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Post by new2scootn on Dec 22, 2012 10:07:35 GMT -6
Yup... bummer. Take pics of process though if you can, curious to see what caused failure.
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 20, 2012 0:18:24 GMT -6
And be real careful with those bolts-they're tight and easy to snap(yes Mr. everything's gotta be real tight found this out the hard way!). Oh yeah, and check your intake hose connection at the air box, it looks loose like mine was.
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 18, 2012 0:04:07 GMT -6
Hey Justin, just noticed this thread today-sorry I didn't reply sooner. I agree though, sounds like either something's loose, or a tooth or two is broken off of starter drive/clutch gear. The starter clutch on these puppies is inside the motor case, that's why allyoop is suggesting conventional motor oil. And believe me he knows a thing or two, he's had these or similar types of engines and transmissions torn down to the bone. I sure hope your problem isn't inside the case 'cause that's gonna require a pretty major tear down. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 16, 2012 10:43:35 GMT -6
Thanks for update daddue. Hey when you get the new part can you post some pictures of it before you install it? I am real curious to see what the "new design" or "improvements" are. Oh yeah, do you know the new part number so I can just make it easy for my contact(Carl) to track it down? Thanks again.
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 10, 2012 18:19:25 GMT -6
AMEN to that! ;D
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 10, 2012 13:58:12 GMT -6
Listen to what daddue is sayin' about that engine crossmember being the source of his vibration--that may be your issue too. I would check it out before spending any more on alignments.
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 10, 2012 12:53:03 GMT -6
Holy crap daddue, you're really gettin' pulled through the ringer with Liberty! Thanks for the info on the engine support though, I will definitely be calling Carl at HotRodPocketBikes and pushing to get the new part. Good luck gettin' her fixed up!
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 6, 2012 1:07:40 GMT -6
Hey daddue, any new news on Liberty? You and me are thinkin' the same about a windshield-it's on my Christmas wish list! ;D
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Post by new2scootn on Dec 6, 2012 1:00:56 GMT -6
How'd ya make out with the valve adjustment Justin? She runnin' any better? It's been pretty cold here in Pa so I haven't been ridin' much at all recently.
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Post by new2scootn on Nov 27, 2012 15:35:06 GMT -6
Hey Justin, if you search repair forums you will find that there are other methods to adjust valves that don't require finding top dead center with timing marks.
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Post by new2scootn on Nov 18, 2012 23:08:50 GMT -6
I'd sure have a lot more faith in the fab shop than the dealer where you bought it. But if they've got a new engine support in stock I'd take a look at it and make sure all rubber bushings appear soft and if so might as well buy it if only to have a back up. Your original support might have just been defective(I know, hard to believe). This same kind of set up is used on a lot if not most of the scooters I've checked so if it happens a lot you'd think it would be all over the forums and the internet like a rash. Good luck gettin' her back on the road. On a side note, had my motorcycle out today... felt weird. Haven't ridden the bike for quite a while and sure it's a hell of a lot faster but the RT is... I don't know, more comfortable? Is this thing growin' on me? ;D
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Post by new2scootn on Nov 18, 2012 20:55:34 GMT -6
You made me go down and look at the trike and then go through the pics I took when I removed the engine support! Is this the collar you're talkin' about? It's on the short bolt that goes to the right side upper engine support bushing and bolts through the frame. If so it's supposed to be there. There's another one on the long bolt that goes on the left side and acts as a stand off for the dogbone.
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Post by new2scootn on Nov 18, 2012 9:52:48 GMT -6
Thanks for pics and info daddue!! I'd say that's gotta be the best case scenario for this "break down". So just to be clear, you are talking about the right side(as you would sit on the trike), meaning the side opposite what I call the "dogbone" support. If so that's interesting... wonder if she needs a dogbone on the other side. The way you say she was riding so much better other than squishy in the turns right before she let go is also interesting... like she needs a little more dampening back there. I would let the fab shop know all of this 'cause if they put a bearing in there it might make things too rigid. I'm thinkin' maybe urethane bushings and stainless sleeve. Real curious to see what they come up with. Oh yeah, check the weld on that dogbone--mine is just barely adequate so maybe take that in too to have them weld it up better if needed. Thanks again for info and pics and good luck!
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Post by new2scootn on Nov 14, 2012 0:54:54 GMT -6
One additional note: bought mine from Hotrodpocketbikes and Carl has been great and he has an A rating in the Better Business Bureau. Whoever you buy it from though has to go through Sunny Powersports to order the trike and for any subsequent issues. Although I haven't had any issue with Sunny, just about everything I've read about their customer service is bad. Hope this was helpful!
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Post by new2scootn on Nov 14, 2012 0:42:18 GMT -6
Almost forgot, welcome to the forum claritysailing!!! ;D I've been ridin' motorcycles for over 25 years and yes this trike does countersteer like a motorcycle... but it does NOT handle the same. I mean if you just jumped on the thing with no previous experience(riding a tilting RT) other than ridin' motorcycles you could ride it but here's the note of caution: on a motorcycle the only thing limiting your lean in a turn is your nerve, your footpegs, or your knee. This thing has a limit of 40 degrees or something like that and when it arrives at this mechanical limit, if you're in the middle of a high speed tight turn... well let's just say there could be trouble. The first time you experience this limit in a turn it's very unnerving... especially if where you're turning has opposing traffic. Picture this('cause I lived it!)... you're cruising along a let's say 45 mph and you begin to negotiate a fairly sharp right turn. So you instinctively begin the turn by countersteering to the left and the trike starts leanin' over. Hey, this turn IS kinda tight so you instinctively countersteer more aggressively to tighten up your turn and... wth?... you hit that lean limit but you need more lean to make this turn. So guess what you now instinctively do? Turn harder to the RIGHT 'cause your brain says we're turnin' right and we need more turn action. This of course is the WORST(and scariest) thing you can do midway in a turn because the effect is to pick the trike up out of the lean, INCREASE your turning radius(remember the oncoming traffic?), and if you're not carefull throw your lean(and you) in the opposite direction. NOT fun. But just like my cruiser bike has it's limits leaning,(the scrapes on the chrome footpegs will attest to that!) once you learn these limits from practice you quickly realize what your maximum safe speed will be in any particular turn. So yes, it does handle a lot like a motorcycle(which is why it appeals to me more than something like a Can-Am that doesn't tilt) but it's unique enough that you really need to practice a bit on back roads or a parking lot to get comfortable and safe before joining the cagers. Oh yeah, low speed hard turns are kinda different too. You need to lean your body into the turn a bit more to get the trike to start to lean over('cause countersteering at real slow speeds just makes you turn the other way) then you're good to go. At high speeds this thing just gets more stable and I've tried steering back and forth right and left while doing 65+ mph just to check her out and she felt real good. I've had mine up to 82 mph(slight downgrade and no wind) and she'll do 60+ all day on level. As for build quality... fair at best. And I would recommend that you do your own PDI to avoid a lot of potential problems and familiarize yourself with where things are and how they work. Bottom line--if you're looking for a trouble free ride this probably ain't it. But if you're mechanically inclined and like tinkerin' there's no other tilting RT close to this price range.
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