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Post by bigmac on Jul 12, 2015 0:25:27 GMT -5
Those two confrontational gay guys in that episode were also hilarious.
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Post by bigmac on Jun 22, 2015 13:25:56 GMT -5
While on a nice ride down some back roads yesterday on my 50cc scooter, I pasted a guy with a 50cc Chinese Ruckus clone. He was parked on the edge of the road at his house. It was one of those weird, dumpy places, with a yard full of rundown cars and disassembled bicycles. You know the type. It looks like a house that those freaky people from the "Wrong Turn" movies would be living in.
Anyways, he called out to me as a pasted by and I actually did stop to talk with him. During our talk, I asked him if he had any trouble registering his 50cc. He told me that since he's so close to Connecticut, he doesn't register it here. Instead, he just rides around Connecticut because that state doesn't require any registration for scooters under 50cc. Also, he told me that the RMV that wouldn't give me a "moped" sticker has had problems with people lying about their scooters and registering 150cc scooters as 50cc.
On a side note, I noticed he checked his oil level with the dipstick threaded into the hole. I told him that the dipstick is not suppose to be threaded in when checking the oil level on these Chinese scooters. He then took the dipstick out and wiped it on his pant leg before checking without it threaded in. I'm watching and thinking to myself, "Holy crap, that's dirty. Does he actually wear those pants around the house and sit on furniture?"
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Post by bigmac on Jun 16, 2015 17:17:09 GMT -5
Here in MA, it's $40 to get a two year "moped" registration sticker for my 50cc scooter. It's not so much the money that's an issue for me, but rather the "limited use vehicle" law Massachusetts made up.
Under 50cc and able to go over 30mph but less than 40mph, and you got a "limited use vehicle". You're sacked with yearly inspections, plates and mandatory insurance while not allowed to go in areas with a posted speed limit above 40mph. It's the worst of both worlds. You experience a slow bike with lots of restrictions and all the paperwork that comes with a big bike.
At my local RMV, I'm told that my make and model of scooter is a "limited use vehicle" because it tops out at 31mph. Had it been 30mph, I would've been in the clear. I almost sold my scooter because of it, but I successfully registered it at a different RMV.
That RMV is in a big city where there are lots of unregistered 50cc bikes around. They know if they don't give you a moped sticker you're just going to ride it around anyways, so they might as well get their $40. I've registered it twice at that RMV now. They don't even check the make and model to see if it's a "limited use vehicle". I just wish that RMV was closer and not so busy. It's like an all day event when it's time to renew my registration.
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Post by bigmac on Jun 16, 2015 1:34:46 GMT -5
Since getting my Yamaha Zuma 125, I've noticed the CVT really does appear to be the best aspect of scooters. I love the feeling of going seamlessly from 0 to 50 uphill in a few seconds by just twisting my wrist a little.
Unfortunately, very few people get it. I was with a friend once at a party. We were all outside in the driveway and my Zuma was parked there. My friend and I were looking at my Zuma when a friend of my friend walked over and said that he knows someone who wants to get a scooter. My friend knew the person he spoke of and replied, "Why does he want to get a scooter?" His friend then replied, "I don't know. He just wants one. He's wanted one for about two years now."
The way in which they spoke kind of bugged me. It was as if they were saying, "Why would he or anyone else want to get a crappy piece of junk scooter? He is stupid for wanting one of those things."
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Post by bigmac on Jun 14, 2015 0:06:08 GMT -5
Zmodeler V1.07b (Zanoza Modeler V1.07b). I downloaded it free from some GTA (Grand Theft Auto) mods website about ten years ago. I'd definitely get a newer and more advanced program if I was more into this, but this is just a little hobby on the side. It's got filters for GTA III and GTA Vice City, which were the only games I wanted to make mods for back then. This is kind of funny. While I was making this post, I checked an old website that I had submitted one of my mods to back in 2005 and it's still there today:  Link to the webpage: www.gta-downloads.com/en/gta-vice-city/vehicles/3760-oscar-mayer-wienermobile.html |
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Post by bigmac on Jun 9, 2015 17:47:53 GMT -5
I took a risk and ordered those headlight bulbs on Amazon. Luckily, the the high and low beam works correctly on these bulbs. I installed just one to do a side-by-side comparison with the still good bulb and the level of brightness appeared the same.
Since they came in a set of two, I installed them together and set the original bulb that still works aside as a backup.
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Post by bigmac on Jun 8, 2015 1:31:35 GMT -5
I was looking into getting a non-Chinese scooter last summer. I wanted something small but more than 50cc. While looking around and trying to decide on what to get, I came across a used 2012 Yamaha Zuma 125 at my local dealer. Though the Yamaha Zuma 125 had my interest, I was focusing more on a Honda PCX 150 or a Burgman 200. By November, I still had not yet made up my mind on what to get. With the weather becoming colder and ridding season ending, I suddenly just didn't feel like spending much on a new scooter. I checked the inventory on my dealer's website and saw that the used Zuma 125 that I had seen during the summer was still available. The asking price was $2,499. Their website has a "make an offer" tool, so I offered $1,500 just to see what would happen and they replied with a counter offer of $2,099. Kelley Blue Book at the time said $2,150 was a fair asking price at a dealership for a used 2012 Yamaha Zuma 125 in excellent condition. Even on websites, such as Craigslist, every seller was asking for around $2,150 or more for their Zuma. In December, I went to the dealer with exactly $2,099 in cash (yes, I had a five and four ones) and a printout of their counter offer. I offered to give them their counter offer price in cash that day for the Zuma, but wanted their $100 documentation fee free of charge and free delivery which would be about $50. They accepted. Here it is in my driveway:   The side panels make it obvious that this is a real deal Zuma:  The finish on this Zuma has little colorful sparkles that look great in the light. Check out the bottom left corner in this picture:  Here it is with my 50cc Chinese scooter:  The Zuma 125 has been nothing but awesome since I got it. The owners manual came with the scooter but the dealer also e-mailed me a copy of it in PDF format. I can send a copy to anyone who wants one. It's nice to have an owners manual in proper English. It was tough having this newly acquired scooter and being unable to ride it because of winter. Plus, I do landscaping and work slows down in winter. To entertain myself, I started making a 3D model of the Zuma. I was about 16 when I first got into 3D modeling. It had been a number of years since I had last did this kind of work.       Well, it's not quite half a Zuma yet, but it's getting there. Once I make more progress, I will update you all on a new thread. |
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Post by bigmac on Jun 5, 2015 0:24:57 GMT -5
I never removed an engine, but it does look like a lot to do. Here is how I would set the scooter up if trying to get that bolt out without disconnecting the engine nor removing the head from the engine. Remove the exhaust, cooling fan cover and just the bottom half of the plastic cooling shroud. That half of the cooling shroud will look something like this:  Then drain the gas tank and carburetor of gas. With some old sheets, towels, pillows, yoga mats, cushions, whatever can be found, create a soft area on the floor for the scooter. Then gently lay the scooter onto its side. After that, you should be able to sit down next to it and do your work much more easily since the bottom of the engine has no shrouding and is facing you instead of the ground. |
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Post by bigmac on Jun 3, 2015 13:27:23 GMT -5
Is this a Chinese made engine you have? If so, you went an amazing number of miles on that thing. Especially for an air cooled engine.
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Post by bigmac on Jun 3, 2015 0:39:55 GMT -5
I think the position of parts inside the engine will make oil level readings vary. I checked the oil level once with my engine cold and it showed about 50% full. I then turned the engine over with the kick start and checked again. This time it showed about 60% full. I did that a few more times and noticed the readings on the dipstick would usually change somewhat. I assume the connecting rod maybe getting partially submerged in oil depending on the position of the crankshaft, which causes some oil displacement.
In case anyone reading this doesn't know, when checking your oil level, insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole without screwing it in. The owner manuals for Chinese scooters are often so poorly translated that it isn't clear that the dipstick shouldn't be screwed into the hole when checking the oil level.
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Post by bigmac on Jun 2, 2015 20:11:00 GMT -5
I bought a new head when an oil seal on my original head started to leak. It was cheap and much easier than replacing the oil seals. The heads, or at least my head, came without intake and exhaust studs installed. I got new studs and tightened them in by hand and have had no problems. Also, being just hand tight means they can be easily removed if damaged or broken.
The only problem with the head I bought was the valves were shorter than the valves on my original head. I needed to get new rocker arms for the shorter valves. Mine is a 50cc though. I'm not entirely sure if the 150cc gy6 motors also have this issue with the valves, but I don't think they do.
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Post by bigmac on Jun 2, 2015 12:46:39 GMT -5
That's nice. I was actually thinking of getting a Burgman 200 last year while shopping for a new scooter. They have large storage compartments under the seat and feel very comfortable to sit on. Also, they look so good.
Being a 2013, did you get a special leftover model price on this new Burgman?
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Post by bigmac on May 27, 2015 14:05:20 GMT -5
This bulb does have two filaments. Right now its out when low beam is on, but comes on when high beam is on. I can see a blackish, bluish color on the inside of the bulb from one of its burnt out filaments.
If the wider tab was cut off, then I think it could be installed the other way. But the tabs are what lock the bulb tightly into the socket, so it could be loose afterwards.
I found a seller on Amazon with a pair of headlight bulbs that look like my original bulbs. A picture on the webpage shows a bulb with markings on the base that match the markings on my original bulbs. Though that doesn't make me feel very confident, since I've never ordered a Chinese scooter part and received exactly what was pictured.
Perhaps I will order these bulbs and hope they work.
While looking on Amazon, I saw a bulb for Chinese bikes with a one star review. The review said the bulb lasted one day and high was low and low was high. It's no wonder why bike shops and dealers don't want to touch these things. It would be funny if they did though.
Bike owner: Is my bike ready?
Shop mechanic: No.
Bike owner: Why not? I just need a bulb replaced.
Shop mechanic: Well, the bulb I got isn't right, so I need to get another.
Bike owner: You screwed up and got the wrong bulb?
Shop mechanic: No. I got the right bulb. Just not the right kind of the right bulb.
Bike owner: ?
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Post by bigmac on May 26, 2015 13:31:01 GMT -5
My scooter has dual headlights and both light bulbs have low and high beam. One of the bulbs burnt out so I simply wanted to replace it. The original bulb's base was marked "S1 12v 25w/25w". I ordered a new light bulb online listed as a S1 12V 25w/25w headlight bulb for Chinese bikes.
When the bulb arrived, it looked just like the original one and fitted into the headlight socket perfectly. Once I started the bike, I noticed the bulb's high beam was on while the scooter's high beam switch was off and the bulb's low beam was on while the scooter's high beam switch was on.
Metal tabs on the base of the light bulb are sized differently, which makes it impossible to install the bulb flipped around. There is a white wire and blue wire on the light bulb socket that make contact with the backside of the light bulb. I tried to switch the wires around, but they have metal end pieces that connect into the socket and those metal end pieces would need to be torn off of the wires to remove them from the socket, which I don't want to do.
About two weeks later, the light bulb burnt out. I don't know what to do now. I'm sure if I order another light bulb, I will end up with the same problem and more wasted money.
Are some Chinese scooters wired differently at the headlight so different versions of what should be the same headlight bulb are made to accommodate them? Do I need to order a dozen of these bulbs from a dozen different sellers and hope that one of them sends me a bulb that works on my scooter and throw the others in the trash?
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Post by bigmac on Aug 24, 2014 19:59:21 GMT -5
I didn't see anything about it being a performance CDI. The CDI box I got was advertised by the seller as an OEM part. Though I don't know if "OEM" even exists when it comes to Chinese bikes. Should be "CEM" (Copied Equipment Manufacturer). Seriously, Chinese scooters are like the wild west of the bike world. I got head gaskets that differ, different size valves that also require different types of rocker arms. My new CDI box has a rubber holster for mounting it to the frame, but it's a different size than the holster on the old CDI and doesn't fit on the frame's metal tap, ridiculous. I will never get another Chinese made bike again.
Anyways, I took the bike out after adjusting the valves and cleaning the air filter, and it still won't idle, occasionally backfires and looses power and stalls at times.
The markings that indicate the engine is at top dead center on both the camshaft and flywheel appear to be in alignment at the same time. Is it possible that the flywheel may have shifted ever so slightly and is causing problems?
I have done a lot of valve adjustments. While getting the engine into top dead center for an adjustment, I use a socket wrench to turn a 13mm hex shaped piece that's on the center of the cooling fan. The cooling fan is attached to the flywheel. Maybe turning the engine over with the wrench caused a tiny shift in the flywheel's position on the crankshaft? Though the flywheel does feel snug and not about to move without moving the crankshaft with it.
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