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Honda reflex
by: oldchopperguy - Apr 16, 2016 17:33:41 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 16, 2016 17:33:41 GMT -5
Daveh505,
Welcome to the site! Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy!
You are at the greatest "scooter site" on the planet right now! Your Reflex is the "father" of a great many current models and you're sure to enjoy being here.
Of course, we're not just scooters... But scooters do seem to make up the majority of rides members feature here. You will find good friends and good advice here, and may find out things about other rides which will be of great interest to you.
For example, I'm a fifty-year big-bike guy who spent most of my riding years on Hogs... With a load of Brit 650's, Japanese bikes and such tossed in. Now, I'm older and have some bad arthritis which prevents me from climbing on and off the big motorcycles.
So... nearly 10 years ago I discovered SCOOTERS all over again. They've come a long way from the Cushman, Lambretta and Vespa scoots of my youth.
I rode a Chinese 150 for 7 years, and, after learning how to fix the Chinese bugs, loved it. The step-through frame allowed me to get on and off as easy as a kitchen chair. When local roads and traffic increased speeds above what the 150 would do, I traded it on a well-used Kymco 250. Still a flat-floor, step-through design, I love it and can run 70 mph when needed.
Lots of members here, for many reasons. Some like me are down-sizing from big bikes. Some are new to two-wheels and are starting off with scooters... And, some just prefer scooters!
We're here for all riders though... Scooters, cycles, mopeds, ATV's... You name 'em, we ride and wrench 'em!
Again, welcome to the site!
Ride Safe!
Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 16, 2016 17:27:16 GMT -5
Absolutely!
THAT looks GREAT!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 14, 2016 21:28:36 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,
Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers... Have a bone!
The Wife's heart specialist saw us today after reviewing MRI's, MRA's and sonograms. He's very encouraging... She is on NUMEROUS meds for blood-thinning and other support for the stent she had installed after a heart attack last July, and it seems THAT saved her.
There was no hemorrhage, no blocked artery, and the stroke came from an errant piece of placque which has dissolved. That being VERY good news, she is having another involved test tomorrow to see if it can be determined WHERE the fragment came from. She turns eighty-four next month and is pretty fragile, especially in this "post-stroke" time. These things really knock you out.
We'll just have to see what further tests show, and follow the best path to maintain health. Getting old is NOT fun... She will start stroke-rehab next week and that should do wonders for her strength.
In my limited spare time, I do need to get Minnie Mouse back together. I need the cheap transportation... LOL!
Lots of rain coming so when you CAN ride, RIDE SAFE!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 13, 2016 21:58:06 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,
I'm SO glad those lights DO clear everything... The pix just make them look a tad "close"... Down low like that, they will REALLY light up the pavement, rather than putting a spot down the road.
Sadly, my scoot though wired-up is still apart. My Wife had a stroke and all time is taken up caring for her right now. She is OK, but it's just day after day of tests trying to find the cause, in order to prevent a repeat.
This has been a major-bad year for health for us. As we get old, it happens. We just have to do our best and keep going.
I'll post pix when I get the scoot back together but all my time is spent right now taking the missus for tests.
Ride safe!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 13, 2016 21:33:28 GMT -5
Rockynv,
Great post! Lots of good advice here. Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy!
Man, that beefy gal took one heluva tumble! At least around here, the gals seem to be more oblivious to safety gear than even the crazy teen boys. They often ride their own big bikes, and as close to "nekkid" as possible.
Last year, I had one on a CRAZY-FAST rocket behind me at 65 mph entering the freeway... I didn't see her for long, as she downshifted a couple gears, wound it up, dumped the clutch and LEAPED OVER ME! She hit the pavement 20 feet in front of "Minnie Mouse" banging gears and never set the front wheel down as she disappeared through the traffic.
She was the classic skinny little "lettuce-eater" exhibitionist wearing only "Daisy Dukes" and a Bikini top... barefoot... not even flip-flops. She DID have on sunglasses... But DANG! Could she ride! I almost had her tire-tread on my helmet... LOL!
I've seen numerous rocket-jockeys jump over cars on the freeway and it always amazes me that a bike can do that without a ramp... And also amazed that most of the macho guys usually wear protective-gear, but the "macho girls" usually wear almost nothing...
All considered, I never did like riding passenger on a bike... LOL!
Ride safe!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 13, 2016 11:13:22 GMT -5
[/p] The ONLY seating position that looks WORSE than the crotch-rocket RIDER is that of the crotch-rocket PASSENGER...
But to each his/her own... That's what makes it a horse race!
Ride safe!
Leo [/quote] They really do look like they're just sort of perched hanging on the end of those bikes, don't they? I always worry if the driver takes off too fast, he might turn around at the next stop to find he's missing someone.  >'Kat[/quote][/p]
Kat,
Yeah, the passenger IS perched on the little pad on the end of the bike... foot-pegs at butt-level, knees in their own face... INCREDIBLY uncomfortable for anyone except a contortionist... LOL! Of course, I have not seen any 250 pound big-guy passengers on them. Only 5' 2"  -pound lettuce-eater girly gurlz who could likely hang by one finger for an hour in perfect comfort...
And, they're usually clad in only a bikini, or "Daisy Dukes" and shredded T-shirt... no helmet, glasses, shoes or brains. But they do look mighty good IF they manage to NOT kiss the asphalt in their semi-nude state... LOL!
Ride safe, and wear some clothes... Preferably "road-rash-proof"... LOL!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 13, 2016 0:14:14 GMT -5
I'll admit upfront that gals and guys are built different. But I've had zero comfort issues with the seat of my Piggy. I'm 5'5" with a 31" inseam. I'll say that the BV's seat is barely short enough for me--I'm on the front half of my feet at stops. But the legroom is fine. And that little step, combined with my seat bag, provide a nice bit of back support. Unlike Leo, I also have no issues with the steering from the forward seating. But then, this is also the only 2-wheeler I've ever driven, excluding bicycles. Put me in the group that if you really can't stand it, modify it. >'Kat
Kat,
After a half-century of riding Hogs, especially choppers, I got totally addicted to that "Lazy-Boy" lounging position. With the seat of "Old Blue" being about 22" off the tarmac, and the pegs way forward, I felt like part of the bike. Just "think" it around turns and it follows. Almost like flying a hot airplane...
THAT is SWEET!
Everybody's seen this old pic of me at 16, on Old Blue, but it's a good shot to show the low seating position. Later, she got an even lower solo-seat. Like you, I have only a 31" inseam but flat-footing it at stoplights was no problem... Even those 24" "ape-hangers" ended up lower than shoulder height. Long, low, and scary-fast she was... But leaned-back, feet up, smooth asphalt and near WOT she was one with the road. 130 mph relaxation! 
And of course, at full-song, those straight-pipes with a 2-foot sheet of flame, and a 120-decible cackle were the "cherry on the sundae"... Funny, but at 16, that 100+ mph wind in my face, and total lack of rear suspension didn't bother me one bit!
In that pic, I was 6' 2" and weighed 375 pounds... Years of hard-tail choppers compressed my spine so today, at 69, I'm a "shrunk" shy 6'1" and a scant 230 pounds... And I look FATTER now than then! THAT just ain't FAIR! OK, now, I'm digressing to reminiscing... Sorry...
Scooters just can't mimic this relaxed "grooving" posture... But then, neither can many big cruisers.
Still and all, while at first I absolutely HATED that Kymco forward seating, I LOVED the way she performed on a test-ride and figured I COULD get used to it. Now, I'm quite happy with it.
I also had a number of old Brit 650's with tall, flat seats which I didn't like much until I got used to them.
I do love "all things 2-wheeled" and found that I could work with most bikes if I liked the way they rode. The only type I've tried that I probably could NOT ever enjoy (at least nowadays) is the "crotch-rocket". Butt-in-the-air, chin-on-the-tank and bars around the lower triple-tree... DEFINITELY for the VERY young and limber adventurer, who would rather go 200 mph than be comfortable... LOL!
The ONLY seating position that looks WORSE than the crotch-rocket RIDER is that of the crotch-rocket PASSENGER...
But to each his/her own... That's what makes it a horse race!
Ride safe!
Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 11, 2016 13:26:55 GMT -5
Rocky has a point with the big Kymco. I am totally sold on Kymco quality and performance, but most models DO put your knees in your chest, and your nose on the windshield...
My old 250 Grandvista was their first attempt at a "touring scooter". It not only has a stepped seat, BUT a big rider lumbar support that ABSOLUTELY plants you at the very front of the seat... knees against the dashboard, nose on the windshield... THE accepted "Asian rider position". And its Euro/Taiwan twin, the "Grand Dink" is even much worse with it's beetle-butt in the air rear seat and plastics! Oh Well, for comfort, it still beats a crotch-rocket with your chin on the tank, and your handlebars down around the front axle... LOL!
The former owner of my scoot did some skillful alterations to move the lumbar support back about two inches, and it's just enough to make it acceptable to someone over five-feet tall. The first season, I "got used to it" and now after two seasons (and a REALLY bad arthritic back) I've come to LOVE it. Hit a good bumpy road and it's like a trip to the chiropractor. Makes me feel great!
I don't really understand the Asian obsession with making the rider sit on the front fender. I suppose Asians don't understand the American obsession with sitting on the back fender and reaching for "ape hangers" either... LOL!
I just love my old Kymco, and now find the "cab forward" seating position good for my aging back. The only REAL complaint I have with that forward seating is that it slightly interferes with my balance. Sitting up front, I don't "groove" with the bike, and don't feel like I'm "one with the machine" like on a big Harley chopper or cruiser.
Instead, I have to "steer" the scooter rather than having a natural sweep through turns. To most riders, this sounds like a "deal-breaker" but it's not. It's just a matter of getting used to something different from what you're used to. And when I slouch down against the support, it's downright comfortable!
To be brutally honest, with its aftermarket GIVI windshield, the Grandvista is slightly more comfortable at 70 mph on the freeway than my 1970 Electra-Glide was... And THAT is saying something, considering it's a 350 pound 250cc scooter, compared with a 900 pound 1,200cc cruiser!
If sitting forward REALLY is a deal-breaker for you, it's always possible to customize the seat, making it flatter. It would cost some, but would be worth $100 or more to get the position you prefer.
Scooters ARE different from motorcycles, and if you love "things 2-wheeled" you can learn to love both!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 11, 2016 0:29:34 GMT -5
Methodv73,
Welcome to the site. Have a bone for actually buying one of these!
I think all the 150 riders are curious about this ride. It has to be one of THE coolest looking scoots around. If it runs as good as it looks, you'll be one happy camper!
Please keep us posted, and if possible, post some pix or it. See if you can't borrow a pal's camera...
And as always!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 11, 2016 0:10:27 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,
Those lights look great! Mounted that low, they can light up a LOT of real estate without blinding oncoming traffic! I'm just now getting back to "normal" and tonight, I finished wiring up my lights. I also mounted the lighted "goose" on Minnie's nose... I wired it to the factory running lights with an external switch so it doesn't run all the time the headlights are on. I love it, most riders younger than 65 will truly hate it... LOL! But heck, it's a GENUINE late forties PACKARD "swan".
That eBay wiring harness is pretty sweet. Lots of "hookups" though... I ran a 12 gauge hot-wire from the battery up to the nose area. That connects to the fused main wire of the harness. The little switch also needs power and a ground, but it's super-light duty. I spliced it into the factory running lights so it can only be activated when the headlight is on (and the headlight/running lights are on whenever the ignition is on... no switch). I then grounded the switch and main grounds to the heavy main factory ground wire. Now, I need to insulate the considerable new wiring, relay and fuse from any possible contact with the hot radiator (I'll surround all with pieces of heavy auto radiator hose). Then bolt her all back together and see how she works.
I listened to your video, and the source of that metallic tapping escapes me. I do hear what sounds like a "belt-thump" but mine does that too when cold, as did every Kymco 250, 300 and 500 I looked at. That seems to be normal. The tapping though, sounds like maybe something in the variator or clutch that gets "sticky" when cold.
Even with the belt-cover on, you can take a big old screwdriver and place the tip here and there, with the handle against your ear, and almost certainly trace the AREA the noise comes from... Like the crankshaft/variator location, or the clutch. It's an old-school trick I learned more than 50 years back, to find which cylinder in the car had the bad wrist-pin... LOL! Poor-man's stethoscope.
Riding season is right around the corner, and I just love that scoot of yours (of course, I'm prejudiced since it's a "kissin' cousin" of Minnie Mouse). I really hope you get these last bugs fixed for a great spring and summer of riding!
I'm glad you got over the flu. And especially glad you're working again. Jobs are as scarce as honest politicians...
My best guess is that metallic noise is likely a sticky roller, or even a defective one from the factory. If not, maybe a reluctant part in the clutch. Only a guess though, you need to find where the noise comes from.
Ride safe!
Leo
PS: I'm almost afraid to ask, but did you check to see that the new lights don't hit the body-plastics with the forks depressed and the bars turned? You won't often hit a bottom-out bump with the bars turned, but it could happen rolling it off the center-stand. You'd be less than happy it the lights mashed into the plastic behind them.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 8, 2016 22:46:05 GMT -5
Woo-HOO!
THAT is WILD! The translucent parts could also be made in colors other than smoke. I think the cosmetics would appeal to a HUGE market!
Thanks for posting!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 8, 2016 22:42:08 GMT -5
Larrball,
That's a GREAT looking ride! And my hat's off to any 50 that will do one mph per cc!
Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy!
Ride safe and enjoy the new ride!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 5, 2016 22:08:39 GMT -5
Hmmm... Pretty cool!
I wonder how your friendly hundred-buck a year INSURANCE carrier would view this... LOLOLOL!
Leo (keepin' it on the ground) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 4, 2016 21:49:27 GMT -5
Scoot08,
Yeah, things that look good are usually more of a pain than things that are practical... LOL!
Just for the record, I finally did find some paint that holds up pretty well... Ordinary Wal-Mart outdoor brand at that... It stays whiter than the factory Shinko! After all the expensive purpose-made stuff... CHEESH!
After two seasons, I totally agree on the Michelin Power Pure tires. They hold the road like glue, AND ride smooth... even when inflated pretty hard. My old Kymco definitely prefers a FULL inflation... 28 pounds REALLY makes for a "Pullman Car" ride, but old Minnie Mouse handles MUCH better with 36 pounds of air. Still a nice, smooth ride though!
Same goes for the Shinko up front. I think Shinko tires are WAY under-rated. And Shinko makes a good selection of whitewalls for us old geezers (and the Vespa crowd)...
Enjoy the ride!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 2, 2016 22:26:51 GMT -5
Scoot08,
I couldn't agree with you more on the Power Pure tires...
Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy!
I ended up with a Power Pure on the REAR of my Kymco Grandvista because I wanted WHITEWALLS front and back. I have a Shinko 120-70 12 whitewall up front, but NOBODY makes a 140-70-12 whitewall for the rear. My dealer researched with tire makers and was recommended to mix the Michelin PP 140-70-12 on the rear as the best choice with the Shinko front.
The Power Pure also has a nice, defined sidewall to PAINT white... LOL!
The painted whitewall is not the best or most practical idea, but the PP tire is fabulous to ride on. The Shinko in front is also a real winner. Both tires provide smooth ride, great cornering and braking and show NO noticeable tread wear after 2 seasons and 2K miles... And, the old 250 is a heavy scoot.
I didn't think the Michelins were too much more costly than other brands, but price may vary in different areas. My Michelin cost $65 and the front Shinko was $59.
Here's how the Michelin/Shinko mix look on old "Minnie Mouse". Painted whitewall is a major pain, but I just love the old-school look...
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas |
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-pound lettuce-eater girly gurlz who could likely hang by one finger for an hour in perfect comfort...