Decision time

[brianwheelies]

I got the Rattler 50 back on Saturday and have been putting some miles on it and having a blast. I have come to the conclusion that I want to mod it or get something faster.

The seat is uncomfortable and the suspension is lacking and I surely want more speed.

Would it make sense to sell this one and get an Aprilia 50 FI that has better suspension, water cooled engine, superior brakes and wheels, and a superior price?

The Rattler is a blast and just what I needed to wet the scootering whistle. Can it be made to perform better in the comfort, suspension, and motor department?

I think a 45 to 50mph cruise speed with smoother suspension action would be nice.

What do you folks think?

My m/c background is any and everything two wheels. Off road, long distance touring, dual sporting, street track days. I have ridden scooters before when working in the motorcycle shops after high school. Now I am hooked!

[Wheelz]

maybe try to find a Rat 110, that's got the cruising speed your looking for and a better rear shock I believe. I know the buddy 50's mod pretty well, i haven't heard much about the RH 50's though.

[SteveK]

Aprilia 50 will trump a Genuine 50 every time on the road. If you are selling, why not get something bigger? If on road is your intention there are loads of choices out there.

If you enjoy tinkering and off road, the Rattler 50 can be a great base.

[viney266]

you could do a 70cc kit, or get a rattler 110...gotta choose.

I would just go to your local shop, or scooterworks and upgrade the rear shock with a better quality piece, a with most 2 wheeled anything. Stock suspension is just OK at best!

[brianwheelies]

Decided I am keeping the Rattler. It will be a project like my DR's before it.

Is there a good resource on choosing bbk's, carbs, exhaust, and tranny mods?

My goal is a easy to use flexible street cruiser. I don't want to premix and not looking for anything too high strung.

Thanks for the info guys!

[SteveK]

Recomending this stuff in a package like that is usually not done. It takes alot of research to select the combination you want. Even then the person may not be totally happy and will need to adjust.

And the guys who have actually done all the combinations are usually in the business. Not so willing to share unless they are selling the products. Then you have to wonder if they are only suggesting those products because it is what they have on the shelf at that time. There are exceptions I'm sure. Moped Hospital is one of those free sharing companies in my opinion...for what it is worth.... coming from an internet avatar...

No matter what you choose there is always a better combination so it seems...

[brianwheelies]

I have been reading the scooterworks thread regarding the Buddy 50 build. Pretty amazing what can be accomplished with this engine.

This week I will be calling scooterworks and moped hospital. I don’t need a gas guzzling sceamer, just a more flexible, easy to use big bore scoot.

[SteveK]

You mean Project Frenchy? That bike (even at 50cc) isn't getting good fuel mileage. It runs WOT on the track all the time. At 70cc with that monster carb and fre flow filter I say he's now getting 25 - 35 MPG....

Ya Brian that's my point. Some would be satisfied with the 50cc and a Stage1 kit. But then if you wanted more and go to a 70cc the 50cc Prima pipe no longer works well (if it ever did to begin with). To a never ending spiral...

It's hard for guys to give hard advice and feel real good about it. To feel that you will be happy with their choices in a package of parts. Because most all of them have wasted dollars on parts that either didn't fit, weren't a good match, were upgraded out of the build in progress or weren't the best one's for their setup.

The PGO is notorious for a difficult parts selection process. I've got two useless $100 reed cages to prove it....