KymcoForum.com
Scooters - Big Bore => Xciting 500 => Topic started by: Rozz on November 15, 2009, 02:28:54 AM
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I live in Canada. For the past several weeks I have had difficulty starting my 500ri. Dealer has replaced the computer chip to facilitate cold weather starts.
Bike is tempermental. Refuses to start and then after 1/2 hour or so starts with no problem--sometimes.
Don't know if this is an electrical problem or a battery problem. Battery tests ok.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rozz
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Tell us more... Did it start getting hard to start when the temperature dropped below some point or did it just suddenly get hard to start? If it was a battery issue it would crank very slow or not crank over at all. I am assuming when you say it is hard to start you mean it cranks over but fails to start. 1) It's flooding when cold and letting it sit for half hour lets the gas dissipate and it starts, 2) computer or fuel injection is not richening up the mixture for cold starts like it should and what ever the problem is it does not happen on the next try a half hour later. Ether way it's under warranty the dealer should be able to get it fixed. These one cylinder fuel injected engines can be quite temperamental. You did not say that once it starts -- does it run normal and restart ok when turned off. And does this only happen after sitting for how long -- till it gets cold, overnight, a couple of hours? All would be clues for the mechanic who is trying to troubleshoot.
So far my 500Ri starts right up, but then it's not really cold here yet. It's only been down to 36 at the coldest and I did not have the scooter last winter when it was really cold. Guess I am gonna find out soon enough. Wish I knew more, but the X500 is fairly new to me as well. Maybe someone else on the forum has had the same thing happen to them and they figured it out. Keep us posted on the progress.
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Hi Winginman,
I have a little more understanding now so I will try to explain a little better.
I had trouble starting in cold and damp conditions overnight. Yes, once the scooter started no problems for the rest of the day. Then the battery died, completely--I had it plugged into a tender which may or may not be faulty. Or the battery may be faulty - don't know.
Dealer found out that the standard computer chip is good for weather above a certain degree, not quite sure what, could be somewhere in the low 30's. I don't think we'd been that low yet, before last night at least.
I had the chip exchanged a week ago for one that handles cooler temps. The recommended setting was 2-3. Still the bike wouldn't start.
Dealer went back to the company and they said sorry for the mistake but the setting should be between 0- and minus 3. Dealer came out and reset the computer but my battery was dead. Had to boost from the kawi, bike started after much cranking.
Punch line: as I understand it--the computer chip business has to do with the richness of the fuel to the injectors. So yes, there was a flooding component to the problem.
Apparently the settings are trial and error. You might ask your dealer what sort of computer chip is in your bike. This is warranty item but I doubt they will volunteer it to you.
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BTW the mixture needs to be leaner for cold starts, not richer--or so I'm told.
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I hope it wasn't your mechanic that told you the fuel mixture needs to be leaner for cold starts rather than richer. Remember the days when your car had a carburetor and there was a choke. The choke system was there to richen the mixture up for cold starts. Same goes for fuel injection except the computer chip tells the fuel injector system how much fuel. Now having said all that there can be the problem that you can get the mixture too rich and there is too much fuel and the engine floods and will not start. Used to happen when the choke would stick in the old days. If the problem started all of a sudden and the chip is not fixing the problem there may be a problem with the fuel injection itself or even a poor spark from the ignition system. Things a good mechanic should be checking out when the chip did not fix the problem right away. They should be keeping the scoot overnight and trying to start it cold in the morning themselves. And a good hot battery is also a requirement for good cold starts. You should not be having a battery problem this soon unless the starting problem has caused the battery problem. The battery tender even at 1 or 1.5 amp charge should have charged the battery overnight unless one or the other is bad. Battery should be charged with a good regular charger and load tested to see if it's going to hold the charge. I am so curious to hear what the problem really is. Maybe throwing the problem up on the tech section of the forum will get the attention of one of the Kymco gear heads or mechanics who can help with the diagnosis. :-\ How about it guys, any of you reading this?
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You sure know a lot more about mechanical things than I do. Pretty much what you're saying is what I've been hearing from my mechanic.
I should add, my dealer is the best and I have absolute confidence in him--
Maybe I should just be patient and let him figure it out.
Are you still riding?
We're planning a Christmas holiday maybe in Georgia. Bringing the bikes.
We had a very wet summer but I got a lot of riding in. We were still riding last weekend, don't know if I'll get out again here before the spring--it's is getting colder.
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Hi fella's. I did see the post about the lean start, and was distracted w/ work. (doesn't happen too often) I believe wingman hit it on the head. EFI stands for electronic fuel injection, meaning EVERYTHING involved in starting your scoot is based on the battery. The computer is the MOST sensitive component to voltage drop. Your starter is the highest draw followed by the injector pump followed by the IAC circut. When the starter draws amperage it in effect reduces voltage. Add to that the amps required to run the fuel pump= less volts. add to that the amps to open the IAC (idle air control) less volts. The computer is designed to operate in a VERY specific voltage range. I have not researched the Comp. on your scoot but I PROMISE you it is falling below the parameters for which it can function. Ok w/ all that, where did the trouble start? When you want to water the lawn you don't start at the end of the hose, you go to the spigot. MAKE your dealer check the charging system FIRST. Have them do an operating amperage test to determine if there is an unusual draw on the system. Could be a bad hi beam switch is draining your charging system. (just as an example) There are too many possibilities to fix the problem here, but the correct place to start (no pun) is at the spigot. There are too many "parts changers" for my taste. If you are better informed you can make a better presentation to your "mechanic". A new set of eyes will always see something different. If they are your eyes all the better. Everyone knows they will get it right for you, just try to keep it under your control; It's your scoot. Best of luck Zombie!
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Yep we are still riding, at least through last weekend. Started raining last night and has not stopped. Gonna rain rest of the week. Hoping for a dry Saturday so I can get in some more riding time. If I go more than 2 or 3 days I start getting PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) and then I am not in a very good mood.
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Thank you Zombie for taking the time to explain EFI to me. I honestly had no idea that so much depended on the battery--but I understand what you're saying.
I am getting a new battery since its reliability is questionable due to a series of errors that are too lengthy and dull to go into at the moment.
We'll see after that.
Hi Winginman--i thought you guys had all the luck with southern weather and all that. We had a beautiful day here today, nearly 50 and sunny. Rain tomorrow and then Friday is expected to be good riding weather. All the same I look like I'm headed to a snowmobile when I go out with all the clothing.
PMS--I like it--i will tell all my friends!
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50 sounds chilly! It has been 70 yesterday and today here in Wilmington, NC! :P
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And I converted our celsius degrees to Farenheit for my Amer. friends. It's really only 9C. That's why we're heading south in a month--I would love 70 degrees. Sounds positively tropical!
My bike has gone to the shop for further diagnosing--still won't start.
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It's strange that the U.S. Is the only nation using Imperial measurement. At least as far as I know. I remember 40 years ago being told in school, "The U.S. is going to standardize w/ the rest of the world!" Does my "F" still count?
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Now I learned in school that Imperial measurement refers to the gallon as measured by the Brits. Yours is a US gallon and about a quart shy of the Imperial one. I get confused with mpg because I don't know if the ratio is to US gallon of gas or Imperial which is what we have in Canada. So when you calculate our price per gal. you must remember that our gal is larger than yours.
I have never heard of Imperial being used in reference to weather. Our metric is Celcius and I don't know if it is the same as Centigrade, but I understand that there is more than one metric system in the world and we don't necessarily have the most popular one.
We still refer to our height in feet and inches and our weight in lbs. Our children have no clue how large an inch is and we can purchase meat by the lb or by the kilo.
You see I have not enough to do today--it is 42F or about 5. 42 minus 32 divide the balance by two to get the conversion to Celsius.
My starting problem appears to be a battery problem. Now replaced.
We head to Georgia mid December--hope it's not too cold to ride.
RozzW
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Your temp conversion is a good way to roughly calculate. The conversion is actually 5/9 not 1/2 or Tc = (5/9)*(Tf-32); Tc = temperature in degrees Celsius, Tf = temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
So, Tf = (5/9)(42-32)
Tf = 5.556F
Yeah, guess I'm bored too!
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No wonder I got an "F"! ???
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Geezzzz that means tonight in Kentucky it's gonna be (.555)*(19-32)= -7.72 degrees C, I freezing just thinking about it. That's definitely below my riding weather cut off, not counting the 50 MPH wind gusts or should I say 80 KPH gusts. Then there is the stuff that's starting to fall from the sky.
Rozz when are you heading for Georgia?
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Geezzzz that means tonight in Kentucky it's gonna be (.555)*(19-32)= -7.72 degrees C, I freezing just thinking about it. That's definitely below my riding weather cut off, not counting the 50 MPH wind gusts or should I say 80 KPH gusts. Then there is the stuff that's starting to fall from the sky.
Rozz when are you heading for Georgia?
-8 C is quite acceptable to me. :)
The lowest I've seen and drove through is -11C.
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-11 C (12 F), too cold for me.
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-11 C (12 F), too cold for me.
Well, not that different than -8. :)
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We're heading south this Thurs. Georgia has been upgraded to Florida--Venice Beach. I am trying not to think about snakes and alligators too much without success. It's a balmy 35F here today, very wet, no snow.
My bike came home today after spending a month with the dealer. It apparently started every day without problems, not so once it came home. Thump, thump, and that's about it. The gas gauge is on "E"--could that be the problem?
Tomorrow I'll put some petrol in the reservoir and see what happens.
I am seriously thinking of trading the damned thing in on a Vespa or a Honda Silverwing or maybe just giving up on riding completely.
Please, someone tell me this bike is a good bike. I am so discouraged with it.
Merry Christmas, everyone. I may be on line in the south--don't know yet.
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What do you mean by "the gas gauge is on "E""? Did you put gasoline in it?
We're heading south this Thurs. Georgia has been upgraded to Florida--Venice Beach. I am trying not to think about snakes and alligators too much without success. It's a balmy 35F here today, very wet, no snow.
My bike came home today after spending a month with the dealer. It apparently started every day without problems, not so once it came home. Thump, thump, and that's about it. The gas gauge is on "E"--could that be the problem?
Tomorrow I'll put some petrol in the reservoir and see what happens.
I am seriously thinking of trading the damned thing in on a Vespa or a Honda Silverwing or maybe just giving up on riding completely.
Please, someone tell me this bike is a good bike. I am so discouraged with it.
Merry Christmas, everyone. I may be on line in the south--don't know yet.
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28 F here. First snow this year, just started falling when I was going out of the house.
Just came to work (13 km ride) on P250S. :)
Saw two more 2-wheelers on the way to work - one little Baotian 50 cc scooter and a guy on a custom bike. :)
Forecast says 14 F by Friday. Let`s wait and see. :) :)
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Rozz, Make sure ya got gas in the thing, otherwise it does not make sense. If it starts at the dealer it will start at home.
You' all driving or flying?
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Yes, guys, I put gas in the thing. Dealer has gone over the machine with the proverbial fine toothed comb. Replaced the battery and I have a new battery tender so the charge is good. Just tried to start it again--no can do. Lots of life, no spark.
My husband says it's a lemon. My dealer says there's nothing wrong with it. No one understands why it stops going.
We're leaving this Thurs. in the a.m. I am trusting that the problem will be sorted out by then. We'll bring the bike and hope it goes in the warmer climate.
I don't know what I'll do if I still have the problem when I return. I don't really want to buy another bike. I like this one fine when it works--but I am losing my patience that's for sure.
Is it really cold in Kentucky? I thought southern states never got snow. Shows you how much I know.
We haven't had any snow here--few flurries. Even a few hardy flowers still in garden and the grass is quite green (and soggy).
I can't wait to get away.
Rozz
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Haven't you heard of Kentucy Yankies? The Florida Keys are the ONLY southern "states" that I know of! True it does not get as cold as New Jersey, and north of there, but it is COLD even in N. FLA. Anyway... There are a few things that may be causing your problem. First I would suspect the on board computer itself. If you run voltage down below acceptable limits to the computer there is a law of electronics that replaces the lack of voltage with increased amperage; meaning the computer may have toasted a process needed to function. There are also a dozen or more reasons for the trouble you are having, and I feel the DEALER should spend more time looking for the problem instead of starting it in the morning, letting it idle until lunch, and calling you to say it is fine! I mean NO offense to anyone involved. Intermittent problems can ONLY be found with time or changing EVERY part involved. In either case the "dealer" doesn't make out! Keep your patience, and it will work out. Safe trip to the south, and if you decide you need a puppy to bring home w/ you, I have the prettiest pups ever. Ready to go...
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Hi Zombie,
I really appreciate your expert advice. I am quite useless when it comes to things mechanical or technical never mind electrical. And no, I've never heard of a Kentucky Yankee although it sounds as tho' that may be the opposite of a "Chinook" which we don't get here either.
I've copied your response and will send it to my husband.
I don't think my "dealer" has only started the bike and run it until noon. There has been a lot of back and forth and a number of things tested and replaced.
He is situated about an hour north of me in a much colder and snowy location and has really bent over backward to try and find out what is going on with my bike.
I really thought he had the thing working great until we got it home and it wouldn't go.
Trouble is we don't know how much our cold is contributing to the problem. Most riders here stop before it gets this chilly so may never encounter a starting problem since they don't fire it up again before the spring.
I have never had to work through something like this before so I am afraid that I fall down on the side of let's get a new bike. Not sure how that's going to fly with my old man since this is my third bike in four years.
He is after me to switch to a motorcycle. I think I'm too old to make the effort.
Maybe when we're in Florida I'll see if I can ride his Kawasaki. Perhaps this is just the Motorcycle Angel pushing me in the direction I need to go. Or maybe the cold is really getting to me and I'm getting a little fuzzy in the head.
Hope things warm up wherever you are that you have a Merry Christmas if you celebrate the season, and relaxing holiday if you don't.
Rozz
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Oh, and I forgot to respond to your generous offer of a sweet puppy. What kind are they? I am a big fan when it comes to canines. We have two. A big black lab mutt named Dizzy - she's 8 and a dear little Dalmointer named Rigo (Roderigo) - he's 6.
They are both coming with us. Can't leave the kids at home.
I have to decline on the adoption front as our pups are trifle possessive.
Now about those alligators....
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Rozz, You sound cool as sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssshutff! Maybe a real bike is the answer. My pups a PITPEI"S or SHARPITS. Pit Bull/Sharpei. I have posted picts of my scoot, and found I am not savvy enough to put up picts as a regular thing. Can you here them? RRROUGH RouGH WOUGH! I love my little BABIES.! Shaka, and word slinger are getting pups for Christmas. They just didn't know it till now. You will get one also! I plan to take all of Santas good stuff, and replace it w/ puppies. Hope I can figure out how to whisper Reindeer. Merry XMASS, and Mass Iridium !!! See you guys on the flip flop...
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Awww, sharpits/pitpeis sound very wrinkly. I bet they're cute as all get out. The province of Ontario has a Pitbull ban. I belong to a Pitbull site to ban the ban--I don't think they're having much luck--stupid politicians haven't figured out it's not the dog that needs banning.
Can you send pictures on my e-mail? I think it's on my profile.
I can hear those little guys woofing--my lazybones pups are snoring. When I came downstairs this morning, the big one plodded upstairs to my bed. She loves her comfort.
They're coming with us to Fla., that's why I'm worrying about alligators. We'll keep them leashed, else Dizzy will plunge into that river for sure. She loves the water big time.
R
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Kentucky Yankees, I guess it's like cold, it's all relative. I'm from Mississippi and down there Kentucky is northern, then I have relatives in Michigan and they think Kentucky is southern. Here I guess ya got your pick... I looked up Cape Breton Highlands and that's pretty far north. Gee Rozz there doesn't seem to be much an hour north of there. When you all are talking cold you mean COLD... Year before last I rode the Wing up there. Took the Cat across from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth (what a cool ride). It was middle of July and 55 degrees F there. We were cold and everyone that lived there was in shorts and talking about how warm it was. Made a loop, what awesome riding and the coast is just gorgeous. I wished we had more time to ride but were on a tight schedule. We only had two weeks to do about 5500 miles and were camping as well.
I guess if you haul the scooter to Florida and it starts ok that will add a bit more information to the puzzle. Enjoy your trip to warmer weather and if you can keep us posted. At 35 degrees F my X500 fires right up by pressing the starter button only, no throttle needed. Now my wifes Scarabeo requires a special touch. You hit the starter once and turn the engine over for about 1 or 2 seconds, then hit the starter a second time and it starts right up. If you hold the starter that first time it will crank and crank and not start. Go figure, we just learned that that's how you have to start it when cold...
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Hi Jim,
I think you've misplaced me in the vast northness of Canada. I don't live in Cape Breton, that's just where my picture was taken on my 250 Piaggio scooter two summers ago. I was riding up Old Smokey, one of the highest peaks on the trail, Ralph was out in front on his Kawi and he took my picture over his shoulder while riding--bad boy!
Cape Breton is one of the most beautiful spots in Canada, the people are lovely and it's not too crowded, yet, anyway. We have friends with a summer home there so we're fortunate enough to have a standing invite to visit.
I don't think many would want to go there in the winter time.
We always get a bit of a laugh when we see our southern friends complaining about the temp. We have gone swimming in the ocean at 65F water temp.
The highlands are great, but we trailer our bikes there. We live in Ontario about 30 miles from Toronto.
Glad I cleared that up. It's been averaging 35-40F this week and very damp. We are probably in the most southern area of Canada. If you look at a map you'll see that some parts of the US are much further north than us and I can tell you that Buffalo gets far worse weather, New York too sometimes.
Now on the bike starting (or not these days). I've had a new comp. chip installed which is designed for colder weather. New battery. New water pump because co-incidentally I had a slight oil leak. More anti-freeze in the rad. The jets are at -2. I'm not sure if I termed that right, but I am the total layperson when it comes to this, I'm just relaying as I understand the info.
The bike has been gone over top to tail and checks out as fine.
In all the starting and checking, I think the gas level was overlooked. The tank is not very big after all and I had driven it to the dealer so half was gone when I dropped it off.
It could be that the bike was just out of gas. It's hard to get a reading on the gauge even after adding half a gallon. So it could be I flooded it when I added the gas, although I never touch the throttle on start up.
I am flumoxed. The bike ran great all summer long, except for the odd balky start if the morning was a trifle chill. Now this round-about of it starts fine when it's at the shop, not so much when it comes home.
I don't really want to give up on it as the size and power suits me perfectly and I am very pleased with the dealer. He has been more than accommodating especially considering the distance.
I expect to have a computer with us when we travel. If I find a WiFi I'll check in on the forum and entertain you with our tales of alligators and bikes--I really am a little leery of snakes and other reptiles. That's one thing we don't have to worry about in our neck of the woods.
Racoons, skunks, maybe a bear or two--but no slithery things.
R
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Hey guys, I used to spend the summers on Prince Edward Island. That's where the Scottish side of my family settled. I loved it up there. All except the people with "floppy heads" South park joke... Just kidding about the puppies Rozz. They all have homes. I've been joking about sending 1 to everyone who posts. Right now they are trying to carry away my dvd burner. I,ll try to post a pict. here.
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Hey, Zombie,
I am glad those pups all have homes--I knew you were only joking, damnit! I love puppies so much, I thought maybe Santa would do the delivery!
So you've been to PEI. That's a wonderful place but doesn't have the majestic scenary of Cape Breton. I've only been to PEI once. Now I bypass it and go straight out to the Cape.
Oops the Chinese food is arriving--dogs are greeting the delivery guy. Funny how they don't bark when food is coming through the door. Not like the mailman.
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OOps--the picture went in sideways--I'll fix it later.
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That's ok, I fell out of the chair laughing, and could see it just fine. Today I came home to find my Moma dog sitting on the front porch next to a parcel from UPS. I called Lendel (the ups driver) , and he told me she came out through the screen on the bedroom window. He carries dog biscuts, and she knows it! The mail man will only leave a note in the box. She dosen't have any biscuts! As far as Santa, I hope he hit's everyone else on the good list because he's not getting past my house. Hey ps. Don't worry about creepy crawley swamp things too much. It's a little cold for most of them. Watch out for drunk RED NECKS though. There is a joke about where I live that goes; What do MOST people say when they realize they are about to drive off the road. --------------( You can fill in your own response, ) In Carrabelle they say "Hold my beer, and watch this"
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Now I'm the one falling off the chair laughing--I'll be sure to fill in the old man.
We're packed and just about ready to walk out the door.
And miracle of miracles--my bike fired up just fine.
Ralph-(bless him)- put a heater out beside it this morning. Three hours of warmth and the dear thing just fired up first try.
Now we know it doesn't like to be chilled.
I'll take your advice on the critters. I have all the stats on how few alligator attacks, snake bites etc made the news and I've never seen one on CNN--now we know those guys would never miss a disaster. And the rednecks too.
Next chat--from somewhere in the US of A.
Over and out!
R
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Knew that you would look!
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Hi Y'all,
Here I am in sunny Fla. and my bike is deader than a doornail. I despair that we will ever discover the problem. When we left On. on Thurs. she fired up like wildfire. We arrived yesterday, set up the RV, unloaded the bikes. Everything went well, bike started first try. We took off down the road in search of groceries, about 10K or so. That's 6.45 miles to those who care. After shopping when we tried to start the scooter it was flat. Lights/horn worked great, just click click from the starter.
Husband came back to campground alone, tore apart the site so he could haul the trailer to come pick up my bike. Just tried it again, still no go. Local dealer doesn't open 'til tomorrow--not convinced he can help. May have to rent a scooter if I want to ride.
By the time we set up our campsite again we were both pretty worn out. Watched a movie, that was it.
Now it's cold and I'm blue.
We did get caught in the big storm in Tenn.--road was closed through the Jellico Pass. We eventually got through it at 3:00 a.m. Not sure I would recommend this trip to anyone. We could have spent a week in the Carribean for what this will eventually cost us--and been pampered and spoiled and ridden some 50cc peice of cr*p around the island.
At least I can "talk" to you guys about my bike on the super slow WiFi in the campground which is a small city by the way. Never saw so many trailers in one place. Haven't seen the 'gators yet. Maybe I'll go looking for one and see if I can feed him my dead bike.
Now I gotta go wash some dishes.
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Glad to here You's guys made it in 1 piece. The +12v lead from your battery goes to a solenoid, and then to the starter. Try removing/ cleaning, and re-attaching all of those connections. Sounds like something loose. you can try to wiggle the +12v wires to find it. Traveling by camper may be fun to some, but I would never do it. Like you said it does not save any money , and can get quite troublesome. Florida seems to be the camper/ trailer capitol of the world. Where I live there are 2 campgrounds ($600.00 @ month), and they are always full. You may have more luck finding a Black Bear to feed the scooter to. Look around any dumpster at dawn... On the bright side it is supposed to get warmer this week, maybe you guys can enjoy some of that warm Florida sunshine. If not ... Try some of that even more famous Florida Moonshine.
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Thanks yet again, Zombie--I shall instruct the husband when he returns from the beer/key lime pie run he's on. I rode on the back of his bike for an hour today--oh, my, I think I'll stay in the campground and read a book. Yes it's relatively cold here today but tons warmer than home. The campground is really well established mobile home cottages. Nearly 700 of them. The casual camp sites appear to be few. I am still waiting for my first alligator sighting. Signs all over the place by the water, but no 'gators. Apparently they have armadillo wandering around--haven't seen them either. No, I don't care much for camping. Killed a fair bottle of Pinot Noir last night--wished I hadn't this a.m., so tonight it's corn chips a spicy salsa washed down with decaf from home.
The dogs are not happy with the six ft leash arrangements and are sulking on our bed. They've tracked enough sand into the van to keep sweeping for a week.
I would prefer camping at The Holiday Inn but this seemed like the best way to have dogs and bikes and travel in one pkg. I didn't know there was Florida Moonshine. In Nfld they call it Screech--same thing I suppose--clean the tar of your bike if you can't drink it.
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MMMMMmmmm! Key Lime pie & Corn Liquor. MMMMMmmmm! Sounds like a party. If you really want to see a Gator, leave a canned ham a few feet from the waters edge around dusk. You'll see one... Don't get caught doing it though. For some reason they LOVE ham. Come to think of it they go nuts for key lime pie as well. There is a camping story that starts with Key lime pie, and an old alligator! It ends with...
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Rats, well now we know it ain't the cold weather, huh. Zombie is right. If we got a click when you press the starter button and nothing else happens it has to be a loose connection somewhere between the battery and the starter solenoid. If you get a click-click-click continuously when the starter button is pressed it is likely a bad battery or bad starter. If the battery checks out under load test have them check the starter. I also see there is a 30A fuse in or on the starter solenoid. Good luck...
BTW, you came down I-75 about 70 miles east of Louisville when you came through Lexington, KY. Eastern part of the state and Tenn got the snow. It missed us, we had a light dusting on the cars. I'll bet Jellico Mountain was a mess with the snow. We take that route when riding down to the Smokey Mountains to ride in the mountains.
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Never did get the key lime--pecan with a cardboard crust was not quite the treat I was looking for. I am not ready to feed the gators. Can't believe how close the camp sites are to the river. Are people nuts?
Ah, the Jellico Pass. We could see that the locals weren't savvy when it comes to driving in snow, but we had no problem at all. An inch of slush and the road was straight--I think I could have done it on my scoot--if the damned thing would start.
We are dragging it in to Sarasota this a.m. We'll see if the scoot shop can figure it out--I'll report in as soon as I know.
Thanks for all your advice, fellas, I'll be sure to mention the fuse etc if it seems necessary.
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Might be good to get a third set of eyes checking over everything as well! ;)
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We are talking about Kentucky and Tennessee. When it snows an inch here it about shuts things down. I grew up in a rural county mid Kentucky and remember driving after a snowfall of several inches and I caught up with the county snow removal equipment. It was a county dump truck outfitted with chains and it was dragging what looked like a railroad tie behind it with a couple of chains and there was a worker sitting up in the bed with bags of rock salt and he was throwing it out behind the truck by hand. And you wonder why a little show and slush slows things down. ;D Then a few years ago it snowed a couple of feet here in Louisville and it had been so long since the city had used the snow plows it bought no one could remember where they put them until the snow melted and and they were uncovered.
Good luck with the dealer, here is to hoping it is something simple and they spot it right away and you get to enjoy the scoot for the rest of your stay.
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You got me on that post wingman! I had to stop giggling before I could post. There is no better feeling than knowing what day it is!
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Well at least I'm getting a good laugh--what a great story, The visuals are amazing. You should see the snow equipment up our way and they still close the schools for an inch or so of snow. I have 4 snow tires on my car and I can plow through anything. We're definitely snow snobs when it comes to driving places that can't handle it. Hah!
Meanwhile, back in Sarasota, the Suzuki people have had the bike all day. For a C-note they were able to tell me that the solenoid is ok, the battery is just fine, the connections all good, likewise the fuses. They are guessing that the problem is the starter and that something is sticking in there. It's a sticky starter. My dealer had already ordered a new improved starter for my bike. Should be getting that when I return. I am wondering if this has been the problem all along. Nothing like a good mystery except when it involves my scooter. I was eyeballing that Burgman today with more than a little longing. Lucky for Kymco I can't do a trade here.
Now I am sipping a glass of California cab/sauv. and I am contemplating heating up leftovers and making a salad for dinner. Tomorrow is another day and the sun is going to shine and there won't be snow and I am no where near the ratrace that is Canada at Christmas.
Y'all have a good one!
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Wev'e All had stickynsolonids! (dealer term) Enjoy the Fla. Life... Ps go on feed the Gators.
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Remember BELL BOTTOM Pants. As I'm Typeing, My socks are being torn off, and my jeans are becoming bell bottoms. 5 cats, and 6 dogs... Happy Halloween...I wish there was a Gator in the mix. Next time you guys want to drop a "C" I have an Ebay account that is starving! Hey to all the "floppy heads"!!! STYIGHY SOELOINOIDE.Dealer Only Item! Sorry to tell you , your bike has to go back to Jupiter(not Fla.). The next shuttle leaves in 2,750 years... Give or take a decade. We have a reliable QA/50 you can use for 3 days,or until there is a conformation...,I do have 1 boy pup that is going to be an orphan. His new family didn't meet the snuff. Fla. ins't that big, so if you do get a QA, I have a place you can ride to. Hubby's bike must have a pet carrier...Right? Ps His name is Nancy Pants. (THE PUP)
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While in Fla you may as well try some gator tail. Fixed right it is quite good and you can go back and tell everyone you ate gator. Wish I was down there with you all, it's a real slow day at the office. I should have closed today, there was hardly any traffic coming in this morning. I guess everyone else took off. It will be a mess later when they all decide to go shopping.
Sticky starter/solenoid. Humm, used to have a car that had that problem. Carried a hammer with me to bang on it when it did not turn over. Worked most of the time, but I still tried to park on a hill... ;D Good ole days, when you could buy a used 56 or 57 for $100.
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That's what my husband said--bang the starter with a hammer--apparently he had some vehicle he used to do that to as well. Right now it's packed in the trailer for the ride home.
I spent two hours on the back of his Kawi this aft. Oh, my I'm hurtin'. Don't know what I'll do tomorrow.
Nancy Pants, eh? Sorry no pet carrier, and I have two very possessive pups taking up space in the van.
I still haven't seen a 'gator. Even went to a state park today. Too cold it seems. I have seen plenty of signs telling me to beware. A vew vultures, heron and the odd pelican and a tiny lizard. That's the wild life count for today.
Time to watch a movie.
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Hey Rozz, it's time for an update. I see Florida is heading for a freeze. Went out for a ride yesterday and my X500 did not want to start after sitting awhile in the cold. (couple of days) Finally started I rode for about an hour and charged the battery back up. I don't think it likes cold...
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..Nancy Pants??...poor, poooor puppy....