Help! Does anyone have direct experience with DIY scooter frames?

[jerseyebiker]

I recently decided to build/buy an offroad scooter. I have build a few e-bikes/boards ect and ride an ebike daily but scooters are not my realm. I am lost. I am sold on the following specs but I dont have any direct experience with these diy frames. Does anyone have any experience with something that may fit my needs?

Budget is 2k up front and up to 1k$ a month possibly for mods to get a rideable dual motor 13 inch rig that will tick as many of my boxes as possible.

Specs:
-Can handle a 230ish pound rider over 6ft tall.
-Dual motor.
-Full suspension.
-Will lean like 80% offroad bias at least
-13 inch or larger tires.
-Will be at least a 60v system designed to run on 50-80amps workload constant.
-Will go faster then 40mph.
-Has the ability to scare me a little every time I ride it.
-Can take being ridden near its limit constantly.

I want to build one hardcore. I am very close to buying a Teewing Z4. It ticks all my boxes but honestly falls just short on everything but gets me in the game now. Its also a bin parts scooter so how good is it really? I know if I buy it or another bin scooter I get something fun to ride now that I will certainly have to gut and mod over time. Thats not always a bad thing but I would much rather build one now even if its only rear wheel drive out of the gate and bask in that feeling of riding something I built with my own hands.

Any advice?

 

[jerseyebiker]

After conversing with several sellers any frame that will accept a 13 inch wheel is 1000$ with shipping.

 

[AnastasiaParris]

If you want true off-road durability, start with a proven frame (QS/MKGT style), upgrade motors/controllers gradually, and avoid pushing generic parts.

 

[ljbred08]

@jerseyebiker Please go ahead with building it, we desperately need more scratch-built scooter build logs on this forum!

I have always wanted to build one of these so I have amassed quite a bit of information about all the necessary parts/whatever I could scrounge up on Endless-Sphere.

Scooter build logs:

1. EXTREMO - Scratch built 7kW billet frame scooter
   This is the primary build thread to go off of, absolutely incredible scooter. Lots of photos.
2. 24kW stand-up scooter with air suspension
   The Vostok is the granddaddy of ES's scratch built scooters. Not one to exactly copy (very overcomplicated for someone starting from scratch) but there's a lot to learn there and it's an incredible system.
   a youtube about the Vostok scooter.

Non-Endless-Sphere:

• The Electric Cyber Scooter
  No suspension and not offroad but completely scratch build, cool project.
  
  
  
• and
• (close to your planned build size)
  Pretty incredible what is possible with a whole machine shop!
  
  
  
• & all his other videos
  Exact opposite - this is just basic tools! Very rough but functional.
  
  
  
• There was another build log that was very good with incredible videography and I don't think it was one of the previous ones I linked but I can't find it again.
  
  
• There was another very big offroad suspension one that I can't find.
  
  
• Make a Scooter From Scratch
  Small, not an escooter, but good learning about how he constructed it

Scooters with minimal to no build log:

Hub motor:

• Large homemade scooter
  Absolutely ridiculous scooter!
  
  
• Update again, all CNC custom scooter 2.0
• makerbase VESC 75100 problem
  Love his design--looks very simple in construction compared to the amazingly detailed CNCs of Extremo. We need to get this guy to post detailed photos of it .

Mid drive:

• 7.5KW mid drive stand-up scooter build project.
  Cool concept, was never completed (on ES at least)
  
  
• My first generation of central motor CNC scooter
• Super sized stand-up Scooter project. Build thread
  Not completely scratch built, but pretty cool.

---

I probably had some more but links have been lost over the years. One other thing: for lots of reading and designs on non-hub-motor scooters, check out Charles Guan and his friends. I can dig up links if needed. Those scooters are ancient by today's hardware but lots of good info anyway.

---

I would never build a 13" scooter, too hard to find motors compared to 11", but there is one right now on eBay if you're interested: 48v1000w 60v1250w 72v1500w Brushless Pocket Bike Motor 13" | eBay

Construction: If you're new to welding and don't have the time to practice a lot or the money for a TIG then you would have to make it out of steel. Doable but very heavy and requires painting/rust prevention. Commercial scooters are made of aluminum; if you have the time and money that would of course be the way to go, but the welding will be hard--I will probably do my first welding build out of steel because it's hard enough just getting good welds on that . Alternatively, if you have access to CNC/a machine shop it is theoretically possible without welding; I don't think there was much, if any, welding on Extremo.

 

[jerseyebiker]

If you want true off-road durability, start with a proven frame (QS/MKGT style), upgrade motors/controllers gradually, and avoid pushing generic parts.

Here is what I have learned.
*Any DIY frame is gong to cost 1kish$ shipped. And that gets you a chinese generic frame, insdustrial style box build stand on scooter w sealed battery compartment. There are only 2 of these diy kits online that will accept 13 and 14 inch tires. Shipped to my door the frame is 1k$ The battery is 680$. 1k if I use LIEFPO4 and I surely will in the end.The first controller I have. The second is 200$. Each wheel complete w motor, rim and tire is over 600$. Brakes 200$. I was estimating over 300$ in building materials between wiring it, and controls. You are looking at probably 3k$ easily for a generic chinese framed dual QS true 8KW running constant 80amps at 72v. Its just not worth it. I could easily get a brand new Kaabo with tube forks and do the 13 inch wheel upgrade for less and be on a much better chassis.

=Its not worth fabricating one of these diy or from scratch unless you want to spend more and scratch a fabrication itch. I have no drive to fabricate an entire chassis.