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Joined: Feb 11, 2015 19:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by element on Feb 11, 2015 20:07:22 GMT -5
Hello all!
I am new to the forums as well as new to the scooter community! I bought my TaoTao-ATM 50cc scooter in August. I have about 850 miles on it. I use it to get to work and school and is currently my only method of transportation. I recently got pulled over for not having tags on the scooter but the officer and I were able to figure out that I don't need them but I'm not allowed to ride on any highways which is almost every road where I live. He left me go without a ticket, so thankful, but now I'm left with a bike I can't use. I need to be able to go 40+ consistently and with a overall commute of up and down inclined roads.
I have looked at doing a Big Bore Kit. A local mechanic told me to stay away from the 50mm as they will destroy the cam in a 1,000 miles and said to go with the 47mm. He couldn't give me an estimate for install does any one have a ball park? I have also thought about doing it myself but I have never done small engine work but I believe myself to be an intelligent individual for the most part and I have done some basics of "scootering" you could say, haha. I've changed the oil, transmission oil, assembly of the tier and handle bars, installed new batter and adjusted the idle screw. When I first got the bike it would start and run but would slowly die out a few min later but adjusting the screw fixed that issues.
But what all that would installing a big bore kit help me achieve 40+ mph? I don't know what a good kit is or what all I actually need. Are there other things I need to upgraded with the added cc s?I know the exhaust is one. Also what tools am I going to need besides the basics? I have also seen whole engine and transmission sections...are those easier? Also how do I know if I have a short or long body?
Sorry if that is a lot hahah but I am interested in tinkering too but I also don't want to mess up my only method of transportation.
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Post by alleyoop on Feb 11, 2015 20:28:33 GMT -5
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Post by JerryScript on Feb 11, 2015 21:24:53 GMT -5
I've been running a 50mm piston 83cc BBK on my scooter for over a year and a half now. Never had any issues with the crank. I imagine it's just a ploy to get you to pony up for a crank swap, which would cost a pretty penny in a shop since you have to split the engine case. I did have issues with the stock head, replaced with a performance head and have had zero issues since.
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Post by lain on Feb 11, 2015 22:53:16 GMT -5
If you are going to ride on highways you will need to register it as a motorcycle in some states, or at the least get the tags straight. If you are considering getting a shop to do the BBK install you may want to consider just buying a 150cc scooter with that money.
I know a few shops around here wouldn't open the engine without at least a couple hundred, then they will ask for money for parts, and they will try to make a profit on the parts as well. The shops around here charge double what the parts cost to get them from their suppliers. So you would be looking at a job worth probably around $400+.
I would just go on craigslist and try to get an almost new 150cc scooter, in the off season they are cheaper.
The cost of repair work on scooters is what got me into doing it myself. I cannot afford to pay more than the scooter was to buy just to fix it, and in most cases that was what shops around here were asking for. So I moved ahead to learning to doing it myself, that was around a year ago now, still learning but haven't payed anything for repairs except for parts.
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Post by JerryScript on Feb 11, 2015 23:59:40 GMT -5
To answer more of your original questions, yes you can cruise at 40mph with a 50mm bbk and a performance variator. I would not recommend keeping it WOT to maintain 45mph (mine tops out around 48-50), unless you get final drive gears to push that speed your engine will be screaming.
I have not installed a performance exhaust, but I have installed a uni type air filter and removed all the emissions crap. I am also running a very large main jet to ensure a rich condition year round, the last thing you want is a lean condition in a BBK.
There are several good videos on installing a BBK on YouTube. If you can turn a socket wrench, you can follow right along with the videos. The hardest part is installing the rings, so look for a video showing how to do it with a hose clamp. Set aside 3-4 hours since you aren't completely comfy working on engines, take your time and ask any questions you have here, and you'll be fine!
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Post by lain on Feb 12, 2015 13:23:18 GMT -5
To answer more of your original questions, yes you can cruise at 40mph with a 50mm bbk and a performance variator. I would not recommend keeping it WOT to maintain 45mph (mine tops out around 48-50), unless you get final drive gears to push that speed your engine will be screaming. I have not installed a performance exhaust, but I have installed a uni type air filter and removed all the emissions crap. I am also running a very large main jet to ensure a rich condition year round, the last thing you want is a lean condition in a BBK. There are several good videos on installing a BBK on YouTube. If you can turn a socket wrench, you can follow right along with the videos. The hardest part is installing the rings, so look for a video showing how to do it with a hose clamp. Set aside 3-4 hours since you aren't completely comfy working on engines, take your time and ask any questions you have here, and you'll be fine! Really you top out at 48-50? I am running the same stuff as you, but not an oversized main jet, just jet #  ... Perf variator, stock exhaust, cone style air filter like the uni filters, 1.5k springs in the clutch, 8g weights, stock CDI at the moment, perf ignition coil, 3 electrode spark plug (not sure if you have one of these, check them out if you don't). Still feel I need to tune the carb a bit more because sometimes it hiccups on takeoffs but otherwise it is great. I am able to get around 60 according to my friend who trails me in his car sometimes. My speedo can't even read how fast I am going past 50. |
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Post by JerryScript on Feb 12, 2015 13:28:37 GMT -5
I don't take it past 50 due to the engine revving so high. I have already blown one spring seat on the stock head, and that was at 48mph. The fastest I ever took it was 56 downhill.
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Post by lain on Feb 12, 2015 13:37:39 GMT -5
I should get myself a tachometer lol... I have no clue how high mine is revving besides by ear.
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Post by rcq92130 on Feb 12, 2015 14:03:31 GMT -5
JS: Is the pink one your personal favorite and daily rider?
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Post by alleyoop on Feb 12, 2015 14:04:09 GMT -5
People, unless you are ready to help the OP get to those speeds do not get his hopes up with the speeds you guys are toting.
It always is easy to say this and that to someone but if you do I would expect that person to help the one asking for those results to help him achieve them as the one toting has. All I every read when someone asks for help pertaining to getting more top end speed is Mine does 100 Mine does bla bla, BUT I have yet seen that person stick around and help the one asking for help to get CLOSE to those speeds, you have to wonder why that is.
If you brag you should be able to back that bragging up.
I know I am a little harsh but here is a guy that his scoot is his only transportation to work and school. And he is in a pickle due to the 50s are only good for 30-32 mph and he needs to be able to go 40+ reliably everyday.
I for one would tell him to sell his 50 and get at least a 150cc which are good for 50mph and a little more.
Alleyoop
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Post by JoeyBee on Feb 12, 2015 20:27:14 GMT -5
alleyoopI agree that merely posting claimed top speeds are not helping the situation. No offense to anyone else, but half the time I don't even believe them. As for the original poster, it may be tough to hear but you won't be able to get what you need from your 50cc. Maybe after $400 worth of modifications 40mph is possible. But you will be pushing the scooter to the limits and inviting engine failure and damage. At that point you will just be throwing more money at a losing problem. A used 150cc would meet your needs, but you will probably still need to spend some time and money getting it into proper running order. That is the sad truth about used scooter. The majority of the time the previous owner ran into mechanical issues, was to apprehensive to fix it themselves, and was quoted an outrageous repair bill. So if you decide on modifying your 50cc beware it won't meet your expectations. And if you decide to get a used 150cc there are plenty of people here willing to help you work through your problems.
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Post by alleyoop on Feb 12, 2015 20:43:18 GMT -5
alleyoopI agree that merely posting claimed top speeds are not helping the situation. No offense to anyone else, but half the time I don't even believe them. As for the original poster, it may be tough to hear but you won't be able to get what you need from your 50cc. Maybe after $400 worth of modifications 40mph is possible. But you will be pushing the scooter to the limits and inviting engine failure and damage. At that point you will just be throwing more money at a losing problem. A used 150cc would meet your needs, but you will probably still need to spend some time and money getting it into proper running order. That is the sad truth about used scooter. The majority of the time the previous owner ran into mechanical issues, was to apprehensive to fix it themselves, and was quoted an outrageous repair bill. So if you decide on modifying your 50cc beware it won't meet your expectations. And if you decide to get a used 150cc there are plenty of people here willing to help you work through your problems. Now there is a TRUTHFUL post Thank you JOEYBEE. I could not have said it better and as you, I do not believe the speeds they tote. I think MOST folks know what speeds a 50cc, 150cc and 250cc are capable of stock as well as with some mods. The speeds for most scoots are pretty well known and when you hear someone toting some real far out speeds you either challenge it or just say nothing or what the heck start a pissing match..LOL Alleyoop |
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BBK Question
by: onewheeldrive - Feb 12, 2015 21:46:24 GMT -5
Post by onewheeldrive on Feb 12, 2015 21:46:24 GMT -5
With a bbk and a tranny upgear upgrade and 40mph is pretty reasonable for well under $150. The only other thing I have done is I took off the snorkel from the airbox (still stock), with a 78 main jet. Unless you weigh 400lbs, 40+ max speed is easily obtainable for me and I weigh 150. Of course it takes awhile to get there and windy days and going uphill sucks-- I'm talking max cruising speed on flatlands with no headwind.
Yeah a 150 would be better for him. I live in the flatlands of Indiana- not many steep hills here to worry about.
50mph is the magic number, not 40mph.
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Post by alleyoop on Feb 12, 2015 22:14:55 GMT -5
Here is what Element needs are:
To handle inclined roads and roads with speeds posted with 35 - 45 mph and you want to stay with traffic you need at least a 150cc. A 50cc is good for 30-35 mph, 35 if your lucky and as you all well know if the speed limit is posted as 35 the traffic is doing 40-45 if 45 they are doing 50-55. So with hills involved now you just added another gotcha and to keep descent speeds of at least 40+mph going up hills you need power and a 50cc even modded will not have enough power and will die going up hills.
And that does not take into account any kind of 5-8mph head wind which will slow you down by around 10mph.
Alleyoop
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BBK Question
by: geh3333 - Feb 13, 2015 21:27:47 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by geh3333 on Feb 13, 2015 21:27:47 GMT -5
alleyoopI agree that merely posting claimed top speeds are not helping the situation. No offense to anyone else, but half the time I don't even believe them. As for the original poster, it may be tough to hear but you won't be able to get what you need from your 50cc. Maybe after $400 worth of modifications 40mph is possible. But you will be pushing the scooter to the limits and inviting engine failure and damage. At that point you will just be throwing more money at a losing problem. A used 150cc would meet your needs, but you will probably still need to spend some time and money getting it into proper running order. That is the sad truth about used scooter. The majority of the time the previous owner ran into mechanical issues, was to apprehensive to fix it themselves, and was quoted an outrageous repair bill. So if you decide on modifying your 50cc beware it won't meet your expectations. And if you decide to get a used 150cc there are plenty of people here willing to help you work through your problems. I agree , however even when certain speeds are proven , or certain claims are proven ,many make up excuses or just ignore the threads proving such claims. Or when one tries to help get higher speeds , their methods are shot down even when they have been proven to work . hmmm , so where do you go from there ? |
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..BAD TO THE BONE..
... Perf variator, stock exhaust, cone style air filter like the uni filters, 1.5k springs in the clutch, 8g weights, stock CDI at the moment, perf ignition coil, 3 electrode spark plug (not sure if you have one of these, check them out if you don't).
