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Post by DrRocco on Feb 25, 2014 20:29:23 GMT -6
Totally agree Dippy. I've learned a lot from that dude. I can't wait for the weather to break so he can continue with the "Project TaoTao" series.
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JR
by: DrRocco - Feb 25, 2014 18:21:12 GMT -6
Post by DrRocco on Feb 25, 2014 18:21:12 GMT -6
"I was wrong" is probably the hardest thing in the world to say, and it takes a big man to do it.
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 25, 2014 16:14:52 GMT -6
An interesting story. That hose you have circled in green is not supposed to be attached to anything. It's for future emissions in the exhaust system if it becomes required. That hose has vacuum in it and near the end is a small canister with a one way valve in it. I had it go bad on me and the scooter started to run badly. I plugged the hose with a bolt and have lived happily ever after. Do the same just in case it goes bad on you. That's certainly good to know. I'll be sure to do that. Thanks! |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 25, 2014 15:46:16 GMT -6
Got it all stripped down today. I added more pics in the album I linked to earlier in the thread. s740.photobucket.com/user/DrRocco/library/Scooter%20Pics I took out the carb and got it opened up. I need to swing by Fastenal tomorrow afternoon and get replacements for the screws I drilled out as well as one of the luggage rack bolts. Two successful days in a row. |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 25, 2014 13:37:33 GMT -6
Yeah, cyborg. I got the 150cc. You're a little off on the price though. I was able to get it, shipping included, for $843. You just can't beat that! I declined their goodie bag, which saved me $45. I took advantage of their veteran/military discount for another $15 off. Plus, they give you an additional 3% discount for paying with a cashiers check or money order. It arrived pretty quickly too. I placed the order on the 14th and mailed the check. The check got there on the 18th. UPS called me on Friday the 21st to schedule delivery and it arrived yesterday, the 24th. Here's a link in case you're interested. www.killermotorsports.com/Tao_Tao_50cc_Gas_Scooter_Moped_Tao_Tao_50cc_Gas_p/tt-atm-150a.htm |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 23:31:47 GMT -6
I've watched all his vids on the TaoTao. I found them all to be super informative. Now that I have a Scooter Doc backing them up, I feel even better. His whole series, I think it's like 14 parts, is awesome. I've watched it in sequence at least 4 times. Thanks twowheeler! |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 22:43:05 GMT -6
Man, that's great! Thanks for sharing!
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 22:35:48 GMT -6
You tube...90gtvert...check out his TaoTao video series Ha! That's the link I posted. I take it that it's good then.  |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 22:28:50 GMT -6
drrocco, you said the tao tao will arrive today?,, pls do me a favor, can u pls post here all the problems that you will encounter during your pdi or first ride of the scooter. from unboxing to ridebtest.. thanks im doing a book,,a documentary actually, the title is "the rise and fall of Chinese scooter" malevelina's tranny story alteady included in my book, Kz's broken crank case due to overtightening of bolts is also included in my book/ Madcolie's problem with kickstart as mentioned by kz recentky on another thread./ and so on and so fort.... Just pay attention, LUKE. I plan on sharing the good and bad right here on the forum. I'm hopeful, perhaps bordering on confident, that this bike will do everything I expect of it. Trust me, all of the fine folks in this forum, you included, will be the first to know if/when I have an issue. Ya'll are my Level 1 tech support. That being said, I've never (nor should any Chinese scooter buyer) expected a trouble-free ownership experience. The thousands I'm saving monetarily will certainly be offset by the amount of work I'll have to put into it. That's why I bought it. I don't have a lot of cash, but I do like to work on stuff. If it were reversed, where I had a ton of cash and didn't like to work on stuff, then a Jap bike would be the thing for me. Trust me buddy, I weighed my options. Based upon the information available on the web, I'm pretty sure I've made the right decision. On the other hand, I understand where you're coming from and if I crash and burn in this endeavor, I'll admit it and tag you in that admission. I operate on truth, not spin. Some on this forum are pro-Chinese bikes. You're obviously against Chinese bikes. I'll report my experiences and all of you can make of them what you wish. |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 21:39:25 GMT -6
twowheeler, Is this video representative of what I should expect when I dig into it?
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 21:08:55 GMT -6
I got the EVO ATM-150A. Looks sharp and is popular, so I figured it would have the best chances of having replacement parts available in the future. I bought from KMS and so far have had a splendid buying experience with them. Like I mentioned above, visually, the quality is much better than I had expected. I've got most of the day free tomorrow, so my plan is to take all the body panels off, Locktite and/or torque every bolt and screw on the thing. Then I'll test the electrical system and apply dielectric grease to all the connections. If I have time, I'll take a look at the carb and see if it's one of those "tamper proof" ones. If so, I'll take it out and tamper with it. I've got valve stems, fuel/vac lines, and other essentials on order. My guess is it'll be this time next week before I get to fire it up.
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 19:39:38 GMT -6
The only part that was truly frustrating (I wish I took a pic, but I didn't) was where the mounting holes for the luggage rack attach the scoot to the shipping frame. One of the bolts was missing, and the steel frame member was bent above the other bolt, so I couldn't get a socket on it. There really isn't a good spot to get leverage to bend the steel back the way it should be. I ended up having to grab a straight piece of angle iron I had laying around then using a C-clamp to bend the steel back where it was supposed to be so I could get to that bolt. Past that, everything wen better than expected. Maybe that's just the Wellbutrin talking though. Thanks for the help so far guys! |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 18:17:49 GMT -6
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 18:16:32 GMT -6
The TaoTao came today. Overall, I'm impressed by what I've seen so far. I think I put too much effort into managing my expectations. Obviously, I have much more to do but the fit and finish are better than I had expected. I'll be updating this thread as I make progress through assembly, tuning and what not. s740.photobucket.com/user/DrRocco/library/Scooter%20Pics |
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Post by DrRocco on Feb 24, 2014 12:29:38 GMT -6
I just like to be prepared, even in town. I don't plan on taking it on a trip of any length for at least a few months. I'd like to get to know the personality of the scooter before I do. I'm sure it will have its own set of unique gremlins. Even in town though, it's still a pain if you're broken down, especially if something as simple as a hose clamp could have put you back on the road. I was hoping you guys could give me some ideas that wouldn't have otherwise occurred to me. By the way, the TaoTao gets delivered this afternoon so things are about to get interesting.
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