Alright, so today I wanna share my little adventure with a scooter diesel conversion. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!
It all started when I stumbled upon this crazy idea online – someone jammed a small diesel engine into a scooter. I thought, “Why not me?” I’m always up for a challenge, especially if it involves getting my hands dirty.
First things first, I needed a scooter. Scoured Craigslist and found a beat-up one for cheap. It was missing some parts and looked like it had been through a war, but the frame was solid, and that’s all that mattered.
Next up, the engine. This was the tricky part. I wanted something small, lightweight, and, most importantly, diesel. After some digging, I found a small single-cylinder diesel engine meant for a generator. It was a tight fit, but I figured I could make it work.
Okay, so here’s where the fun began. I started by stripping the scooter down to its bare frame. Then, I test-fitted the engine. It was way too big, obviously. Had to do some serious cutting and welding to make room. Sparked up the welder and went to town, modifying the frame to accommodate the diesel beast.
Mounting the engine was a pain. I fabricated some custom brackets from steel plates and bolted them to the frame. It wasn’t pretty, but it was sturdy. Made sure everything was aligned properly before welding it all in place. You don’t want your engine vibrating itself loose on the first ride!
Fuel system was next. The original scooter fuel tank was useless, so I grabbed a small metal tank from a lawnmower and mounted it under the seat. Ran some fuel lines from the tank to the diesel engine’s injector pump. Simple, but effective.
Exhaust was another challenge. I wanted something quiet, but also efficient. Ended up piecing together a custom exhaust system from some tubing and a small muffler I found at a junkyard. It’s not exactly a work of art, but it does the job of keeping the noise down.
Electrical was surprisingly straightforward. The diesel engine didn’t need much – just a battery to power the starter motor and a kill switch. Wired everything up, double-checked my connections, and crossed my fingers.
Finally, the moment of truth. Filled the fuel tank, turned the key, and hit the starter. It cranked for a few seconds, then sputtered to life! It sounded like a tractor, but it was running! I was stoked!
Took it for a spin around the block, and it was…interesting. The diesel engine had way more torque than the original scooter engine, but it was also much slower. Top speed was maybe 25 mph, but it could climb hills like a mountain goat.
It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t fast, but it was a diesel scooter, and I built it myself! It’s definitely a head-turner, and it’s a fun project to tinker with. Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m getting like 100 miles per gallon.
Lessons Learned:
- Welding is your friend.
- Measure twice, cut once.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Diesel scooters are weird, but awesome.
Would I do it again? Probably not exactly the same way. But I learned a ton, and I’ve got a unique ride to show for it.
