TaoTao Scooter...is it worth fixing?

M.D. Holloway · 05-15-2014, 06:53 PM

My Son was given a scooter free...really. A neighbor had it and his son got a flat and decided to try and fix it but really monkeyed it up then refused to try to do it proper. It pissed off the Dad so knowing that my Son was a picker and fixerupper told him he could have it. Of course my Son took it. Well this little gem is straight from mainland China and I can't say it's top quality. The rear wheel has the motor coils and gearbox built right in and it looks like the kid ruined it so I sourced out a replacement. Yes, its electric with a top speed of 22miles/hr. $200 for that rear wheel/motor. OK. but I also think there might be another $100 worth of finer involved as well. So...$300 for a TaoTao ATE-502M. I haven't priced these out yet so I really don't know if its worth it or not but aside from value the lesson could be learned that you just don't throw something away if you bootch a job and maybe a better lesson is not to bootch the job to begin with.

fastfredracing · 05-15-2014, 06:56 PM

Id watch e bay and see if I could score used parts .

Ayles · 05-15-2014, 06:57 PM

How about a lesson in selling parts on eBay? If it really is such a pile then maybe there is a market for whatever is left of the thing. Your son can get some practice wrenching and maybe make a few bucks to fund his next adventure.

M.D. Holloway · 05-15-2014, 07:00 PM

Actually he has considered parting it out! He is struggling with wanting to fix it and ride the wheels off it then sell it or fixing it and selling it for a profit or parting it out...sounds like a familiar quandary huh?

Head416 · Head416's Garage

Quote:

...and maybe a better lesson is not to bootch the job to begin with.

Then where would we all be? Not here!

june82000 · june82000's Garage

You see those on craigslist all the time. I take it that it's driven by an electric motor? I wouldn't sink much into it. I just did a quick search in my area and you can get one with a gas engine for about $350. Those chinese electric motors are prone to breakage. Is he planning to ride it on the street? A better idea would be to find a vintage honda mini bike. I picked one up for $175 in rideable condition. Fully restored, they fetch $2,500 which he could use toward something like a car. Would also be a good father/son project.

stealthn · 05-15-2014, 07:29 PM

In my opinion this is a project worth letting you son do, succeed or fail.

Get him to use his own money, set a budget and take as long as it takes to earn enough money or find the bargain parts.

It will be priceless in the end

Nostril Cheese · 05-15-2014, 07:37 PM

Ive been down this road with a Chinese scooter..

Best advice is to buy a Honda. Cheaper in the long run..

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Chinese mopeds and scooters....drive them until they break, then walk away.

look 171 · 05-15-2014, 09:10 PM

I agree with Stealthn. Let him have a go at it and figure it out at the end. If he lose money, it will hurt but benefit him so much more in the long run.

Rednine11 · 05-16-2014, 03:21 AM

I'd let him work on it and fix it. You'll probably wind up with too much in it but its more about spending time with him and teaching him. to me that would be priceless.

Laneco · 05-16-2014, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rednine11

I'd let him work on it and fix it. You'll probably wind up with too much in it but its more about spending time with him and teaching him. to me that would be priceless.

Exactly what I would do. You'll spend more than it's worth, but it won't break you. What it will do is show him why you try to buy quality, even if you have to buy it second hand, because fixing things that are low quality is unfortunately not very financially viable. Much better to learn that lesson for a few hundred bucks than with a much more expensive item - like a car.

Summer is coming - he'll have fun scootin' around on it.

angela

tabs · 06:48 AM

Why don't you talk it out with him going over all of the different options and costs involved. Then he can make his own decision. More than a father son project it teaches the value of not only talking out problems (wt a Dad and or Mentor) but a reasoned approach (process) in solving problems.

From what you have said and the various comment one thinks that the best thing is to part it out to parlay it into something more worthwhile.

scottmandue · 05-16-2014, 07:03 AM

As has already been said, Chinese scooters/motorcycles are junk (my brother has bought a few off the internet)

He may not make any money on it... however what is it worth as a learning - father/son project experience?

Or convert it to a Hayabusa engine!

june82000 · june82000's Garage

Or maybe you could teach him this life lesson: Don't waste your money and time trying to fix cheap chinese CRAP. You will only lose in the end.

1990C4S · 05-16-2014, 08:09 AM

I have been here a long time and I'm a slow learner, but I know one thing;

Angela is always right. (Sort of like my ex, except Angela is actually right.)

M.D. Holloway · 05-16-2014, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

Why don't you talk it out with him going over all of the different options and costs involved. Then he can make his own decision. More than a father son project it teaches the value of not only talking out problems (wt a Dad and or Mentor) but a reasoned approach (process) in solving problems.

From what you have said and the various comment one thinks that the best thing is to part it out to parlay it into something more worthwhile.

Yup, going through that very exercise. We are actually working on a 1980 450SL and writing the tech articles over on the MB forum. He has helped me with at least 15 of them. if you get the chance go to the SL side of the Mercedes Benz forum Wayne has. He has gotten a few skinned knuckles as well as taking all the photos. we haven't done anything too crazy yet but the replacement of the starter was actually a blast! Used a 20" extension and a universal on a socket but we got it. It was a bear sorting out the specific details. I should save someone 3.5 hours of billable labor. I was able to do it in less than 1/2 hour of wrench time. The books say 3+.

The idea is that in the months to come he will be doing more and me less and eventually get to the point where he is doing them all but its going to take a considerable amount of time and work to get to that point.

So, another project? Well, he has pretty much done all he can to his riding mower, the 450 is on-going but the scooter is all his to mess with. I'll guide but really after presenting options it is up to him...

Laneco · 05-16-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I have been here a long time and I'm a slow learner, but I know one thing;

Angela is always right. (Sort of like my ex, except Angela is actually right.)

Hahaha!!!! Okay, don't forget to send me your address so I can ship you the "cookie bribe"!!!

angela

aschen · 05-16-2014, 12:45 PM

I don't know any particulars about the scooter, but many times I have spent $100 fixing a $99 item.

Its one of those journey vs destination things. It teaches your son alot about how things work and is a break from the usual disposable world we live in

Or, you could try to adapt a 5kw outrunner brushless motor and a few hundred dollars worth of lithium polymer cells...............wheelies would be awsome

Rinty · 01:03 PM

Quote:

...I really don't know if it's worth it... M.D. Holloway

When I was 14, the Woodruff Key slot on the drive axle of my Lambretta wore out. I managed to get my hands on a used axle, and with some limited help from my dad, managed to install it into the driveline (with non-metric tools!). I was too young to figure out how difficult a job this was, and I've never forgotten the satisfaction of getting it back on the road.

So yes, I would suggest that it's worth it.