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Commuting is the best part of my day!
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Post by trailheadmike on Jan 25, 2014 17:40:30 GMT -5
So I've been off the scooter for the last week or so because of the NJ snow, and decided to take a ride this morning. I'm 5 or 6 miles from the house and I hear a noise coming from the variator area. Not grinding but a sound that sounded to me like what a frayed belt would sound like hitting the plastic housing. I turned around and drove about a mile home and then rev rev rev, little crawl, rev rev - no movement. rev rev reve - standing still. I pushed it off to a side street and it pushed very easily, so I assume the belt broke. Its original at or about 10,000 real miles. I assume the belt is dead but I didn't pull apart yet. could be the clutch too?
Anyway I am really pissed so i start to push it home and a cop pulls up - won't let me push it on the local road. too dangerous. So i'm on the phone with Geico and after 45 minutes they can't find anyone who will come and get me. So I start to push it again and the same cops come up behind me!!! this time he tells me i get it towed or impounded - my choice. The cop called a tow and the guy was really nice. Told me no one will come out in rotten weather for a scooter, and gets so pissed at his brother towers that he doesn't even write up the tow. 4 miles for free. For as mad as I was at the police (even though he didn't want me to get hit) I am left feeling great about people. the things we learn through scooters.
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Post by skuttadawg on Jan 25, 2014 21:55:26 GMT -5
You got lucky to have gotten that many miles out of a belt . Was there a sidewalk on that street ? Did you have your blinkers on ? I have only seen two scooters with a hazard light button but one could install a switch with a lil effort .
I had the headlight come out of the housing as the Echarm has a wacked clip rather than screw in like the helper bulbs and it shorted out the electronics . Most scooters only have 1 fuse where mine has 3 in the front access panel and 3 more under the seat bucket I found out . I could not get my father or anyone else to with a truck to get me so I called Progressives roadside assistance . This is the first time I ever had to RA in my life . It sucked having to go through a ton of voice prompts to get to a person . Many systems you can say " operator " to bypass the prompts . I gave them my info and they asked to GPS but I have it turned off on my phone except for 911 . I should have told them to try it just to see if they could . Luckily I was a QuickTrip which is a gas station and easy to find . They texted me the tow company name and number that he called in . I called and the dispatch said it would be at least 45 minutes to an hour wait . I went inside to get a Freezeoni ( frozen drink like a Slushi ) and tada I saw the rollback outside . The driver said that he prefers to use the kickstand over the center stand since he can strap it on tighter . I had suggested the CS since I only use it after I learned the hard way as a teen how easy a bike can roll over and tear up the mirrors .
That sucks is that cop was being a jerk , but he may have been concerned for your safety .
Since you will be getting a new belt you may need new rollers and guides as they wear out too . I replaced my guides when I got a belt as they had worn spots . Clean out all the belt debri . I would also grease the clutch shaft since you already have the CVT cover off . Go with a Gates or Bando belt .
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Commuting is the best part of my day!
Posts: 213
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Joined: Feb 26, 2013 7:56:23 GMT -5
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Post by trailheadmike on Jan 25, 2014 22:10:40 GMT -5
I was mad at the policeman but just because I was frustrated. He was absolutely right. My odds were pretty high that I'd be hit hazards or not. Thanks for the suggestion about checking for debris - as I'm going through old how-to posts on the old scootdawg site that is a common theme. If the belt did shred they say the pieces go everywhere even if you don't see them. My clutch started slipping about 1k miles ago (often shuddering on takeoff) so I won't be surprised if my belt started going earlier and debris was already getting in there.
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Post by tvnacman on Jan 25, 2014 22:38:58 GMT -5
I bet the pulleys are glazed , that and a worn belt makes the belt slip . When you get in there remove the clutch and variator , I would do as Scutter says replace the rollers and slides , grease the shafts . Lightly sand the pulley faces , clean out the old grease from the needle bearings and repack with fresh grease . It would be best the disassemble the clutch clean up all the surfaces and relube the lube points check springs make it all happy . I like to clean the cvt area and cover with brake cleaner , just try to keep it off the seals .
If you can match the parts on my testedscooterparts site belt clutch variator or roller slides springs , I will make a great deal for you . The rollers and slides we can get too I just need to know the size .
John
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Commuting is the best part of my day!
Posts: 213
Likes: 14
Joined: Feb 26, 2013 7:56:23 GMT -5
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Post by trailheadmike on Jan 26, 2014 9:04:15 GMT -5
Thanks John. I sent you a message on your facebook page about the belt but you're right, it probably makes sense to open the whole thing up and and get the lay of the land.
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Post by carasdad on Jan 26, 2014 11:02:59 GMT -5
Sounds like it could be your belt. They don't always disintegrate... I have had a few that 'delaminated'..where the layers exasperated off in layers and slapped the CVT cover making a sound as you described. As for law enforcement..I have lost all faith in them. The small town I lived in for 3 years up until last year..I was probably the most harassed person in town. Pulled over MANY times for no reason while riding my Scoot. Each time their only 'probable cause' was that I was a 50 yo man riding a Scooter.Saying this is common for younger folks but raises their concern to see a person my age on one. ok..huh? Was also threatened with a ticket for pushing my Scoot. Plug was loose and it blew out..easy fix but I had no tools with me. I was well off the roadway as the road sides out there have a 10 foot shoulder on them that folks use when walking or riding their bicycles into town. Said I either have it towed or get a ticket for obstructing traffic. I 'fake called' my buddy with a truck to come get me and the officer drove off. Once he was out of site and heading into Fenville the next town over..I pushed it the last mile or so home. Ah but my fave..a lady in town arrested for a DUI while pushing her old Honda Hobbit.. We saw her pushing it as we went to town to pick up a few groceries and on the way back she was gone so we assumed she made it home. Her brother drops by and asks if I can give him a ride to pick her up from jail. They had been drinking beer while watching a Baseball game. She needed to get home to feed her dogs and let them out. Afraid to ride it she pushed it home. She blew a .09 and the law in Michigan is .08 so she was legally intoxicated..however she was not operating a motor vehicle. The Officer admitted he followed her from her brothers..where she was pushing it and never rode it. Charge was reduced to 'Drunk in or about a motor vehicle' While that is a law in 12 states that we found..it is not in Michigan. Yet she was still charged and fined for it. While I don't condone drinking and driving..I also don't condone collecting revenue from a non existent law. As I frequently say these days.. "Serve and protect" has now become.."Serve to collect".. Now for the funny and ironic part here. In that town there is a Biker Bar that is packed every weekend. Every night you see guys stagger out to their 'Hog' and ride off as an Officer sits across the street to catch folks that fail to drop down to 35 coming into town..and also many fail to make a complete stop at the flashing traffic light. Yet nobody messes with the Bikers. Too scared maybe? A payoff from the bar owner maybe? So whatever ya do..do not push your scooter through Grand Junction or Pullman Michigan..unless you have the money to blow on a ticket..  |
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