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Post by rockinez on Mar 9, 2014 16:58:09 GMT -5
I like how they mounted the splash guard between the back wheel and the engine.
Three sheet metal screws through plastic and the rubber splash guard.
No consideration for the next guy to work on the scoot, and they would have ripped out after a couple more years.
Time for them to go, and be replaced with captive metal strips that will last years, not months.
I also found a sheet metal screw holding the plastic around the gas cap digging into the metal gas tank. Not the best design. I fixed that with a better fastener, and put rubber bumpers on the tank to keep anything from hitting the metal gas tank again. A shot of primer and a squirt of black took care of the scratch before it started to rust.
Next the body mounts.... That is a challenge. Any suggestions? |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 9, 2014 13:33:02 GMT -5
Her skins are off for the seasonal refresh.
I will get her knickers back on after I have everything clean and tightened up.
This year I am going to get rid of those sharp assembly screws, and replace them with a proper fastener that doesn't draw blood when I work on the scoot.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 9, 2014 13:26:05 GMT -5
Something in me does not want to replace a good carb if the old one can be cleaned.
I did understand his point. Last year he knew he was going to need a gasket next time he pulled the carb apart. $10 for a gasket. His auto choke failed the multimeter test, another $9. I understand why he spent $23 on a new one. The fuel and vacuum lines I am having a harder time with. If you empty the gas tank and drain the carb when putting it up, you can just flush the fuel lines when you replace the fuel filter. If the CDI worked when you parked it, there is an excellent chance it will work in the Spring. Coil and wire replacement, same as the CDI. They probably work after 4 months in the garage.
Personally I am going for the therapeutic approach. China Scoot mechanics are relaxing, and fun if undertaken with the correct attitude. Being in a hurry is not the proper attitude.
Slowly taking things apart, cleaning and reassembly gives you a closer connection with the mechanical side of the scoot.
It is not all "get on and ride" as my buddy says.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 8, 2014 18:01:03 GMT -5
Oh heck then, my 1975 Norton 850 Commando might have been a bad product. The Norton requires as much service as my China Scoot, but it is much more expensive. The Norton was leaking oil on the show room floor when I bought it in 1975. That was expected of a Norton in 1975. You bought a Norton for handling and power in those days. We didn't care if we needed kitty litter in a box under the bike. That was then.
I would not put up with a China Scoot leaking on my garage floor..... I think I expect a lot more from motor sports products now days, including China Scoots. |
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CDI Box
by: rockinez - Mar 8, 2014 17:48:34 GMT -5
Post by rockinez on Mar 8, 2014 17:48:34 GMT -5
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Post by rockinez on Mar 8, 2014 17:18:27 GMT -5
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Post by rockinez on Mar 8, 2014 13:45:49 GMT -5
My buddy has a Roketta 150cc that is remarkably similar to my Tank 150cc (Identical, except for the decals we both removed, and color).
He watched me dink around with my Tank getting it ready for the season. Cleaning the carb, adjusting the valves, checking fuel and vacuum lines, tighten everything still attached, and replacing those things that are not. He took an entirely different approach. Instead of pulling and cleaning out his carb, testing his lines, etc. he is just replacing the carb, fuel and vacuum lines. He found his exact carb on eBay for $23, and the hoses, t's and clamps locally for $12. He bought a new OEM CDI, coil w/plug wire and NEC spark plug for another $9. He has $44 invested in parts on order.
I had about 4 days of afternoon fun getting mine back into shape. I also found a faulty ground, and replaced some Chinese cheese metal bolts with higher quality stuff. I enjoy the work and consider it fun.
My Type A buddy has no time for that. He checked his valves, and now believes he will have his Roketta up and running in less than 2 hours of parts swapping.
I have to admit that the parts, especially the carb are so inexpensive that it is an interesting approach.
We are both engineers, but from different disciplines. Let us see if the mechanical engineer's approach, or the systems engineer's approach turns out to be the best.
I think I win already, as I had about 16 hours of "wrench therapy". This relaxes me during the parts where I am not yelling at stuck bolts :-)
Which way do you lean? Fix 'er up again, or replace everything 'cus its cheap? |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 5:57:02 GMT -5
Hard tail 35 years ago = bad back now!
Yes the scoots are more comfortable, and in some cases as dependable as some of the junk I rode in the '60s & '70s. I had a lot of "one way bikes" they may get you there, but would they get you home.
I also like working on the China scoots, and they never disappoint. There is always something that needs replacing.
One thing I am having a hard time getting used to. The step through frame. I am over 60, and still try to throw my leg over. I hit the helmet box........ 6 years now, and that box is kicked all to heck on one side. |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 5:43:22 GMT -5
At least you get a helmet hook to hold you helmet outside.
It seems the larger the bike, the less storage.
'75 Norton 850 Commando can hold the registration and insurance card under the seat, if you have your own tape.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 5:32:05 GMT -5
I put a 30 pack on the floor with a strap, Two bags of groceries under the seat, and 3 more in the helmet trunk on the back. The store is only a block away, it all works out :-)
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 5:28:16 GMT -5
Near the beach in San Diego you see a lot of China Scoots with surfboard mounts. Very cool. |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 5:18:06 GMT -5
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 4:53:00 GMT -5
This is a great example of how exporting manufacturing to Taiwan also required them to use approved quality control systems like Six Sigma.
In the electronics and computer industry, it took us years to get the suppliers to comply until they realized they could compete with Japan using new factories and real quality control with actual revision control and 'end of life' management for components. Stuff we take for granted.
Ten years ago I took a class on working with Chinese vendors, both in Taiwan and Mainland China. They used a car as an example. If you ordered a car in the U.S. you expect the car to have tires and wheels. You would also expect the same tires and wheels throughout the mfg contract unless changes were approved. We don't even think about it. Not so in China 10 years ago. You could get tires and wheels, but not the same size tires and wheels consistently. You got what the market provided in China at the time.
I am glad Taiwan is producing quality products that we can expect to last, and be repairable if necessary.
I suspect we should watch what happens in South Korea in the next 5 years. I suspect we will see real quality products from Korea. Can we import them? Another question.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 4:21:02 GMT -5
Intermittent issues with my 2008 Tank 150cc Urban Sport were driving me crazy. I couldn't reproduce the strange electrical problems.
I have the body off for a seasonal refresh now and am waiting for parts, so am using the time to check and tighten up everything.
Tank scoots, as do all China Scoots, have their quality issues. I checked the ground to chassis bolt, and it was stripped and not providing a real ground. Both the bolt and the captive nut welded to the frame were cheese metal, and were worthless. I used a longer higher quality bolt, and a second capture nut to provide a good ground.
Just to be sure, I found an unused bolt hole on the frame, cleaned it out and connected a second ground wire to it. I remember doing this to my first Yamaha 100 45 years ago.
As  % of motor vehicle electrical faults are in the ground, I figured I would use both belt and suspenders.
One thing these China Scoot projects are teaching me is to never overlook the obvious. Even if it tested good during last years refresh, doesn't mean anything today. I suspect the metal in the fasteners actually melts in the rain, not rusting, it just turns to goo. |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 7, 2014 2:57:40 GMT -5
My speedometer lies. I use my old GPS to give me an accurate speed.
My speedometer is racking up 1.4 miles for every mile driven. The speedometer believes the scoot has 4600 China miles on my current 2008 Tank 150cc.
I try to not to go WOT unless necessary. I am not planning a rebuild soon, and would not like to be forced into one. I am more of a putt around guy, than a speed about guy. No problems on the 6 year old scoot until this year. I had some things to clean up during the Spring service, but after 6 years, the Tank is doing fine for something I bought new, from a dealer, for $1400 in 2008.
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% of motor vehicle electrical faults are in the ground, I figured I would use both belt and suspenders.