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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 3, 2016 19:39:07 GMT -5
Whew!
THIS one REALLY hits home with me. I just had my front Shinko P-rated 120-70-12 tire split wide open down the center. Turns out it was over 10-years old when purchased. I just replaced it with a new one (made THIS year...). I rode it 2-years and 3,000 miles with great performance. In the old days, I'd run anything including used 16" truck tires on Harley baggers. That was then. Things are different nowadays.
On scooters especially, tires make all the difference. I've LEARNED that... My old Xingyue 150 wore bottom-end "J" rated (62-mph) Kenda 13" tires with a modern "slick with rain-grooves" tread. They were fine except on very slippery surfaces.
My Kymco 250 came shod with new Identical-style J-rated Kendas. J-rated is "62-mph" rated. To be blunt, on the 250 they were truly AWFUL. Even though well-balanced, they felt "weird" above 60, and pushed to 75 (which is faster than they should be ridden) they put the scoot all over the road. When slowing from say, 50, going down to 20, they would "thump" and, induce wobble.
These were the same type tires that were fine on my 230-pound 150. On the 350-pound 250 however, they were almost dangerous.
I wanted whitewalls, AND definitely wanted "P"rated (92-mph) quality tires. I found ONLY Shinko offered a P-rated whitewall in 120-70-12 for my front. The companion REAR Shinko comes only in 130-70-12... NOBODY makes a 140-70-12 whitewall for the rear... My dealer was kind enough to check with some tire gurus as to what REAR tire would be best to PAINT a whitewall on, and mix with the Shinko. Consensus was the Michelin Power Pure. This IS mixing a modern slick tread-style radial with a vintage street-tread bias-ply tire. Sounds like a bad idea, but the combo works marvelously, just as the tire expert predicted.
So... the whitewall Shinko went on the front, and the Power Pure with PAINTED whitewall went on the rear. Both P-rated tires performed beautifully with no weirdness or shimmy/wobble at ANY speed. I THOROUGHLY tested them by locking the brakes on both dry and wet pavement, the "oily" center of the lane, and on dirt and gravel... sliding sideways and recovering... I also with a long downhill freeway stretch AND a 30-mph tailwind got the mouse's speedo to 99-mph (An actual 96). Not recommended, but... I had to be SURE the radial/bias and different tread mix truly WAS safe, and pleasant to ride. It was!Both performed well, with the old-school street-tread "Vespa-style" Shinko being better on poor-traction surfaces and the "slick with rain-grooves" Michelin being better on dry pavement. I have to admit it was fun smoking the Michelin on a rainy road... Only 20 ponies, but she'd really break loose... LOL! 
When you're an old Hog guy and ya got saddlebags, fishtail exhaust and light-up goose on the nose, ya just gotta have wide-whites... Oh, YEAH!For the 99% of riders who wouldn't even WANT whitewalls, modern tread tires like the Michelin (or Avon, Pirelli and similar major speed-rated makes) all provide good, smooth general performance. But even with ideal tires, air-pressure is a big factor. My lightweight Xingyue on Kendas handled best at about 30 pounds pressure.The Kymco handles best with around 32 pounds in the rear Michelin and 36-38 pounds in the front Shinko. BOTH tires hold air longer than the Kendas did. Only need air every 60 days or so.
And as mentioned, some (like my Michelin) are softer and stickier, but wear faster. And, Some are harder (like my Shinko) and wear slower. Stickier offers more traction, harder offers longer wear. If you ride hard, and have contempt for chicken-strips, go softer and buy 'em more often... Daily-drivers will like long-lasting hard tire compounds... Yup!
I must note that Shinko tires of this 1950's vintage tread-style are not generally considered "high-end" meats for fast running. My original Shinko failure however is surely due to its age (my fault for not checking...). It's performance was VERY good until it split open. And, to its credit, the steel belts and inner construction kept it from blowing, and losing air.
I discovered the 8" x 1/2" split AFTER returning from an 80-mph freeway romp. I'll keep EXTRA-close watch over the replacement, but I don't expect it to give any trouble. In general, I think Shinko tires are quite good.
What Ungabunga posted here IS good advice. Especially with smaller scooter tires, you need to do your homework and get quality tires meant for your scooter's weight and speed capabilities. Personally, I agree with putting higher-speed rated tires even on a 150. They don't cost much more, and, they just ride and handle noticeably better, even at low speed. Definitely worth the few extra bucks!Just my 2-cents worth...Ride safe... AND, the right TIRES help you do just that!Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 3, 2016 19:03:19 GMT -5
Pretty neat, but that big, empty space in the double-cradle frame looks like it's just begging for about a 500cc vertical twin... with a clutch n' gears tranny where the scooter motor now resides...
Just me...
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 2, 2016 21:47:38 GMT -5
I am amazed that the 2T Mini bike was street legal, Leo. If it was only 48cc, I would still be amazed that it was street legal.
Well, it really should NOT have been... LOL! Have a bone!However, this was 1962, and there were no emissions laws, no insurance laws, no helmet laws and all one had to do in Illinois then, was to have a title (mine read "homemade") and was penciled on notebook paper.
2-strokes were EVERYWHERE! Remember the infamous Kawasaki "Widomaker" 3-cylinder rockets" Bikes, scooters, mopeds (REAL mopeds) with pedals... Whizzer, Solex, etc. The Yamaha and Bridgestone, and who could forget the immortal Hokaka Wombat? And the dirt-bike variant, the "Combat Wombat"... LOL!
All I needed was a headlight, tail-light and brake-light. Those were Lucas 6V bicycle items pirated from my Schwinn fat-tire cruiser. I simply added a medium-sized 6V motorcycle battery (LOTS of vehicles were still 6-volt) and charged it each night. In truth, nobody at the motor vehicle department EVER thought anyone would license a 100-mph mini-bike. But I did... HeHeHe... I suppose nobody figured anyone would be nuts enough to BUILD a 100-mph mini-bike... But I was a kart nut with a spare killer Mac motor on hand... Yup...
Talk about "handy"! That little beastie could be used as a stool to sit on at ballgame... I kept it in my bedroom. I'd ride it to the train station, take it aboard and ride it through downtown Chicago to school and hang it on my locker-handle. It had a huge, square, megaphone kart open header, and on a dare I once fired it up inside the school hall and spun donuts until those in authority voiced their disapproval at the 140-db sound level and the choking blue haze of pungent castor-oil and burning rubber smoke... Talk about "sour grapes"... The admin made me clean the tire-marks off, and polish the floor to keep from being suspended... Cheesh!
Sadly, a couple years later, Illinois instituted a "wheel-size" requirement to license a bike. It was based on the outside-diameter of the tire on the smallest Vespa 10" wheel, which was probably around 15" or 16". My 5" racing kart wheels had 11" outside-diameter tires... I had to surrender my treasured plate...:  I still get a goofy smile on my face remembering street-racing a local hot-rod Corvette at the local outlaw drag hangout. That old 'Vette ran in the high 13's but my little 2-smoker would run in the 12's all day. When I took the "Thermo-Nuclear Suppository" as she was nicknamed from the trunk of my '50 Chevy and carried the little bomb to the starting line, it was supposed to be all in fun. But the 'Vette driver got nasty, insulting the "Lil' Nuke" so I growled at him to put $500 on the line if he had the cajones. (That's about $5,000 in today's Obama-dollars...)
He did... laughing like a hyena... Until I blew his 'Vette away by two car-lengths.
Thankfully, I had my pal "Tiny" hold the money... Tiny was around 6' 10" and 600 pounds, and looked like he'd EAT your carcass after he killed you. He was actually very friendly, but we kept that a secret... LOLOLOL! 
Below is a pic of Tiny... I painted it for an article in a long-forgotten cycle rag doing an article on my chopper, because I had no camera to take his picture...
 We were a fun-loving bunch, and we could do things back then in fun that would put us in jail today... LOL!Ride safe, for sure!Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 1, 2016 23:23:36 GMT -5
I just checked out your blogspot. VERY nice!Your handle may be "Scootinfool" but you're NO fool... Have a bone for the crosses and scripture reference. Good witness.
From this old grumpy Christian chopper jockey, Be Blessed, and have another bone!Sincerely, Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 1, 2016 22:59:35 GMT -5
Ungabunga,
You're most welcome to use my posts any time. I tend to get too long-winded, but that comes with getting to be an old geezer... For the record, I've been a big-bike cruiser/chopper rider for over a half-century, but nowadays I'm totally sold on twist-n'-go scooters! Too much arthritis now to climb onto the big bikes, and any scooter 200cc and larger will do about anything I need, and at an affordable price! Especially if you'll accept an old beater like the mouse! She's OLD, she's WELL WORN and has plenty of miles on her clock... But she'll still hit an honest 82-mph on the flat, with no wind. For those thinking "gosh"! That's only a realistic uphill, with wind (real-life conditions) cruise of 65 to 70 max. Still not bad for an outdated old gal.
Ride safe!Leo
PS: If you hang with me very much, you'll end up putting whitewalls on your scooter rims, and a light-up goose on the nose... LOLOLOL... Oh, YES, and some black n' white checkerboard trim is in "Minnie Mouse's" future, along with some fringe and vintage glass reflectors on the bags...
You gotta consider I still have a functioning 8-track record and playback on my home stereo which I got as an 8th grade grad present (back in 1960)... And it still rocks the walls! When you get old, this stuff is considered "normal"...
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 1, 2016 20:16:42 GMT -5
Hey, my 1962 mini-bike would beat it!
It was the same frame as the one from this vintage ad, but with racing kart wheels and a McCulloch mill... 5" wheels, 40 pounds wet, 40+hp McCulloch kart motor... 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds, top-speed of just over 100-mph...
I used to ride it to the train station, carry it aboard and then ride it through downtown Chicago while going to college... Yes, it WAS street-licensed!!! A fluke in the 1962 Illinois vehicle code allowed that. A few years later, a "minimum wheel-size" was introduced, making my little friend no longer licensable. Those 5" wheels had tires with an outside diameter of less than 11"... At 100-mph, they must have been turning a MONUMENTAL rpm... (I remember them being marked "not for highway use; 25-mph max. speed) "Doin' the dime", the motor was running about 19-20Krpm. NO suspension but a pair of car valve-springs in the front fork... NO CVT, NO gears... just a centrifugal clutch, chain and one speed. Aside from top-fuel dragsters, there will probably NEVER again be engines to equal the gut-wrenching all-out NASTY, explosive power-per-cubic-inch screaming performance of the 1960's 2-stroke kart motors. If you missed out on that short window of gas-powered insanity, you just cannot comprehend the pure-animal personality of the kart motors.
And, no, I never did hit a pothole on the mini... THANK GOD!!! Those corrugated, see-through BRIDGES over the river were a booger on teensy tires, though... LOL
Us old geezers from the sixties had THE most WONDERFUL toys on the planet! Ride safe,Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 1, 2016 11:57:15 GMT -5
Ungabunga,
Great vid! Have a bone!I agree with your advice. And now that this old Harley guy is a die-hard Kymco rider, AND former Chinese 150 rider, I can tell you all it is good advice to only go with Chinese rides IF you are willing to be ready for some extra work in return for the low initial cost. Obviously, some Chinese scoots are trouble-free, but VERY often, they are not. I wrenched on my Xingyue 150 for THREE FULL SEASONS getting it right, BUT... Then it was absolutely trouble-free for four seasons. It was still running perfectly when I traded it in on my Kymco. Yes, potholes ARE a PIA on 12" wheels... My Grandvista 250 has 12-inchers. It depends on how FAST you are going when meeting the pothole... LOL! Fast enough carries you OVER the hole. Too slow will plant the wheel IN the hole. Not good... Seriously though, any wheels smaller than the "big-wheel" rides with 17" or larger are a little hard on rough surfaces. With good, speed-rated tires, well-balanced however, they cruise the highway at 70+ smooth as a Harley. And I must admit, I'm hopelessly addicted to the look of small wheel scooters. 
If you REALLY have a "Jones" for something irresistible, quick, but pricey on 10" wheels, ya jus' gotta check out a Genuine Buddy 170... But ya gotta remember, this old geezer used to run 80-mph, (often sneaking up to 100-mph) on Chicago freeways on a McCulloch-powered 40-pound mini-bike on 5" wheels as a kid... Even though I had an "animal" Harley chopper in the garage... Woo-HOO! FUN! But NOT recommended now that I'm 70 and still alive and riding.....
Here's a pic of "Minnie Mouse" when I first got her for wheel-size reference. You can see the wheels ARE a tad small on a 250. The Grandvista was a flat-floor version of the original "Bet n' Win" 250. Kymco has come a LONG way from these early scoots, but they are still great rides, and nearly bullet-proof... I've yet to meet a Taiwan-made Kymco or SYM rider who didn't love his/her scooter.
  Above is a Kymco "People 200" I rode as a loaner while my dealer changed my tires. It looks decidedly "Italian" with its 17" wheels. It truly amazed me, partly because of the large wheels smoothness. Big difference from 12" to 17" wheels. This little blue scoot felt as light as a Schwinn bicycle, and was EASY to ride, and to put onto the center-stand. Being an air-cooled GY6 type engine (163cc, NOT a true 200) surprisingly, it had plenty of acceleration and would haul my 230-pound butt to 65-mph with ease. It ran like we WISH our Chinese 150's would... Yup, I like Kymcos!Whatever size, brand, style, etc. you like, DO test ride everything possible before deciding. You'll be happier in the long run by not getting something you don't enjoy...
Ride safe, whatever you ride!Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 1, 2016 11:21:39 GMT -5
Considering the price of a C650, it will probably cost half again as much. 15 grand or more is a lot more than I want to spend on a scooter
The electric Beemer IS sweet, but I have to agree about cost. No matter what, part of a scooter's "DNA" is AFFORDABLE transportation... Just two years ago, while shopping for my current scoot, I was AMAZED at what MARVELOUS full-sized MOTORCYCLES could be had used, in good shape for UNDER $3,000. One recent post also links to a dealer offering NEW Kymco scoots (2015 models) for about HALF-PRICE! The fuel-injected 300 for a tad over 3-grand, and... that incredible "My Road" 700 for just over 4-grand! Those did not sell well and are out of production, but for anybody wanting the speed and cruising comfort of a Harley bagger or Honda road-bike, Silver-Wing scoot, etc. it would be hard to resist!
In this "new economy" of working 70 hour weeks for 39 hour pay, PRICE is a biggie!Ride safe, whatever your ride cost... Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 30, 2016 13:23:04 GMT -5
Spandi,
You're most welcome... As old as I am (I turn 70 in a few weeks) I still JUST got into the LAST days of traditional America. As a kid, a joint was a place to have a beer... A screw was something you put your bike together with... A hoe was something to dig in the garden with.
The "N" word was something we called our black buddies in jest, while they called us "crackers" or "honkies" and NEVER did any of us mean any offence. A man (or woman) could get any old job and support a family.
We left our houses unlocked while on vacation. We left our cars and bikes unlocked. Most vehicles had an "off" and a "lock" position on the ignition, so it could be left "off" for anyone needing to drive, to be able to do so without a key.
My old chopper had only "on" and "off" on the ignition. No lock at all.
In 3rd grade, we brought guns to school for "show and tell" day and no raised eyebrows by teachers of parents.
There were still only two sexes... Cheesh!
Those were good days which will probably never again be seen. Too bad.
Ride safe!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 29, 2016 22:54:38 GMT -5
Wow!
Those are some GREAT prices on Kymco scoots... That out-of-production "My Road" 700 is nearly irresistible. I checked one out in 2015, and, for the guy who wants a Harley bagger, or Honda Gold Wing, but in scooter "twist n' go" mode, it's a winner. Sadly, nobody bought them, and they have become the biggest touring bike bargain around!
Makes me wish I was 40 years younger and had 5-grand to spend... LOL!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 29, 2016 22:40:01 GMT -5
Ungabunga,Great video... But, sorry... NOTHING makes me enjoy riding in the rain... LOL!  You do an admirable job of editing, and switching from helmet-cam to a second view. You might consider a few "video how-to's" for us "video-challenged" members. It would be great to see more videos of riding, wrenching and whatever, having to do with our rides. Stay dry... and ride safe! Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 27, 2016 22:17:29 GMT -5
Whew, that IS a poser...
Your explanation sounds very likely, so any possible cleaning up of the electrics may help a lot. I don't know if yours uses an LCD speedo readout like my Grandvista, or, an analog moving needle (which I prefer). Either one must use electric components interfaced with the speedo cable.
The cable setup at the front wheel hub is NOTORIOUS for acting up, so it also needs checking. Your test hookup however indicates your dirt analysis is likely correct.
My Kymco is an '07, but the wiring is amazingly clean. Don't know why, but I've had no problems with electrics. The "Darth Vader" all digital dash still works perfectly, but I'd REALLY prefer analog gauges like the smaller-displacement Grandvistas have. Oh, well... No complaints!
You'll probably get it working OK on your own, but if it persists, and there are no other electric issues... worst case scenario, you could add an aftermarket speedo. They can be had at pretty affordable prices.
If your lights are steady, the battery stays charged, etc. then the problem is likely in the circuitry of the speedo. I'd continue the way you're going, cleaning and checking all connections possible and you'll probably find the fix.
Electrics on these Kymcos are known for being "bullet-proof" but it might still have an issue with the wheel-cable unit, or, the speedo itself. I rode a "People" 200 loaner while my dealer changed my tires out, and it had a problem with the analog speedo. It had to be replaced. I know taking off the plastics is a pain, and reminiscent of working on Chinese rides, but it's not often necessary on Kymcos... When I removed the nose on mine, to mount driving lights, I was amazed at how well-made the wiring was... NO crumbly Chinese-type connectors, good wires, all heavy duty.
You got a GREAT scoot at a GREAT price. You'll get it fixed and enjoy the ride!
Ride safe,
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 26, 2016 19:45:38 GMT -5
Gotta go wit da Fonz..."Bowser" was cool, but SOOO contrived. Entertaining, but a little "doofus" in deference to the "image". He was the very essence of Hollywood's image of "Doo-Wop" music. Fonzie was the essence of Hollywood's image of a "real" old-school no-nonsense, hard-working tough guy: "hard as nails on the outside, with a soft heart for the underdog. Pretty much my kind of guy in real life.
Obviously, "Fonzie" was also "contrived" of course, but his role was "sorta" believable, and definitely macho. When I think of "Bowser" I think of "Grease" (as in John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, etc.) and when I think of "Fonzie" I think of "grease" (as in under your fingernails after a hard day's work...) LOL! And c'mon, Bowser... NOBODY from your genre would EVER put a peace sign on his leather... EEEWWW!Just think... Would YOU buy a REVERSE MORTGAGE from BOWSER? HEEEAAYYY... Sit on it!  
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 26, 2016 0:35:41 GMT -5
Thecollector,
For a die-hard Kymco fan, I find I know very little about Kymco offerings other than my own, and those I've ridden. You DID get a real bargain! Big wheels, big brakes, long wheelbase and fuel-injection... THAT is a HIGHLY capable road-bike, as well as a fine in-town ride.
That scoot is about 40% more advanced from my old Grandvista, and I love that oldie... You are in for some SUPER times on that one!
Ride safe,
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 26, 2016 0:24:17 GMT -5
Ungabunga,
I hope all the members here enjoy your video posts as much as I do. They REALLY make viewers feel like they're along for the ride with you. Your cameras do a great job, even in night shots. I guess I'll have to look into getting something to take short vids. Then, learn to post them.
I think action vids of our rides in action are a big encouragement to others to get more active in the scooting sport!
Keep posting these, and ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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