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Post by maxtera on Jul 12, 2017 20:54:27 GMT -5
Replacement brake switches arrived 2 days early. I had the shop pop them on, I loaded the bike onto my truck & just finished putting the rear fairing back on. I rode it around the neighborhood a few laps and tomorrow I'll take it to finish that safety inspection. Next week I'll transfer my tags and my scooter will be road legal. YEAH!!!
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Post by maxtera on Jul 9, 2017 17:46:29 GMT -5
dollartwentyfive,
You're right, when I brought the Jonway home I made taking the motorcycle safety course a top priority. Ironically, my youngest son who just graduated college was living with us temporarily and decided that he wanted a motorcycle. I made sure he took the course, (which he was anyways) and I stressed to him the importance of being aware that people just don't see motorcycle riders and he has to look out for them and himself.
Now as for my brake lights, it's funny, in that before I went to the Honda dealer to get inspected I first took it to a shop near my house. Everything worked fine except they couldn't locate the vin number on the bike, so I rode it immediately to the dealer, and somewhere along that 20 minute ride my brake lights stopped working. It's probably just a coincidence but this is the same shop that serviced my bike, took a $312 dollar payment and told me the engine checked out fine, when it really was toast.
Once I get it up and running good I plan on doing all my own maintenance from this point on.
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Post by maxtera on Jul 8, 2017 22:58:14 GMT -5
I did a quick search online and found that it could be my brake lever switch. But what puzzled me was that I still had tail lights and could still start the bike by pulling the rear brake lever. Frustrated I called the shop, loaded up the scooter and drove it the 45 miles back to the shop.
They determined that the rear brake switch had failed in the "open" position thus making the brakes be always on. Luckily, while doing my research the night before I ordered both brake lever switches from an online Honda parts store for $29. The scooter shop said they could get the rear for $25. I told him no thanks and that I would bring my parts in when they arrived next Wednesday, they're going to put them on for free.
I can't wait to get back on the road again, this Honda has a slow take off but it easily maintained 75 and at times hit 80 mph on the highway. When I rode the Jonway it had a fast takeoff but would bog down at around 68 mph. I'm so glad I decided to keep the Honda over the Jonway, its a night and day difference. Now if I can match the Jonway's takeoff and still keep my top end speed that would be great.
I'm going to look into doing the lighter roller weights and see how that goes.
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Post by maxtera on Jul 7, 2017 22:27:37 GMT -5
Well as I eventually found out, my 04 Honda Reflex did have a bad engine. I got the bike home and it couldn't pull my 290lbs across the driveway.
I put it in the shop and  days later, at a cost of $1,040 dollars, I got it back. I took it to get inspected so I could transfer my tags and found that my brake lights are not working. I'll call the shop that did the engine work tomorrow but I have to get it fixed in 20 days or I have to pay for a re-inspection.
Anyone have an idea as to where I can look for the brake light problem. I removed the rear faring and the bulbs are good as well as the fuses. Besides the brake levers themselves, where is the brake light switch? |
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Post by maxtera on Apr 30, 2017 21:03:49 GMT -5
Hello all, I've removed my seat numerous times and put it back on and had no issues with it closing or opening back up when I turned the key. This time I noticed that I had to push on the back end in order to get it to lock. Well I closed it after letting it charge over night and went for a ride around the neighborhood.
When I rode down my driveway over the curb I heard the front end latch and didn't think anything of it. When I got home and tried to open it up it wouldn't open. I noticed that the back part of the seat wasn't locked down so I tried to push it locked but it wouldn't catch. I can lift up the back end but can't get it to lock. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to get it to open? I can access the rear latch but other wise it's locked tight. The key turns but the front lock doesn't release. |
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Post by maxtera on Apr 13, 2017 6:42:42 GMT -5
Hello all, I took the Jonway on a 22 mile round trip ride. About 10 miles into the ride I noticed that it was getting hot so I pulled over and let it sit for about 5 mins before I continued on home. Well the temperature gauge eventually got about 3/4 of the way to the top but I made it home, the fan was working overtime.
I put it on the center stand, turned on the key and let the fan work for about 5 mins with the battery tender on it. I opened the overflow bottle and put my finger in and it was as cool as can be. I've been chasing an overheating problem for months now but this is the first time I really had a chance to ride it any distance. Why would the overflow be cold and the engine scalding hot?
I'm thinking the thermostat may be the problem, probably not opening up. And the lesson I learned is to not check the oil with the bike on the center stand. It was dark in my garage when I got home so I removed the cap then went to turn on the light, when I got back all my oil was running to the floor drain.
I used about 5 shop towels to clean up the mess. |
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Post by maxtera on Apr 12, 2017 22:10:21 GMT -5
Thanks akais,
I have a 69 Mercury Cougar that I bought in 2008 for $11,500. In the 9 yrs I've owned it I've spent 2x's that amount in repairs and go fast parts, and it still "needs" a paint job and conversion to fuel injection and maybe re-instate the a/c. While my situation isn't unique, I'm thankful that I'm blessed to be able to pay the money to keep my toys on the road. In the meantime, I'm having fun practicing what I learned in the MSF course while putting miles on the Jonway. Once I get it truly running right I'll post some pictures.
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Post by maxtera on Apr 11, 2017 21:55:06 GMT -5
About those front brakes: The Reflex is another of those bikes that has the Honda combined braking system. The right brake lever operates the front brake only. However, the rear brake engages the rear brake and after a short delay activates only one piston of the front brakes in a proportional manner. That is; grab the rear brake lightly and the front brakes gets only a little braking action, grab the rear brake fast and hard and the front brake comes on more firmly. Bandito, what I'm hearing is a loud rubbing noise. When I was backing the bike up it was minimal at best, but when I was riding it and applying the brakes it was expected. But then when I released the brakes and was turning it was very pronounced and sounded like a car that has a warped rotor. FWIW, my used motor arrived today and I loaded the bike and motor onto my truck and took them to the repair shop. I did the math tonight and aside from the $350 purchase price, this Honda has cost me $1487.71 and it will probably take another $700 to $800 to get it totally right. I'm talking replace the engine, new tires, new belt, brake work, check all hoses and replace as needed. In other words I told them to give the bike a 100 point inspection, I want to be able to ride it like I stole it when they finish with it. |
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Post by maxtera on Apr 9, 2017 21:00:35 GMT -5
Thanks Bandito for the forum information. Well, I'm sore as all get out but I passed the MSF course, we had a total of 10 students and on a technicality we lost 2. The wife dropped her bike on day 2 and again on day 3 hurting her ankle so the husband took her to the hospital. I came home motivated but tired so after I got a quick hour of sleep I tried riding both scooters.
The Jonway, on a short road got to 45 while the Honda made it to 25, 30 max. My used engine arrives on Tuesday and I've already made arrangements to have it compression checked so I know the exact numbers as compared to my current engine. If everything checks out I figure I'll have to spend another $500 to $600 bucks to have a 60 to 70 mph fully operational scooter.
I'll have them go over it completely, as the front brakes are noticeably rubbing and I still don't know if the brake lights are blown or if there's something wrong with the brake switch. I'll keep you posted.
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Post by maxtera on Apr 7, 2017 14:23:43 GMT -5
Bandito, You are 100% correct, the PO did have work done on it and whoever did it messed up the hose connections. I took a picture whenever I removed anything to make sure I put every hose and screw back in the right place.
So, within a week of getting these scooters I had located and printed out all 401 pages of the 2001-2007 Honda service manual. And thanks to some of the guys here I have the service guide for rebuilding the water pump, should mine ever fail.
I am not afraid to attempt any job, big or small, unfortunately I'm dealing with a "phantom" back problem that first hit me in mid Dec. The problem is that it only shows up after I do manual labor such as changing my oil or rotating my tires, and no amount of pills, physical therapy, or chiropractic manipulation seems to keep it away for good.
So, you best believe I will be hitting you all up for your advice, knowledge and wisdom.
Wish me luck as I take the MSF course this weekend, Maxtera out!! |
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Post by maxtera on Apr 6, 2017 8:37:20 GMT -5
Yes it is. I'd like to thank all you guys for your advice, uplifting comments, parts source information & links to repair "how to's" & repair manuals. You've all been very helpful in my efforts to get my 2 bikes up & running & I appreciate all your knowledge & assistance. Thanks again. |
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Post by maxtera on Apr 5, 2017 20:47:06 GMT -5
Good news, I was wrong about them, they were honest with me about the bike. It turns out when I called, the guy thought I was the owner of a quad they were working on. When I didn't get a return call this afternoon I went over there after work to talk to the mechanic in person.
He said that my carburetor rebuild was good but that I had put the hoses from the carburetor on the wrong connections and that's what was causing havoc with the engine. I forgot to tell them that I also wanted the brakes checked too as they both are dragging to the point where the brakes lights are always on.
The engine work alone costs roughly $312 dollar's and I'm guessing the brake work will add another $100 bucks. Hopefully I can pick it up tomorrow.
Now I have an engine to sell, 2 carburetors, and a 2007 Jonway scooter, I'm hoping that everything will net me about $1800 to $1900 dollars. Wish me luck.
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Post by maxtera on Apr 5, 2017 8:21:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I hope they would be honest with me but I really suspect they won't. I called them on Tues just asking for a status update and they told me that it looks bad. The guy then went on to tell me that it had straight anti-freeze in it and that it's caustic to the engine and moving parts.
I explained to him that the scooter had been sitting for several months and had no fluid in it, and I used what I had while I tried to get the motor running. He seemed to be trying to make it seem like having straight anti-freeze would somehow cause catastrophic damage. I hung up feeling like he was trying to mentally prepare me for an expensive bill. I can't wait to see what they come back with as the problem. I'm totally prepared to tell them to stop working on it and put my parts in a box for me to pick up.
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Post by maxtera on Apr 4, 2017 18:59:53 GMT -5
Hello Akais,
When I had the carburetor off for the 2nd time fixing the gas leaking from the float bowl I stupidly sprayed about 2 tablespoons of carb cleaner in the chamber in an attempt to clean the carbon off the back of the valve. I think that's where my smoke came from. Also, I did notice coolant dripping from the bottom of the engine when I had it running and I remember thinking, "where is that coolant coming from" as I had filled up the radiator 2 days earlier. Right now the Honda shop is stripping the top end off and should have a diagnosis for me in a day or 2. I'm in it now for the long haul, I have every intention of getting the Honda up and running.
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Post by maxtera on Apr 4, 2017 10:47:55 GMT -5
Kevin,
I should have read your post over and over several times to fully understand what you were saying before I spent the money I did. I had a hard time accepting that my 3860 mile engine was shot, and I should have trusted my hunch.
Now, after speaking to a second repair shop I may have jumped the gun when I bought a used motor. The good news is that I may have a buyer lined up in case my original motor happens to be good.
When I picked up the scooter, it had been sitting for about 8 months and had no radiator fluid in it, so I put straight anti-freeze in it, then later found out that it takes a 50/50 mixture. Several people have told me that it's highly unlikely for the engine to be bad, and I'm hoping they're right. I have a bad tendency to throw more money into a vehicle than it's worth, so far I'm still ahead with these scooters but another $500 repair bill will put me over the top.
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days later, at a cost of $1,040 dollars, I got it back. I took it to get inspected so I could transfer my tags and found that my brake lights are not working. I'll call the shop that did the engine work tomorrow but I have to get it fixed in 20 days or I have to pay for a re-inspection. 
