KymcoForum.com

General => Roadcraft => Topic started by: Scooter Dan on January 09, 2017, 01:18:55 PM

Title: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 09, 2017, 01:18:55 PM
Got the Kymco out this weekend for about a 20 mile ride in the low thirties. This is about the coldest I think I could take without heated gloves as that was the only part that got cold.....Not cold...Numb. The large windshield really works well and could have ridden much further if only my hands could take it. This week we climb back to the high 60's but that usually means rain too so finding those perfect ride days can be a little tricky, even in balmy East Texas. My new First Gear Winter riding over pants worked like a charm as I think all I need is some of those battery operated electric inserts Stig's got and I'll be good to go. One of our saving graces here is they don't salt or sand the roads except occasionally at bridges/overpasses. So we don't have hazardous road conditions to contend with when temps warm up.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on January 09, 2017, 08:07:22 PM
Got the Kymco out this weekend for about a 20 mile ride in the low thirties. This is about the coldest I think I could take without heated gloves as that was the only part that got cold.....Not cold...Numb. The large windshield really works well and could have ridden much further if only my hands could take it. This week we climb back to the high 60's but that usually means rain too so finding those perfect ride days can be a little tricky, even in balmy East Texas. My new First Gear Winter riding over pants worked like a charm as I think all I need is some of those battery operated electric inserts Stig's got and I'll be good to go. One of our saving graces here is they don't salt or sand the roads except occasionally at bridges/overpasses. So we don't have hazardous road conditions to contend with when temps warm up.
Good for you....Yep, cold hands  were the only thing stopping me from going for extended rides. Had to warm hands over fires, and on mufflers !
 Then i got the heated liners ...!
After snows here i have to wait for rain to get some of the salt off the roads....a little I can rinse away with garden sprayer.
Stig
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Mr. Paul on January 09, 2017, 08:34:41 PM
I put heated grips on my scooter. One of the best purchases I have made!
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 10, 2017, 04:01:30 AM
Here in the Memphis area the weather is gonna be about like yours Scooter Dan. It finally got warm enough today  the put my stop light/start switch on and the cover back on the bars, so if I can dodge the rain the next few days I'll get me a bit of saddle time also.  Spring will be here before we know it and it'll be kick stands up all over.



Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 10, 2017, 01:07:30 PM
Crazy southern winter weather as we're back up to the seventies today but with 15-25 mph winds. Yep electric inserts and heated grips would be nice and probably would do too if I had to ride everyday as a scooter commuter. Otherwise, wait a few days it will be warm again. Yep, we're starting to bark at the heals of Spring. Yipee.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 11, 2017, 01:20:01 AM
Had a BMW motorcycle with heated grips and heated seats several years ago and add to that a full fairing with lowers and a electric adjustable windscreen and I had me a real all-weather bike. I could ride in a hard down pour and as long as I kept rolling the only thing that got wet was the boots and my elbows. If I had to stop for anything, I got wet all over. I rode that bike at interstate speeds below 20 degrees and was warm enough. It was a 1200 R C, if I remember right . If you revved it up
it would tilt to one side and if you applied to much throttle in a roll-on, the rear end would lift up. Those horizontally opposed/shaft driven bikes took some getting use to, but it was a very good ride.
Oh I forgot this about scooters.....Please forgive me. The older I get the more I reminisce.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 11, 2017, 01:53:33 AM
Had me one of those high powered bikes too, a Honda 919 Hornet. Didn't have heated grips or a fairing either. In fact it had no windshield as they call these naked motorcycles as there's no plastic. I installed a windshield though as the wind wanted to rip me off the bike at higher speeds. It was an impractical bike for me as it was a poor man's Ferrari. It would do the quarter mile in a tad less than 11 seconds at 125 mph. After a year I decided that scooters were really what I loved more and sold the Hornet and bought a Silverwing. I had no regrets.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 12, 2017, 03:31:49 AM
I tell folks I did all that crazy stuff when I was young and crazy, but now I'm not young anymore. Got a 1 hour ride in today. It was sunny and 70 degrees. Really enjoyed it until I say rain drops on the windshield, so I cut-a-choggie for the houch.. The weatherman said 72 tommorow with scattered showers. Hope you got in a little saddle time as well Dan


Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 12, 2017, 06:20:09 PM
Hi Mac and yes, with 74 degree temps, no rain and a full tank of gas and finished up for the week with our business.....I'm out on the BW. Just had breakfast with Deb at the Egg and I and headed over to my favorite coffee shop; Brady's. Weather forecast for the next week is temps in the 70's. I can see more saddle time ahead with weather like this. I might even get daring and change out my carb too. Bike's running OK but still a bit sluggish. Ran some more seafoam in the gas today but I suspect I'll need to replace fuel filter and carb to get better throttle response.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 12, 2017, 07:12:58 PM
Have you thought about taking it off and cleaning it out good Dan? Haven't even looked at mine, but I'm 90% sure it's a CV carb. Very easy to disassemble and clean. You just have to be very careful to remove All the rubber parts and gaskets. If you are careful in getting the gaskets off, you can usually reuse them.  Carb cleaner will ruin rubber and gaskets Check the diaphragm in the dome on top for tears. Spray cleaner in all the small ports, remove and clean the jets, blow out with compressed air and reassemble. No need to remove the Welsh plugs. About an  hours' work and most of that is on the bench. You can also get a step by step off the internet.
Let me know what you decide to do.


Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 12, 2017, 07:22:41 PM
Hi Mac, when I bought the BW last month the owner included a new in the box OEM Kymco carb which he had intended to replace. If I install the new one I'll clean the old one too and keep as a spare. It appears that access to the carb is through removal of the seat pan?
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 13, 2017, 01:10:49 AM
That is correct. You know I wasn't thinking clearly about that carb. Is it fuel injected? If so then that adds another dimension to the cleaning. I think you have the right idea. If you swap out the carb and that doesn't fix the problem then you might have a dirty injector or a problem with the emc. Any way let me know what you come up with. Scooters and motorcycles used to be simple to diagnosis, but they have gone the way of automobiles. Technology has left me behind. 

Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 13, 2017, 02:11:51 AM
Not fuel injected, old fashioned carb. Pulled the center cover in the seat pan that exposed the carb or most of it but could not see the fuel filter. I suppose with the entire seat pan removed this will expose more of the mechanicals as I assume it's forward of the engine between the engine and fuel tank. Have now put nearly a thousand miles on it since last month. Tomorrow may tackle carb and filter replacement unless it rains as predicted.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 13, 2017, 05:55:19 PM
Yes the filter will be between the fuel petcock, under the tank and the carb fuel inlet.  Don't know if you BW is gravity feed or if there is a fuel pump. Probably the later. Since you already have the new carb, it should be a snap to swap them out. You will have much better access with the seat removed. Then as you said, you can then take the old carb. down and give it a good cleaning and keep it as a spare. My DT 300i has a slight flat spot during high speed roll-on when the throttle cranked open quickly but it isn't bad enough to mess with at this time. Doesn't affect performance that much, as I don't ride it hard anyway.
Back to mid forties here today, but mild days are forecasted  so hope to ride some. Take care and let me know how it all goes.

Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 15, 2017, 01:07:12 AM
Installed new carb and replaced fuel filter but runs much worse now. As soon as I accelerate it acts starved for gas and wants to die. Found a fuel filter at a True Value Hardware that"s also a Stihl dealer. I suspect I bought a weedeater filter. Tomorrow will reinstall old filter and see if it run's differently. I thought a new OEM Kymco carb would be plug and play however I may need to adjust it?
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 15, 2017, 04:47:32 AM
Sorry you did not get the desired results. If, indeed you put a weed wacker fuel filter on, then it more than likely isn't getting enough fuel. They are too small and should not have even fit the fuel hose. The inlet and outlet nipples are only about half the size of the oem filter for that bike. If the old filter doesn't get it right you might want to make sure the mounting bolts are tight. Did a new carb. to manifold gasket come with it? Make sure any and all vacuum lines to the carb. and/or intake are on. If its a cable operated choke, make sure it's operating correctly. If it's electric, make sure the plug to it is connected..  I'll bet the old filter will fix it. I hope so. How many cc is the B&W? Good luck. Keep me posted.

<Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 16, 2017, 01:44:04 AM
Re-installed old filter and no change as it bogs down when accelerating. No problem starting though. Auto choke doesn't seem to be working either as Ron's are not raised when cold. Will remove seat pan again and re-check all hose and electrical cinnections at carb. I may have hooked something up incorrectly. Haven't looked at air filter yet either.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 16, 2017, 02:26:43 AM
Are you sure the carb. in the box was really new Dan. Sounds like it could be a clogged or dirty high speed jet Starts good and idles good low speed jet, bogs when accelerating, high speed jet. Who knows, you may just have to play with it awhile. If it has any external adjustments screws, try warming it up on the center stand and then turn the screw in until it almost dies and then return it to when it runs the smoothest. If you have two adjusters, the one nearest the intake manifold will be air  and the other would be your fuel metering needle valve. It's hard to figure out your problem without being there. You'll get it and learn some things while doing it. Good luck.


Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 16, 2017, 04:14:14 PM
Mac, the carb looked brand new with a factory seal over open ports. The rubber boot that attaches to the rear of the carb that attaches to the air box has a very poor/sloppy fit as I noticed when removing old carb it also had a poor fit. I doubt though that this would affect the carb, only allow some air to bypass the filter?? The auto choke does not engage (installed brand new one on new carb) as it does not raise the rpm when cold. The old carb auto choke was just the opposite as it picked up the rpm too high and spun the rear wheel very fast. Will re-check all connections again and see if I can improve the fit of the carb to air box boot. I'm wondering if I have some electrical connections wrong. Originally took a pic with my camera to re-fresh myself on what went where but I didn't screen the pics enough and therefore can't really see much. One thing for sure; I'm getting more intimate with my Kymco now.  8)
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 16, 2017, 05:09:35 PM
Did your new carb. have any adjustment screws? They should be brass. Air leakage around the front of the carb. would not cause the problem, however leakage where it mates with the intake, on the motor, would. There needs to be a good gasket there and it needs to be tight. Can  you see gas in the fuel filter? Its possible that you have trash in the tank and/or fuel petcock. Might want to drop the petcock out and check the screens on the fuel pick-up pipes that extend up into the tank. Just some ideas. Your relationship with your Kymco will grow as time goes by. Good that you have the Wing for a back up.

Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 16, 2017, 05:26:25 PM
Good fit on carb where connecting to engine and fuel in filter. Raining like cats and dogs here but very mild (67). Don't have a shop/garage as bikes are stored under a Bike Barn. As soon as this rain breaks I'll take another shot at it. Maybe get another set of eyes on it too as my son is a pretty good wrench. Thanks Mac for all your tips.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: ole two wheels on January 16, 2017, 10:48:27 PM
I left home  today,at 2p.m.. Sunny and 70 degres. Rode about 20 miles to visit a sick friend. When I left for home, it was cloudy and started too rain. The further I went, the harder it rained. First big rain I had ridden the DT in. That big Givi wind screen worked well. I had a rain suit top on and the only thing that got wet was cuff of my jeans and that was because I had my feet on the highway pegs. Much more comfortable but no weather protection.. Tires gripped well except for the white lines where I turned at an intersection. I did feel a slight wiggle as I crossed them. Bottom line is I can get there in a storm if I have to.


Mac
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 17, 2017, 10:12:24 PM
The last time I rode in the rain Mac it was a few months back and it was a gulley washer. I got soaked as I was too close to home to suit up with rain gear. Mesh riding jackets without the liner are not the best for rain. As I entered the top of my driveway which has a steep hill down to my house was very slick as it's clay and iron ore. Nearly dropped the Silverwing as it wanted to slide out from under me. Got my foot down and caught it motocross style and stayed off the brakes. I've yet to see rain yet with my Kymco and doubt anyone else had either as it so clean, even under the Tupperware. Yep, can't wait to get it out and get it real wet. Maybe even slip-n-slide on the red mud on our drive way.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Dawsman on January 18, 2017, 02:46:29 AM
Hey Dan. Carb was definitely new - bought it myself.. Sounds to me like your getting like too much air. Tighten the crap out of the manifold screw and the air filter boot screw. auto choke shouldn't necessarily engage in warmer weather. fuel filter is fine. my 2 c. good luck.
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on January 18, 2017, 02:39:30 PM
Hey Dan. Carb was definitely new - bought it myself.. Sounds to me like your getting like too much air. Tighten the crap out of the manifold screw and the air filter boot screw. auto choke shouldn't necessarily engage in warmer weather. fuel filter is fine. my 2 c. good luck.

OK will do as soon as this darn rain quits. Wonder if this also may be a fuel pump issue?
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Dawsman on January 18, 2017, 08:46:14 PM
I just did a major fuel system repair to my wife's 06 GV 250 - same motor, slightly smaller carb. I did the filter, pump and carb. Just my opinion here but it probably isn't the fuel filter - as I replaced mine with a similar basic universal filter from the auto parts store and it works fine. If you notice, while its idling, the fuel filter is only about half full of gas - meaning its never completely full or starving for fuel. It probably isn't the fuel pump as well. When mine died (fuel pump) it would supply enough gas to start and idle for a few seconds, then it would die shortly after that. Just pull the fuel line off the carb and try and start it - fuel should flow out easily. (be careful when you do this as fuel spilling on a hot exhaust is BAD...From what you've said - yours will start and idle fine until you give it gas, then it falls on its face so to speak.. The old carb didn't do this. so if you eliminate the new carb as being bad  - since its NOS - it has to be the installation. My Honda ruckus did the same thing... I replaced the carb, didn't tighten the air boot screw super tight and it did the same thing as yours... started up but died instantly when given any gas. Too much air coming in kills it instantly. You seriously have to tighten those two screws tighter than you would think - to make sure you have a good seal. You're almost there bud.   
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Redk on June 06, 2017, 06:31:02 AM
Was this one resolved ?
redk
Title: Re: Texas Winter Riding
Post by: Scooter Dan on June 06, 2017, 12:50:34 PM
Was this one resolved ?
redk

Yes, replaced air box. Runs like a scalded cat.