The "Ruckus Killer"
11-24-2010, 12:09 PM
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The "Ruckus Killer"
Well as some of you have seen at events on the Westcoast, you have seen my "Ruckus Killer". For everyone else here is the latest.
I wanted a pit bike for myself for when we go to racing events but I didnt want what everyone has. Ruckus' look cool stretched out but everyone has one. Dirt bike pit bikes are all over the place too. And Scooters are for old people. I dont feel old yet. So I went with something a little different then what you see all the time.
Here is a pic of what it started life as. A 1988 Yamaha YSR 50.. Built from 1987 - 1992 as a 50cc Street Legal crotch rocket.
This is how the bike looked when I got it from a friend
The plastics were in real bad shape. Let alone not coming with the bottom fairing piece all together.
I took out the air cooled 50cc engine and replaced it with a Kawasaki KX80 engine that came out of a 1984 KX80 motocross bike. Not knowing if the engine would fire up or even run right , I went to it anyway.
Since the stock YSR exhaust is very restrictive , I took the KX80 exhaust and cut it at the seams and re fit it to the new bike.
It started on the 3rd kick. I was pretty happy about that. But this thing needed some much needed love on the appearance level. So I bought a lower fairing piece $120.00.
Since I have built a couple of these in the past with bigger engines, and I didnt want to look like an idiot if I flipped it in the pits. I decided to stretch the swingarm a couple inches.
I wanted a pit bike for myself for when we go to racing events but I didnt want what everyone has. Ruckus' look cool stretched out but everyone has one. Dirt bike pit bikes are all over the place too. And Scooters are for old people. I dont feel old yet. So I went with something a little different then what you see all the time.
Here is a pic of what it started life as. A 1988 Yamaha YSR 50.. Built from 1987 - 1992 as a 50cc Street Legal crotch rocket.
This is how the bike looked when I got it from a friend
The plastics were in real bad shape. Let alone not coming with the bottom fairing piece all together.
I took out the air cooled 50cc engine and replaced it with a Kawasaki KX80 engine that came out of a 1984 KX80 motocross bike. Not knowing if the engine would fire up or even run right , I went to it anyway.
Since the stock YSR exhaust is very restrictive , I took the KX80 exhaust and cut it at the seams and re fit it to the new bike.
It started on the 3rd kick. I was pretty happy about that. But this thing needed some much needed love on the appearance level. So I bought a lower fairing piece $120.00.
Since I have built a couple of these in the past with bigger engines, and I didnt want to look like an idiot if I flipped it in the pits. I decided to stretch the swingarm a couple inches.
11-24-2010, 12:09 PM
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Re: he "Ruckus Killer"
The swingarm done and now it is time for the dreaded body work. I hate doing it but this thing looks horrible.
Since this thing needed lots of work, I decided to ad a "Cup holder" for those hot Summer days riding around in the pits.
Just drop in some ice and your frosty cold beverage stays cold.
Almost a finished product. Body work and paint all done.
You may ask why is it Pink? Well I wanted it to match our car. And since my wife drives a Pink car, I painted the bike to match.
With the 80cc engine in, I got it up to 75mph in less than an 1/8th of a mile with 1 more gear to go. .Not too bad for a motor that has never been rebuilt or ever taken apart. The entire build took about 2 weeks to do and I am in it less than $800.00.
Winter plans are to try and find a CR500 engine to stuff in there for next year.
Enjoy!
Since this thing needed lots of work, I decided to ad a "Cup holder" for those hot Summer days riding around in the pits.
Just drop in some ice and your frosty cold beverage stays cold.
Almost a finished product. Body work and paint all done.
You may ask why is it Pink? Well I wanted it to match our car. And since my wife drives a Pink car, I painted the bike to match.
With the 80cc engine in, I got it up to 75mph in less than an 1/8th of a mile with 1 more gear to go. .Not too bad for a motor that has never been rebuilt or ever taken apart. The entire build took about 2 weeks to do and I am in it less than $800.00.
Winter plans are to try and find a CR500 engine to stuff in there for next year.
Enjoy!
11-26-2010, 11:23 AM
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Re: he "Ruckus Killer"
Thanks . Not everyone will like it. I for one think EJ body styles are lame, so we have something in common..
Here is a pic of another one I did a few years back. I stretched the swingarm 6" and use a Quad front wheel & tire on the rear. I plan on doing something similar to this one over the winter. I just need to figure out which wheel I used for the last one. It also had an air cooled YZ125 motor in it and ran Nitrous with the bottle and battery strapped to the wheelie bar. It ran 11.22@121mph
Here is a pic of another one I did a few years back. I stretched the swingarm 6" and use a Quad front wheel & tire on the rear. I plan on doing something similar to this one over the winter. I just need to figure out which wheel I used for the last one. It also had an air cooled YZ125 motor in it and ran Nitrous with the bottle and battery strapped to the wheelie bar. It ran 11.22@121mph
11-27-2010, 06:56 PM
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Re: he "Ruckus Killer"
^^^ that's totally BA... i have owned several motorcycle's and a ruckus and loved them all and would love to find me a YSR... I love the stretch swing arm...
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11-27-2010, 09:45 PM
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Re: he "Ruckus Killer"
funny you mention NSR i was looking on Ebay and there is one for sale.. I was like sweet.. yes please...
I actually came across a GSXR50 many many years ago down in Monterrey during bike week
I actually came across a GSXR50 many many years ago down in Monterrey during bike week
11-28-2010, 11:55 AM
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Re: he "Ruckus Killer"
Yes, the GSXR50 is a special bike. There werent many brought into the US. 4 stroke 50cc. That was the reason for them not being street legal. The 4 stroke engine just wasnt powerful enough to be safe in traffic. I would love to have one though to add to my collection.
01-11-2011, 06:48 AM
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Re: he "Ruckus Killer"
This is BOMB.
If you have 3-4 nice, clear 1024x (or larger) photos of the finished bike, I'd like to run it on my blog. Email me at:
Keifeinzel (at) gmail (dot) com
If you have 3-4 nice, clear 1024x (or larger) photos of the finished bike, I'd like to run it on my blog. Email me at:
Keifeinzel (at) gmail (dot) com
01-13-2011, 12:43 PM
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Re: The "Ruckus Killer"
Thanks guys... I am looking for a 500cc to throw in it over the winter. Or even an RD400. If I cant find something to put in it, I will tear this one apart and it will get done up a little. I will probably go to a 107cc bore on it. It is an 84 engine and has never been torn apart. I am actually surprised it still fires up.
I am also going to build another swing arm for a wider wheel & tire.
I am also going to build another swing arm for a wider wheel & tire.
02-03-2011, 04:20 AM
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09-26-2011, 12:37 PM
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Re: The "Ruckus Killer"
Been a minute. I am waiting on Douglas wheels to call me back to see if they will build me a zero offset wheel. 8x8" , then I will make the new swingarm. I am also going to be repainting it Black with Pink flake in it to match the wifes new race car. Pics should be up soon.
