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Posts: 22 
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Joined: Sept 9, 2015 23:53:46 GMT -5
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Post by reggie on Mar 5, 2016 1:24:18 GMT -5
Bought mine used about 5 months ago.17000 miles on it finally got around to checking it out the last 2 days. Cleaned the air filters, real easy. Cleand the varater filter real easy. Pulled the front caliper to chek the pads, they were 9 MM thick that;s OK.
real easy. Pulled the rear caliper. Real easy after removing thr muffler then the brack lock cable. Pads 4 MM thick. Will order new ones tommorow. Check the coolent, looks new. The service manual that comes with the scooter recomends changing the oil at 3000 miles, but the filter at 12000miles. Does everyone else do that? I am used to changing both at the same time. I like the idea of running away from traffic when I am in front. The look on peoples eyes is asum. Later
there is nothin hard about working on it, about like my Socoal Securtry check, not much to it.. Later from the deep sout of Mississippi. Reg
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Post by crawford on Mar 5, 2016 11:23:04 GMT -5
I change my oil every 1,000 miles changing oil early just cheaper then a new motor IMO  |
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Post by floridagull on Mar 5, 2016 11:55:24 GMT -5
I just returned from getting gas - 2 gallons in the gas can, one in the scoot...  And, I performed my first repair!    No, really - there will soon be an update to my other post re: loose steering... |
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Post by rockynv on Apr 10, 2016 20:16:29 GMT -5
Started the first major repair in 30,000 miles on my Sport City. Belt shredded on the interstate where traffic was flowing at  + mph and the belt shards blew through the crankshaft seal behind the variator ramp plate pushing the seal inside the engine. The belt had less than 2,000 miles on it and failed 10,000+ miles too soon. Bought this belt local and found later on that the dealer had kept it on a hook for several years so it was dried out and sun damaged when he sold it to me. He is a nice guy but has no clue how sun and heat deteriorate rubber products when left exposed. He has a brand new Piaggio BV 350 that I thought was a used one its so sun faded with the aluminum cases all oxidized which he stores outside in a fenced in compound under an awning. Even has brown rot spots on the tires and he wants full new bike price for it. Tried to support a local business and it backfired on me. On the plus side the drive faces at 30,000 miles have much less wear on them (should be good for another 20,000 miles easily) than the ones I had to replace on my Lance 150 at 6,000 miles and the clutch pads along with clutch bell both look like new. Bottom line I have the new style seal plate on mine which you replace as a unit instead of replacing two seals and a chain tensioner on it but based on the year I purchased the three separate parts so I will be waiting for the new seals plate to come in. Thankfully you do not have to split the case to replace this seal or retrieve what got pushed inside the engine. Those Italians sure know how to build a scooter engine. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 22, 2016 21:54:18 GMT -5
Started the first major repair in 30,000 miles on my Sport City. Belt shredded on the interstate where traffic was flowing at + mph and the belt shards blew through the crankshaft seal behind the variator ramp plate pushing the seal inside the engine. The belt had less than 2,000 miles on it and failed 10,000+ miles too soon. Bought this belt local and found later on that the dealer had kept it on a hook for several years so it was dried out and sun damaged when he sold it to me. He is a nice guy but has no clue how sun and heat deteriorate rubber products when left exposed. He has a brand new Piaggio BV 350 that I thought was a used one its so sun faded with the aluminum cases all oxidized which he stores outside in a fenced in compound under an awning. Even has brown rot spots on the tires and he wants full new bike price for it. Tried to support a local business and it backfired on me. On the plus side the drive faces at 30,000 miles have much less wear on them (should be good for another 20,000 miles easily) than the ones I had to replace on my Lance 150 at 6,000 miles and the clutch pads along with clutch bell both look like new. Bottom line I have the new style seal plate on mine which you replace as a unit instead of replacing two seals and a chain tensioner on it but based on the year I purchased the three separate parts so I will be waiting for the new seals plate to come in. Thankfully you do not have to split the case to replace this seal or retrieve what got pushed inside the engine. Those Italians sure know how to build a scooter engine.
Rockynv,
Cheesh! You REALLY got "hosed" with that belt dilemma! Hmmm... Can you actually get HOSED by a BELT? I once unloosed a hydraulic line, and got BELTED by a HOSE... LOL! You are SO right about sunlight and rubber parts. My family cage is a 1995 Honda Accord and it sits under a car-port. The left-front wheel ends up in direct sun in the evening. And... A new Kumho tire DRY-ROTTED to shreds in 2-years! I now put a garbage can by it to block the sun... Good Red-Neck engineering! I REALLY hope you don't have to pull your motor, or split the cases to retrieve the errant seal pieces. Not sure if there's any other way, but HOPE so! I gotta agree about the Italians making swell engines! Years ago, I extensively rode a buddy's Ducati Darmah, and later on, a boss's Ferrari Testarosa... I fit on the Duck MUCH better than I shoe-horned into the Ferrari... LOL! Still not quite sure WHICH one was faster! Both Spaghetti-burners mighty danged quick!!! But cheesh... That Ferrari was NOT meant for anyone over 5' 8" or over 175 pounds...I think your dealer ought to write-off the sun-baked 300 (sounds like it's LIGHT-YEARS away from a road-ready, new bike) and give it to you to resurrect for your troubles caused by the belt... But I suppose THAT is not going to happen...
All my best wishes on getting your scoot back on the road!Ride safe! Leo |
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Post by rockynv on Apr 22, 2016 22:20:41 GMT -5
Leo - I picked up the timing cover seal unit the other day on my way home from work (left work at 3:00 PM got home at about 7:00 PM) and will start the installation tomorrow. Getting all the fragments was a pain in the neck however I believe I got them all.
Hopefully the way the filtration system is set up it won't allow anything to get into the oil galleries.
Its a dry sump engine and the timing cover does not actually lead into the crank case but outside it over the wet sump with the oil pump drawing through the screen and outputting through a micro fine spin-on oil filter. I am going to use the drive face to turn the crank a few more times to ensure that no belt material is on the timing chain leading up to the cam and head however nothing up there leads to the crankcase either.
The cover is large enough (4 1/2 inches) with the crank bearing in the side of the dry sump behind the oil pump drive and timing chain to allow replacement of the timing chain without splitting the case or the chain. Just pull the timing cover, remove the cam and slide the old chain out and the new one in using a shoe lace to pull it through.
At 30,000 miles with much at Interstate speeds nothing behind the cover really shows any signs of wear.
My biggest fear would be if any of the oil misting ports that cool certain areas inside the crankcase got plugged by a missed belt fragment however with the way this is designed that would be pretty much impossible.
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New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 22
Likes: 5
Joined: Sept 9, 2015 23:53:46 GMT -5
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Post by reggie on Apr 22, 2016 23:56:22 GMT -5
Majesty 400, put on new rear tire and rear brake pads yesterday. Pulled front wheel today to replace front tire tomorrow.
I am working on a harbor freight tire changer to make it stable to work with. I have a new battery to put in next.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 23, 2016 10:01:50 GMT -5
Rockynv,
Sounds like the design of your engine may have helped you "dodge the bullet"!I'm a big fan of dry-sump oil systems on bikes. It indicates honest pressure bearings and oil distribution rather than resorting to "splash-oiling"... Even the old, OLD Hogs had dry-sump... I well remember changing the oil in the monster-size 4-quart oil-tank, and replacing the "classic" Harley-Davidson horsehair filter on my 1957 choppeer... Yup... HORSEHAIR... And, that (again) "classic" left-side crankshaft no-seal engineering... Giant acme-threads on the crank, back-threaded to catch the oil as it blew out the "hole" and sling it back into the crankcase... THAT explains the old-school Harley "leak" when the bike was on the side-stand...
Not a leak at all, just good old horse and buggy era oil conservation... LOL!  I figured you could use an "oil-system chuckle" about now... I don't imagine Aprillia would think too much of horsehair filters and threaded-oil-flingy-backy stuff with no seal... But heck, that old Hog would still haul the mail! I really hope you get the scoot buttoned back up without further dismantling needed... Almost riding season!
Ride safe!Leo
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Post by JerryScript on Apr 24, 2016 1:55:47 GMT -5
... Almost riding season!
Ride safe!Leo It's always riding season! :Grins: |
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Post by rockynv on Apr 24, 2016 8:25:48 GMT -5
Leo - The seal appears to be designed to direct excess oil back to the sump to prevent excess build up. I pressed the cover back into place yesterday but life got in the way of run testing it for leaks before installing the variator, clutch and new belt. Barring any leaks or unforeseen events I should have it back up and running before the end of the day. I had to do a lot of scrubbing with steel wool to get all the belt residue off the drive faces and the drive faces are so tough that they do not have a mark on them from the steel wool. On my Lance the drive faces were so soft that scrubbing them with steel wool left a highly visible pattern.
Plan for now is to start it up and check for leaks while is sits there idling and warming up before installing anything else. I have a new oil sump gasket in hand just in case that was damaged however it appears to still be intact.
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Post by floridagull on Apr 24, 2016 9:28:09 GMT -5
Rocky - the Lance that you had - was it an older Chinese-made one, or the more current Taiwanese-made?
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Post by wheelbender6 on Apr 24, 2016 9:43:35 GMT -5
No maintenance lately. Been working long hours and logging few scoot miles.
-A little touch up paint on the handlebar fairings where the windshield rubbed them.
-I did bring home some takeout food from Texas Roadhouse on the scooter last night. I had stuff on the floor board and in the seat bag.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 24, 2016 12:33:45 GMT -5
Rockynv,Sounds like you really DID dodge the bullet!Also sounds like Aprillia borrowed from "the book of Harley Davidson" with the seal re-directing excess oil back where it belongs... But, most likely a lot better than reverse-threads on the crankshaft poking out through a hole in the block... LOL!
As the immortal "Red Green" used to say... "We're pullin' for ya... After all, we're all in this together..." Here's hoping all is well when you fire up the little nipper!Ride safe!Leo
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Post by wheelbender6 on Apr 24, 2016 13:15:20 GMT -5
"As the immortal "Red Green" used to say... "We're pullin' for ya... After all, we're all in this together...""Leo... So many of the world's problems could be solved if more people would just watch the Red Green Show. Everyone should know how to make a Zamboni from a Chrysler K Car! 
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+ mph and the belt shards blew through the crankshaft seal behind the variator ramp plate pushing the seal inside the engine. The belt had less than 2,000 miles on it and failed 10,000+ miles too soon. Bought this belt local and found later on that the dealer had kept it on a hook for several years so it was dried out and sun damaged when he sold it to me. He is a nice guy but has no clue how sun and heat deteriorate rubber products when left exposed. He has a brand new Piaggio BV 350 that I thought was a used one its so sun faded with the aluminum cases all oxidized which he stores outside in a fenced in compound under an awning. Even has brown rot spots on the tires and he wants full new bike price for it. Tried to support a local business and it backfired on me.
