KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Iahawk on June 01, 2021, 10:08:13 PM
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flipping through my local Craigslist I saw a 96 Helix for sale in my neighborhood. It is in very good condition for a 26 year old scoot and has 7100 miles. I stopped by today to look it over and take it for a ride. Wow...it was a different feeling vehicle, that's for sure! Even more so since I rode my motorcycle over to look at it.
It is big...and soft...and....interesting. Like sitting in a soft, slightly out of style recliner in someones living room.
I think my S200 is faster off the line but I'm sure the Helix tops out at a much higher speed.
Asking $1900...very reasonable...but to be up to my standards I'll have to change all fluids, filters, plug, valve check, rollers, belt....plus a full detail on the paint...some touch up...needs a windscreen....nothing out of the ordinary but just a lot of stuff.
My current scoot is set up almost perfectly, cosmetically and mechanically..(except for the annoying vibration).. I've spent a lot of $ getting it just right....so I'm asking myself do I want to start another project?
Many call the Helix the Greatest Scooter of All Time...and they aren't getting any more plentiful. If I want to experience one I'd probably better do it sooner than later.
Any thoughts on a Honda Helix?
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Well, they have a mug only a mother could love - but they have a good reputation.
Are they the Hondas that you can do a valve adjustment from outside the engine through a port in the panel....(or is that the Reflex? Me, I'm keeping one eye open for a Reflex))
Saw one being ridden by a lady at a gas station 2 yrs ago. She said she loved it.
What color?
Stig
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the best color...red!
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!!
Stig
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@Iahawk, looks great this CN 250,
but isn't $1900,- a little bit pricey?
Will come all in all to ~ $2500,- after refurbishing.
Except you want to keep it as a collectors piece.
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Ruffus, yes, I do think the price is a little high. I'd be more comfortable around $1500 or $1600 but it is getting harder to find 'low mileage' Helix's due to their age. This one looks really nice...it just needs a little loving.
I think the only reason it hasn't sold, yet, is because it is posted on Craigslist...which has almost zero vehicle activity these days as all online activity seems to have moved to Facebook Marketplace (free to post items for sale).
I'm planning on calling the owner today to make an offer. I got sucked into the web of youtube videos last night by Helix owners professing their absolute love for this oddball scooter!
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Check out Craigslist Duluth post #7329784318 . The person has 5 of them in different colors and look to be in mint condition for sale.
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Huh neat.
"Call for price" always makes me a bit leery, but kinda neat.
(https://images.craigslist.org/00s0s_ddir8CfpOXQz_0ak07K_1200x900.jpg)
Check out Craigslist Duluth post #7329784318 . The person has 5 of them in different colors and look to be in mint condition for sale.
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Huh neat.
"Call for price" always makes me a bit leery, but kinda neat.
(https://images.craigslist.org/00s0s_ddir8CfpOXQz_0ak07K_1200x900.jpg)
I'm sure they are at a premium price but look to be in mint condition. A lot of times your ahead to pay a premium then purchase one that needs work that you have to track down parts plus the cost of parts and labor involved.
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I have some Helix experience---4 new ones, ridden over 175,000 miles combined-----Price for what you see way out of line---For me.
$500 about right----They do not break very often----guts of very expensive muffler fall out at around 30,000 miles (all of mine Honda paid on warranty), intake stubs break/leak....just carry spare, belts can be changed just by squeezing rear clutch, getting buffet free
ride hard---shield too far from tip of nose!! Built in trunk very handy. Safety Warning: rear tire rated 62 mph...bad for bike that will top over 70mph---down hill/tail wind. I did have one rear tire fly apart in Japan as I exited Freeway after long/wide open run. Didn't go down, tire Bridgestone.
I enjoyed my Helix time.
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Here's another Detroit Lakes Craigslist 7327872591
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I have some Helix experience---4 new ones, ridden over 175,000 miles combined-----Price for what you see way out of line---For me.
$500 about right----They do not break very often----guts of very expensive muffler fall out at around 30,000 miles (all of mine Honda paid on warranty), intake stubs break/leak....just carry spare, belts can be changed just by squeezing rear clutch, getting buffet free
ride hard---shield too far from tip of nose!! Built in trunk very handy. Safety Warning: rear tire rated 62 mph...bad for bike that will top over 70mph---down hill/tail wind. I did have one rear tire fly apart in Japan as I exited Freeway after long/wide open run. Didn't go down, tire Bridgestone.
I enjoyed my Helix time.
John your living in the past on prices. Non-running parts scooters are going for $300-500 range now .
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Well, they have a mug only a mother could love
Stig
What he said. But if YOU like it, that's all that matters.
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What he said. But if YOU like it, that's all that matters.
Not one of my favorite design , Yamaha had the Riva 180 that had similar styling along with the Yamaha morphous. They look like they could be a amphibious assault vehicle.
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it's funny reading all these replies!...and thanks, Kansas Kymco, for the suggested links, but I went the path of least resistance and bought the Helix from my neighbor about 5 houses away. It's funny, I've never seen the scoot being ridden. Unless he only rode it in the dark when he couldn't be positively identified as the crazy owner of a Honda Helix??
I will be the 3rd owner after the farmer in rural Iowa who owned it for 19 years, my neighbor who owned it for 6 and now me.
$1700 and I pick it up at 5 today. Full report on the condition (and pics) coming this weekend.
I know for sure it will get an immediate oil change, final drive oil change, brake fluid and coolant. Need to order the air filter and probably the cvt case filter...need a plug...will have to examine brake pads and shoes...tires...coolant and brake hoses....plus a full disassemble and deep cleaning....oh, boy....
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Congratulations Iahawk they do have a cult following. Will be looking forward to a detailed riding and handling report. With your attention to detail I'm sure you'll have it in excellent condition.
Are you sure you wouldn't like to (borrow) one of my Kymco's for the winter, a couple could use a good detailing. LOL
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I've been trying to buy a low mileage mint GV but the owner won't budge off 2k. Showroom condition < 2k miles.
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@Iahawk,
Congrats to your new "timeeater", guess sense of life is to be happy. And if this is what makes you happy, so it be.
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Are you sure you wouldn't like to (borrow) one of my Kymco's for the winter, a couple could use a good detailing. LOL
haha! I'm a glutton for punishment...but only detail my own stuff. Now if you want to lend me a few Kymcos for the summer.....
@Iahawk,
Congrats to your new "timeeater", guess sense of life is to be happy. And if this is what makes you happy, so it be.
thanks, Ruffus. As a fellow tinkerer...I'm looking forward to wasting a lot of time on my new scoot! Yes, it has a face only a Mother could love...but I feel the need to experience the 'Helix'
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Wait a minute!
I went to bed with you thinking about....
And now you own it!!??
You know what......Good for you!
What?
Keep daydreaming about one...how's that work out in the end?? 2020 taught me something.
It should be great fun to be an owner. ...
Really, good for you. Enjoy yourself!
Stig
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I am not off on prices---I buy my bikes to actually ride them---at least 20-30,000 miles a year===older Japanese bike, no miles, means not ridden---then who knows what kind of wrenching done on it, condition of rubber parts...saw onw of the last ones in
Chattanooga Honda shop last year, almost no miles---$1600.
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Went out to dinner with the family last night and then got started on the scoot. Started cleaning it up..wiping it down, removing lots of dirt and grime.
Changed oil (old oil was fresh, obviously changed recently)....changed brake fluid...old fluid was NOT changed recently..or ever? Barely enough fluid in master to cover little hole in bottom and a lovely dark yellow/brown color!
Air filter is dirty, cvt case filter is missing, plug looks old, tires are from 2011 and I finished last night trying to remove cvt cover to look underneath. Seems the cover is 'welded' on! Will have to work on that one.
Also found exhaust leak where pipe meets engine, not sure if its the exhaust manifold gasket of the big lead gasket a little farther down the pipe where 2 pieces join.
Already have some parts on the way. None of these issues is a deal breaker..just routine, delayed maintenance, and stuff I actually enjoy doing. I'll work on it a bit and eventually start a new thread showing some of the things I'm doing.
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@hawk, SLOW down, otherwise you have it refurbished in no time. Ha ha😂
But I know how this infection goes..
And watching the pics, I might say, she' s really wide hips...
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That's not brake fluid. It's brake paste! ;D
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my 11 year old daughter, the one whose favorite bikes to sit on at the motorcycle dealer are the big BMW and Harley touring bikes, LOVES the passenger seat and the low reach to the foot rests. She was so excited to see the Helix and sit on the passenger seat. She is excited to go riding on it with me (she doesn't really enjoy the back of the S200 as there's no back rest and the reach to the pegs is a bit too far for her little legs.
So one more reason to get this rather portly, homely old girl (the Helix, not my daughter!) up to snuff and safe to ride!
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@hawk, SLOW down, otherwise you have it refurbished in no time. Ha ha😂
But I know how this infection goes..
And watching the pics, I might say, she' s really wide hips...
Ruffus let the man finish, how else is he going to get to my Kymco's this winter. ;D
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Looking at your Honda brake reservoir .....I was reminded how important I found it to have proper JIS screwdrivers when working on a Honda Forza and a CB500X Honda motorcycle.
JIS screwdriver will usually work on both a Phillips head and JIS screw, while a Phillips head will usually work only on a Phillips head screw....and might tear up a very tight JIS screw head.
Stig
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Stig - you are correct! My go to screwdriver is a JIS Vessel, similar to a #2 philips. it is an impact driver, too, but I have never used it in that fashion. I think it was under $10 on Amazon a few years back.
Just got the new scoot titled, have new plate and called insurance agent to add it to the fleet.
Now if I can only get away from my work to start my fun work (on the scoot)!
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I am not off on prices---I buy my bikes to actually ride them---at least 20-30,000 miles a year===older Japanese bike, no miles, means not ridden---then who knows what kind of wrenching done on it, condition of rubber parts...saw onw of the last ones in
Chattanooga Honda shop last year, almost no miles---$1600.
John find me a low mileage clean Kymco 250 cc and above for $500. with a clean title and I will give you a finders fee. The cheapest I've found has been $1250. for a 09 with under 2k miles. You can contact me on the forum. I owe my sister a visit in Georgia anyway.
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Stig - you are correct! My go to screwdriver is a JIS Vessel, similar to a #2 philips. it is an impact driver, too, but I have never used it in that fashion. I think it was under $10 on Amazon a few years back.
Just got the new scoot titled, have new plate and called insurance agent to add it to the fleet.
Now if I can only get away from my work to start my fun work (on the scoot)!
What tires are going with ? Just ordered a set of Angles for the future GV. I couldn't find City Grip's in my size except on UK web sites. Debated about a set Power Pure but went with the Angles.
Ordered the Angles from my local dealer for $120. for the pair, ebay cheapest price for a pair was $127.
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not a whole lot of tire choices in the 110/100-12 front and 120/90-10 rear. On Revzilla there are 3 choices but a highly rated one and also inexpensive is the Heidenau K61 at $50 and $65 for the 2. Much cheaper than I expected and I think John Grinsel has spoken highly of Heidenaus in the past (?)
6 hours last night and another 3 this afternoon stripping and cleaning the scoot. Only new problems I found are the rear shocks rubber mounting bushings are wallowed out which will result in some clunking and other issues. I thought I'd need new shocks but I see on Revzilla where I can just buy the rubber bushings/mounts and the metal bushing that runs through them for only a few dollars!
Some external rust on the fuel tank but the inside is perfectly clean and I doubt the scoot will ever get wet while I own it so not too worried.
Have the rear mostly stripped down. Lots of dirt and gunk to clean. My OCD won't let me NOT clean it. Attaching a pic to show current state.
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one other oddity...the process for adjusting valves. Here's a pic of the left side of motor. The 2 lock nuts are loosened, the metal around it are both moved away from each other (left one front, right one back) until it meets resistance and then the metal grids are moved toward each other one half mark, which is equal to .010, or the correct valve adjustment.
Never seen anything like this. I haven't touched it, yet, but read about it in service manual and thought it looked very odd.
Has anyone had a motor with the same process for adjusting valves?
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one other oddity...the process for adjusting valves. Here's a pic of the left side of motor. The 2 lock nuts are loosened, the metal around it are both moved away from each other (left one front, right one back) until it meets resistance and then the metal grids are moved toward each other one half mark, which is equal to .010, or the correct valve adjustment.
Never seen anything like this. I haven't touched it, yet, but read about it in service manual and thought it looked very odd.
Has anyone had a motor with the same process for adjusting valves?
Yeah, yrs ago watched videos of that super easy valve adj, procedure on this scoot!
Will you be considering all new panels from webike?
Stig
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Stig, I hadn't thought about replacement panels, yet. None are cracked but they all have some battle scars on them.
Webike....was not aware of that site but now have it bookmarked for hours of viewing pleasure! The crazy thing about the Helix is the parts support (probably Hondas in general..but I'm used to our Kymcos and the minimal support and no aftermarket)
The plan is to get all the mechanical stuff upgraded and repaired before tackling the cosmetic (other than thorough cleaning).