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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 19, 2011 11:35:59 GMT -6
I don't know. How many people run their tires underinflated at speed and then complain when the tire blisters. This is the problem with this new generation of riders. They think motorcycles are cars. Just stick the key in the ignition and ride. My OEM Dunlops on my KZ1000st went 19,000 on the rear and 36,000 miles on the front. Try that these days on these crappy gumballs they're selling. My wife's Rebel just needed a new rear tire at 5,700. Tires are softer and stickier these days to keep clowns from falling down. Give me back my hard tires so I can spend less and run farther. 20 years ago, it seems tires were rock-hard and lasted forever. I wasn't one to push the envelope, so that was fine. I had a Honda 4-cylinder 500 cc in the eighties, and the Bridgestone tires were SO hard that they still looked new and crack-free after 40K miles! In all honesty however, they had SO little traction that you had to treat dry pavement like wet pavement... LOL... and wet roads were like "black ice". I could break the rear tire loose by just goosing the throttle, and could easily lock up both wheels with the slightest application of the brakes. I also had a Chevy on which I put a set of NTW "store brand" 60 series tires. They too were SO hard that unintential "drifting" was the order of the day. I drove them over 90K miles, then, gave them and the mag wheels they were on to my son-in-law. He put them on a truck and drove them another 50K miles! They still had plenty of tread, but were finally starting to crack. Those tires must have been made of rubber related to early bowling balls! They had zero traction, but whew, DID THEY LAST!!! They'd outlast many cars of the era! New scooters and cycles seem to have soft, sticky tires with a lot of smooth tread area, and stick to the road like glue. Great for riding, but they don't last like the old rubber "bricks". Check 'em often and ride safe! Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on May 30, 2011 12:51:13 GMT -6
Earthman,
You're absolutely right about the war of confused understandings. A lot of good took place there, but you don't usually see it publicized.
No need to worry about needing to be a giant to ride these... LOL! I assume this bad boy is based on a "Boss Hoss" Chevy-powered ride. Last year, I was riding my lowly scoot and ran into a middle-aged couple on a pair of Boss Hoss two-wheelers. The guy was pretty good sized, BUT his petite Wife was about five-feet tall, and a shapely 90 pounds... Her ride sported not only a 502 Chevy V8, but it had nitrous...
She looked just fine on board the monster-beast, and had no trouble riding it with a vengeance... Can you say "zero to sixty in one second?" I thought you could... LOL!
There's just something "interesting" about a bike powered by a 502 cid, 502 hp V8... I think the word is "EXPENSIVE". And "LOUD"! OOPS... Forgot "COOL".
5 hp or 500... It's all good!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 26, 2011 1:36:24 GMT -6
Hmmm...
I guess I must be the one in a hundred scooter-jockeys with the right proportions to actually fit these things... LOL! I'm 6' 2" but have short legs, and long arms. Must have an orangutan somewhere back in the family tree...
Anyway, these scoots (generic "Eagle" Sunl, Roketa, Jonway, tank, etc.) seem to have been designed with me in mind. The seat height, handlebar position, levers, floorboard, and the whole enchalada suits me fine. First time I got on-board, I was a happy camper and haven't changed my mind after 3 years of riding my little Xingyue 150.
Hmmm... Just how DO those swell little Asian guys and gals at around five feet and a hundred pounds reach the ground and the handlebars, anyway? They DESIGNED the doggone things...
Last night, the weather was perfect, and I just headed south on a 50 mph 4-lane surface street. 75 happy miles later, most at WOT I was short on gas, and had to get back home to work. That's the longest non-stop cruise I've done on the scooter, and find it's not much different to me than riding on my old Harley was. Except of course, that "Lil' Bubba" is wound up to around 9 grand at 55 mph, and the old chopper was loafing at about 1,800 rpm at 85 mph with half the throttle left... LOL!
If had longer legs, shorter arms, or other more "normal" features I'd probably want to change something too... But for me, the generic scoots are fine. And they ride a WHOLE lot better than a hard-tail Harley... LOL!
Heck, I even find the seats comfortable... Maybe I'm just too easy to please...
Ride long, and ride safe!
Leo in Texas
PS: My Wife is short, small, and truly hates the whole layout of these... She is more the Honda Interstate type. Too bad the budget is still Chinese 150... Cheesh, some folks would bitch if you hung 'em with a new rope! She's a keeper though.
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Scooter Saga
by: oldchopperguy - Feb 8, 2011 11:56:30 GMT -6
Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 8, 2011 11:56:30 GMT -6
Well, I really DO understand. I think the Chinese workers put evil spirits in the scoots at the factory... sorta standard-equipment... LOL! I think we need an exorcist at the point of entry, before these gremlins get in the hands of us riders...
As "Red Green" says: "We're pullin' fer' ya... We're all in this together..."
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 29, 2011 23:08:32 GMT -6
Whew, I've seen this one before... WILD!
It DOES give viewers an idea of the kind of performance "crotch-rockets" have though. One of the craziest things I've done in years was trade my scoot with a 17-year-old fellow's modded rocket one night last summer.
I was gassing up, and the guy liked my scoot, and asked if I'd like to trade and go for a ride... OH YEAH... Like I'd turn THAT offer down... His bike was a big cc Honda (I'm not even sure of the model) with the handlebars down somewhere around the front axle... LOL! and the seat up in the air. He later told me it had been punched out to over 2,000 cc. It also had NITROUS...
Before we went off down the road, he made sure to explain how to get the most enjoyment out of the Honda... he said give it about 10-grand on the tack, dump the clutch and when the tire bites, hit the nitrous...
He was NOT kidding... You know what they say: "ride it like ya' stole it".
The road was empty, and after a couple of practice starts, my stupidity overcame my common sense. OH YEAH!!! Can you say 0 to 60 in 1 second, in first gear? Knuckles white, hanging on and 4 gears banged in 6 seconds... The clock showed 170 mph and still two gears to go. THAT was enough.
Doggone thing had BRAKES to equal the acceleration, too... Coming to a stoplight, I did a magnificent (though unplanned) "stoppie". The owner was duly impressed at such prowess from a 64-year-old biker... HeHeHe...
Minutes later, I heard the poot-poot-poot of my "Lil' Bubba approaching. We went back to the gas station and shared a greasy sausage. He asked how I liked the bored and stroked bottle-baby Honda? "MIGHTY SPEEDY" I replied! I asked how he liked the scooter... He said it was swell, but "kinda slow"... LOL!
I told him it only had 9 horsepower. He thought it over and said it wasn't bad considering that. I asked him about the engine in the Honda... He related it had "about 250 hp and around 450 to 500 with the nitrous on"... I believe him... I BELIEVE HIM!
There IS a definite appeal to those crotch-rockets. But the seating position hurts my back... And the insurance premiums hurt my wallet.
Ride safe... at least safer than our Ruskie friend!
Enjoy that screaming 9 hp...
Leo in Texas
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car wash
by: oldchopperguy - Jan 5, 2011 9:13:24 GMT -6
Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 5, 2011 9:13:24 GMT -6
I've been washing my Xingyue 150 at the local spray car-wash now for three years with no problems. As mentioned though, I'm careful just WHERE, and how hard I spray... LOL!
I keep the high-pressure spray away from the electric parts as much as possible, and I leave the scooter running while I wash it (a habit I developed fifty years ago while washing Harleys and Brit bikes with that awful cloth-insulated wiring... LOL!). The first time I discovered the then-revolutionary spray-washes, I cleaned my BSA 650, only to have it refuse to start after the bath.
That old rat had to sit in the sun three hours before it would fire up! Since then, I've left the engine running during washing and have never had a problem since.
The spray wash is great for removing that salt, as well as road-grime and oil, belt powder and brake residue from wheels, CVT cases, engine blocks, etc.
I never blast directly into the cooling fan, or the dash/instruments where open electrics may reside. I have had no trouble in three years, and have been happily surprised that the idling engine never has even "burped" during the wash process.
I also enjoy the ability to "hot-wax" the thing before final rinse... A good wipe-down with one of the big paper towels then makes the little scoot shine like factory-new. Even the rubber parts and seat get a fresh appearance.
I've been washing my bikes at the spray-wash now for over a half-century with no problems, but I advise common sense as to just where you blast hard to remove real filth, and go easy around sensitive places.
Hope this helps...
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 4, 2011 9:41:12 GMT -6
VERY COOL!!!
I've ALWAYS loved the cosmetics of these 50cc scoots. NOW, you've made it a LOT easier to have 150 performance, and, with the fat tire setup, improve the look even more!
I have a feeling you may be getting a lot of business from Europe... Pix of this fat-tire 150 setup should end up posted on road-houses and cafes all over the continent. It's a "hooligan-scoot" rider's fantasy come true! I'll bet those hooligan jockeys are saving up their Euros already!
It would be good if you could post approximate total costs for the various setups too. Lots of dawgs will want to know how much they'll have to sneak out of the Missus' grocery budget! LOL!
This setup gets my vote for "Coolest Scooter Toy of the Year"!
I won't be surprised if some savvy manufacturer starts offering a factory scoot set up similar to this for hot-rodders out there!
Ride safe, and ride FAST on one of these!
Leo in Texas
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Gasp!
by: oldchopperguy - Dec 28, 2010 19:39:53 GMT -6
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 28, 2010 19:39:53 GMT -6
Hmmm...
Interesting! The 150 engine pushing over 400 pounds DOES seem pretty anemic. Might not be too bad though. My 150 only loses a couple mph with a 200 pound passenger aboard, behind my 250 pound butt... These GY6 150s are "torky" little boogers! And, the 150 traditional trikes also seem to be more or less comparable to two-wheelers in performance when I've ridden with them. However, the "55 mph+" is overly optimistic on 2-wheelers, let alone a heavier trike.
Neat suspension up front though! Probably modded from an ATV design, and the dual disks are classy! Have to agree with the idea of making it a 300 cc...
The variations on the basic 2-wheel 150 platform never seem to end!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 8, 2010 23:41:03 GMT -6
Hey, it's lookin' more and more like a great fifties' ride! I'm thinking "Cushman Eagle" and suddenly notice there's no engine between yer' feet... LOL! Hmmm... Now, a second engine in front of the factory engine would look SO cool!
I know, I'm just full of great ideas... LOL! I wonder just how hard it would be to chain two engines together... front one connected to the rear one with a one-to-one sprocket. The rear engine would have to have a steel boss of some kind fitted to the crank/variator so a sprocket could be attached, then a simple splined sprocket on the front engine. Then, a single intake made up with one larger carb feeding both engines. Leave the starters on both engines connected to that nice big button and a heavier battery... Should function as a 300 cc twin.
It would certainly give the old factory clutch and variator a good workout!
Getting back to reality, I think you're having too much fun... We all should be so blessed!
Have a GREAT holiday and enjoy the ride...
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 5, 2010 13:15:13 GMT -6
Rich,
A whole BUNCH of folks are following your scooter build. It seems you are at the forefront of "adventurous" in-depth fun-builds! I've seen several questions on the other sites asking about the practicality of removing the cooling-fan shroud.
Since you did that on yours a while back, it would be interesting to know if you have experienced any hot-running without the shroud. I suspect there would not be a major problem unless the engine was idled at a stop for extended periods, but... "Enquiring minds want to know..." LOL!
It's dipping down into the thirties here lately, so no overheating problems expected any time soon around here... I don't ride much if the temp is below 50, but it's AMAZING how that cold air perks up the scoot! If it's plenty cold, that dense air is like a supercharger!
Any bike I've had over the last half-century liked cold air, but this little GY6 absolutely LOVES it! The dense air brings with it snappier acceleration, a couple mph higher speed and better gas mileage. All the tuning in the world still won't bring the extra shot of "giddyup" that a good dose of cold air will provide!
Ride safe!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 29, 2010 0:55:12 GMT -6
VERY slick tank! It would probably be a natural for a 3-wheeler, too!
Keep us posted!
Ride safe,
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 31, 2010 21:45:51 GMT -6
Rich,
Interesting you mention hardwood for the manifold spacer. No reason it wouldn't work (it's GOT to be better than the Chinese plastic intakes...) so long as it's REALLY fuel-proofed.
I've been building model aircraft for a half-century and until recently, they were mostly wood, especially the high-stress engine areas, BUT... the wood MUST be completely fuel-proofed. That would hold doubly true for a gasoline intake. Gas attacks porous things worse than the nitro-methane fuel used in model engines. If your exhaust suddenly starts smelling "pine-fresh" it's time to check inside that woody intake!
Once the part was fabricated from wood, I'd suggest several coats of slow-dry epoxy sealing every surface, especially inside and on the gasket surface where it meets the head. If ANY wood is left exposed to the gas, it may turn to "mush" in time. I've heard the same thing about rubber radiator hose extensions. Eventually the rubber will be attacked by the gas. If the natural wood appearance just totally turns you off, paint it black or silver... or "Rich's Racing Red"!
Hardwood might be a little easier to machine than aluminum, but maybe not much... LOL! I've made gun-grips from "king-wood" or "purple-heart" and it tears up machine tools faster than hard aluminum or brass!
With the "Dial-a-Jet" I believe the carbs themselves are not part of the kit, but rather only the pair of "jets" seen protruding into the carb throats. If I recall, you drill into the existing carbs and insert those pieces. This picture simply shows a 2-carb setup. I could be wrong, it's been a long time.
For many mods, I would not be adversed to trying wood, so long as it's protected against gasoline. Heck, wood, leather and other non-metallic parts were used in vehicles with great success for many decades. My buddy rebuilt a 1962 Buick Rivera, and he found several plywood parts in the floor and firewall, as well as leather seals and grommets. Replacement parts (HARD to find...) were identical, with GM part numbers printed on the wood!
In this day of billet and polymer, we tend to forget there ARE other substances that work...
This project is getting INTERESTING!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 28, 2010 22:57:55 GMT -6
Rich,
Oooh, oooh! I think you REALLY have something with those Walbro carbs! They are right in-between the smaller kart carbs of my day, and the huge ones from the big McCullochs. They appear about PERFECT for our 150's. The one thing I really remember about the kart carbs was their nearly infinite adjustment for both idle and high-speed jets! VERY handy!!! They were used on various size engines, and, in multi-carb setups so total adjustment without removing jets was absolutely necessary...
The seller must have info available on how to make them run on a 4-stroke... (hopefully)... unless it's intended only for 2-strokes. Modern racing karts, I believe use 4-strokes exclusively.
That's OK, but I'd miss that pair or trio of big Mac's howling at 20K+ rpm!
You'd have to machine a simple adapter to "bolt" it to the rubber intake, but that shouldn't be too hard. If it's not super-expensive, I'd surely give it a try!
The "Dial-a-Jet" setup has been around for some time. I don't know much about it, but, if that remote float-bowl is available without all the extra plumbing, it also could be well-worth a try! Best wishes on this experiment for sure!!!
Please keep us posted...
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 28, 2010 22:49:09 GMT -6
Well I do ride in the winter but ONLY if the streets are dry 
What a coincedence!! I used to live in texas when I was 4 years old. My Dad was a Foreman at the "YO" ranch! I used to go on roundups with the cowpokes in the summer when I was on summer vacation I was around 10 years old. I also went with them hunting down Wildboar cause they were killing a lot of sheep and goats. I used to carry a 22 rifle(HAHA) not that it would do squat to a Boar. They were mean suckers, we would corral one in the bushes and they would attack the horses so you had better be hanging on(at least me) or you would get thrown off when the horse would rear back on you.
I can also say they have some BIG RATTELRS there. One night we were up north and one of the horses went to drink at the Trough and a HUGE rattler was right next to it and bit him on the side of his head. The horse fell almost right away we got our lanterns and saw where it crawled into and we got it. The Head was as big as a grown mans hand and it was about 4-5 inches in diameter. I had never seen a rattler that big. We hung it from the top of the fence it must have been 5-6 feet long.
Alleyoop Yeah, those rattlers DO get "Texas-size"... I live in a God-forsaken trailer-house, and underneath are a regular population of rattlers, copperheads and cotton-mouths. They are just "there" and don't want to leave, so I leave them alone and they seem happy to reciprocate! Our opposite paths in life really ARE a coincedence! Be careful in those Chicago winters! Ride safe, Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 28, 2010 1:52:40 GMT -6
Rich,
Being an old kart guy from the sixties, I've run a LOT of diaphragm carbs. Most of the kart carbs are too small for these engines, but the bigger McCulloch kart motors did use a VERY large one! Maybe even TOO large! My problem is that I've never run one on a 4-stroke. The 2-strokes use crankcase pulsations to operate the diaphragm.
However, many later Harleys use pumper carbs. You could probably find out how they are activated on a 4-cycle engine, from a shop. I would think however, that one could remove the float bowl assembly from a GY6 carb with a small disk-grinder, then, re-build it and re-locate it and re-plumb it to the carb body. Remote float bowls were not uncommon in the old days.
You might even use a scrap carb to donate the float bowl, then plumb it remotely into the carb on the engine, bypassing the float on that carb. Heck, all they are is a teensy toilet tank... LOL!
I'm still thinking the pumper-carb may be final answer. Wish I had experience with them on 4-cycles. Seems they would have to have the diaphragm working, to prevent fuel just running through the carb. I'd speak with a Harley dealer, or a custom shop. There must be a way...
VERY cool keg tank!!!
Wish I could be of more help. Somebody out there must me expert with pumper-carbs on 4-strokes!
Ride safe,
Leo
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