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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 25, 2017 19:48:22 GMT -5
Well, one of the good things about the ruckus clone is there's nothing to remove to get at the engine. It wouldn't hurt to try the external tank. But if all the stuff you tried is right I'd check the valves. I've seen it before.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 25, 2017 16:34:10 GMT -5
- Replace the intake, these things dry out and crack leading to really lean operation.
- Check your petcock.
- If you one on the tank hook up an external gas tank to the scooter. A mower tank will work. I have one of those IV bottles external tanks for testing but I used a mower tank before I got it.
- If you have an external petcock, bypass it and test.
- Check your valves. If they're set too tight it will run but never develop power.
Which Ice Bear scooter? If it's the Ruckus style they have a fuel pump.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 25, 2017 15:17:18 GMT -5
I have a couple updates on this thread.
Hybrid #3 is sold! It sold for $600, split 50/50 with the dealer, I made a whole $30 or so on it. If you include labor, I lost my shirt. At least I got my money back on it.
Hybrid #5 (my bike) has been upgraded to 72cc to better handle my weight on hills. I'm in the process of converting it to yellow using the panels off the electric only version. One was damaged so I took a blue one and painted it to match. This one is going to get modified for winter riding as well.
Hybrid #2 doesn't run right so I'm trading it for labor with the scooter shop mechanic. He's going to install a 72cc kit on my daughter's Taotao and still owe me about $75 worth of labor for a future project, or something else TBD.
Hybrid #4 is going to be sold at the dealership as well. My son doesn't ride it and I promised the dealership they would have three bikes to sell. They have been giving me free GY6 parts and doing the brunt of the selling at their shop.
While I am a decent mechanic there are some jobs I would just rather not do. The shop mechanic can do an upgrade in his sleep, and he does really good work.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 25, 2017 14:55:10 GMT -5
2009 Veken Hybrid ScooterThis will be my main ride once it's complete. I'm in the middle of switching body panels to make it yellow and sorting other issues. These mods have not been done yet, I just got the last of the parts in yesterday. Mod1Convert the vacuum petcock to manual and add a shutoff valve. These scoots have fuel flow issues that I had been fighting with until I arrived at this solution. It will eliminate the priming issues as well. Mod2While I'm adding in the manual shutoff I will also add a snowmobile primer. It's a small manual pump that will squirt a bit of fuel into the manifold for easier starting. I stole this idea from another scooter site. No more finger over the intake required. I will use the vacuum port on the intake as the delivery spot since I no longer require vacuum for the petcock. Mod3I'll be adding a switch to disable the enrichment circuit. this will allow the enrichment to run as long as I need it. I'll probably mount both in the same location if it's convenient. Mod4I purchased a bunch of RV solar power connectors with a flange. These have the same connection as my battery tender. This will allow for an easier and neater method to connect a battery tender while the scoot is parked until the next ride. Mod5?If those mods don't do the trick I have a Vito's power jet kit that I can install.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 25, 2017 14:19:16 GMT -5
I decided to ride all year for the first time since 1980. I'm going to document the mods I've made to my scooters to allow for reliable running in sub 20° F (-7°C) weather. This will not be about riding gear, just mods to the scooter. These little engine do NOT like anything colder than freezing. I will also note failed mods to save people some time.
2016 TaoTao ATM50
Mod 1
The first thing I tried was to cover the intake with three layers of T-shirt cloth to enrich the mixture, too rich, as was two layers. One layer of material allowed the engine to start just fine once the fuel got to the carb. It takes a bit for the vacuum petcock to release fuel in the cold, I normally put my hand over the intake to increase vacuum for a couple seconds.
So, it starts and runs okay with the one piece to cloth secured via a girls hair scrunchie. (Google it, if you don't have girls.) I let the bike warm up as I put my helmet and gloves on. The big problem is that it will not go faster than about 20mph. I rode with it on for a couple blocks and removed it to get up to speed. So that works, but it's a bit tedious to do every time you ride.
Mod 2
The second mod is so simple, I kicked myself for not trying it... unplug the enrichment wire! I have to manually choke the intake by covering about 2/3rds of it with a finger to get it to start. Once started it runs okay for 1/2 mile of so, then just fine after that. This mod has been documented somewhere before, simple but effective. I plan to add an enrichment switch to the bike later so I can turn the circuit on and off at will.
Mod 3
I keep my scooter's battery plugged into a battery tender when I don't ride. These little batteries die quickly in the cold. It's currently an issue because I keep the battery side bolted on and it just sort of flops about. I'll be installing one of my RV connectors noted in the Veken mods section.
These mods work well enough for now since this scoot will become my backup ride when I finish my hybrid build.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 25, 2017 13:55:01 GMT -5
Way back in the 1970s we didn't have these fancy vacuum petcocks, we had manual petcocks, and we liked them! I have had numerous problems with vacuum petcocks on my hybrid scooters so I'm switching them all to manual. I replaced intakes, made sure the carb was tight, etc. I still couldn't get reliable fuel supply. It could be because of the tank placement, it's not up high like most bikes. The ones I have switched start right up, no waiting for the fuel to prime based on vacuum allowing fuel to get to the carb. I don't know what type of petcock a CPI has, but if it's mounted to the tank there's an easy mod to turn it into a manual system. My hybrids all have tank mounted petcocks, except one tank that shipped with a simple 1/4" tube outlet. All you need to do is drill out the gas side of the petcock until you pierce the membrane. There's a youtube video, link below. (Warning, turn mute the volume, unless you like German metal.) I drill mine a bit further until I can see the drill bit through the tank supply tube. (Big threaded tube that screws into the tank.) Blow it all out with air and reinstall. Then you will need to add a manual fuel shutoff, I use a snow blower 90 degree shutoff. You can get one at most auto parts stores or Tractor Supply, etc. You MUST put a shutoff in the fuel system! There is a slight chance you could end up with a hydro-locked engine if you don't. One bonus feature of this setup is that you will never run into fuel starvation if you run WOT for a long period of time. WOT reduces the vacuum available at the manifold on some bikes. All you need to do then it to remember to turn on the fuel to go, and off to park. You'll get used to it. Petcock modification
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Feb 24, 2017 0:09:14 GMT -5
I have one of each, 1/2, 3/4, and full face.
1/2 - Too noisy, I must have sensitive ears. I like the classic scooter helmet look, but I don't wear it. 3/4 - Perfect for warmer weather, I think it's enough protection for the 30-35 mph I normally ride. full - That's my winter helmet, I'm using it now. Good to 18 degrees Fahrenheit or so with a thin balaclava. This used to be my only helmet, from back when I rode a motorcycle.
I won't get on a motorcycle without a full face helmet. I flew over a car back in 1980, ruined my helmet, but I'm still here. The driver cut me off and froze when he saw me coming.
I always wear a jacket with armor as well. Leather in winter, mesh in summer.
Don't forget gloves as well, yes, even in the summer.
I dumped one of my scoots this past summer at around 30 mph or so, and walked away without a scratch. One of the engine mounts had cracked, not my choice to dump it. I've ridden long enough to know how to dump and roll. Not something you can practice, but I'm always thinking about some idiot in a car cutting me off and how I'll survive it.
When my daughter bought her scoot we went straight to Cyclegear and she bought a helmet, jacket, and gloves. All pink, to match her pink Taotao. You can see her 1/2 mile away, which I think is a good thing.
You should be prepared for the worst, the odds are pretty good you'll dump a bike at some point in your riding life. Safety gear is a lot easier to replace than skin.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Nov 19, 2016 17:34:55 GMT -5
I put mine on a couple weeks ago when the temps went down to the 20s (F). I still wear a full face helmet and a heavy leather jacket. Mine slows the bike considerably, it's the largest universal I could find. I'm running it on a 79cc upgrade so I can still manage 25mph on hills with my 210 lbs.
As soon as the temps go back up to the 40s it will come off.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Nov 19, 2016 17:28:31 GMT -5
Bump, warm this morning, around 30
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Nov 19, 2016 17:26:53 GMT -5
I plan on riding all winter, it's been in the 20s a couple rides so far. I just got a nice leather jacket from Jafrum and I ordered a Vito's Jet Kit. Cold starting is a bit of an issue, I'm hoping the Vito's kit does the trick.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Aug 28, 2016 7:52:43 GMT -5
Red wine can help avoid stomach maladies from drinking local water... “I don't drink water. Fish f**k in it.” ― W.C. Fields Often quoted as: “I don't drink water. Fish -function- in it.” My wife and daughter brought it home from work.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Aug 27, 2016 14:24:24 GMT -5
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Aug 27, 2016 11:46:14 GMT -5
I went down with some sort of stomach bug, missed a week of work, still catching up. I do have some updates though:
Hybrid #4; This bike had been dumped hard as I said in an earlier post. The fuel gauge, horn, and electric throttle didn't work and the right mirror was broken off. I pulled a couple panels off, the throttle connections were loose. Electric mode works fine now, hybrid mode does not work at all! Fuel gauge is still busted, it may be the sending unit. When I had the panels off I managed to remove the broken stub from the right mirror! Horn just started working on it's own.
This is my son's bike but I've ridden it a few times. It's a bear when cold but after 1/4 mile it runs fine. I'm really happy with the ride, width, and length of the hybrids. I sit normally in the seat, there's room for a passenger behind me. I have to sit on the back of the seat on my 49cc Taotaos. The width feels more natural, my legs don't feel squeezed together when I put them on the floorboards, unlike the Taotaos.
I have the 125cc version in my hands, it belongs to the PO and I'm repairing it in exchange for one of the electric models. Pictures to come ...
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Aug 8, 2016 7:52:28 GMT -5
Back from vacation . Hybrid #4 (red) is sorted, at least for gas, I haven't tested the hybrid modes yet. This one is staying home for my son. It was in worse shape than the first red one so it won't be sold. It had been dumped hard. The right brake lever is bent, the mirror was broken off so that I either need to remove the stud or replace the lever. Body panel scraped bad enough to gouge the plastic almost through. It needed an intake, carburetor, and battery. (I'm sensing a theme here.) The original intakes were made of some sort of inferior rubber, they are all hard and some have large cracks in them. Worse than I would expect for an eight year old machine. The horn didn't work initially and I didn't bother replacing it. It started working on it's own during a test run. The one I pulled off the other scooter may have the same issue, I assume it's just a stuck diaphragm. I'll wack it with a hammer a few times and see what happens. The next two machine will not be easy. Hybrid #5 has an extremely weak spark. I tried a new coil and CDI unit, must be the magneto. (Damned X-Men!) This will be my bike, it's the 48V 2009 model. Hybrid #6 has a bunch of parts stripped off of it, the one critical part missing is the throttle assembly. This will be tough to replace since it has both a mechanical and electronic throttle combined. If I can't find one I'll take it off #5 and run separate throttles on mine. I'm thinking about a thumb throttle for the left handlebar.
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Post by dachurchpcguy on Jul 28, 2016 3:55:09 GMT -5
All the hover or balance board packs are made up with 18650 cells. Some claim to be Samsung cells, but I doubt it at these prices. I can't complain, they're cheap and have enough capacity. I do expect them to deliver a couple more years of use over the SLA lifespan. SLAs will give you 1-2 years service.
Now that I have tested them I will be removing the better packs from the plastic case. This should allow them to cool better.
I've purchased all my SLA batteries from ebay. The three 10AH batteries were $57.99, that's cheap for a pack that should deliver 15-20 miles on electric only.
The thing to remember about SLA batteries is that they deliver based on their rating. 10AH batteries will deliver more current than 7AH, typically that means more power and higher speeds. Lithium batteries deliver based on their "C" rating. Tool lithium battery packs can sometimes deliver up to 20c. That means that a 1.5AH pack can sometimes deliver 30 amps!
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