tao tao 50cc: back wheel doesn't spin up unless fully reved
by: cam1994 - Oct 19, 2016 21:07:14 GMT -5
Post by cam1994 on Oct 19, 2016 21:07:14 GMT -5
Hi,
I'm fairly new to scooters but I required some form of low cost transportation a few months ago so I decided after some research to go with the Tao Tao ATM150-A1 (go figure). It arrived in good shape and I used it until about a month ago after the following incident.
I was grabbing groceries at a Safeway and as I entered it began raining. On leaving I noticed the scooter was quite wet. Anyhow, I believe I must have reved the scooter too quickly and it spun out from under me, causing it to lose grip as I was taking off and for me to be thrown from the bike. Luckily I was only going 5mph and was miraculously unhurt. The scooter itself looked a bit scratched on the side but aside from that there was no visible damage. I decided to be on the safe side and carefully walked it home -- about a mile thankfully -- so I wouldn't slip again.
The next morning I inspected the scooter and it seemed fine externally. However on starting I noticed the following: It no longer starts up smoothly, the gas-gauge stayed at the very top gives a false reading -- not lowering, and once in motion (though still able to reach 35 mph) the engine sounds much noisier and whiny and there is a much more distinct gas smell. Most importantly, the ONLY way the back wheel spins at all now is with the throttle wide open.
I checked the spark plug and it was burnt out so I replaced it. However the fuel gauge issue remains (I'm guessing I may have to purchase a new bobber bar as the wiring looks fine in front) and so does the issue with the back wheel not starting at low revs unless the throttle is all the way down.
Does this sound like an internal problem with the motor -- something like the carburetor needing an adjustment or something simpler I've overlooked like adjusting the fuel mixture needle (I haven't touched it and it is getting a bit colder)?
Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
A few notes:
-engine and gear oil have been changed
-it still has a fair amount of gas
I'm fairly new to scooters but I required some form of low cost transportation a few months ago so I decided after some research to go with the Tao Tao ATM150-A1 (go figure). It arrived in good shape and I used it until about a month ago after the following incident.
I was grabbing groceries at a Safeway and as I entered it began raining. On leaving I noticed the scooter was quite wet. Anyhow, I believe I must have reved the scooter too quickly and it spun out from under me, causing it to lose grip as I was taking off and for me to be thrown from the bike. Luckily I was only going 5mph and was miraculously unhurt. The scooter itself looked a bit scratched on the side but aside from that there was no visible damage. I decided to be on the safe side and carefully walked it home -- about a mile thankfully -- so I wouldn't slip again.
The next morning I inspected the scooter and it seemed fine externally. However on starting I noticed the following: It no longer starts up smoothly, the gas-gauge stayed at the very top gives a false reading -- not lowering, and once in motion (though still able to reach 35 mph) the engine sounds much noisier and whiny and there is a much more distinct gas smell. Most importantly, the ONLY way the back wheel spins at all now is with the throttle wide open.
I checked the spark plug and it was burnt out so I replaced it. However the fuel gauge issue remains (I'm guessing I may have to purchase a new bobber bar as the wiring looks fine in front) and so does the issue with the back wheel not starting at low revs unless the throttle is all the way down.
Does this sound like an internal problem with the motor -- something like the carburetor needing an adjustment or something simpler I've overlooked like adjusting the fuel mixture needle (I haven't touched it and it is getting a bit colder)?
Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
A few notes:
-engine and gear oil have been changed
-it still has a fair amount of gas
