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Post by prodigit on Jun 11, 2013 19:11:39 GMT -5
Yeah, the rear axle nut came loose, because I had glued it tight with silicone glue. Seemingly, the silicone has lubricating effects when put on very tight nuts.
Silicone is good enough for side panel bolts, but not for axle nuts. I just ran out of locktite (bottle got hard), so I thought lemme try with silicone...
The gear pedal is not really a problem, because it's still stuck on the bar connected to the gear shift rod. the pedal does slide sideways, but with a zip tie it is well in place, until I find another solution.
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Post by averageguy on Jun 11, 2013 19:58:08 GMT -5
Its a pretty nice bike for the money. What bolts don't come loose on Honda's? Nothing as prodigit said a little locktite can't fix... no big deal.
I'm liking my YX127cf. It rides great and it will quickly pay for itself with gas at $4.30 a gallon here. I over paid for mine unfortunately and could have got it a couple hundred cheaper but that's my fault for not shopping more. Prodigit really got a great deal on his. It is probably one of the better values out there even if it does require a little more assembly than most scooters. It's not on par with a Japanese bike for sure but I would not consider it to be unsafe. It just is what it is and a LOT cheaper. For buzzing around town it is great. Mine starts right up and purrs like a kitten. The bike is really not that hard to assemble just takes some time and tinkering because the instructions are useless. I think I much prefer having gears and a chain rather than a belt drive. I'll try to post a riding movie on youtube once I get my plates.
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Post by averageguy on Jun 11, 2013 20:17:10 GMT -5
I ride a Honda XRM when i am in the Philippines. Gas is expensive there so it is a great little bike for scooting around. Unfortunately the Honda's are not available in the US. The YX127CF is a knockoff of the Honda. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_XRMWhen I saw this one I had to try it. I always said I wish I could get one of the XRM's here in the states. I know the Honda's are made in China and assembled in the Philippines. The performance of the two is basically the same as far as I can tell so far. Same experience riding my China XRM.... now durability and parts availability... that remains to be seen... time will tell... There are millions of these China bikes driven in Asia as people there are mostly poor and can't pay up for a Jap bike. They have numerous brands in the Philippines and people I talk to there say they hold up reasonably well as long as they are well maintained. In addition since I still have to get my motorcycle endorsement this bike should make taking the driving test a breeze
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Post by averageguy on Jun 11, 2013 20:22:35 GMT -5
These are everywhere in Philippines... They look very similar.... rusimc.com/
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Post by gitsum on Jun 11, 2013 21:12:07 GMT -5
Its a pretty nice bike for the money. What bolts don't come loose on Honda's? Nothing as prodigit said a little locktite can't fix... no big deal. Unbelievable! What about all the other stuff he mentioned? At first it only started on paint thinner? Now it only runs correctly with the choke partially on? The front fairing panels are rattling like they are going to fall apart? The gearshift lever pad is falling off? Almost all of the bolts are starting to corrode after two short trips in the rain? After 150 km the spark plug had to be changed? My 2010 Honda Elite 110 sure didn't have any of those problems. As a matter of fact, none of the bolts came loose either, especially the axle bolts!
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Post by prodigit on Jun 11, 2013 21:44:14 GMT -5
Yeah, they're lots of thingies. However the main parts (engine and transmission and suspension) so far seem to be good.
On the other hand, I believe the tires are very soft, and I probably will have to change them (rear) within 4k miles, if not less.
The spark plug was crap, but nearly all people put another spark plug in. The paint thinner, was because the carburetor was jetted incorrectly. More than likely someone riding 500ft or up from sealevel will not even notice. I can compensate little with the AF screw, to make it start, almost without choke. The choke is just compensating for the small main jet. Once I could increase jet and needle size, the choke will become unnecessary, only in cold winter area's, but in FL unnecessary. The bolts are corroding, superficial rust, shouldn't have happened. but then here's a wise lesson for all chinese buyers: China doesn't know chrome. It only knows polished steel. So if anything looks like chrome, it probably is not. Get rid of anything shiny on a china bike. China and Shiny sound alike, but are 2 polar opposites that should not exist together.
They use standard M6 screws and bolts most of the time, so you can replace them with less nice looking bolts from Home Depot or online. Problem with online is that you don't know what quality the bolts are. More than likely they're from china and will rust just as fast. You can spray some corrosion x in a hand towel, and wipe off the bolts, allow it to sink in, to keep it's shine maintained.
Do know that I knew NOTHING of scooters, and relatively NOTHING of engines 1 year ago. Heck, I did not even know what kind of wrench fits on an M6 bolt or nut! But I figured it all out. And if I can, so can just about anyone else.
The mechanical part of mounting the bike is pretty easy. It's just the plastics, and the order in which to mount it that is difficult, because like average guy says, you build the bike with your brain, not with the user manual, because it's pretty useless.
The ride quality far surpasses that of chinese scooters and even Korean models. The build quality is about on par with Korean quality. Aluminum engine block, aluminum gear housing, solid (+3mm) exhaust walls, shocks that make you feel like you're floating over the road, a seat that feels better than any Honda or Suzuki seats I've ever sat on (definitely better than Harley Davidson Seats, because their stock seats suck).
The plastic vibration was due to too heavy oil. With less heavy oil (a mixture of 5W30 and 10W40 resulting in ~7W35) has noticeably less vibration.
The frame is solid, the front brake works well, the rear brake I haven't locked yet.
I'm only scared when riding on bridges with grates. The bike's thin wheels feel so unstable.
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Post by prodigit on Jun 11, 2013 21:50:31 GMT -5
Like they say, many things are small things, and one can do it himself. Not for a newbie, but if you've had a scoot before where you did more than an oilchange, or spark plug change, you are ready for this bike.
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Post by gitsum on Jun 11, 2013 22:01:11 GMT -5
prodigit, you seemed very honest and forthcoming about what you have found, good job!
Be careful and ride safe!
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Post by averageguy on Jun 12, 2013 0:01:23 GMT -5
I said the quality was not on par with Japanese bikes. The price is not on par either. A new Honda is about $3000. Probably worth the cost to many. Hondas are great bikes. It is an apple and oranges comparison though. Everybody is free to make their own decisions on what suits their needs. This is still kind of a free country... although I'm not so sure lately... but that's another subject altogether powersports.honda.com/2010/elite.aspxI agree prodigit has provided a wealth of information many will likely find useful in determining if this bike is a good fit for them or not. He has helped me a great deal with the assembly of mine. Thanks!
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Post by prodigit on Jun 12, 2013 1:17:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the compliments I think this bike can be more compared to a Honda Grom, than a honda Elite. The Grom will be about twice the price (~$2400, final price probably under $3k). I got my bike for 799, without shipping. Everything came down to $1049, but add $400 on taxes and a new tag to it!
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 12, 2013 3:13:38 GMT -5
Sorry but I thought I would mention I absolutely hate that term. It is a derogatory racist slur akin to the "N" word. I thought a world traveler such as yourself might find that little nugget of info helpful... Hope your bike keeps making smile...
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Post by prodigit on Jun 12, 2013 13:23:19 GMT -5
I wouldn't agree with that. Japs, and Chino's are short words, turbo language. Besides the 'N' word is no longer meaning what it meant 10 years ago. If you are amongst crowds of black people, saying the "N" word means 'brother' nowadays. Meanings constantly change. They also mean one thing for someone, and another for someone else.
I mainly see it as turbo language, which is not meant derogatory. Of course, will never be used in the presence of that person, but even if, I know a Korean guy working in a chinese engine parts store, they constantly say Jap quality, China quality; he doesn't mind. He actually takes pride on being Korean.
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 12, 2013 13:47:34 GMT -5
I wouldn't agree with that. Japs, and Chino's are short words, turbo language. Besides the 'N' word is no longer meaning what it meant 10 years ago. If you are amongst crowds of black people, saying the "N" word means 'brother' nowadays. Meanings constantly change. They also mean one thing for someone, and another for someone else. I mainly see it as turbo language, which is not meant derogatory. Of course, will never be used in the presence of that person, but even if, I know a Korean guy working in a chinese engine parts store, they constantly say Jap quality, China quality; he doesn't mind. He actually takes pride on being Korean. Why would it bother him if he isn't Japanese?? Koreans don't care what you call other people so much. Making statements like that assuming all Asians are the same might get a rise though. Disagree all you want it does change anything. Let us all remember that prodigit's first turbo language is not English so if I was you I would consider his opinion on the matter carefully. By all means gentlemen if you want to come off as an ignorant bigot when you type/speak continue. I offer knowledge but I do not force it... Here is reality if you're interested from Wikipedia full article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JapJap is an English abbreviation of the word "Japanese." Today it is generally regarded as an ethnic slur among Japanese minority populations in other countries, although English-speaking countries differ in the degree to which they consider the term offensive. In the United States, Japanese Americans have come to find the term controversial or offensive, even when used as an abbreviation.[1] In the past, Jap was not considered primarily offensive; however, during and after the events of World War II, the term became derogatoryHere is the context you pull the term from Seems quite lazy to knowingly offend some just for your convenience. Random white guys using the "N" word in mixed company could still be met with violence no matter their intention..
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Post by averageguy on Jun 12, 2013 19:00:40 GMT -5
I don't find "Jap bike" as offensive as you calling me "quite lazy" and accusing me of "knowingly offending" some as if you know what is in my brain or what my intent was. That term is used frequently referring to a group of motorcycles not a group of people. I'm not from the WWII era and quite frankly I have never even heard anybody use Jap as derogatory. Sorry I am not as enlightened as yourself. I stand corrected.
This coming from someone that has "Friends don't let friends ride Chinese scooters!" as his tag line stereotyping all Chinese scooters as being junk or dangerous . I guess something must be bad just because it is made by the Chinese people? What are you saying they don't posses the intellect to produce a good motorcycle? I think that might offend some Chinese.
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Post by prodigit on Jun 13, 2013 2:07:06 GMT -5
MPG numbers are in! ~ MPG at best; I could run leaner, and get higher values, but 85MPG is about as best as you can get out of it. With the sprocket change that will be well in the 90MPG (est 95MPG, that is, if I'm not going WOT all the time). Plastics on dash start vibrating more loudly now, despite thinner oil. I have the impression that the clutch sometimes does not grip. If it's a wet clutch I'll have to run 10W30 or 10W40 oil. I'm thinking of installing a vacuum fuel pump, and a bigger fuel filter.
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