Post by eagle150 on Aug 6, 2008 0:24:19 GMT -5
Two months ago I bought a Xyngue Eagle 150 from ATV Discounter over the Internet. Love the scoot, but the starter died the first week. Strong battery, but just the click of the solenoid. (Thank God for kick-starters on these...)
I'm brand new to scooters, but understand this is not uncommon with these. Before going through the time and effort of getting a warranty replacement starter, I checked out the original one. I easily removed it by loosening the two bolts that hold it to the vehicle. (For safety, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST.) Then, only two more allow the starter to be separated so the works can be removed. (No worries here... VERY few simple parts!) almost "idiot proof" and I'm just the idiot to prove it!
The connection to one brush was riveted in place, but the other was held with a screw. THAT SCREW WAS OVERTIGHTENED AND THE HOLE WAS STRIPPED. That allowed grease from the armature bearing to penetrate and break the connection, totally disabling the otherwise nicely-made and pretty stout-looking unit.
I simply cleaned out the stripped hole with a drill bit, removed any metal chips and wiped it with alcohol. Then reinserted a slightly larger self-tapping screw (being careful NOT to strip THIS one, duh...) to hold the connection in place.
Remember that "Chinesium" is brittle stuff, Bubba!
Reassembling the halves of the starter is slightly tougher than taking them apart, as the spring-loaded brushes must be held in position while the pieces are put together. A pair of table knives worked fine for me.
This whole thing only took an hour, and within another half-hour the starter was back on the bike and working perfectly. I've got 500 more miles on it, and probably 150 starts. (I do a LOT of short errand trips, and the battery is holding a charge beautifully, even with so many electric starts.)
I am an old biker, but know NOTHING about these scooters. (Harleys they ain't, but fun they is!) and more transportation bang-for-the-buck than anything short of a used Kia... I'm only average with tools, so... Hope this fairly simple fix may bring back to life some of those starters out there that came from the same lot as mine! Oh yeah, they're OUT THERE...
There must be HUNDREDS of these starters lurking on dozens of brands of GY6-powered scoots.
The dealer was quick to offer a new starter, and I had to e-mail them to thank them, but let them know the new part was no longer needed.
It's "all about the ride"
Leo in Texas
PS: Not knowing initially why the starter wouldn't operate, I checked out a lot of things that were not the problem. Finally I took a 12v socket/bulb (didn't have a test light) and jumped the terminals of the starter and engaged the solenoid. Lit right up, so I knew juice was getting to the starter, but it was dead.
If yours acts up, you might check the juice to the starter first, and maybe save some time and cussing! You always figure the puny battery isn't up to snuff, but that's not always the case...
I'm brand new to scooters, but understand this is not uncommon with these. Before going through the time and effort of getting a warranty replacement starter, I checked out the original one. I easily removed it by loosening the two bolts that hold it to the vehicle. (For safety, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST.) Then, only two more allow the starter to be separated so the works can be removed. (No worries here... VERY few simple parts!) almost "idiot proof" and I'm just the idiot to prove it!
The connection to one brush was riveted in place, but the other was held with a screw. THAT SCREW WAS OVERTIGHTENED AND THE HOLE WAS STRIPPED. That allowed grease from the armature bearing to penetrate and break the connection, totally disabling the otherwise nicely-made and pretty stout-looking unit.
I simply cleaned out the stripped hole with a drill bit, removed any metal chips and wiped it with alcohol. Then reinserted a slightly larger self-tapping screw (being careful NOT to strip THIS one, duh...) to hold the connection in place.
Remember that "Chinesium" is brittle stuff, Bubba!
Reassembling the halves of the starter is slightly tougher than taking them apart, as the spring-loaded brushes must be held in position while the pieces are put together. A pair of table knives worked fine for me.
This whole thing only took an hour, and within another half-hour the starter was back on the bike and working perfectly. I've got 500 more miles on it, and probably 150 starts. (I do a LOT of short errand trips, and the battery is holding a charge beautifully, even with so many electric starts.)
I am an old biker, but know NOTHING about these scooters. (Harleys they ain't, but fun they is!) and more transportation bang-for-the-buck than anything short of a used Kia... I'm only average with tools, so... Hope this fairly simple fix may bring back to life some of those starters out there that came from the same lot as mine! Oh yeah, they're OUT THERE...
There must be HUNDREDS of these starters lurking on dozens of brands of GY6-powered scoots.
The dealer was quick to offer a new starter, and I had to e-mail them to thank them, but let them know the new part was no longer needed.
It's "all about the ride"
Leo in Texas
PS: Not knowing initially why the starter wouldn't operate, I checked out a lot of things that were not the problem. Finally I took a 12v socket/bulb (didn't have a test light) and jumped the terminals of the starter and engaged the solenoid. Lit right up, so I knew juice was getting to the starter, but it was dead.
If yours acts up, you might check the juice to the starter first, and maybe save some time and cussing! You always figure the puny battery isn't up to snuff, but that's not always the case...
