Enginedoctor
Well-Known Member
damn scott.... thing looks pretty serious. i'm jealous. try upping the needle in the carb to richen it if you don't want to fatten that main jet. i bet the 117 is loads of funnnn...................................
1971 CL70 Project..... engine swap, etc.
- Thread starter scott s
- Start date
Enginedoctor
Well-Known Member
what's the cause? no spark? mechanical failure??? Let us know we can help you fix it. a bike this nice shouldn't sit in the back of a garage….
z50 chopper
New Member
if you go for the 140 what are your plans for the firepower engine?
scott s
Member
You'd have to ask Terry from Firepower, since he has it and refuses to return it.
He's now out of business and has stopped returning my calls and texts. I got screwed on that deal.
I occasionally see a CL70 engine for sale, but they're easily as expensive as a 125 or 140.
Maybe I'll pull the bike out and try to do something with it soon.
OLD CT
Well-Known Member
Seems odd! Why would he ''keep it''? By the way, you never answered post #65... What did you do to it? Did you smoke it by running it ''too long'' when it was freshly rebuilt? Running a new build more than ''20 minutes'' and at 40 plus mph, will do that and I wouldn't warranty that. It takes a long time before you can ride for any length of time more than that, each ride. So why did he get it back 3 times???
O.K. I see that 1st gear issue, you know there may be someone on this site that could go there in person and get it back for you, if you want.
O.K. I see that 1st gear issue, you know there may be someone on this site that could go there in person and get it back for you, if you want.
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scott s
Member
The first time it got here it had no 1st gear. He said send it back and he'd fix it, and he did.
Got it back and it had carb tuning issues. Even with the largest main jet and carb settings per his instructions, it didn't run properly.
He said it was timing related, even though I had set the timing with a meter.
The next time, I messed it up...I'll admit that. I screwed up the timing, trying to get it to run right, and holed a piston. Purchased a new piston and cylinder from him and paid a local shop to do the top end. They pointed out that he sent the wrong piston, that it was different than the other. Crown, wrist pin height, etc. Called him and he assured me that it was correct and that was the "better" piston to use. Didn't last 2 miles before it ran hot and started puking oil everywhere.
He said "send it back, I'll fix it for ", since I'd had so much trouble and it never ran right. I did, and that was a year and a half ago. He told me multiple times that it was on the bench, it was done, it's going out next Monday, etc., etc. He finally admitted he was lying just to keep me happy and that he's lost his passion for the job. He has my engine, my money, my parts and refuses to send it back. He has since gone out of business and blocked me on social media and deleted his email accounts.
He said that it ran hot.....really hot.....and he couldn't see a reason why. But it doesn't matter now because I have zero hope of ever seeing that engine again.
I would have gladly done a proper break in period on the engine if it had stayed running long enough. I got probably less than 20 miles on it all total....all three rebuilds....because it kept self destructing, running hot, puking oil, etc.
I paid a professional to do this for me, followed his tuning instructions and jetting instructions and timing instructions to a Tee, and it simply wouldn't run right.
I know my way around bikes. I've resurrected many a CB550, XS650, BMW Airhead, etc. There was something inherently wrong with this build from the beginning.
Got it back and it had carb tuning issues. Even with the largest main jet and carb settings per his instructions, it didn't run properly.
He said it was timing related, even though I had set the timing with a meter.
The next time, I messed it up...I'll admit that. I screwed up the timing, trying to get it to run right, and holed a piston. Purchased a new piston and cylinder from him and paid a local shop to do the top end. They pointed out that he sent the wrong piston, that it was different than the other. Crown, wrist pin height, etc. Called him and he assured me that it was correct and that was the "better" piston to use. Didn't last 2 miles before it ran hot and started puking oil everywhere.
He said "send it back, I'll fix it for ", since I'd had so much trouble and it never ran right. I did, and that was a year and a half ago. He told me multiple times that it was on the bench, it was done, it's going out next Monday, etc., etc. He finally admitted he was lying just to keep me happy and that he's lost his passion for the job. He has my engine, my money, my parts and refuses to send it back. He has since gone out of business and blocked me on social media and deleted his email accounts.
He said that it ran hot.....really hot.....and he couldn't see a reason why. But it doesn't matter now because I have zero hope of ever seeing that engine again.
I would have gladly done a proper break in period on the engine if it had stayed running long enough. I got probably less than 20 miles on it all total....all three rebuilds....because it kept self destructing, running hot, puking oil, etc.
I paid a professional to do this for me, followed his tuning instructions and jetting instructions and timing instructions to a Tee, and it simply wouldn't run right.
I know my way around bikes. I've resurrected many a CB550, XS650, BMW Airhead, etc. There was something inherently wrong with this build from the beginning.
OLD CT
Well-Known Member
Thank you for clearing that up! I think it is wrong that he is holding the engine hostage. If there is anyone on this site close enough, please reach out to Scott to get back what is rightfully his! I would also be willing to put it on my bench and get it sorted out, no charge! Just buy any parts needed and of course, the shipping.
Rangerscott
New Member
Hey Scot.
Sucks to hear of your problems with that guy. From what I've found, he was the cat's meow then went to crap. I got a madly built yx 150 to 194cc with a bunch of mods coming from a guy that said it was built by Fire dude. Was told the guy got old and crotchety. I just hope the engine is good. The seller said it's brand new and ended up not using it on a project went with a daytona anima 190cc.
I'll be putting it in a '71 CL70. Same color and everything as yours.
Hope to see you get back into the bike.
Sucks to hear of your problems with that guy. From what I've found, he was the cat's meow then went to crap. I got a madly built yx 150 to 194cc with a bunch of mods coming from a guy that said it was built by Fire dude. Was told the guy got old and crotchety. I just hope the engine is good. The seller said it's brand new and ended up not using it on a project went with a daytona anima 190cc.
I'll be putting it in a '71 CL70. Same color and everything as yours.
Hope to see you get back into the bike.
scott s
Member
Oh, I've completely given up hope on this one. I got screwed royally.
Even sent someone to his house to pick it up. He even denied even BEING Terry Straubel. Refused to hand over my engine/parts, probably because he no longer has them. Then he said to make an appointment to have it picked up by FedEx. I did, he was a no show. Gave me some BS line about kids and school. Then I said I'd send a shipping label and pay to have it shipped back on my dime. Nope....no go.
I think he sold it when he fell on hard times or used the parts on other builds. He still claims he has it but refuses to relinquish it.
I put the CL's out back so I didn't have to look at them anymore. Maybe one day I'll buy a clone motor and do the swap. Maybe I'll just cut my losses and sell it all as-is.
Karma's a bitch. He'll get his comeuppance one day.
Even sent someone to his house to pick it up. He even denied even BEING Terry Straubel. Refused to hand over my engine/parts, probably because he no longer has them. Then he said to make an appointment to have it picked up by FedEx. I did, he was a no show. Gave me some BS line about kids and school. Then I said I'd send a shipping label and pay to have it shipped back on my dime. Nope....no go.
I think he sold it when he fell on hard times or used the parts on other builds. He still claims he has it but refuses to relinquish it.
I put the CL's out back so I didn't have to look at them anymore. Maybe one day I'll buy a clone motor and do the swap. Maybe I'll just cut my losses and sell it all as-is.
Karma's a bitch. He'll get his comeuppance one day.
Ponytail
Active Member
Sorry to hear about this. This worked for me years ago with a scammer. I texted him every day & mentioned the authorities. The parts showed up on my doorstep. For what its worth I would seriously think about putting in a Honda motor with maybe a 88cc big bore kit. Rock solid setup!
Damn, painful just to read about this. I've been 
-over, bigtime, by longtime reliable vendors who suddenly & inexplicably turned squirrel ass. Only upside is that such people represent a minuscule percentage of the population. Still, it only takes one strategic injury to leave you reeling.
If it would help, I think that I have a pair of CL70 cases, might even have a motor. It's been a very long time since I checked, don't even know where these might be, at this late date. If you need a CL70 SN motor, I'd be willing to dig through the deep-storage bins, hate to see anyone here permanently sidelined by a bad experience.
Any 49cc-based Honda single can be used, bolt-in fitment. However, you would have to make some changes to the charging & lighting circuits, i.e. use a CT70 harness, rectifier, battery & (probably) switch. IOW, for now you may be down but definitely not out.
-over, bigtime, by longtime reliable vendors who suddenly & inexplicably turned squirrel ass. Only upside is that such people represent a minuscule percentage of the population. Still, it only takes one strategic injury to leave you reeling.If it would help, I think that I have a pair of CL70 cases, might even have a motor. It's been a very long time since I checked, don't even know where these might be, at this late date. If you need a CL70 SN motor, I'd be willing to dig through the deep-storage bins, hate to see anyone here permanently sidelined by a bad experience.
Any 49cc-based Honda single can be used, bolt-in fitment. However, you would have to make some changes to the charging & lighting circuits, i.e. use a CT70 harness, rectifier, battery & (probably) switch. IOW, for now you may be down but definitely not out.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
Damn, painful just to read about this. I've been
If it would help, I think that I have a pair of CL70 cases, might even have a motor. It's been a very long time since I checked, don't even know where these might be, at this late date. If you need a CL70 SN motor, I'd be willing to dig through the deep-storage bins, hate to see anyone here permanently sidelined by a bad experience.
Any 49cc-based Honda single can be used, bolt-in fitment. However, you would have to make some changes to the charging & lighting circuits, i.e. use a CT70 harness, rectifier, battery & (probably) switch. IOW, for now you may be down but definitely not out.
I have a CL70 stator setup. I would give it up for a good cause at a very, very reasonable price.
Terry is a friend of mine, he IS a good guy.
Yeah, it's an inflamed situation and though on second-reading it might seem that I'm calling-out Terry, that wasn't intended. To be clear, I was commenting on the situation...tangible loss of substantial value. I don't know the particulars and like to stay out of other people's fights...fewer mistakes to atone for, hurt feelings caused and flying bricks to avoid.:brick:
That said, three guesses who I thought might have a CL70 engine part, or three, lying around. Hint: your ESP is working extremely well, of late.:21:
That said, three guesses who I thought might have a CL70 engine part, or three, lying around. Hint: your ESP is working extremely well, of late.:21:
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
No, I knew you weren't calling Terry out. I'm sure you know the difficulties that come along with engine building for hire. I don't know both sides of this story, but I'm sure there are at least two. I know that Terry stepped out of the game when the opportunity arose. He was buried neck deep and struggling to keep up. People coming at him from all directions....my own personal nightmare.
Any way you shake it, Scott was done wrong on some level. I certainly feel for him, as you do. I do have some spare parts around here, and I would like to help repair the damage done to his minibiking spirit. Get him back on that horse.
scott s
Member
That's very, very kind guys. I HATE to put this all out there in public, but I spent nearly a year and a half trying to work it out with Terry before making any of it public.
I have an INSANE amount of money wasted on this deal. The sad part is, I have an otherwise complete, titled CL70 just sitting in the back of the garage.
Racerx, I would be very interested in a complete CL70 engine. I'm leaning towards the stock side of things these days. If you find it, please PM me.
I have an INSANE amount of money wasted on this deal. The sad part is, I have an otherwise complete, titled CL70 just sitting in the back of the garage.
Racerx, I would be very interested in a complete CL70 engine. I'm leaning towards the stock side of things these days. If you find it, please PM me.