Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - john grinsel

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 70
1
General Discussion / Re: Am I old enough for a tricycle?
« on: April 05, 2023, 12:54:13 PM »
For me, three wheels would work in nice package---I  had 2 Messerschmitts in the 50's, one new, one used-   compared to sidecar outfit in the winter, fine, even had heater and radio possibility---KR 200, 200cc Sachs 2 stroke, nice price, rode nice, spare tire by removing front seat you could actually sleep in it---nice when you had no money.  Somebody in England made replica with Helix power.

No interest in what is on today's market in US---rode sidecar outfits for 40 years---nice when bike makers made bikes that actually could handle the sidecar----had new Harley outfit with tin sidecar, fine, strong,   engine could not get rid of heat when ridden hard=blow up!!   enjoyed and liked MZ 2 stroke outfits and loved their price.....few mods, 300cc kit, KONI SHOCK ON SIDECAR wheel.

2
Technical | How To / Re: Breaking In a Belt
« on: March 28, 2023, 12:18:26 PM »
Buffeting---depends on your level of experience and real amount of riding.    My base line for buffet free ride----BMW twin with Heinrich upper and lowers, Harley big twin with tin legshields and canvas  winter upper and maybe some Avon handlebar fairings....all these your nose is close to tip of windshield and you are looking over.    I have had new modern maxiscooters from Yamaha, Kymco, Honda and Suzuki----all, your nose is too far from tip of shield=buffeting!!  Ride 30,000 miles a year and  buffeting can be pain, period......and where is the hand protection on modern scooters?   I am talking rain/snow/fog here.   On scooters, only Vespa with the right shield can be quite buffet free......their problem in US right now=no dealers and maybe pricing.

3
Technical | How To / Re: Breaking In a Belt
« on: March 27, 2023, 12:36:24 PM »
Helix----to get to valves, merely take seat off, one bolt----valve adjust, easy---had 4 new Helix, liked them----only problem all day riding, BUFFETING!-----built in trunk, nice.   3 US models, one Japan (Fusion) it appeared  nicer running that US models. As  recall about 175,000-200,000 with them.   Worked good in WI cold winter weather---always started.   

4
Technical | How To / Re: Breaking In a Belt
« on: March 26, 2023, 08:37:50 PM »
as veteran of over 400,000 rubber band scooter miles----never gave break in much thought----replaced belts at 15,000 mile intervals with only OEM belts regardless of scooter make---riding a lot, belts do not stay on long---not riding a lot age could be factor in belt life----experienced one belt breakage under way, in VA after day long wide open riding, Helix belt near end of service life, carried new spare belt---Helix easy to change by only taking off side cover and fitting new belt in (nice feature!)

5
Roadcraft / Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
« on: March 19, 2023, 08:42:37 AM »
Best bet in N America----on hands in rain/wet----Aerostich over mitts----=work, still good feeling on controls, add some warmth.

6
Roadcraft / Re: Trail braking.
« on: March 16, 2023, 03:30:44 PM »
two things to remember from about 1.5 million street miles


#1 traction----tires are already working hard bike leaned over, too much braking force added and down you go.

#2 most bikes, lean and steer related---brake hard in turn and bike may come upright   and in the bushes you go!

7
Downtown 300 / Re: downtown not standing still
« on: December 07, 2022, 03:30:10 PM »
If after idle speed is set correctly-----bike still creeps, just use brake to hold.   Don't things apart until   necessary.

8
Technical | How To / Re: X-Town 300i Drive Belt Replacement - Advice please
« on: November 24, 2022, 03:27:01 PM »
No---in US cub is 125---waiting for recession to get deeper and prices come down.

9
Technical | How To / Re: X-Town 300i Drive Belt Replacement - Advice please
« on: November 23, 2022, 12:50:54 PM »
Bike in use every day----at 15,000 miles on my Xtown300i---at 15,000 miles I just changed belt and rode on----took me about 6 month to get the 15,000 miles.

10
Technical | How To / Re: 2022 KYMCO AK550 windshield
« on: October 14, 2022, 02:35:38 PM »
Do you look over it?

11
General Discussion / Re: Rear tire life.
« on: October 07, 2022, 12:42:32 PM »
Try Heidenau.     I also like Michelin Power Pure SC---they wear round.   Got well over 10,000 miles from one on return trip from Alaska!

12
General Discussion / Re: 2021 scooter sales in Italy
« on: September 26, 2022, 11:21:55 PM »
Having lived and ridden in Italy----I think the Italians are starting to prefer the more reliable Asians!

13
Downtown 300 / Re: Its is normal?
« on: September 24, 2022, 03:50:19 PM »
Swing arm bushings----replace period.  used to be problem with Japanese bikes---really screws up handling.   Your case, bike age and miles(km's)

14
Technical | How To / Re: AK550 handle replacement
« on: September 19, 2022, 06:02:16 PM »
First have proper replacement grips on hand---I think your bike has 7/8 bars, grips come in at least 2 lengths---I use gasoline to lube grips to slide them on, hairspray works the same----Grips usually last 50,000 miles or so----does your new bike have that many miles already?

Getting old grips off---simply cut them off----compressed air on hand somepeople blow them off

15
Kymco News / Re: Kymco USA
« on: September 14, 2022, 11:24:45 AM »
As bike/scooter is tool to me and I like to depend on them with dealers/importers----In Chattanooga with dealer in Dalton GA, my 300i fine and good bike built as least to the standards of the Japanese---When I moved to WI, sold my Kymco, WI not Kymco land---have talked to many dealers who had them in the past---out due to importer -----Kymco fine scooters, but need good dealer network and strong importer to back them up-----Same problem with Daelim, great scooter in Korea, ruined in US by weak importers.   I buy only new and have had over 75 new bikes/scooters since 1955----importer problem can also be dead scooter market in N America

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 70