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I posted this in the general technical part of the forum too, but wasn't sure if it should go here instead...

Super 8 150 with about 6500 miles on her.
Daily driver for my 50 mile round-trip commute - has been flawless every day until this morning.
Ran out of gas on Friday (three days ago) coasted to the pump, filled with 91 octane (I always use super), started up and rode home the last 2 miles fine.
Parked on Friday afternoon uncovered outside (I usually park under an awning) and it rained last night pretty heavy.
This morning it started fine just like every other morning, but it wouldn't do anything over an idle after warming up for about 3-4 minutes (my daily routine).

Blip the throttle and she sputters out immediately.
Eeeeeeeeease on the throttle a tiny bit and she would increase rpm a little, but if I gave any more twist - poof and she quits.

after a couple of back-to-back stalls and restarts, she stopped starting (motor turns, but no startup)

If I let her sit for a minute or two, it seems like the bowl maybe fills with enough gas that I can fire her up and she'll idle for about 10 seconds before dying...


That's where she sits now - starts and idles for about 5 seconds before dying.

any ideas?

Thanks!
--Kevin

OK, so I've been fishing around in these forums for a couple of weeks now. Ever since I took apart my Super 8 150 [new to me - had 1679 miles on it] trying to figure out why it wouldn't start again after my first ride. It helps to turn the Run switch back on after I turn it off. I'm a dummy... but I learned a lot about the scoot in three hours.  :p 

My ride:
2009 KYMCO Super 8 150cc Blue n’ Yellow, had 1670 miles on it when I bought it February 24th (Five weeks ago). In those five weeks I’ve ridden about 1300 miles and now have 3050 miles on her. I’m in love… but I’m looking for a little more all-around performance. I get that changing rollers to get a faster acceleration is gonna drop my top end speed, and getting more top end means taking longer to get there. I just feel like there is a happy medium somewhere up there where I can accelerate a bit faster and get a slightly higher top speed.  Is that some Holy Grail or is it common to get a little more of both?

I have learned a TON of great information from reading through this forum and thank everyone for sharing what they know! I found the manual, oil change video, conversations about derestricting, and lots more, but still have several questions and I wanted to consolidate them into one thread, so here goes nuthin’. Feel free to smack me around a bit for letting lose a whole novel here.


1)   Do the Super 8 50cc 2-stroke and 150cc 4-stroke use the same CDI?
a.   It seems odd to use the same discharger for 2 and 4 strokes (and different displacement), but I can never seem to find a real distinction on scooter parts websites or in these forums. I have looked at my CDI, and I see no magic Pink or Violet wire I can disconnect to remove my rev limiter. I have 6 wires going into the plug. I’d love to just buy an aftermarket CDI with the limiter moved up and timing retarded if anyone can recommend one they’ve used.
b.   I also have seen references to grislr’s (sp?) photos of how he got his headlights working after a CDI swap, but his photos have been taken down I think.
2)   Oil cooler? I live in Phoenix and will be riding all summer. Anyone have experience with one?
3)   Restricted Boss? Washer, full, none?
a.   I’m probably gonna open the variator housing soon and will find out, but wonder if I should buy a non-restricted boss before I do.
4)   Exhaust? Which scoots can share the same complete systems? Does anyone have a system they particularly love or hate?
5)   What size carb is on this stock? I have seen some say a 24 mm and others say 26 mm. I see a 30 mm available but doubt I will need that anytime soon. I do plan on messing with the jets as necessary.
a.   How do you do a mid or open throttle plug chop on the street under load? There’s no clutch…
6)   Air intake and jets?
a.    Foam or cotton (K&N)?
b.   I understand a jet increase is needed and probably will do the exhaust at the same time. I ran the scoot for just a little bit without the airbox (air filter still in place, and just ran a circle around my apartment complex) and it just bogged and farted along… It was starved for fuel. I have read from someone about bumping up two jet sizes. Any idea what is in there now?
7)   Original belt or Kevlar?
   Tires? Size change? Larger in front to fix the speedo accuracy? Can the speedo be recalibrated to be accurate? Brand and model of decent tires people like? I feel like they’re gonna wash out from under me if I get a good lean on. I have seen a reference to some Avons.
9)   Lights dim at idle. Found grislr’s (sp) links, but the pages are moved/empty. Anyone have anything?
a.   I do not feel like bumping the idle up is a viable solution. To get the idle high enough, the clutch would be right on the verge of engaging or it would be engaged.
10)   Foot pegs spring back with the one touch?
a.   This would be really nice since I ride from the passenger position with my feet on the pegs. I’m considering just putting regular motorcycle pegs on if the threading is right.
11)   Clutch springs – 1000, 1500 and 2000 RPM ones are what I have seen. I pretty much drive like the throttle is an on/off switch. Would putting in a 2000 rpm clutch spring help me keep RPMs higher for longer, or should I be changing roller weights and ramp shapes for that more?


I’m sure I have a hundred more questions at least, but am trying not to rewrite the encyclopedia here. I’ll be doing some cosmetic stuff pretty soon and plan to document all the before and after so I can make some How To videos (that’s what I do for a living) and will post them up to my vimeo account and link back to here.

Thanks all for your patience and input! Happy scooting!

--Kevin


EDIT - answered some of these questions below.