So I'm thinking of selling the 500 Interceptor and downsizing to something like this:
http://www.peirspeed.com/madass125.htm
It looks like the 125 would be fun and good around town, and I could easily fit it into the GRM van for use in the pits at events.
Do any of you have any experience with Sachs bikes? This thing sure looks cool, but I haven't spoken to anyone who has ridden one.
One of our advertisers in GRM (Cobra Powersports) sells them.
Any advice is appreciated.
I thought this was going to be about Richard Sachs...... One of the greatest bicycle frame builders IMHO.
Can't help with those motorized thig-a-ma-bobs.
I have only seen/fondled one in person, but I didn't get a chance to ride it. Downsizing is right: they're pretty small. At 6'2" and 200#, I'd look kinda funny on it, but if it was fun enough, I wouldn't care. I'm intrigued.
Why don't you throw your editorial weight around, get one from your advertiser, and review it for the first installment of the Sprockets section of the mag? Wading into the 2-wheeled waters with something that could serve as a pit bike could make for an easier sell to car guys.
I'm a big fan of the Madass. The main reason being (aside from the obvious coolness), is the availability, and interchangeability of the Chinese pitbike motors, and parts.
160 pitbike motor with downpipe is the way to go, but a carb, cam , and pipe would smarten it right up.
Will you let us know if you decide to sell the Interceptor? Please? Maybe with a couple months warning?
alex wrote:I have only seen/fondled one in person, but I didn't get a chance to ride it. Downsizing is right: they're pretty small. At 6'2" and 200#, I'd look kinda funny on it, but if it was fun enough, I wouldn't care. I'm intrigued.
Why don't you throw your editorial weight around, get one from your advertiser, and review it for the first installment of the Sprockets section of the mag? Wading into the 2-wheeled waters with something that could serve as a pit bike could make for an easier sell to car guys.
Hmmmm...... doesn't sound like a bad idea!
I'm just toying with the idea currently, but the thought of a small, super light runabout bike that I could also easily bring to events is an appealing one. I love my Honda, but it gets used so infrequently that I think a new bike may be in order.
The Honda needs a bit of work to make it safe (front shock re-packed, front wheel hub has play) but is strong running, and easily brought back to roadability. I'll post a few pics if/ when I decide to sell.
Thanks for the input!
A CT-100 seems more GRM, especially if it is running megasquirt, new heads, custom shocks, and something off of a Miata.
But the Sachs is kinda cool, as long as you no longer care about attracting the ladies.
There are a E36 M3load of MadAsses running around Milwaukee. I've ridden a few, and my landlord has one. There is a semi-friendly rivalry between the local MadAss guys (them) and the local vintage moped guys (us).
Frankly, you can get the same damn function if you buy an old Puch and put a giant cylinder kit on it. It'll be 1/4 the cost, and you'll have something way more unique - then again, this is coming from a guy that sees 3-4 of these things DAILY.
Thanks for the advice guys.
While the prospect of an old scooter or moped is cool, what I'm trying to do here is simplify, and eliminate a project. The idea of a new bike I can just turn the key and ride is an appealing one. With the E36, 2 TR-6s, the Eagle, and the Ford Van / RV I've got plenty of 4 wheeled projects to keep me busy. Oh yeah, and the house needs work, and this whole magazine thing takes a bit of my time!
This is one of the reasons I'm considering selling the VFR 500. It is an older bike with a few needs, and I'm a bit too scattered to have a bike project along with all the car stuff going on.
Someday I'll get another old bike, but for now I'd just like to ride.
pinchvalve wrote:But the Sachs is kinda cool, as long as you no longer care about attracting the ladies.
No way.
Chicks dig a scooter.
And for chicks that are impressed by the scooter, you've got a van to bring 'em home to.
Make sure you get the 5 speed. More fun than a twist-n-go. Tell me more about up engine-ing these things. My buddy has a 49cc MadAss, and is looking for an upgrade.
The motors are Chinese Honda copies, and the same/similar as the ones used on pit bikes, so there is some part, and motor interchangeability. That's a good thing. If you look at some of the pit bike forums, you'll get a good idea of who's doing what, but if he has a 50cc, then a 88cc big bore kit, carb, and pipe would probably be the easiest. Parts for the Chinese bikes can be very inexpensive, and these little motors are pretty good. My 125 pit bike flies with only an aftermarket carb ($25). I think they have big bore 172cc Madass' up to about 20 hp now.
http://www.moto-scoot.net/performance_madass1.html
http://store.moto-scoot.net/MadAss-Performance-Parts-and-Accessories_c2.htm
I bet you could fab your own pipe, and do a carb for under $50 from the pit bike parts you can find on ebay.
zomby woof wrote:Now that is a Pit Bike!
Joe - thanks for posting this. My offer still stands to get you a MadAss 125 to write about!
Let me introduce myself and my company. I'm the owner of Peirspeed and Cobra Powersports. We're the US Distributor of the Sachs MadAss. Besides owning Peirspeed/Cobra Powersports, I'm also a big racing fan. I also own a couple of Factory Five cars and run the largest kit car site on the net, FFCobra.com So if you have an FFR Challenge racer then chances are you already know me. You can also find our scooters at NASA and SCCA events all over the country. Some big teams use our products, like the MazdaSpeed AMLS cars.
The Sachs MadAss 125 is pretty cool. Out of the box they run 55-58 MPH and get about 85-100 MPG's. But it's real easy to get 70 MPH from the bike because you can put a different gear set on it, open exhaust and larger carb.
If you go to the MadAss page on my site, www.peirspeed.com you'll find links to a list of MadAss dealers, after-market parts companies, cool videos, and much more info. One crazy dealer rode one 2,850 miles from San Diego to Maryland! He only had a flat tire from a nail.
I'll be at the Mitty this year running around on a MadAss 125 so feel free to stop me and ask for a demo.
Thanks again,
Bill
Thanks for posting Bill. See you at the Mitty!
BillPeirce wrote:I'll be at the Mitty this year running around on a MadAss 125 so feel free to stop me and ask for a demo.
I will be at the Mitty this year running around on shoe leather, so expect me to seek you out and beg for a ride.
Immediately thereafter, expect me to go into debt. This thing is as cool as a Ruckus, but with a cruising speed that makes it practical to actually use as a commuter.
My latest little Tiddler project:
Crusty old Honda C105 Frame and a bunch of spare parts grabbed out of the junk boxes. Plus a lot of fabricated parts.
I've been having so much fun with this one, I plan on making it my weekend warrior once I get it running.
Chris H.
subrew wrote:My latest little Tiddler project:
Crusty old Honda C105 Frame
Start a new thread for that bike's buildup. Looks pretty cool!
So the importer/seller of these bikes is a Cobra guy? I officially change my position about attracting the ladies. Even I could get chicks in a Cobra!
