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Post by thecollector on May 12, 2020 14:24:37 GMT -5
I am back in the saddle again!
I moved to NM just over a year ago and am back on the Xciting. I had to drag it down here from CO and let it sit as I tried to figure out what to about the ignition/key issue. I wasn't able to fix it or find the replacement. I was in a tough spot until I did some research and realized the key set on my 250 is THE SAME as on the 500. They get different part numbers but are the same at the factory. So I ordered an ignition set for a 500 and installed it. Not easy to cut the old one out.
It started up pretty easily but the instrument cluster was out and so were my available funds. I did get a stimulus bonus and struck a decent deal on a used cluster and Viola, am riding again.
This place of mine is really a middle of nowhere place. My rides in and out of our village have some shorter technical sections and much longer, flat, straight as a ruler rides. Yeeehaw!
If you are coming through Southern New Mexico, let me know and I might come out and GETCHA!
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Post by thecollector on Feb 5, 2019 19:39:51 GMT -5
I have been away for a while for good reason. I had been making plans to make a change in domicile about 5 months ago and was in the midst of finally fixing the core problem with my Xciting 250. Before long, everything has escalated into a much larger life change than I ever expected. It feels like I am about to emerge like the Phoenix in about a month or so.
It would take a long time and too many words to describe what has gone on in the last few months. Until I land in my new home, which will no longer be in Colorado, I cannot tell you all the specifics. I may not be riding the Xciting and have to semi-retire or, conversely, have more than one small displacement ride.
I have a "new for me" S10 pickup bought as is. I am still working on the plan for the old black car. I may or may not have my own space to work on all these vehicles. I will know better in the next few weeks.
Before I announce what the final changes are I wanted to check in and let you know that the people on this board have been very important to me the last five years and have really helped me prepare for this really BIG MOVE in my life.
Whether or not I have a lot or nothing more to share with all of you this year I want you to know this board has never been far out of my mind. I just have been reluctant to share my daily turmoil since September 2018 because I prefer to show you what I have done rather than talk and talk about it.
Until then, keep the rubber side down.
Nah, always keep the rubber side down.
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Freshman Rider
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Post by thecollector on Dec 20, 2017 22:36:04 GMT -5
I have a large number of performance parts, gently used, for a 150cc. These include a NCY CVT kit, coil + CDI, and a set of jets. PM me and I will tell you the details.
Good luck with the project.
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Post by thecollector on Apr 23, 2017 22:55:52 GMT -5
You say don't mod your scooter. What does your buddy with the GY6 Ruckus say?
Your stock jet is most likely between 97 and 103. If you look closely, maybe with a magnifying lens, and compare it to the others you bought you should be able to narrow it down. How about asking someone at a shop to compare it to known jets for you?
I have friends who are fans of bone stock to those who heavily modify. I still lean toward the latter.
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Post by thecollector on Mar 28, 2017 10:50:28 GMT -5
I have the speedometer working correctly, for now. I had suspected the issue was located in several possible areas, at first. While doing some work on the front end I couldn't help touching the sensor cable and it went from about 80% operational to way off. I was sure it was the sensor wires now. I did a little more searching and realized that Kymco makes the sensor wire differently these days. Aha! With my original version, the three wires are sleeved from the sensor almost all the way to the four prong plug. There is about an inch and half length where the wires are not sleeved. The new version has a boot behind the plug to prevent kinking of the wires behind the plug. I removed the sensor and gently massaged the wires in the sleeve until they were as smooth as can be. I added a piece of electrical tape to make a boot behind the plug. I also zip tied the connection to the wire harness to move the junction to a horizontal position to prevent the kinking behind the plug. It works now within "normal parameters." I find it is really important to know how fast I'm going and how far I've gone. Whew!
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Post by thecollector on Mar 24, 2017 9:07:28 GMT -5
I did some similar mods to my old 150. I also had sl26's and really enjoyed the difference in handling.
There are several ways to do the intake tube, some have been posted recently. I think positioning the end of the intake to the side of the bike, to collect cooler air, is a good idea. I used a piece of flexible steel tube from an exhaust repair kit for that. I think 115 on the main jet is a good start and might be just right for the area you are riding in.
I think your exhaust idea will work but I went with a new exhaust and I did not really experience back pressure issues. If you are going to the trouble of boosting performance, why not add the extra wow factor of a cool-looking, performance exhaust? Are you aiming for more of a "sleeper" look?
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Post by thecollector on Mar 19, 2017 19:46:08 GMT -5
I am not familiar with your bike but I am familiar with troubleshooting speedometer issues.
Firstly, determine if your speedometer is mechanically driven or an electronic/magnetic style.
My old bike had a mechanical speedometer. You need to check if it is connected from end to end. The hub needs to be engaged with the sprocket on the wheel. If it is and the gears are spinning properly then the cable should spin and make the speedometer needle move. A quick way to isolate the trouble is if you can remove the cable from the hub on the wheel, attach that end of the cable to a power drill and see if you can get the speedometer to register the movement. I believe reverse setting on the drill is the proper rotation direction.
My current ride has the magnetic type. There is a slotted insert in the front wheel the magnetic pickup detects as the wheel moves. Make sure the wires are connected and solid from end to end. I recently corrected the issue with mine (wonky but not completely off) by massaging the wires in the sleeve until it was smooth and a bit of electrical tape at the top to prevent kinking of the wires behind the four prong connector. I also moved the wire harness connection to a more horizontal position, secured with a zip tie, to eliminate the tugging at the soft spot.
Good Luck.
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Post by thecollector on Mar 15, 2017 21:33:33 GMT -5
Good pics, I like it.
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Post by thecollector on Mar 5, 2017 13:00:04 GMT -5
Glad to hear it. I wish you both many easy miles in the new ride.
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Post by thecollector on Feb 24, 2017 16:35:50 GMT -5
I had a 150 once. If the 3-wire connections are different, and there is not more than one 3-wire connector on your harness, you probably have a different stator than what was original.
The different connectors is one way of telling a half wave stator from a full wave. They are also soldered at different points at the coils. If you wire it up to the old connection, it should work, but you might wind up with a "speed sensitive" headlamp.
There are plenty of YouTube videos on the subject but you might wind up connecting the headlamp to the battery (DC) via a toggle switch.
Good Luck.
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Post by thecollector on Dec 17, 2016 15:55:59 GMT -5
Recently, without doing much of anything, the speedometer is working "better." I had made an attempt to check on the speed sensor/wire and some of the possible electrical connections for problems. None of that seemed to improve it. It still has the LCD display section fade out when it gets wet or cold. I was waiting for a chance, meaning better weather, to go through it more thoroughly and narrow down the issue. As the temps have dropped but I've kept riding, I reinflated the tires because the pressures have dropped. At first, the speedo seemed to respond to hard throttle but drop off after I eased the gas. Now more recently, with it a bit colder, it seems to be working almost completely as it should. I still think there is a loose/weak connection that causes the LCD to fade but the sensor might just be slightly off. Perhaps the front end just needs to be adjusted with regard to both brake calipers. I don't think I'm going to need new parts.
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Post by thecollector on Oct 14, 2016 22:44:05 GMT -5
I'm digging it; the battery box looks really cool.
Looking forward to the rest of it.
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Post by thecollector on Sept 27, 2016 18:21:05 GMT -5
I mentioned this in the thread about my new to me Kymco.
When I bought it, I was told it had an intermittent speedometer and that all attempts to correct it had come up short. I was told it "passed the tests" so they were not sure where the problem was located.
After riding it, and seeing the symptoms, I had the idea that the problem it wasn't just located in the speedometer system. The speedometer flakiness was a symptom of too much dirt accumulated throughout the wiring harness.
I won't post the wiring diagram or go into a lengthy explanation of conductivity. Just keep in mind that the battery is located at the very back end, the stator about where you expect, and the speedometer sensor is at the front wheel. I believe that enough dirt and grime had accumulated at just about every wired connection and electricity was being robbed a bit at each point. Therefore, there was not enough electricity reaching the front end of the bike to operate the speedometer.
I ran a short loop today and the speedometer, while not accurate, was registering some speed almost the whole way. Miles were logged at a discounted rate. This is an improvement over all observations since I bought it.
I think another round or two of cleaning all the excess grime off the electrical system will result in a fully functioning speedometer.
I am reminded of an old roommate who had the mantra "A clean car runs better" when I commented on his very regular visits to the car wash. It applies to bikes as well.
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Post by thecollector on Sept 26, 2016 22:57:52 GMT -5
Thanks, Leo. ... Aw, who am I kidding? I blow away anything on four wheels from a stop. No one asked, but if you are wondering after the shop graciously took my Chinese Junk as trade-in I paid $600 for the Xciting 250Ri. You bad boy you. Get you together with Leo and you'll make a scootie-gang! $600 sounds like a great price! How many miles did it come with, before you started road hogging on'n'on? >'Kat Good question. Since the speedometer is not working properly neither is the odometer. It read just under 8000 miles when I got it, but considering how long there has been an issue I would say the real mileage is at least twice that. Last week during a scooter group ride and bowling night it rained a bit. When I started it up the LCD clock/odometer at the bottom of the speedo was practically invisible. Today after cleaning it up, just around the engine, the LCD came back as vivid as it has ever been. The speedo needle moved around a bit more, too. This leads me to believe that there is just an electrical issue: not enough juice is reaching the speedometer. I'll continue to check on it as it gets cleaner. Apparently, everyone at the shop rode it but none of them cleaned it. You should have seen the old fluids. I guess the speedometer deserves its own thread now.
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Post by thecollector on Sept 23, 2016 14:53:42 GMT -5
Thanks, Leo. When I got started on the 150 I became familiar with speed ratings on tires and upgraded to Pirelli SL 26's. More than enough rubber for that bike. The Xciting has a Shinko up front (120/70 15inch) and an Avon Viper Stryke on the rear (150/70 14inch). Both appear to be in good shape and are S rated. I think I am set for awhile. It has a long wheelbase like my buddies' Burgman 400's and Majesty's but is about 150 lbs lighter. The one thing I knew was off was the speedometer, which kinda waves at me occasionally. I am getting used to guestimating my speed by the tach, and riding with the flow of traffic. Aw, who am I kidding? I blow away anything on four wheels from a stop. I plan on getting a mount for my phone and using that as my speedometer until I get that fixed. No one asked, but if you are wondering after the shop graciously took my Chinese Junk as trade-in I paid $600 for the Xciting 250Ri.
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