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Post by xsylus on Jun 8, 2023 0:35:07 GMT -5
In search of the correct parts for Vitacci Clash Exhaust Manifold: Acorn Nut and Muffler mounting bolt. After uncrating my Vitacci Clash the beginning of 2023 I used a torque wrench to ensure all the nuts and bolts were tight. I've been riding it ~6 days a week without issue but just recently it started making a rattling noise and I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. However, on the first Sunday in June while I was riding it the rattling noise changed drastically and I was easily able to determine two problems. The most obvious was that the bolt that holds the muffler to the bike frame had come out completely so the whole muffler was just hanging. This likely lead to the next issue which is one of the acorn nuts that holds the exhaust pipe to the manifold also came off. I was able to determine that the threaded shaft is still intact so I just need a matching acorn nut to secure the exhaust pipe back on. The issue I'm having is that since the Vitacci Clash uses EFI instead of a carburetor it doesn't seem to use standard GY6 parts. I picked up a GY6 set that included both the acorn nuts and a long muffler bolt as well as spare seals and gaskets for cheap, but all the parts are too small. Since the muffler bolt fell out I don't have a reference for what exactly it should look like, but it does seem to need to be about 3 inches in length in order to fit through the muffler bracket and thread into the frame. As far as the acorn nut, I removed the one from the scooter so I could get a better idea of what size I needed. While the one that came with the kit that was too small uses a 10mm wrench, the one off of my scooter uses a 12mm wrench. Any help is sourcing the correct parts would be greatly appreciated.  |
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Post by aeroxbud on Jun 8, 2023 0:44:56 GMT -5
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Post by xsylus on Jun 8, 2023 1:35:21 GMT -5
Thanks. For some reason my previous searches for 8mm capped or acorn nuts netted results showing those short caps that look more like valve stem covers. I think base on my search that the muffler bolt should be an M10-1.25. It needs to be roughly 3 inches, maybe a tad shorter. This is the best image I could find showing what the mounting bolt looks like. And based on that photo I just realized there are two and both are missing off of my scooter. How the heck would both of them fallen out?!  |
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Post by aeroxbud on Jun 8, 2023 3:39:34 GMT -5
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Post by xsylus on Jun 8, 2023 11:35:59 GMT -5
No, you were right the first time. I just meant those other caps are what kept coming up in my searches. As far the flanged bolts that hold the muffler on, I'm taking a guess that those are M10-1.25 threading and either 70mm or 75mm in length. I was able to find a good price on the 70mm variant, so I ordered a pack of those along with the 8mm Acorn Nuts.
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Post by FrankenMech on Jun 9, 2023 17:01:14 GMT -5
Those long "acorn nuts" are called cap nuts, long cap nuts, extra tall cap nuts, etc. and come in various styles materials and sizes. Only the short type are usually called acorn nuts.
You can use a standard hex nut on the exhaust studs but expect extra rust and corrosion on the exposed threads over time. I usually use brass or stainless steel hex nuts and anti-seize in high heat applications. I always use stainless steel exhaust studs and stainless steel fasteners into aluminum with anti-seize. Aluminum is nasty stuff.
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Post by xsylus on Jun 12, 2023 17:47:59 GMT -5
I got the exhaust fully attached and I can feel the compression coming out of the muffler like it did when I first got the scooter. The scooter runs normally, the only weird thing is that ever since the issue with the exhaust it has a more throaty noise coming out of the engine. Is it possible I just need to replace the manifold exhaust seals? Or could there be another reason for the change in engine noise?
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Post by aeroxbud on Jun 13, 2023 2:57:18 GMT -5
If the exhaust has moved slightly from the engine. It could of compressed or damaged the exhaust gasket.
These are very cheap, so might be worth just replacing it anyway as a precaution.
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Post by xsylus on Jun 17, 2023 23:01:15 GMT -5
It really seems like very little on this scooter is standard. I bought a gasket that had the holes at 49mm apart and it fit perfectly over the studs, but I couldn't slide it all the way up because part of the manifold is in the way. I circled in red where the gasket hits. Here is the gasket I bought. |
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Post by FrankenMech on Jun 18, 2023 1:05:09 GMT -5
Trim the gasket. Tin snips will work, or a belt sander, or a file.
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Post by GrumpyUnk on Jun 18, 2023 8:19:24 GMT -5
When you get all the fasteners, I have found a workable way to get the exhaust to fit closely to the head and seal using the gasket. Support the muffler with blocks or even a floor jack, and put the gasket in place, and put the exhaust on the studs. Start the retainer long cap nuts, and then hold the muffler/exhaust pipe close to the exhaust outlet. You can feel the two flat surfaces meet, and when they are seated, run the cap nuts up the studs to hold the exhaust pipe in proper fit to the head. Tighten partway.
You will likely have to raise/lower the muffler to get the two support bolts to line up with their openings in the block. Start the bolts by hand, threading in several turns. Once started, you can remove the support and tighten as needed. Tighten the cap nuts. viola. no leaks & noise.
tom
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Post by FrankenMech on Jun 18, 2023 15:06:16 GMT -5
Get used to massaging parts to fit or work. That is what a mechanic does. It is why they get paid the big bucks to work on the damned junk. -Or just pay them to work on it. Don't expect great workmanship, they get paid by the job. These scoots are poorly designed and usually assembled by 9 year olds supervised by 12 year olds. The parts are made by other children in sweat shops. Complaints are not accepted. Products made in America or Europe are not much better, the factory workers may be older, -but not mentally and they are on drugs.
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Post by GrumpyUnk on Jun 19, 2023 9:01:36 GMT -5
I do not know how you can say that. These are finely hand-crafted machines built by the gnomes of Shenzen.
OK. Well not gnomes, but guys that have to support their families, etc, some of whom do a decent job.
I know exaggeration is at play here. Must be since these little hummingbird engines run up to 8k many times w/o putting a piston up ... or scattering bits, pieces and a liter of diry oil on the roadway.
OTOH, fitting some stuff takes BIG hammers, levers, jacks, kicks, stomping, and strong arms.
BTW, switch gear is neither water proof, water resistant, nor designed to handle being out in the rain for the most part. It also fails with use.
Then again, I have bought used machines that I have been able to fiddle with for a very short while, and gotten them to work again. It seems, IMO!!!, that many young people have the barest grasp of 'how things work', how to use hand tools, how to measure V/amps/pressure, and to use the information the measuring tools provide to form a theory as to why "it don't work". My take is that since wood, metal, and auto shop have vanished from the curriculum, they don't know nuttin' about how to fix the average leaky faucet or squeaking door.
Those that live in more rural areas, and are farmers, know farmers, or ranchers, or herders, can and do know about 'this stuff'. More regularly, anyway.
As I have said multiple times: "Learn or pay."
If you do not learn how things work and how to diagnose(Dx) and how to use tools to do repairs, you will PAY someone else who has taken the time.
I am a mostly self-taught 'fix stuff and know things' person, never having official schooling on anything.
As the saying goes... "Kids these days."
Only know how to stare at a screen. 5-7 year olds boys that are over a bunch stare at their ipads. Hours and hours. My expectation is they will have eye problems as adults. Not to mention interacive skills.
But China parts are questionable, but they are readily replaceable. So far.
Have fun today.
tom
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