Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Aug 3, 2015 8:42:17 GMT -6
If you're not familiar with this scooter, it has a low beam headlight on the left and a high beam on the right. The headlight switch allows you to choose either beam. The switch also has a spring-loaded setting where both beams are on at the same time. I really like having two headlights, so I adjusted the high beam as low as it can go, and cut the small plastic tab that holds the spring, inside the switch. Now I have a three-way switch, and am able to keep both headlights on. I also no longer have people telling me I have a headlight out! This is my first scooter where the stock bulbs (when using both) give enough illumination, and I didn't have to replace with better bulbs. The problem, as you might guess, is the voltage when both lights are on, is lower than 12v. I haven't had a problem draining the battery so far down as to cause a problem starting, but I can see that happening at some point. The tail-light is already LED, so there's nothing I can do there to save juice. There are two small "parking light" type bulbs under the headlights, which I supposed aren't needed with two headlights on at all times. Would it be worth it to take those bulbs out, or possibly replace them with LEDs?
I supposed a new, higher quality rectifier would help also. Using a rectifier from Oregon Motorcycle Parts helped my last scooter, so I guess it would help here too. Any other ideas?
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 18, 2015 7:44:26 GMT -6
Sounds like you have it well covered. Mentioning fuses, you reminded me I need to replace the fuse holder at the battery with a quality spade type holder.
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 17, 2015 7:49:55 GMT -6
OK, now what about the right side switch? That really scares me, since it's the starter and cutoff. Might make sense to get one of those as a spare also, or at least take it off and weatherproof it with the contact cleaner.
Update: just checked eBay and the same seller as the left switches I just bought had the right switch available also. At $12.13 delivered I went ahead and ordered one. I think I'll keep my two spares in the little compartment next to the battery, just in case.
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 16, 2015 9:03:25 GMT -6
When you take the switch off and look closely at the inner workings, we are lucky that they are working at all. Very cheaply made, but it does the job and you hope yours is one that will last. Probably a good item to buy and have a spare. I was super happy I was able to get two for less than 26.00 shipped. Can't complain about spare parts prices on these scooters!
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 14, 2015 20:22:55 GMT -6
Replaced the defective switch today and all is working well. I thoroughly coated it with Corrosion-X before installing. Hopefully this will not only prevent water damage, but it will add some lubrication to keep the moving parts working freely. The reason I lost all functions was because the socket became unplugged when I took it apart to use the contact cleaner on it. I wish I had taken the plastic cowl off. I would have seen that immediately and I would have had all but the low beam working.
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 11, 2015 8:13:29 GMT -6
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 11, 2015 7:29:14 GMT -6
Thanks for the advice guys, and good to know these bikes are at least "water resistant". I have a good waterproofer (Corrosion-X) for electrical connections that I will use on the new switch before I install. Funny, it's being delivered to my home today, and I'm still here in Key West. I should have had it delivered here, especially considering it shipped from Florida. Luckily, all the streets on Key West are lighted, so driving at night hasn't been too bad without headlights.
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Post by dannytroy on Apr 10, 2015 14:57:29 GMT -6
The day before I was to leave on my trip to Key West, Florida, as luck would have it I realized I lost my low beam headlight. So, I pull it off my motorcycle carrier on my RV here in KW, and am happy I at least have a high beam working. I got the bright idea of taking the combo switch off and spraying with De-oxit contact cleaner. I wound up killing all the functions on that switch, so no headlight (high or low beam), no turn signals and no horn. At that point I started to disassemble the switch but realized it made to be replaced and not serviced. Luckily, they are dirt cheap on eBay, so I decided to order two, thinking I'll keep a spare just in case. I know the bike was left out in the rain a few times, and am wondering if the rain shorted out the switch.
My question here is, are these scooters really not waterproof? I never used a cover while transporting on the carrier, but after this failure, I'm thinking about buying a cover and use it when rain is forecasted.
Luckily, the brake lights still work and the two parking lights, located below the headlights, are all working. People can see me coming, but the bulbs aren't bright enough to light the roadway of even a few feet away.
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Mar 29, 2015 7:59:42 GMT -6
On my majesty I tore off the seat cover and covered the foam with the chopped stuff used for carpet padding except it was 1 1/2" thick so I glued it in place with spray glue. Electric knife to contour it. Using a heat gun I stretched the OEM cover back and there was just enough to staple it back. Yes, that's the rebond stuff that's recommended for seats. Has just right amount of support. I used the electric knife also. Saved a load of mess, avoiding jagged edges and foam bits everywhere. I used a cheapo I got from Harbor Freight. Did the job nicely. I also use the heat gun for stretching around corners, but didn't need it this time. As you know, you have to be real careful not to melt the fabric. |
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Post by dannytroy on Mar 28, 2015 13:52:23 GMT -6
Off topic from my original post, but I just added saddlebags, considering the lack of storage under the seat. Got them for $38.00 last week, but I see they went up a few bucks. Very nice fit, after some alterations. Great deal for the money. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JMKJ5E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1I also had to brace the instrument panel. With the higher windshield, catching more wind, the whole panel was moving at every bump in the road. Since the windshield is attached to this assembly, the windshield was doing a lot of shaking also. Took a look and found the panel is held on by two small rods, extending from the handlebars. I added two 1/4" steel bars, held on by hose clamps, extending from the handlebar to the rod just behind where the windshield mounts. Nothing shows after the plastic shroud is put back on, and it's rock solid now. I doubled up on the hose clamps, so it should be a good permanent fix. |
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Post by dannytroy on Mar 21, 2015 11:22:56 GMT -6
It's a tough call. I used gel in the last three scooters, but didn't have it on hand for this upgrade. There isn't much space for foam, along with gel on this seat, so using gel may not even be the best route. Rebond foam is very good, and the foam I used has similar properties. You can get it in Home Depot, where they sell it for carpet padding. You will have to double or triple it up. Still, like I said, the finished product won't be anything magical, compared to the stock seat. Ideally, the whole seat structure needs rebuilding, but that's a major undertaking I'm not about to mess with. One reason I upgrade the seats, is that I get neck pain after riding a short time. Very likely due to the weight of my helmet (required in NY!). I just bought a lighter half helmet, and I'll try it out in Key West. The larger wheels, upgraded seat, and light helmet might just be the ticket. We'll see.
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Clinician
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Post by dannytroy on Mar 21, 2015 7:53:25 GMT -6
Geez Troy you just got the thing in january,,,and you're already talking selling it? Are you making me an offer? Just kidding. Hopefully I will hang on to this one a while. I did have a Puch moped for 12 years, many years ago. The Pacifica could be a keeper too! BTW, I rebuilt the seat with some padding I had available. Three layers, each with a different hardness. Better than stock, but not ideal, which it will never be. There isn't enough space for the proper padding, as the seat frame is too close to the seat surface, exactly where you need it thick. Still, the way it is now, it won't bottom out so easily when hitting a bump or pothole. |
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Post by dannytroy on Mar 20, 2015 8:01:00 GMT -6
I am having a slow leak problem with my rear tire, I have to pump it up every other day. I haven't taken the time to dip it and see if it's the stem, bead, or rubber. I plan on getting new tires once summer gets here, so I'll probably just limp through the next couple of months pumping it up every other day. No issues with the front tire, but the front master cylinder has a leaking plunger, haven't decided if I want to rebuild it or replace it. get a windex bottle put warm water + dawn dish soap in it and spray the wheel and tire. works every time. Tiny bubbles.......Guitarman should know that song, he lives in Hi. Yes, that's what I do, but use Fantastic instead. Almost always will find the leak. On a bike, if you can get the wheel high enough, a large pan with water would work too. Spin the tire until you see bubbles. I'm sure I did a motorcycle tire replacement years ago, but I know for a fact I never did a scooter tire replacement. I just hope I sell it before it needs tires. With the amount of miles I put on that won't be a problem. I just sold my YY250T with 750 miles on it, and the TaoTao 50 I recently sold had similar mileage. Not real scooter friendly riding around here in NY, and the potholes after the bad winter makes avoiding them a challenge. |
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Post by dannytroy on Mar 19, 2015 7:06:04 GMT -6
I did wind up getting a new windshield. Another YY250T windshield, adapted to fit the SSR. This time I was very careful, so no cracks while installing. I'm getting ready for another trip to the Keys. This time I'll be staying at Key West, so no long highway rides to get to civilization. The RV will remain parked and the Pacifica will be my main mode of transportation. It should get a good workout on this trip. The weather in NY hasn't been at all good for scootering!
I bought a TMPS (tire pressure monitor system) for the RV. I got two extra sensors, so I put two on the scooter. Now I can tell the tire pressure in my scooter, while driving the RV. Pretty cool!
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Post by dannytroy on Feb 12, 2015 8:21:55 GMT -6
Got back from my trip to the Florida Keys with the Pacifica on the RV. Made it back in one piece! Unfortunately, the campground I stayed at was situated on the US1 highway, in the middle of nowhere. At one point I took the road north, telling my wife I'd be right back. At 50mph I realized I was about to go over the famous 7 mile bridge. I stopped just before the entrance to the bridge, and saw the benefit of the larger wheels. I needed to pull off the road quickly, and there was a ridge entering the gravel area off the road. I possibly would have had a problem with a scoot with 13" wheels making that quick exit, but the Pacifica handled it with no problem. So far the windshield is holding up, but I will probably upgrade with another of the same or something else a little more beefy. I'll wait till the warmer weather, when the plastic will be less brittle. Whatever I get, I'm sure it will need trimming, and I don't want to damage while doing the trimming.  |
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