[busapilot]

You may be going about this all wrong:
[video]https://www.facebook.com/cycleworld/videos/10153654169862591/[/video]

 

[bs_racer]

I was pitted just down from there. I thought it was a brilliant idea. The training wheels would fold up and it could be ridden normally.

 

[grandpaul]

Lots of people use scooters to do that.

Easy

 

[busapilot]

At just over $1000 with free shipping, this guy is probably making about $250 per starter?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-Roller-Starter-Free-Shipping-to-Lower-48-/161878378922?hash=item25b0b409aa:g:NXQAAOSw14xWOVo9&vxp=mtr

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[o1marc]

At just over $1000 with free shipping, this guy is probably making about $250 per starter?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-Roller-Starter-Free-Shipping-to-Lower-48-/161878378922?hash=item25b0b409aa:g:NXQAAOSw14xWOVo9&vxp=mtr

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Thats piniongear.

 

[busapilot]

His site says $825 + shipping from Houston. Prolly $100 anywhere in U.S? (He's making a killing on eBay)
So he must build these for $600-650ea? Sounds like solid mechanicals and materials.

 

[grandpaul]

Those rollers look mighty smooth...

 

[TCed]

So what is so wrong with making a profit on a product that seems to work well and has a customer base willing to pay the cost ?

 

[o1marc]

His site says $825 + shipping from Houston. Prolly $100 anywhere in U.S? (He's making a killing on eBay)
So he must build these for $600-650ea? Sounds like solid mechanicals and materials.

Is he making a killing on Ebay? It's interesting that he says he's sold 20 of these in the last 3 months. Yet if you look at his feedback on Ebay he has 82 positive feedbacks in the last 6 months. All of them are from sellers and it appears he has only sold 2 starters and they were more than 6 months ago. I doubt he has anywhere near $650 in them.

 

[grandpaul]

So what is so wrong with making a profit on a product that seems to work well and has a customer base willing to pay the cost ?

YAHTZEE!

Long ago, I thought about making a set. The cost to build was way more than I wanted to spend. Over the years, I tried to buy a used set, they get snapped up IMMEDIATELY (mostly on racing forums).

When the opportunity presented itself, I made a trade for my set that basically ended up costing me $300 for an $800 rig. Upon close investigation, I can pretty safely assume "Doc Z" is NOT getting rich making these, and he has sold a BUNCH of them. (I also don't think it's his only gig)

Ask anyone who has made a similar setup, how much it actually cost them to build it, COUNTING THEIR TIME. Throw a stupid number at it like $25 / hr and see what you come up with.

 

[Mark Burton]

My teenage son needs an engineering project for school, so his challenge is to design and make a paddock starter. I'm onto something I reckon, child labour and school machine shop time being free.

Basis is to use what I have laying around, which is a 3.5hp (might be a 4.5) Honda engine, centrifugal clutch, go kart rear wheel / tyre. Steel stock I'll buy as it can't be a Scrap heap challenge looking thing.

lets see if a kid can make one.

 

[grandpaul]

My teenage son needs an engineering project for school, so his challenge is to design and make a paddock starter. ...lets see if a kid can make one.

My guess? YES.

 

[Mark Burton]

Junior set about making a paddock starter today. I'll post some pics when he's finished welding the frame up, but it's not bad so far.

Finished thing will be along the lines of this......

 

[Mark Burton]

Needs to machine the spindle and make plates for the bearings and engine now. Frame is 30mm x 3mm steel tube.

 

[o1marc]

Last week a customer of mine started talking about his past racing and mentioned he had a few things he was wanting to get rid of to save some space. The next day he dropped off a Pit Boss front fork stand and this Honda starter.


I still think after building the roller starter that I will end up making a hand held unit. The above starter requires 2 people. I much prefer to start the motor in neutral than in gear and having to go through the extra motions. It's nice to be able to plug the starter into the crank snout and spin to life while it sits on a stand or the kick stand.

 

[Jamie mills]

01marc,
I have made my 38 different starters using 13-1/2 inch between roller centers and the wheel fits nicely, dropping down between the rollers. Please note that my rear roller is higher than most others.

Recently I have shortened my frame size by 7/8 inches so my starters fit better in an 18 inch shipping box.
I tried starting my bike with the new center line to center line distance of 12-5/8 inches and the wheel now almost wants to roll forward onto the ramp. Almost, but not quite.

So that was my reason for suggesting 13 to 13-1/2 inches.
Since it all depends on where you locate your rollers, you need to consider this when you choose a center line dimension, as well as the elevation of the rollers.
Just something I learned the hard way.
pg

Are you still building paddock starters and what is the price if you are still building them

 

[TrialsRider]

Are you still building paddock starters and what is the price if you are still building them

Last seen May 2016 it might take a while for them to get back to you on that, I bet you could build one faster

 

[woodsman]

Looks like an old pressure washer with the pump off and a wheel installed.

 

[speedrattle]

VFT classifiedz often have them for sale

For Sale VFT

 

[TrialsRider]

He's a Canadian he should get all high and build one