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Post by rockynv on Jan 7, 2017 9:26:08 GMT -5
I have tried high temp JB Weld on exhaust system parts with less heat and stress than a head bolt and it did not last very long however I have not used the one that you have to knead and comes in a small jar in some time. You have to be OCD about getting everything perfectly clean and free of any oil, grease and silicone but even then it still shrinks a bit as it cures and you will still need to tap the hole the next size up before you apply it to give it some bite. Heads are usually made of an aluminum alloy with some silicon and ceramic in them so the cam journals will last longer and to withstand higher heat than raw aluminum which presents some problems to overcome in order to get a good bond when using epoxies.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 7, 2017 8:58:29 GMT -5
Rocynv,
You are absolutely right... My dealer charges $50.00 per hour for labor (his techs ARE expert, and FAST) and they get around $30 per hour. The rest goes for all the insurance, and other shop expenses as you say. Times HAVE changed... Back "in the day" in the seventies I made around $40K per year as VP/Creative Director of an ad agency. I easily afforded an 8,000 square-foot custom home, two new Cadillacs and a three nice bikes. The house cost $56K. Today it's valued at $950K. My $40K yearly pay today would be over $500K. However... We somehow get by on my Wife's and my Social Security of $1,500 a month... C heesh! It sucks, but I'm in good company.I could do a Jeff Foxworthy routine... "You may be poor, if... You don't have to even file a tax return..."I'd hate to try to run a business today with the crushing cost of doing business... Ride safe! Leo Back in the day it was different. I worked at a supermarket making a whopping $2.75 an hour and got 11 gallons of name brand gasoline for 1 hours wages. An entire exhaust system front to back for a mid size straight or slant 6 cylinder car was less than $20 including all the gaskets and hangers and you could purchase a brand new car for what you pay for a new 250cc Chinese Scooter today. If you had a second job as a bag boy at a supermarket and saved that paycheck for three years you could move out of your room at the YMCA and into a new 2 bedroom 1 bath home with garage that you paid cash for. Driving up and down Rte1 in New England you had a choice of good places to stop and eat where you could get a full dinner for $1.00 to $2.00. Yes things have changed. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 7, 2017 0:23:43 GMT -5
I had one of the 2007/2008 Znen bikes and since I was putting 1,000 miles per month on it the maintenance and constant failures were a nightmare and I am a former heavy manufacturing plant/tool/truck mechanic, head of maintenance and custom wood working machine designer/builder who does all his own repair work. The monthly valve adjustments and oil changes every two weeks were getting to be too much so the other constant failures from poor metals and design issues were the clincher so the bike had to go. Being who I am I had to fix the bike right before I traded it in but still couldn't trust it as my daily ride to get me to work. It had a new head, Hoca drive components, rebuilt gear box, etc, etc, etc when I traded it in.
The Aprilia/Piaggio bikes are my gold standard today as the engineering and metallurgy meet with my personal design philosophy plus I see so many of these bikes that when well maintained are handed down to the next generation with over 100,000 miles on them.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 7, 2017 0:08:42 GMT -5
Usually to heli-coil or tap a size larger you still have to drill. Personally I am not a big fan of using high temp epoxy on the exhaust bolts of an air cooled engine.
If you have enough vibration to rattle off the exhaust you need to fix that problem too. Check for grooved drive faces, broken weights on the clutch and excessive wobble in the clutch shaft plus for a stretched out or defective belt. Exhausts coming loose are many times a symptom of a problem in the CVT case or gearbox.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 7, 2017 0:00:12 GMT -5
GREAT news!I still can't figure how the engine could rev without the wheel turning, but it must not have revved enough to engage the clutch... I know $75 seems like a lot, but for everything done, it's not out of line. Just the air-filters on these are EXPENSIVE! And it takes some time to change the fluids. Ride safe, and enjoy that Kymco!Leo in Texas
PS: Here in the Dallas area, we can usually ride almost all year long... But... Right now it's 22 degrees and snow on the roads. EEEEWWWW! Not common here, but it happens. Minimum wage is almost $10 an hour now with a competent mechanic paid more so add to that the cost of insurances for the employees, liability insurance, fire/theft insurance, book keeping costs, lights, taxes, AC, etc the dealer is probably not making as much as many think he is charging $75 for that service. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 6, 2017 23:55:13 GMT -5
It could have been a hot clutch sheave stuck wide open which closed once it cooled off or even a stuck rear brake. If the carb was clogged and such it would have bogged down and refused to rev having no power.
Keep an eye on it and if it repeats be sure to call the dealer while its happening.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 6, 2017 13:31:21 GMT -5
It took them how many years to realize that the warnings about smoking were not simply American propaganda? They did finally learn that lesson even though sadly so many folks there died of emphesema and lung cancer with the numbers at crisis levels.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 6, 2017 4:33:18 GMT -5
Besides the 24 elevated to Red state an additional 21 went to Orange a few days ago. Air quality I presume will be the #1 issue in China for a long time to come. The health costs will probably become staggering too. The hope is for a strong wind to come along and help clear things up.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 6, 2017 0:27:35 GMT -5
OK - I contacted the guy my son and I use for oil changes - the "Scooter Genie" - and he said he can't get parts for Kymco. Told me if I could get a belt he could do the work. He can also come and get it - for a fee, of course. I am not even certain it is the belt - although it does sound as if it is. I'm going to call dealer later and see what he says - and I haven't taken CVT cover off or anything, as I don't want dealer to think I was in there...  I would not have the Genie touch it if there is any chance of it being a warranty issue as that indeed could muddy up the waters. You may just open the filter housing up and see if you can get an eye on the belt at best. Give the dealer the first swing at bat and if he asks you to check the belt and report back to him that would be different. Be nice and let him know how much you like the bike, what a big disappointment it was to have such a great bike fail like this at so few miles and how much you appreciate having his assistance in getting the matter resolved. I know it sounds hokey but folks like being put in the position of hero better than having someone coming in already talking in any way like their the adversary. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 4, 2017 23:26:17 GMT -5
Yes even though the warranty does not apply to the belt the belt should be covered if a warrantable part failed.
The dealer may eat the belt replacement costs as a good will gesture even if technically they could not find any other problem that could have cause the belt to fail and is covered by the warranty with the added plus that if more belts fail in short time you have it documented that belts are failing prematurely and they won't be able to say the repetitive failures were because of your lack of expertise in replacing them.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 3, 2017 23:19:18 GMT -5
In Florida 2 up riding you can blow through a belt that's got a few years on it in less than 2,000 miles especially if you ride where its dusty and such. Leaves, sugar sand, bird feathers, etc blowing around can clog up the CVT filter in short time leading to excessive heat and premature belt failure. The 150R is the previous model with the current being the 150X so it could have been made in 2014 and been sitting with that belt at a Florida dealership for almost 3 years plus if the dealership was near to an airport (space center) or fast food restaurant the belt could have been suffering from contamination in addition to old age and very marginal when you bought it.
Engine or gear oil getting on the belt from a spill or leak can also dramatically reduce belt life. Some folks who transported their bikes lying on the left side will experience short belt life from the oil that overflows the purge tube/crankcase vent getting into the CVT case and onto the belt.
That being said you still need to open the case and determine if the belt simple flew apart or something else happened like the drive face was not torqued on properly from the factory and came loose, been contaminated, etc.
I feel you pain having to deal with a belt that had been sitting too long on a peg board in an open service bay near to a doughnut shop. It blew apart on me while riding on the Interstate in the far left passing lane when it had about 2,000 miles on it. Though it looked new it felt light and I almost returned it because it didn't feel right but I was pressed for time and in a rush to get going again. Should have gone with my gut.
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Post by rockynv on Jan 3, 2017 12:45:12 GMT -5
If memory serves a heavily breathed on one of those ran 143+ mph at boniville,,,not too shabby for a 50 Yet some will get quite rabid with you about how impossible that is even though history shows otherwise. Yes performance is remarkable for a not quite 50cc bike. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 3, 2017 4:58:23 GMT -5
Aprilia RS50 (there are a few available and they are not restricted to 25 mph)  tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/5941864934.htmlThese are full sized sport bikes capable of speeds from 75 to 100 mph depending on how they are set up. Some also call these mopeds since they have a 49cc engine. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 3, 2017 4:55:20 GMT -5
 Well. This is my moped then. Custom made and assembled from the frame up by me.... ive had it for years and always just called it and my scooters my "bikes" Some find that there are many places in town where you can Take A Whizz(er) type bike without getting in trouble. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 3, 2017 4:51:22 GMT -5
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