a resurrection of the old Cushman turtle-deck WWII era scoot as a first effort. The entire driveline is hidden beneath the tinwork, and could be pure Chinese GY6 from motor to rear wheel. A much easier vintage Cushman to reproduce... (Ya just gotta use the Cushman-style small wheel/FAT tire setup though for the authentic look on the Eagle, but the box-scooter used a similar wheel to modern scoots) There must be a source for those airplane-tailwheel style wheel/tires for the Eagle somewhere... It would be NEAT!Hope you had a BLESSED Thanksgiving! Leo
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Post by Rebel on Nov 27, 2009 2:20:09 GMT -5
Leo,
Well, I said it was a few years ago that I was thinking about it, I'm not currently interested in doing that.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 29, 2009 14:44:35 GMT -5
I understand...
Time changes EVERYTHING! Chinese scoots will get us around fine... I noticed Honda is featuring the Ruckus a lot in their Christmas advertising! Never saw a scooter in Honda's TV ads before. That ought to stir up some interest in old-fashioned scooting...
Ride safe!
Leo
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jmkjr72
contributing staff
Commander 132nd Northern Cav. Division
Posts: 2,779
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Post by jmkjr72 on Mar 21, 2010 9:25:42 GMT -5
the guys at scoot magaizne did a review of the "new mustangs" seems like it will be a nice scoot to own i like the look of the greaser but i would like a satin red with black satin rims
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Post by imagesinthewind on Mar 24, 2010 10:31:28 GMT -5
thought scoots needed to have a step through?
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Post by Rebel on Mar 24, 2010 11:27:12 GMT -5
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Post by imagesinthewind on Mar 24, 2010 11:43:28 GMT -5
I saw that. I'm good with my 16" wheel deal being a 'heavy bicycle' therefore a motorcycle. And thanks for putting me in the younger generation!
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Post by Rebel on Mar 24, 2010 13:03:15 GMT -5
I think you already know that the 16 inch wheel "scooters" do not feel like a 10, 12, 13, 14 inch wheel scooter when you ride them, they feel more like what you feel when you ride a motocycle, and there is nothing wrong with that.
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