NBR: What's the best way to destroy a scooter?

Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:05 am

ooOOoo!!!

How about "Guess which bolt isn't Lock-Tited at 60mph"? Now that'd be a show!

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:29 am

Melting is great…but then how do you get the plastic hot enough to melt without blowing the whole thing up? (Okay—empty gas tank, for one… uh…)

There are various types of industrial heaters for plastics manufacturing and other purposes.
http://www.watlow.com/products/heaters/ht_radiant.cfm
http://www.tempco.com/Default.htm
Infrared heaters apparently work better on plastics than other materials!
Big list of plastics processing heater manufacturers:
http://www.thomasnet.com/products/heate ... 401-1.html

There are also different types of giant industrial ovens and furnaces such as this one: http://www.plastivac.com/polycarbonate.asp

And these walk-in industrial ovens. The problem with the ovens is that I don't see any windows.

Kurt · Post by **Kurt** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:23 pm

I can think of a few scooters I'd like to see steamrollered.

I saw a video where a VW Beetle was dropped into a giant shredder. The "owner" walked away with a piece of door panel. That was pretty neat, but it took a while to do.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:58 pm

Give it to the Top Gear guys to ride through Vietnam again...

kschulz · Post by **kschulz** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:37 pm

Another idea...

Put the scooter in some type of open top container, supported above the ground. Have a vat of cement/hot glue/epoxy/molten metal/caustic liquid (pick one) suspended above the container. The idea is to stop or divert the flow of nasty stuff emptying out of the vat, or free the scooter from the container, or otherwise protect the scoot, before it's encased. If possible, a transparent container might make it more entertaining to watch if they fail.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:20 pm

Too funny. This is fast becoming one of the most creative and motivated threads on MB!

What a sick group of individuals. Don't ever change.

Weird coincidence after following this thread - Friday night I am riding out to watch a well known rock band blow a house to matchsticks for a rock video. (I can't mention what band but you'll see it on tv in a couple weeks.) If you think this stuff is cool to see on tv, it is really something to see live! If they let me take photos I'll see if I can get a shot of my scooter in the foreground...

Have fun everyone!

bunny · Post by **bunny** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:32 pm

Do you remember those elaborate toothpick contraptions with an egg in the middle? Physics classes did it a lot. (*geek* alert)

Do as Galilleo and built same such contraption for the scooter and drop it from a really tall building...or cliff in the desert...yeah. That would be interesting.

Immolated scooter just sounds like a mechanically assisted bonfire to me.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:19 pm

kschulz wrote:Another idea...

Put the scooter in some type of open top container, supported above the ground. Have a vat of cement/hot glue/epoxy/molten metal/caustic liquid (pick one) suspended above the container. The idea is to stop or divert the flow of nasty stuff emptying out of the vat, or free the scooter from the container, or otherwise protect the scoot, before it's encased. If possible, a transparent container might make it more entertaining to watch if they fail.

I like this idea. You could build an acrylic frame (Mythbusters make them all the time) and have liquid plastic pour down onto the scooter. If the teams fail, the Bello will be encased in plastic, which would be extra cool.

kschulz · Post by **kschulz** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:33 pm

ericalm wrote:
I like this idea. You could build an acrylic frame (Mythbusters make them all the time) and have liquid plastic pour down onto the scooter. If the teams fail, the Bello will be encased in plastic, which would be extra cool.

That's even better. Might not get a scooter, but they can at least go home with one helluva paper weight.

kazoo · Post by **kazoo** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:49 pm

This is probably dumb to ask, but that hasn't stopped me yet. Why are we assuming it will be a plastic scooter? I just reread the OP and the type was never mentioned. Maybe this game show is part of an evil scheme to rid the world of metal scooters. Just asking?

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:05 pm

kazoo wrote:This is probably dumb to ask, but that hasn't stopped me yet. Why are we assuming it will be a plastic scooter? I just reread the OP and the type was never mentioned. Maybe this game show is part of an evil scheme to rid the world of metal scooters. Just asking?

It's a Flyscooters Il Bello. Plastic. Chinese. Goofy-lookin'.

Scalpel · Post by **Scalpel** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:53 pm

Bridge to Nowhere: The contestants have to build a bridge out of available supplies, none of which are really long enough to form the backbone of a bridge. At the end of the allotted time, the scooter is towed across the bridge, with an Elmo doll on the seat and some training wheels to keep it upright.

If the bridge doesn't collapse and spill the scooter down into ______, they get to keep it.

kneil67@yahoo.com · Post by **kneil67@yahoo.com** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:35 am

ericalm wrote:Melting is great…but then how do you get the plastic hot enough to melt without blowing the whole thing up? (Okay—empty gas tank, for one… uh…)

There are various types of industrial heaters for plastics manufacturing and other purposes.
http://www.watlow.com/products/heaters/ht_radiant.cfm
http://www.tempco.com/Default.htm
Infrared heaters apparently work better on plastics than other materials!
Big list of plastics processing heater manufacturers:
http://www.thomasnet.com/products/heate ... 401-1.html

There are also different types of giant industrial ovens and furnaces such as this one: http://www.plastivac.com/polycarbonate.asp

And these walk-in industrial ovens. The problem with the ovens is that I don't see any windows.

i empty those ovens at work such fun we use them to cure our parts

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:36 am

Scalpel wrote:Bridge to Nowhere: The contestants have to build a bridge out of available supplies, none of which are really long enough to form the backbone of a bridge. At the end of the allotted time, the scooter is towed across the bridge, with an Elmo doll on the seat and some training wheels to keep it upright.

If the bridge doesn't collapse and spill the scooter down into ______, they get to keep it.

This is an interesting angle on this—they have to somehow build something to safely convey the scooter.

If the bridge is over a pit of molten lava, even better.

enzomatic · Post by **enzomatic** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:00 am

Anyone ever see a show called distraction? I think they destroyed a Vespa on that show at one point

Scalpel · Post by **Scalpel** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:23 am

ericalm wrote:This is an interesting angle on this—they have to somehow build something to safely convey the scooter.

If the bridge is over a pit of molten lava, even better.

Lava might be more than their budget can support.

On the other hand, having them build a ten-foot bridge over the top of a car crusher, or one of those industrial shredders, or maybe between two buildings with a several-story drop into an alley or something. That would allow for a nice long drop, which would look great on TV.

pocphil · Post by **pocphil** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:12 am

+1 on the Distraction comment...

They destroyed quite a few Vespa 50's for the show...proving once again that there are NO ORIGINAL IDEAS IN TV.

Jimmy Carr didn't create the series either...it was stolen from a BBC game show.

In any case here's my idea - and in keeping with the theme of this thread...it's completely un-original.

Place the scooter in the middle of the PVSC scooter rally and bust the key off in the "ON" position. I'm thinking right in the middle of the football field with a sign saying "I dare any sissy skinhead to ride me". Adding a "100% Vegan" or "Pure EMO" sticker might be a nice touch.

Your job is to keep that scooter intact for the weekend.

Bet you can't.

This is autobiographical. I've brought more than my fair share of detestable, flammable, unpopular, and downright annoying scooters to traditional rallies and had to work hard to keep them in one piece long enough to pitch them in the fire on Saturday night.

hi2525 · Post by **hi2525** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:33 am

I believe mixing up some 64 grams iron oxide to 24 gram of aluminum. Mix it up. Put the mixture somewhere on the bike that gets hot from the bike running. Start the scooter up. Hopefully the scooter does not get melted and other fun stuff. They get to keep the scooter. Just be careful to wash it down, very carefully.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:45 pm

ericalm wrote:
kschulz wrote:Another idea...

Put the scooter in some type of open top container, supported above the ground. Have a vat of cement/hot glue/epoxy/molten metal/caustic liquid (pick one) suspended above the container. The idea is to stop or divert the flow of nasty stuff emptying out of the vat, or free the scooter from the container, or otherwise protect the scoot, before it's encased. If possible, a transparent container might make it more entertaining to watch if they fail.
I like this idea. You could build an acrylic frame (Mythbusters make them all the time) and have liquid plastic pour down onto the scooter. If the teams fail, the Bello will be encased in plastic, which would be extra cool.

My vote would be for these ideas ... I like them. The only problem could be that without some creative forethought, preventing a flow of liquid into a container might be relatively easy.

Rob

Coffeejunkie · Post by **Coffeejunkie** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:06 pm

nuttmeg75 wrote:Well, I think we can rule out the catapult. Network says they've had enough of 'em for a while. I think a steamroller or some form of melting are the office front runners so far. Keep those ideas coming. Thanks again.

You could set a steam roller on fire and have it run into the scooter.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:28 pm

Rob wrote:The only problem could be that without some creative forethought, preventing a flow of liquid into a container might be relatively easy.

depends on what materials they are given.

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:36 pm

Well, here's the thing…

IMHO, the parameters for a good scooter death trap:

Time element, to build anticipation and allow teams opportunity to avert destruction
Not too elaborate or expensive
Must be replicable for each team
Actual destruction should be fairly quick rather than gradual. Teams shouldn't save the scooter, only to find it's half melted.
Destruction should be visible for cameras and should be dramatic or entertaining
Should require some amount of cleverness to prevent
Should be preventable using different approaches (i.e., more than one way to skin a cat)

My latest idea, then, based on the famous egg drops: Drop it out of a helicopter or plane over the Mojave.

kazoo · Post by **kazoo** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:38 pm

Sorry you all wet. The Gorilla one is the best. After all Samsonite is plastic.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:59 pm

First you need a track with sides high enough to keep the scooter upright...kinda like a hot wheels track.

The scooter is then suspended.

The scooter begins to lower as time elapses...this also pulls the string wrapped around the throttle increasing revs (did I fail to mention that the return spring has been removed?)

lower and lower...faster and faster.

Once contact with the track is made the suspension system is released.

Scoot runs down the track WFO untill...well what else could it be

BRICK WALL

Sometimes I scare myself...but not this time.

enzomatic · Post by **enzomatic** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:21 pm

hi2525 wrote:I believe mixing up some 64 grams iron oxide to 24 gram of aluminum. Mix it up. Put the mixture somewhere on the bike that gets hot from the bike running. Start the scooter up. Hopefully the scooter does not get melted and other fun stuff. They get to keep the scooter. Just be careful to wash it down, very carefully.

Does anywhere on the scoot get hot enough to start a thermite reaction? It usually takes a bit to get those started, also since the reaction provides its own oxygen from the rust, you can't exactly snuff it so once it starts you've lost.
would be a bit neater on a metal body scooter like a vespa because the whole thing would melt, even better just get an old rusty one and add aluminum shavings, expose to fireworks or road flares.

nuttmeg75 · Post by **nuttmeg75** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:32 am

Thanks so much for all of your ideas. Now it appears that we're going to put training wheels on the scooter, build a ramp and run it (rider-less, of course) off the roof of a tall building.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:50 am

nuttmeg75 wrote:Thanks so much for all of your ideas. Now it appears that we're going to put training wheels on the scooter, build a ramp and run it (rider-less, of course) off the roof of a tall building.

Oh, sure… that'll probably do it, too.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:20 am

Aw, can there at least be Mortal Kombat spikes at the bottom with flames?

enzomatic · Post by **enzomatic** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:41 am

you've gotta use thermite for something at least on another episode, keep X from igniting because once it does, you can't put it out 'til it's done and everything is melted.

LisaLisa · Post by **LisaLisa** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:02 pm

ericalm wrote: It's a Flyscooters Il Bello. Plastic. Chinese. Goofy-lookin'.

Hah SO simple! Simply ride the bike normally for 300 miles.

UnionZac · Post by **UnionZac** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:44 pm

nissanman wrote:Give it to the Top Gear guys to ride through Vietnam again...

+1

rondothemidget · Post by **rondothemidget** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:19 pm

I like the classic suspense cliche used in movies - with time ticking down and a bomb about to explode, which wire do you cut? The red wire or the green wire?!? If the contestant picks the right wire, they get to keep the scooter. If they pick the wrong wire - kablooey!

Latch · Post by **Latch** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:48 am

pull up on the left side of a GRTC bus as it signals its about to pull away from the bus stop, its GOING to pull off no matter what!

sailortot · Post by **sailortot** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:30 am

i say you just put it in a large spinning cylinder with a door and crank up the speed.

nuttmeg75 · Post by **nuttmeg75** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:09 pm

In case you're curious, the first episode of "Catch It/Keep It" airs on Friday July 17th at 10pm on the Science Channel. In this episode, a Flyscooter il Bello will be launched down an 80 foot runway and off a 15 degree ramp at the top of a 26 foot building. 3 contestants have 48 hours to build something to save it. Sorry for the shameless plug, but I was the editor this episode.

http://tinyurl.com/nntpxa

Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:30 pm

My wife and I got a chuckle out of the teaser commercial where the guy is cryin' over the front panel being removed.

Nice touch with the cylinder head on the ground in the next clip. Looks like it could be interesting...

mojobuddy70cc · Post by **mojobuddy70cc** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:40 pm

,,chain it up overnite downtown in a know drug infested area,, it will look like
paranahas(sp) got ahold of it,, do use an alarm so that they will run away and come back and try to disable the alarm..kewl,,
oh and use a big stainless steel cable lock

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:51 pm

The show sounds cool, I don't have cable so I haven't seen any commercials for it... So if they save the scooter do they all get their own or do they have to share? One gets it mondays and thursdays, one gets tuesdays and fridays, the other wendesdays and saturdays... but what about sunday?

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:00 pm

KRUSTYburger wrote:The show sounds cool, I don't have cable so I haven't seen any commercials for it... So if they save the scooter do they all get their own or do they have to share? One gets it mondays and thursdays, one gets tuesdays and fridays, the other wendesdays and saturdays... but what about sunday?

That sounds like another episode. Battle robot build-off. 10' squared arena, keys suspended in the middle, the droids have to snatch the keys and make it out of the arena alive and/or disable the other bots to be declared winner. 2-hour time limit so as not to ruin a day's worth of riding for the winner.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:20 pm

That's what I'm talkin' bout.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:43 pm

Alright! I'll set the DVR. Wonder if we could talk a joint with a big screen to host a local group watching party?

robby · Post by **robby** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:56 pm

Paint it green and drive it through Iran.

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:57 pm

Ride it into a 1 percenters biker bar and tell everyone there that Harleys suck and they're dumb shits for riding them...

(No, wait... -That's how to get yourself destroyed!)

Modern Buddy

NBR: What's the best way to destroy a scooter?

Scooter Destruction

NBR: What's the best way to destroy a scooter? UPDATE

try this,, on a drug infested street