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50cc NSU-based Sportster

Introduction:

At one point in my past, I moved to the Netherlands for a little while. What I discovered there (somehow I had no knowledge about that before), was that you could go with small engine vehicles on the bikepaths. Even without a helmet if you feel like it. That was when I decided that I wanted to build a sporty moped with a 50cc engine that featured optics and physics that I like. This time, I decided to create a whole chassis by myself, using the things that I learned from my Royal Enfield build.

Summary:

  • rudimentary engine-rebuild
  • design and manufacturing of the mainframe
  • design and manufacturing of the front end springer fork
  • design and manufacturing of the rear swingarm
  • design and manufacturing of the fueltank
  • design and manufacturing of the clip on handlebars
  • design and manufacturing of the seatframe unit
  • does not come with any fenders!
Current state with custom-muffler and wraped exhaust pipe

Building process:

This build was more planned and designed before I started the building process, but still had periods of trial and error. The main physical chassis attributes like rake, wheelbase and steering backlash were planned and the general design was scheduled, many other things were decided when the building process had already begun, which worked out quite fine, although it is not the proper way of doing projected things like these.

Starting point of the vehicle were just an idea, an engine and two original NSU-Quickly spokewheels with brakes. I drew a couple of rudimentary sketches, to decide what frame shape I wanted and what front end suspension I’d chose. What was already set was, that I wanted a rather classical approach, like it was with the RE-build, and a cantilever rear suspension

Right at the beginning stood rudimentary sketching to decide what I wanted and would be able to manufacture.

Designing process:

When I started I still had no easy opportunity to bend tubes, which is why I planned to mainly use straight steel bars. Other materials then steel never stood in question due to the planned classical approach and the fact that steel is thankful to handle and to deal with, in addition to its affordability.
While working on the project I bought tools to more easily bend tubes and a TIG-welding apparatus, so I had to learn and play with two new options. That is why the design partly features more straight, and partly more curvy features.

Still rudimentary sketching to mainly decide how the front end was supposed to look alike.