Well, all of your comments were very helpful. I'll see if I can make a short video for better perspective. Of the three cables, none of the colors match, which is why I was thinking there is something else missing.
For the record, yes, I know who did it. No, the cops were not called - my daughters choice - as it is someone well known to her. Yes, if it had been 20 years ago, they wouldn't have found the body, and not just for the damage done to the bike, but for a lot of other crap.
However, I'm a grandfather with Diabetes and Parkinson's Disease, which means I am better at shaking a finger at someone than wielding a baseball bat.
More to come...
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
So, without boring you all with details, an individual has sabotaged my daughters machine. Basically, he reached in and ripped out all the fuel lines, the vacuum lines, much of the wiring and few parts.
I replaced the vacuum and fuel lines to the best of my ability by looking at pictures here and on Google. I purchased a starter solenoid, too, since that was one of the parts that was ripped out.
Here's my issue: I am not sure if there is anything else missing. There is no wiring that matches the ones coming off the solenoid, and there are two other sets of wires that don't seem to match up to anything else. I am thinking there is another part missing. Or two, maybe.
I'm trying to get hold of someone local that has a scooter so I can do a visual comparison, but if anyone here can help, it would be appreciated.
Here are some pictures:
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
Post by stefanelli on Sept 12, 2014 15:00:13 GMT -6
Well, ended up having to take the muffler to a shop and have it welded. All the cold-weld products I tried failed miserably. As far as the melting wire problem, I ended up extending all the wires a foot or so and routed the away from the exhaust system. Now, to tackle a stalling problem. I start it up, runs fine. When it warms up, it stalls a couple times. When it warms up all the way, it runs fine. More of an annoyance at this point. Just glad the thing is running.
New pic:
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
Post by stefanelli on Aug 15, 2014 11:35:40 GMT -6
So, apparently my wife and I as combined riders are pretty close to the weight limit. I'm a fairly large dude. So this puts the wires down close to the muffler, and they melted again. So, I rewired and this time I added some cable management and crafty zip tieing to keep the wires off the muffler:
Now, as you can imagine, and as most of you have predicted, the JB weld didn't hold. The muffler tape is helping a lot, though. However, there is still a tremendous amount of heat coming off where the break is, causing it to melt the engine cover:
So, anyhow, it is running rough:
And this is what my voltage reads at idle, before I ride. After I ride, it sits significantly higher. Almost 14:
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
From my experience you will be replacing that JB Weld in a couple months. It doesn't seem to like the exhaust gas. So keep an eye or ear on it. Actually most motorcycles us the same charging system as these scooters. Few have separate generators/alternators.
I'll definitely keep an ear/eye out for it. When it goes, it goes. I'll not be replacing it with the same OEM muffler, though. Probably go with the flex pipe/canister and hack off the bushings to keep the integrity of the frame. The break was in a bad spot, as the hot exhaust gasses began to melt the fiberglass body. Have to keep an eye/nose out for that one, too...
You know, for a machine with less than 700 miles on it, this thing is keeping me and my wallet jumping...
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
I'll not be replacing it with the same OEM muffler, though. Probably go with the flex pipe/canister and hack off the bushings to keep the integrity of the frame. The break was in a bad spot, as the hot exhaust gasses began to melt the fiberglass body. Have to keep an eye/nose out for that one, too...
Last Edit: Aug 15, 2014 7:14:10 GMT -6 by stefanelli
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
Post by stefanelli on Aug 14, 2014 12:11:42 GMT -6
Well, all I can say is, "Damn... JB Weld is freaking strong."
I decided there's no point in buying another muffler from the same manufacturer, as I'd end up buying a new one frequently. However, the integrated mounting included bushings that I didn't feel like hacking off, then figuring out how to mount an after market canister.
So, I JB Welded the sucker, using the old-school version that sets over night. Then I wrapped it with high-end muffler tape. Aside from it smoking like a barbeque grill (the oils in the muffler tape - normal) it's holding strong.
Now, I have to readjust the carb, which is no biggie.
Here's something I didn't know, having ridden motorcycles for the last four decades but never a scooter; that apparently there is no alternator, so when the battery died, I figured out what that charger was for.
We're up and running, again!
Thank you for all your advice. You guys rock!
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
Post by stefanelli on Aug 10, 2014 11:18:31 GMT -6
Aside from the obvious, the muffler is in excellent condition. The trike has only 650 miles on it. I am considering a custom exhaust at this point, using the engine pipe and ball socket unit, then attaching a cannister muffler.
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
After inspecting all the mounting points, I think one of the bolts may have been loose, as all the points are on the engine compartment area. Alleyoop suggested (among other things) to have the muffler welded, and since it is basically new, I might try and have that done, then remount it and make sure everything is snug and lined up correctly.
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
Alleyoop, the muffler will cost $75.00 plus shipping to replace, which in the grand scheme of things is not really that much. However, getting another muffler will likely end up having to, well, get yet another muffler. I think I will try your second suggestion, if I can find a decent welder here in town. Other than it being broken in half, it's basically a new unit.
I checked the mounts, and they all appear to be on the bottom part of the frame, so perhaps one of the mounts was loose? I'll keep everyone posted.
Thanks for the advice. Much obliged.
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
This is my latest. It's called a Trinacria. It is my family's symbol, which we brought to Sicily when we conquered it around 1060 AD. It has been incorporated in the Sicilian flag, and I am very proud of it. This image doesn't do the coloring justice. The blue around the snake, etc.
2010 AutoMoto 150 | 1979 Mercedes Benz 250 E-Klass
