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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 13, 2016 19:15:22 GMT -6
Wow, that is a little sad that only 26 of us have shown the love and shown where we live. Hey, it's not like you have to put the pin at the end of your driveway like lanternscooter. Just pick somewhere close to where you live (e.g. somewhere in the county). As I was reviewing the map I was reminded of this amazing event that is coming to the US of A and this "thing" is going to make it's way right through the center of the country. It'll start up in Oregon and run thru Idaho and Wyoming, before moving on into Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally South Carolina. I don't know about any of you other old farts like me, but in my nearly 60 years of living on this planet, I have never witnessed a TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. I've seen a few parials, but the difference between a 99% eclipse and a total eclipse is like the difference between smelling some good food and eating some good food. At least that's what I've heard and read. Just got me to thinking about how this event will bring LOTS of people together along a thin line running across the country. My plans right now are to be in St. Joseph, MO for the weekend prior and then for that Monday, August 21st, 2017 when at 1:06 PM CDT the sun will disappear completely, the temperature will drop 15-20 degrees, the stars will come out, the sun's corona will be visible by the naked eye. I've heard that it's pretty much akin to a powerful religious experience and many folks even cry or shed a tear during the totality phase. Anyway... was just checking out the map and remembering another map, which I'm providing here, that shows the path of totality across the center of the US of A and it got me to thinking... Hmmmm...  |
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 13, 2016 18:56:48 GMT -6
I got all the parts connected and got some connectors to wire/plug things together. I even created a little toggle switch that I was going to use to turn on the lights, so they wouldn't be on all the time and thus cause undue drain on my battery.
It doesn't appear that I'm getting enough voltage and current, because the light is rather dim and the brightness waivers a bit. The electricity for the lights and instrument panel don't come directly from the battery, do they?
I was thinking that I probably need a better battery than the stock one AND I was thinking I might get a bit more wattage by running straight off the battery with some fusing.
So this LED light you got helped with your night lighting needs? My scooter sounds equally as dim as yours with it's factory headlights. To insure proper lighting for safety and peace of mind would be well worth the $60. If this Xenon HID thing don't work out, then I may just have to look into this LED that you speak of. Is it a kit or just a bulb?
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 13, 2016 18:33:23 GMT -6
Dang... that New York shop has the magnetic drain bolt set for the GY6 for only $15.49 (a MUST have for anyone with a GY6 scooter). I paid $24.95 from Amazon for mine. Bookmarking that site.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 13, 2016 18:29:05 GMT -6
What?!?! What is this TOOL you're talking about? Here I was going to tell the young laddie how easy it is to make the valve adjustments using the videos and/or PDF files walking you thru the process, but now you tell me I'll have to reset it or do it again... and again... and again?
I'm not that cheap, but that took doesn't look like much for $32. Hey, if it does the job quicker and easier and prevents me from having to reset or re-adjust, then I'll order one right now.
Is there a video out there that shows me how to use "the tool?"
Now I kind of feel like a tool.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 13, 2016 18:14:00 GMT -6
I wonder how long it'll last. I'm not sure of the brand or model of scooter that you have, but mine is a Tao Tao Powermax 150 and I damaged the side mountings for my muffler with a little "lay down accident" I had awhile back. The mounting bolts disappeared and I did lose my muffler, but it was downtown in light traffic and I was able to grab it, call the little woman and have her come pick it up to take it home.
A piece of wire coat hanger in place of the mounting bolts, but somewhere along the way the flanged portion of the muffler where it connects to the underside of the engine got a big crack that made it sound like I didn't even have a muffler on it. I got a new replacement muffler assembly for $65 from ScappyDogScooters and it's on there now nice and snug with just the right bit of play needed to keep it all together.
I got new studs, those cone nuts, and a new pressure gasket for a fresh new mounting. My scooter just makes a nice soft purring sound now.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 13, 2016 18:00:43 GMT -6
That IS awesome news. I know exactly where they're located and it's maybe 3 miles from where I live. I'll definitely be spreading the word and hopefully bringing them in some new business. I'll have to stop by their place tomorrow and say HEY!
Wow, I was going to mention something about my little town up north, but I didn't think you'd be expanding that far north. Silly Me, eh? (Thus the name...) In looking at the photo there and that long line-up of scooters I'd have to say, "Dang you move fast."
Do they have anything 200cc or bigger? I'm about ready to get me a second scoot and would like at least a 200cc.
Thanks for all you're doing. It'll be nice having some folks here locally.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 5, 2016 20:52:49 GMT -6
Has anyone installed a HID Xenon Conversion Kit? My headlight on my TaoTao Powermax 150cc wasn't very bright at all. I wouldn't trust it on an unlit road. At first I looked and read about options for getting a higher wattage bulb, which was only good for melting the plastic housing. Then I looked at a Blue Halogen bulb (ordered one of those, too) before deciding on taking a $30 shot with this HID Xenon Conversion Kit from Scrappy Dog Scooters. Here's their verbiage on it:
HID conversion kit for H4 style headlight sockets. This also fits B35 sockets most commonly found on Handsome Boy scooters like the VIP and others. These HID kits are super bright, use less energy, run cooler, and last so much longer. Be seen, and see!
These are not the cheap *ss DC based kits found elsewhere that flicker and burn out. There are the top quality AC ballasts. Has HID low beam and Halogen high beam bulb all in one unit. Plug and play! 35w with 5k daylight color temp.
These look to come with the ballast and whatever else is needed to make these work at the same voltage and wattage as my current headlight. I may want to get a higher quality battery.
Has anyone had any luck with one of these kits? I'll post photos and results of my own adventure into the world of XENON and HID lighting. |
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Post by sillylittleboy on Oct 5, 2016 20:27:40 GMT -6
Excellent article and for me it sounds like a well designed and administered roadmap for success for both the young dealer and Flagship Powersports. I think it was Tony Robbins who said something like, "By helping others to grow and be successful will bring more growth and success back to you."
This program really sounds like a WIN-WIN situation or might I say a WIN-WIN-WIN. A win for the young new business men and women you help get started right. A win for you and your team with the joy and satisfaction of helping others, which helps yourself and both parties make money. And finally a win for the rider, the buyer, the community that now has place in town where you can go see, feel, and test ride that scooter, ATV, or other powersports product that was previously only available via far-off mail order companies where you'd have to purchase sight-unseen and hope you could service it yourself.
I know for me and my local area in Des Moines, Iowa the one lone dealer that sold powersports products (something other than Harley Davidson - we've got one or two of those) in Des Moines is just about gone. I would love it if we had a local scooter dealership / service center where I could enjoy real hands-on shopping for scooters, etc. A place where I could stop in and find a lot of the parts I need in stock. A place with a knowledgeable and (dare I say it) a caring staff?
I hear a number of folks lamenting the fact that gas prices just haven't been real high or at least not high enough to drive scooter sales, but I beg to disagree. I didn't buy my scooter to save me money on gas commuting to work. That's one of the advantages to owning and operating a scooter, but I've always wanted one because I just thought they were... COOL. Okay, maybe I'm a freak like that, but I think the right dealer with the right resources and mentoring (like this program) could be the catalyst the attracts customers and drives scooter sales. If driving home each night folks had to pass by this cool Scooter Dealership with a bunch of shiny scooters all lined up outside, I bet it wouldn't be too long before a good percentage of them would stop in to check them out. And once you've got them in the door, then it won't take much to talk someone into making a small investment with big rewards.
I didn't buy a scooter to save me money on my commute or to reduce my monthly gasoline costs, but whenever someone sees me filling my tank for less than $3 and ask me about gas mileage, I tell them that $3 worth of gas will get me back and forth to work for the week. Eyes widen, smiles broaden, and minds wander, but there's just no place for them to go shopping for their own.
But if there were? Who knows... EXCELLENT program that I hope and believe will bring success to all. The Best of Luck.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 10, 2016 20:31:06 GMT -6
I've found the same issue at certain stations... <---- Chosen as the best answer!I'm surprised no one else, except for ucwt, has had this same issue. I took my scooter to a different convenience store (we don't really have "gas stations" any longer, do we?) to see if there was any difference at the fuel pump with the fluid pressure or gas pumps volume/"time frame."
BOY WAS THERE! The place closest to me where I always shop for my conveniences, you cannot get it to pump slow enough, light enough, or any enough to prevent the fuel from splashing up and out of my scooter's gas tank. I went down the road a bit further to another convenience store that is owned and managed by a large grocery store company, shares that grocery store's name, and is located right in front of one of those large mother-ship-grocery stores that keep it supplied and protected. What's up with that?
ANYWAY... I filled up there and it was like night and day. At this store the pump was very easy to manage and allowed me to pretty much fill it to the rim with Brimm, Finn.
And... Now You Know or at least I do. Thanks! |
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 10, 2016 20:11:39 GMT -6
Hey, everyone has zero mechanical skills or abilities at one time. And that old adage that says, "You're never too old..." isn't just for bumper stickers and t-shirts. I had zero to very limited mechanical/fix-it skills well into my 30's. I'd never even changed my own oil or brake pads (disk brakes are super simple), but now there's nothing I haven't done short of rebuilding and installing a new engine and I think I could do that if I had the right tools, cause I know there's a YouTube video out there that'll walk me through it.
As long as you're not relying on that scooter to be your primary form of transportation (translation: it won't hurt your lifestyle if the scooter sits inoperable for a few weeks or months), then this might be the perfect place AND time to "get mechanical." Between the internet and YouTube there are enough "How To" and "How Not To" do tutorials on everything from underwater basket weaving to ion space drives.
Hey, it's a 2008 and no matter how well built, it's going to need some PM (preventative maintenance) and periodic repairs. I'm just saying, but what do I know...
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 7, 2016 20:19:19 GMT -6
Yes, Welcome one and all. I'm just a newbie myself who bought his first Chinese scooter. So I figured it might be good to seek the counsel and knowledge base of those who came before me.
The library here contains a BUNCH of great stuff that cover nearly every system and every issue.
Looking forward to hearing any other new folks experiences, especially with these Chinese scooters.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 7, 2016 20:13:41 GMT -6
Excellent idea making it a part of my regular scheduled maintenance AND a part of the PM with the shortest cycle. Thanks! I've already changed the oil twice (before first start and at 100 miles) and fast approaching my third oil change at 1000 miles.
So in spite of there not being any photos or diagrams showing how the exhaust hooks up, I've figured it out. Not that it was Rocket Surgery or anything. Just waiting on the bolts and nuts I ordered, which were supposed to have been delivered on Saturday but got delayed.
They'll be here tomorrow! Woo Hooo!
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 4, 2016 21:09:22 GMT -6
I posted this on another thread, but felt this is where it belonged, so forgive me for repeating myself.
My exhaust appears to have been through a really tough time. I don't know if it was due to my accident, aggravated by my accident, or just me missing putting locktite on the exhaust mounting bolts/nuts. The side mounting bolt that attaches to a bracket in the middle of the thin pipe portion of the exhaust assembly and then bolts to the side of the scooter - GONE!
The mounting bracket at the back of the assembly (muffler portion) snapped off and the rest I've deduced, because I can't find any documentation, photos, diagrams, of any kind that shows me what is occurring on the underside of the engine where the exhaust attaches.
From what I can tell by feeling around under there AND from looking at replacement parts, I think there are two long bolts (no head on them) on the underside that screw into the head on one end and then run through the intake manifold and are secured using these weird long nuts of sorts (see photo). It looks like I lost one of those weird nuts, so it's rather loose where the exhaust attaches to the engine. Does this mean I probably lost the manifold gasket?
What's the difference between an "exhaust stud" and an "intake manifold retaining stud?" In the pictures the two parts look identical and their usage appears to be the same. I figured I'd order the studs and nuts just in case either of my studs are stripped, although they appear to be solidly mounted to the head, but just missing one nut.
There's a part of me thinking, "Hmmm... this might be a good time to update that weak link of the factory parts and do a performance upgrade of the exhaust. Any suggestions on a good performance upgrade for the exhaust AND does it really give you more... argh... argh... POWER? My weak attempt at a Tim "the tool man" Taylor impression.
I think I've got this all figured out, but wanted to run it by the esteemed panel here. Really wild that I lost one long bolt and a long nut that just loosened themselves up and came off. My accident may have started them down that loose path to fly-off disappearance, but I guess my new mantra is LOCTITE EVERYWHERE!
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 4, 2016 20:19:40 GMT -6
Oh... and thanks for the excellent tips on the valve adjustment. I'll be getting to it once my exhaust issue is resolved.
I'm definitely with you, rks on making sure at TDC on the compression stroke (and that it stays there) before adjusting. I'm hoping my engine has the little opening with the markings AND has the two lines that I can just line up parallel with the sides of the valve housing.
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Post by sillylittleboy on Aug 4, 2016 20:15:50 GMT -6
Well, I got a bit side-tracked and didn't quite get around to doing the valve adjustment, but it turned out to be a good night for me and my scooter... sort of...
I first got a bit side-tracked watching and reading some great HOW TO threads. The one on how to fix/weld plastic body parts using zip ties as plastic fill-in = AWESOME! Had to watch and read a few of the valve adjustment videos and PDF's. After that I headed outside to take a look.
I'd previously stripped the scoot of all of it's plastic, so that I could reach areas needing attention (front triple-tree and bearings) and replace a couple body panels that had been severely cracked or shattered. I noticed that I still had one more part to put back on my scooter - the front fender.
Everything appears to be working like new again with the exception being that the speedometer isn't working at all. When I went to put the speedometer gear/reader (thingyh) (part attached on front axle to right side of front wheel with a cable that runs up to the gauge on the instrument panel) I wasn't getting ANY signal or reading on the speedometer from the front wheel, because of an adapter ring that links that "thingy" with the front wheel came up missing. I looked at every parts website for JUST that part and could not find it anywhere (surprising), except for WITH that whole front wheel assembly, which I found for as low as like $10-$15. I hadn't ordered that part yet, because... well, it's not like the speedometer was a real valuable tool at my disposal, because it was NOT EVEN CLOSE with the readings it was giving me (fix for that coming soon).
Well... after I re-installed the front fender I looked down on the ground and there it was... the adapter part I needed for the speedo. Woo Hoo! I'm going to modify the display panel on the speedometer gauge to match ACTUAL speed measured via side-by-side road driving with a vehicle that has an accurate speedometer.
Ah... but there's just ONE more little thing that just wasn't quite right with the engine. That's why I thought I'd do this valve adjustment. Not because it would fix it, but because it'll eliminate that as being a cause of something that is the cause of this issue. Yesterday after I rode home from work and pulled into my parking lot, the engine all of a sudden got pretty loud with much sharper sounding pops. I started up the engine and tried to listen to it to determine the source or general area from whence came the loudness.
I suppose if I'd put in a little common sense deducement, then the blatantly obvious answer would be the correct one - muffler/exhaust assembly not seated properly.
My muffler/exhaust had come loose from the mounting bracket and bolt (note to self: buy a gallon of locktite and apply generously to every circular object with helical windings around it.) It appears that a side mounting bolt is just... gone. It's where a bracket piece (part of the thin pipe portion of the exhaust) would attach to the side of the scooter and it's about half-way along that thin pipe portion of the exhaust assembly. And then in the back the muffler part of the assembly mounts to a bracket that appears to have broken or snapped.
It was a rather productive evening for me and my scooter. While I do have an issue needing resolved, at least I know what is the problem and I know what will be the solution. Now I just have to figure out how to get from A (problem) to B (solution).
I will post this in a more technical board/thread to try and learn what went wrong and "what the heck" is actually happening on the under-side of that engine, where the exhaust connects?
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