How to modify a Goped to be less noisy

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:42 am

I can't ride a bike (Back injury) and walking last year really wore me out, couldn't get a lot of places I wanted to go. So I got the goped (s25) with the smallest engine (25 cc). I'm going to drive it 5 mph, not in camping areas, and want to modify it to be the least noisy as possible.
Anyone with experience muffling these things? thanks a lot, be seeing you!
(I already did a search for relevant terms and haven't found the info yet)

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:49 am

Not sure that it can be done with any great degree of effectiveness. If it was possible, I would think that the "industry" would have come up with something as NOISE seems to be a major reason these things are getting banned in communities across the country.

Have you ever ridden a recumbant bike? A lot of people with back problems report being able to ride them with no pain or discomfort. Maybe you could find someone (or a shop) in your area and take a test ride? (they're really expensive to buy new, but they have used ones for sale and there are even directions on how to make your own).

Last year my friend made a three wheeled version which was really fun to ride (and he could take passengers which was cool).

I've seen battery operated go peds before too. Unfortunately a friend brought one out one year and it died, not sure if it was "playa related" or just bad luck.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:54 am

I've got a California Goped or one like the aa10x S25 shown here:
http://www.davesmotors.com/store/gopeds.html (Not an endorsement, just used for illustration purposes)

The Jack Rabbit Speaks last year prior to the event had an entry about "muffle thy scooter" that had links to a website or two and I've spent a LOT of time working on various solutions to the noise problem before that article appeared. Getting right to it the first thing you can do is buy the $6 plug that goes in the back exhaust "pipe" or the outlet that's part of the frame. This helped knock down quite a bit of the noise but the air intake becomes the next noisemaker to take on. I'm not where I can get to my archived links but there's a site that has a cheap Rubbermaid plastic container air intake design that should help if you want to take the next step.

Later tonight I'll try and post the links I have on this and dig up some more info...being honest you won't quiet it down to satisfy everyone so you may end up using the plug and saying that's enough.

One more thing about the exhaust plug...it seems like it would really restrict the power output but the drop is not nearly as bad as I expected.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:59 am

Thnx chaiperson. Recumbent bike would prolly not hurt so much, but would be hard to get a recumbent bike to the BM with a rented Ford Focus. Anyway I already got the scooter. I did see some info on putting a tupperware container over the air intake etc, but now I can't find it. I'm pretty sure I can be least intrusive with it by modifying it as much as possible, and using it only in the wide open spaces to get to art installations, and carrying it under my arm everywhere else.
-posted before i saw your reply kinetix thnx-

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:24 am

I've spent hours and hours on this, I have both an electric scooter and the GoPed and I've tried both on the playa. Each has quirks that irritate me but the Goped for all it's noise seems to work best.

I stand up when riding mine but if you put your seat on and ride it that way it changes how the Dept of Mutant Vehicles views it...it technically becomes an art car and is subject to those arcane rules. But since your back is hurt you should be able to get an exception....the DMV links off the main site go into that so I won't do it here.

One other thing you can do to get around the scooter irritation factor is decorate it. It also makes it less likely to be "borrowed" too but if you read through the various scooter threads on the eplaya one gripe that comes up after noise and dust is the lack of decoration. I know...I'm on a sopabox here and you've got other worries but I wanted to say something about decorating it so they draw more oohs and ahhs vs. boos.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:43 am

Thnx Kinetixzzperson
I'll go as Death this year, I mean that's everyone's future isn't it? And the picture of Death on a scooter seems rather appropriate for the Future theme. Haven't figured out the details yet but, hey! sometimes anticipation is the greater part of an event!
I've read everything 'bout pro's and con's on the forums. I'm searching now for that six buck muffler part and the intake mods.
I don't need a seat, funny how it works but I can do most stuff, stand, run, hang glide, but bouncing around on my bike in 04' put me in the hospital and off work for 2 months with spondylolisthesis.
This year will be great fun!

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:59 am

http://www.davesmotors.com/store/product349.html
The Go-Snuffer Silencer.

The RubberMaid Air Intake Silencer: (Scroll way down)
http://www.landsurfing.com/faqpm.html

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:35 pm

I hate the noise, and if I may make a suggestion in addition to muffling: Turn it off. I can't tell you how many times Louise and I were enjoying peacefully communing with some art piece out on the playa and a jerkoff on a goped came cracking and popping up, got off, left it running, and walked around admiring the art while his jerkoff goped blasted us with noise in the formerly quiet space.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:17 pm

if I may make a suggestion in addition to muffling: Turn it off

Depending on where the scooter was operated and tuned for prior to bringing it to the playa they can be kinda quirky to start. That might explain why some people leave it running.

If I'm approaching art, people, etc where I want to stop for more than a few seconds I shut it off and walk it in. I also walk it away from people when I start it...it's a matter of respecting people's space and not having them breathe the startup exhaust, IMHO. Plus it usually revs up on the start which can startle people.

One other thing....I strongly encourage anyone using one to bring extra filters. The Monday dust storms choked my filters quickly. I had spares I could swap out while the others were being cleaned.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:46 pm

Thanks so much for your help there Mr. K.
I will try my best not to be a jerkoff LOL.
I am ready for the challenge!