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Post by scooterb on Aug 21, 2013 10:36:41 GMT -5
Let me start by thanking everyone for the great information on this site. But figured I would start a thread because I will have several questions as I go through the learning process. I have on order two TaoTao ATM150-A (crate) and plan to take them with me on vacation in October so I want to get them as reliable as possible before then. I have read several posts and seen a few videos around PDI and plan to do that on both scooters. I also plan do some basic upgrades such as CDI and coil but have no idea on quality and reliability. I have found numerous no name CDI boxes online but have no idea of their performance. I would like to add performance and reliability to the scooters with a new CDI an ignition coil. I am leaning towards a NCY CDI but don’t see any NCY coils. Is this a good brand? Is see a few site sponsors offer the different coils and CDI but have no idea which manufacturer to purchase. I am not looking for a hot rod scooter, at least not yet  Any assistance on performance upgrades and reliability upgrades would be appreciated. Plans for the scooters including PDI and the recommendations found in most PDIs 1. Upgraded CDI 2. Upgraded ignition coil 3. NGK plugs 4. Prima magnetic oil plugs, if I can find them 5. On the fence about new valve stems on the wheels 6. Add a 12v outlet for GPS and cellphone charging 7. Verify/Adjust valves; unsure of measurement as I have seen several “recommendations” online Thanks for the input. |
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Post by bobshaw on Aug 21, 2013 11:23:45 GMT -5
I've got 6,800 km on my 2010 TaoTao, and so far, other than pdi stuff, I've had to replace the voltage regulator and two batteries, and the tires. I think the performance increased with the iridium plug I put in, and definitlely improved with the valve adjustment. The carb seems to be pretty sensitive to ethanol in the gas and my high speed jets clogged, until I put in some Sea Foam. It sa from early April until last week, and with a little coaxing, it fired right-up on the third try.
You could adjust the valves during the PSI, but still figure on doing it again after break-in, or in my case at about 5,000 km.
Make sure you tighten all the bolts, inclusing exhaust manifold, and muffler brackets. I had a real problem with stuff loosening-up and falling off. Trust me, Lock Tight is your friend. Bolts I know I tightened still loosened-up until I put Lock tight on them.
So far I've enjoyed my Tao Tao, which I got used with 400 km on it, but I did get a little frustrated this winter, when I started having issues with the ethanol gas, and ended-up buying a Honda Reflex, too.
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Post by scooterb on Aug 21, 2013 12:09:15 GMT -5
I've got 6,800 km on my 2010 TaoTao, and so far, other than pdi stuff, I've had to replace the voltage regulator and two batteries, and the tires. I think the performance increased with the iridium plug I put in, and definitlely improved with the valve adjustment. The carb seems to be pretty sensitive to ethanol in the gas and my high speed jets clogged, until I put in some Sea Foam. It sa from early April until last week, and with a little coaxing, it fired right-up on the third try. You could adjust the valves during the PSI, but still figure on doing it again after break-in, or in my case at about 5,000 km. Make sure you tighten all the bolts, inclusing exhaust manifold, and muffler brackets. I had a real problem with stuff loosening-up and falling off. Trust me, Lock Tight is your friend. Bolts I know I tightened still loosened-up until I put Lock tight on them. So far I've enjoyed my Tao Tao, which I got used with 400 km on it, but I did get a little frustrated this winter, when I started having issues with the ethanol gas, and ended-up buying a Honda Reflex, too. Thanks for the input! I have a "generic" GY6 service manual that says to adjust the valves to 0.05mm on both the exhaust and intake... But I have read other settings on this site. Is there any place to confirm my specific settings? Is there any reason to looking to different jets with a stock setup? How long did the batteries last? I wonder if I should pack a spare. I could keep the stock CDI and coil and just pack one as a backup since I am sure there won't be any scooter shops where we are headed. |
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Post by sanmar on Aug 21, 2013 13:25:59 GMT -5
Do the valve stems. I had one blow out, when I did a mildly hard stop. I changed my battery, that made a world of difference with the starting and lights. Going to do tires next. People here say its one of the most important things to do, after PDI.
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Post by tvnacman on Aug 21, 2013 13:33:21 GMT -5
Adjusting the valves is important .
Welcome!!!!!!!
John
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Post by scooterb on Aug 21, 2013 13:50:43 GMT -5
Do the valve stems. I had one blow out, when I did a mildly hard stop. I changed my battery, that made a world of difference with the starting and lights. Going to do tires next. People here say its one of the most important things to do, after PDI. Thanks for the feedback... |
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Post by scooterb on Aug 21, 2013 13:52:05 GMT -5
Adjusting the valves is important . Welcome!!!!!!! John I have seen online where people say to adjust anywhere between 0.04-0.09mm; Is there some how I can confirm the proper measurement? |
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Post by scooterb on Aug 21, 2013 13:53:51 GMT -5
My goals in order:
-Safety
-Reliability
-Performance
-Style
And of course safety and reliability can go hand in hand.
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Post by prodigit on Aug 21, 2013 14:26:25 GMT -5
I'd say none of your upgrades are a necessity.
I've found the TaoTao CDI's to be working better than an aftermarket CDI, and on most scoots I have at least 2k troublefree miles on, and on some almost double that.
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Post by scooterb on Aug 21, 2013 14:45:51 GMT -5
I'd say none of your upgrades are a necessity. I've found the TaoTao CDI's to be working better than an aftermarket CDI, and on most scoots I have at least 2k troublefree miles on, and on some almost double that. That is great to know! Since we will be traveling I may pick up an extra OE CDI and coil since they are not expensive, just to have one on hand. |
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Post by bobshaw on Aug 21, 2013 18:38:20 GMT -5
[replyingto=scooterb]scooterb[/replyingto]The original battery was about 6 months old when the voltage regulator over charged it, and I had the shop change it when the replaced the regulator. That battery, a no name, lasted about a year. I think it was a real cheapy.
I used the specs on a post on the Scoot dawg board to adjust the valves. I think it was .004 and .008, but I'm not sure. It's been running good since, but it was stalling at idle before I adjusted them.
So far, no issues with the coil.
Enjoy the ride! And don't wreck like I did on my Honda.
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Post by scooterb on Aug 22, 2013 15:16:27 GMT -5
I found this today and found it to be interesting, I have not seen it elsewhere. It is a document provided to the NHTSA from Taotao on the VIN number decoding. With this you can decipher the VIN to determine make, model, engine displacement, etc. Last updated in May 2013 ftp.nhtsa.dot.gov/mfrmail/ORG8634.pdfMaybe the moderators can download it and post it in the correct place. |
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Post by scooterb on Sept 6, 2013 8:24:03 GMT -5
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Post by dpross16 on Sept 6, 2013 14:32:14 GMT -5
I bet you are absolutely pumped. How far have you gotten? I am assuming these pictures were taken last night. Where did you order these from?
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Post by prodigit on Sept 6, 2013 16:15:11 GMT -5
Those fuel lines, just as long as you don't bend them too hard, they'll last a long time (at least 1 to 2 years). it looks to me that those lines are outward damage, not inward.
I have lines on my fuel hoses as well, but that's from the hose clips. Not the fuel lines cracking by themselves.
Hope you have fun on your ATM150. If I was you, I would have chosen the Powermax 150 (or PX150) instead. Cheaper, newer, lighter. If you like mid sized scoots better the EVO150 is newer and better looking IMHO.
But anyway, same engine, same transmission, just different looks.
Enjoy the bike!
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