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Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 18:39:26 GMT -5
Seems a bit trivial, but I learned a good trick from my Gold Wing buddy about the timing belts.
When you replace them, make sure the labels line up exactly.
It is not for show. If one belt's label moves out of line with the other, it is an early warning of an impending failure.
It lets you proactively replace the belts before you bend a valve.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 18:23:56 GMT -5
Great business model!
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Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 18:11:02 GMT -5
There are parts of San Diego you do not want to break down in. Nothing like L.A., but it is a big city with barrios.
San Diego is located in a desert, and I also miss the trees in Oregon, but not the snow. We do have nice riding weather most of the year because we are in a desert. Rain is a special event we don't see often.
If you stick to the coast area you will be fine. The North Coast is very nice.
The South Bay... not so nice
City Heights... not so nice
25t. Street area ... not so nice
Chula Vista... well that is Chula Vista.... Getting better.
If you stay on the main roads you stay safe.
Downtown is a mixed bag. The Gaslamp District is a very nice area with great restaurants, shops, and clubs. It used to be a warehouse district, but has been under development as the heart of the city since the early '80s. Great, high quality fun. It is located next to part of downtown you do not want to wonder around in alone. Stay in the main entertainment business areas and you will have fun and be safe.
If you ride a scooter or motorcycle and break down, The next rider will stop to help. The local riders are friendly. |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 18:05:03 GMT -5
I can understand how China Scoots can be such dependable rental machines, and such a dismal failure for the general public.
The rental place knows all the tricks to keep the scoots going.
The general public - not a clue.
The rental place probably uses the same mechanic for all machines.
The general public is lucky to find a place that works on China Scoots. If they do it is $80/hr.
The rental place knows how to put them away for the season.
The general public is not going to get that scooter started in the Spring by themselves.
China Scoots can work, and work well. Now we just need to get the Manufactures in China to deliver them in the condition it takes us many hours to achieve.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 13:37:54 GMT -5
In San Diego they rent 50cc 4 wheel scooters with a little beat up car body on them.
It gives the spring breakers just enough power to get in the way.
they are not really necessary, as most of he Spring Breakers knee walk around town anyway.
At least our Spring Break traffic is limited to one or two areas of town - Pacific Beach for the most part. Half of Arizona's under 30 population is in Pacific Beach on any given weekend during break.
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CDI Box
by: rockinez - Mar 12, 2014 2:06:09 GMT -5
Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 2:06:09 GMT -5
"Significantly advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic", as Arthur C. Clarke said.
This if PFM, as the Navy says... Pure Freaking Magic.
I like the fact we are using it in cars now.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 1:25:50 GMT -5
Bottom line, the Mechanical Engineer won, and I lost.
I ended up replacing almost as many parts as he did, but spent several hours trying to repair before deciding to replace.
He was indeed up and running in two hours, if you count the time it took to drink a beer.
I am not promoting parts changing over mechanics, but in certain situations you already know what issues you may encounter. If $50 worth of parts and two hours work produces a dependable scoot, so be it. The carb is a "black hole time suck" after 6 years of service and storage cycles. It cost $23 to replace with a better carb. I would have put $23 in the cuss jar if I had one.
Those posts indicating you never know brand, or what jets you will get are correct, but should consider contacting the seller by email and ask. I found out I had several choices not listed on eBay, but I just had to ask. There are many sellers on eBay. The guy that sold 45,000+ GY6 carbs and associated parts did know what he was talking about, and was happy to share info.
China scoots are a bit different. Parts are cheap, almost disposable cheap. |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 21:59:28 GMT -5
New max for me today. A little over 100 miles round trip at a casual 45mph or so.
Crazy car traffic outside Valley Center. They don't slow for scooters there I guess.
What is really giving me confidence in the GY6 engine is my buddy's son that races GY6 carts.
He knows a lot about the engine and tells me for what I am doing, the stock engine will be the least of my problems.
The peripheral systems on the Tank scooter will provide ample troubleshooting opportunities, but the engine should be fine for the putting around I do.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 21:38:25 GMT -5
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 21:06:31 GMT -5
Great weather in the San Diego area today 'eh? I did a 100 mile scoot from RB to Pala. I bet a lot of us off work got out on a ride. I wanted to check out the campground. They pack 'em in there. Nice place, but tight and noisy.
I am starting to trust this specific GY6 150 a little more. It pulled the hills without heating up. Very nice.
When you change 3 components at once, it makes it difficult to say which one made the difference.
How ever it worked out, CDI - carb - coil, it is a lot more power. Nice day, nice ride.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 20:55:17 GMT -5
My dad was a factory trained Harley mechanic from the old school.
I personally did not like Harleys. I rode a Norton. It made him crazy.
I could have built a Harley for free and I bought a new Norton. Most likely to piss him off.
People getting uppity over ownership of one machine over another is a bit silly.
There are a lot of fine machines out there. It is all a personal choice.
Of course the China scoots that bring us all together are none of those fine machines. We like a different challenge. Tinkering..... |
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 4:50:24 GMT -5
I put two 4" straps around the frame and the carrier. I also strapped down each wheel to the carrier.
I use two 3" straps on each side for extra safety, and to keep the CHP happy.
So far it hasn't moved much once on the carrier.
I did find the carrier may last longer if you block up the loading end (2x4 works) to keep the center bracket from being under stress. If the carrier teeter-totters on the center brackets, they will break according to reviews on Harbor Freight's site.
So far so good. Scary as heck to load by yourself. I don't recommend it.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 4:37:26 GMT -5
If you are running WOT, you may need a bigger scoot. It is certainly a consideration.
Every machine has an optimum operating condition. If you want the scoot to last a while, you will find that sweet spot and not run WOT.
Your scoot, your call. Me I want this thing to be around and running until I get my money's worth out of it ;-)
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 3:32:36 GMT -5
This project is a bit like the stuff we see in San Diego. A guy will take a Honda Civic and spend $60k to turn it into a $45k BMW.
Why not just buy the BMW?
Earbuds of the iPod type work better in a helmet, sounds better also.
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Post by rockinez on Mar 11, 2014 2:29:15 GMT -5
I quit watching when he said "First I went out and bought myself a new header." That cost more than a new muffler on eBay. 'nuf said.
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