Electric supply options

[motoretro]

I'm starting to work on my 1960's German scooter and in order to see if it will fire or not, I need either a new battery or some sort of electrical supply to help test the various apparatus. I really don't want to go buy a new 6V battery that might end sitting for a while once true restoration starts, Can I use a low (1 Amp) 6/12V trickle charger to run some power through the wiring, switches, starter, etc to determine what works and what doesn't?

Thanks, Motoretro

[buickid]

The charger may not operate properly without a battery connected. It may present an extremely high voltage, or none at all. Also, 1A is barely anything, especially on a 6V system. If it were 12V, there are plenty of power supplies out there that would feed the system enough to do everything except turn the starter. I'm not aware of any 6V solutions, though undoubtedly there are some out there.

[Beezer]

a 6v battery charger should work fine for testing lights & ignition coils if it was battery powered. I would be careful not to put it across the voltage regulator.

a 1A charger may not be enough though. what is the primary coil resistance? better yet, what bike?

[motoretro]

buickid & Beezer,

1964 Maicoletta 250cc Scooter............Perhaps a new 6V Battery along with battery tender would be a better choice. I'm concerned I may come across a mechanical problem while trying to get this to fire up and the battery may end up sitting for a while, parts are scarce.
thanks for all the info.

Motoretro

Originally Posted by Beezer

a 6v battery charger should work fine for testing lights & ignition coils if it was battery powered. I would be careful not to put it across the voltage regulator.

a 1A charger may not be enough though. what is the primary coil resistance? better yet, what bike?

[emti]

Tape some D baterries together as in a flahlight. 4 x 1.5 =6. Im using that on my DR250 for enough lights to pass inspection emti

[Al Tuna]

6V Lantern Battery

[bwringer]

Just grab a 6V lantern battery from Wally World.

If you're worried about letting the magic smoke out, use an inline fuse.

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by motoretro

buickid & Beezer,

1964 Maicoletta 250cc Scooter............Perhaps a new 6V Battery along with battery tender would be a better choice. I'm concerned I may come across a mechanical problem while trying to get this to fire up and the battery may end up sitting for a while, parts are scarce.
thanks for all the info.

Motoretro

This. Get a gel battery.

I had one of those scooters years ago. The starter setup is really weird. It bounces the engine back and forth against compression until it makes it over TDC and fires up. Aside from the starter-generator and cooling fan, the bottom end is stock Maico motorcycle. Yours may actually be 277 cc judging from the date. The cylinder and head are unique to the scooter. The porting is designed for torque, and the piston skirt has transfer ports in it. I used a 277 scooter piston and barrel in my Maico enduro sidecar rig back then.

[motoretro]

You're right on the money, the starter system on this scooter is odd to say the least. I thought about a Gel battery although not sure if one is avaialable. I believe the original battery was around 11 AH *. Serial number plate states motor is 244cc although like anything 50 years old, it could have been switched out at sometime. From my investigation, it appears this scooter may have sat at the Distributor's for a few years as the serial # indicates somewhere in 1959-60 production. At this time I need to sort things out enough to get it started before throwing a bunch of money in paint and chrome at it for restoration. Last plate say's 1991 and guy I purchased it from said it ran when put away in the barn.
Thanks,
Motoretro

* looks like a 6N11A-1B will fit well although a 6N11-2D will also although not as well.

Originally Posted by ttpete

This. Get a gel battery.

I had one of those scooters years ago. The starter setup is really weird. It bounces the engine back and forth against compression until it makes it over TDC and fires up. Aside from the starter-generator and cooling fan, the bottom end is stock Maico motorcycle. Yours may actually be 277 cc judging from the date. The cylinder and head are unique to the scooter. The porting is designed for torque, and the piston skirt has transfer ports in it. I used a 277 scooter piston and barrel in my Maico enduro sidecar rig back then.

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by motoretro

You're right on the money, the starter system on this scooter is odd to say the least. I thought about a Gel battery although don't have a size application on hand. I believe the original battery was around 11 AH *. Serial number plate states motor is 244cc although like anything 50 years old, it could have been switched out at sometime. From my investigation, it appears this scooter may have sat at the Distributor's for a few years as the serial # indicates somewhere in 1959-60 production. At this time I need to sort things out enough to get it started before throwing a bunch of money in paint and chrome at it for restoration. Last plate say's 1991 and guy I purchased it from said it ran when put away in the barn.
Thanks,
Motoretro

* looks like a 6N11A-1B will fit well although a 6N11-2D will also although not as well.

Generally, the Germans included the year on the serial plate as Baujahr.

At the time, there were two importers. One was Cooper Motors in CA, the other was here in the Detroit area. It went by several names including Maico Motor Co, Engray, and Gray International. Owner was Nicholas Gray, and I occasionally went over to his warehouse to uncrate and assemble a bike he had sold directly.

The ultimate Maico would have to be a Taifun, which was a twin 400cc road bike.

[motoretro]

Thanks for the Baujahr info on the plate, * I checked it out and it's a 1960 as I thought.
I was aware of the Detroit importer, actually purchased the scooter not too far from there. I've seen only pictures of the Taifun, pretty neat piece though.
Motoretro

Originally Posted by ttpete

Generally, the Germans included the year on the serial plate as Baujahr.

At the time, there were two importers. One was Cooper Motors in CA, the other was here in the Detroit area. It went by several names including Maico Motor Co, Engray, and Gray International. Owner was Nicholas Gray, and I occasionally went over to his warehouse to uncrate and assemble a bike he had sold directly.

The ultimate Maico would have to be a Taifun, which was a twin 400cc road bike.