When would you decide that your kit is not worth fixing?

[shawnshank]

Ok so I've had my GEBE rack mount Tanaka 40cc kit for about 5 years and for the last 8 months it's been out of commision due to needed repairs. The cost of the parts to make the repairs are going to be around $170.00. That's not a ton of money but it had me thinking...so far I have over $800 invested (I bought the velocity rim and I had to repalce some parts here and there) and with this repair it will bring me close to $1,000. I ride from around April to October (sometimes into November) and I take some decent rides but I don't use it every day (maybe three times a week and I burn about a tank sometimes a tank and half of gas each ride...how ever many miles that is). I understand that there are a lot of factors involved but I am starting to wonder how long I can expect this little motor to continue puching my arse around the city. At what point would you decide to stop repairing and consider either purchasing a new kit or investing a bit more money into something more substantial like a scooter? The scooter I have been looking at is around $2,500

 

[grinningremlin]

It depends whether you want speed or money.Say you fix, that's $1000 for 5 years of transport/fun not including petrol.Difference in speed is usually 30mph MAB 50mph scooter, you can't lift a scooter, your sunk costs will be $2500 before you ever gas up or reg/insure it.The tires, if you have a flat that's beyond fix-a-flat you can't change it on the road, possible tow truck costs involved.A scooter will cost you money sitting idle (reg-insur), every part on it will be a b.i.t.c.h. to replace, and expensive.
You're driving in traffic, more vulnerable to tags/bumps, depending on the amount of traffic a bike may be faster.
You could buy the upper parts to the engine, and easily rebuild your tanaka in the off season, but I bet it will pull you 5 more years.
The only perks I see to a scooter is it's keyed (locking up the bike s.u.c.k.s) storage is built in, it's faster with better brakes.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Ok so I've had my GEBE rack mount Tanaka 40cc kit for about 5 years and for the last 8 months it's been out of commision due to needed repairs. The cost of the parts to make the repairs are going to be around $170.00. That's not a ton of money but it had me thinking...so far I have over $800 invested (I bought the velocity rim and I had to repalce some parts here and there) and with this repair it will bring me close to $1,000. I ride from around April to October (sometimes into November) and I take some decent rides but I don't use it every day (maybe three times a week and I burn about a tank sometimes a tank and half of gas each ride...how ever many miles that is). I understand that there are a lot of factors involved but I am starting to wonder how long I can expect this little motor to continue puching my arse around the city. At what point would you decide to stop repairing and consider either purchasing a new kit or investing a bit more money into something more substantial like a scooter? The scooter I have been looking at is around $2,500

$170/5 years is $34/ year for repairs.

$800 investment/5 years is $160/year.

Total is $194/year, or $16.17, not including gas & oil.

Fun part notwithstanding, I believe your MB has paid for itself by saving you parking fees, registration and car maintenance.

Fix the bike and keep it.

JMO

Your

 

[darwin]

As far as the bike only a broke frame would make me junk it, anything else just fix/replace broken part. As far as the motor I would say when fixing = 50% of the cost of new replacement then its a parts motor. Friction kit I'd just rebuild it theres only the roller or bearings to replace. Hardware, well that's what ace hardware is for.

 

[Fabian]

If i was to be sensible and objective and unemotional over the question, i would have decided that my motorized bicycle kit was a project not worth starting, let alone fixing.

but

i am not sensible, nor objective about my decision and i am emotionally caught up in the spirit of motorized bicycling, hence i can justify horrendous amounts on repairs and modifications and upgrades which happened in the early stages of finding a cure for unreliability issues.

 

[darwin]

Fabian quit speaking aussie "i am not sensible, nor objective about my decision and i am emotionally caught up in the spirit of motorized bicycling, hence i can justify horrendous amounts of repairs and modifications and upgrades which happened in the early stages of finding a cure for unreliability issues. ". This is an english only site.

 

[Fabian]

@ darwin

forgive me. From now on i'm keeping my :lipsrsealed2: shut.