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Post by "Big Guy" on May 12, 2008 12:46:04 GMT -5
Hi Everyone, I have just finished my personal PDI process. I welcome any comments or questions on it. Anyone new to scooters or for those who do not have any prep experience, I think this is a must read! Here's a link to my extensive PDI. This is exactly how I personally prep every new crate scooter I get. Keep in mind that this is a work in progress, so go easy on me!  Enjoy! -Rich |
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Post by YellowScooter on May 12, 2008 13:27:03 GMT -5
 This should be stickied. Nice work. |
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Post by firstscoot on May 12, 2008 14:27:52 GMT -5
Awsome PDI. I might have to break mine down and start over!!
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 12, 2008 14:36:42 GMT -5
Thanks,
I am planning on opening a B&M scooter sales and service shop here on the Westbank of New Orleans, and I'm making a 'cloned' page for our customers who hear about the common problems with China scoots. This way they can know exactly what WE will do to the scoot to make it a good value for the money.
Since we're not going to 'drop ship', and while I was at it, I changed the, "We" to "You" so I could share it with my friends (you guys) that get drop shipped scoots.
I know this forum (and mine) are mostly people that have problems with crate scoots, you know, we never hear from those who don't have problems, so, not to lower the traffic, but I'm doing this (and other tutorials) to lower the frustration levels.
I hear from so many people that strip the plastics to fix ONE problem and never do any preventative maintenance, so they wind up taking the plastics off several times... yuck!
I'm glad y'all like it so far, and I hope it helps others to avoid the most common problems with the crate scooters.
-Rich
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Post by razortheraccoon on May 12, 2008 15:26:41 GMT -5
Great post! it seems pretty comprehensive to me! thanks!
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Post by Icehawk on May 12, 2008 18:33:26 GMT -5
Very cool - how about adding a step showing the fuel filter swap? Also if you recommend any brands of hose, filter, etc or, for your shop, what brands you use that would be helpful.
I KNOW my china scoot didn't have this done, and I would have gladly paid a bit more to know it was gone over so thoroughly.
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Post by ty on May 12, 2008 20:10:14 GMT -5
Rich - GREAT POST! Is the 5w30 just a pref. of yours? I notice a lot of other postings say to use 15w40 for the first few changes. Do you think the 5w30 helps the engine to run better than the other?
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Post by Andi on May 12, 2008 20:13:49 GMT -5
Big Guy,
Nice write up, very thorough ..... good job.
I recognize the fourth (4) picture ;D.
Andi
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 12, 2008 23:07:49 GMT -5
Hi guys,
The fuel filter is simple, just take off the clamps and exchange it for a good quality one.
We will probably add $250 to the MSRP for the dealer prep. It'll be good insurance against warranty work!
Yes, it's a personal preference, and here in New Orleans with the 90+ degree weather, 15w40 causes the engine to run hotter. There will be a lot of opinions on this, but it's just the way I have always done it. I do use the 15W40 Rotella oil during the winter months though.
No royalties! But a big thank you for the pic! ;D
-Rich
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Post by griff10 on May 13, 2008 2:10:31 GMT -5
Agree, nice work. Nice that someone here can do this, good for everyone  Bill H. |
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Post by griff10 on May 13, 2008 2:13:49 GMT -5
Rich - GREAT POST! Is the 5w30 just a pref. of yours? I notice a lot of other postings say to use 15w40 for the first few changes. Do you think the 5w30 helps the engine to run better than the other? Think it's more important to use a quality oil and change it frequently, since there is no filter. I wouldn't though use anthing higher than 40w. Bill H. |
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Post by tavikat on May 13, 2008 2:35:07 GMT -5
Hi, Im a noob and this is a wonderful post! I am close to getting my first scoot, and it will probably be a Lance.
Since Im in so cal, I may order online and pick up at the Lance Warehouse in Ontario, or I have been talking with a dealer in Covina (Berts Mega Mall).
I was hoping to get the scoot pre-assembled and ready to go, but I wonder if the dealer, or even Lance will run through this type of checklist (most importantly will they make sure the gas tank is free of debris?) or if its a better bet to just get it shipped and do all this my self? I'm a little worried about shipping damage.
I am so glad to have found this forum!
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Post by fishntrox on May 13, 2008 6:50:26 GMT -5
Outstanding article! Own a majesty, but getting ready to buy a China scoot as well. Info will be very helpful.
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 13, 2008 7:03:51 GMT -5
Hi Tavikat,
Lance uses the Znen factory, which is known for a higher quality everything, from the fuel and vacuum lines, to the fuel filter, carb, shocks, Loktite and more. Will they do a PDI if you order the prep the way I do? Probably not, but I recently got a scoot to review that was a Znen and purposely didn't do the full prep on it and it's doing just fine.
I have been buying crate scoots for a long time now, since it became legal and they were coming in wooden boxes, and back then, everything on the list was mandatory due to the inferior quality, so it became habit, and a good one I think.
No, no one will do the PDI as well as you or I will, and I truly believe that with the proper care and prep, these scoots are just as reliable as any other costing three or four times as much. My PDI is more of a preventative maintenance program rather than a dealer prep and it'll keep you from posting one problem after another looking for help on what might be wrong.
Anything mechanical is sure to have failures, but you know the old saying, an ounce of prevention...
-Rich
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Post by yarddogbbq on May 13, 2008 8:56:16 GMT -5
good job,
nice information to scoot by for a long time.
i broke my cf moto engine in with 10w-30 good stuff.
very good.
gotta go watching weather radar.
ydbbq
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 13, 2008 11:00:26 GMT -5
Well I read on another board a recommendation to use COOKING oil for the break-in  Gotta love discussion boards! ;D -Rich |
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dyzan
Junior Dawg
Posts: 5
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Post by dyzan on May 13, 2008 11:33:53 GMT -5
Hello,
My vintage 150 should be arriving friday, and I had a question..
Adjusting the Carburetor, it seems my scoot will not have a tachometer(sp?) so I'm not sure how to tell what to do about step number 2, the other steps have other ways to tell what I should be doing.
thanks for this list, I will be following it along, on Saturday.
Dyzan
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 13, 2008 12:22:58 GMT -5
Dyzan,
No worries, turn your fast idle up a bit until the rear wheel is spinning at a decent pace, but not too fast. After you adjust the air/fuel mixture, turn the fast idle down very slowly until you're just at the point where the rear wheel stops moving.
-Rich
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Post by newrider57 on May 13, 2008 15:46:38 GMT -5
This is a great tutorial especially for a newbie like me. I do have a couple of questions though. Are you recommending this just for Chinese scooters?....and only those that are drop shipped? I bought my Kymco Xciting 250 from a local dealer and it is made in Taiwan. Would you lump it into the same process? ...understanding that it was not dropped shipped either.
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 13, 2008 16:29:52 GMT -5
...have you decided on your brand(s) of scoots for your b&m store? The "brand name" or our import name is X1. I am negotiating with the factory that currently makes a few models for Honda... I'll leave them nameless for now until if and when we sign a deal. Some design glitches of the modifications we're working on right now are the fuel tank size, tire size, larger double disc brakes, and chrome parts. I won't be importing an exact clone, nor will it have any inferior parts. I will have to make a trip there soon and hire a part time local QC person to oversee the factory line, and I have another importer in the US who's interested in distributing them to their dealers after I have a sample and spec sheet. They will NOT be available for drop ship. I recommend the extended PDI for any crate scooter, no matter where it comes from. Kymco, Vespa, Piaggio, Honda, Suzuki, TN'G, etc., all have a good warranty from a B&M, so the only section that would apply to these brands would be the tire section. Let the dealer worry about the rest! |
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 13, 2008 18:19:57 GMT -5
Rich send me info on X1 for sales here in ft myers, fl.........I too do not like brands that are in the drop-shipping practice...... It's too early for that. We are still negotiating and the first proposed sample model won't even arrive for about eight or nine weeks. I'm more than sure I will find problems with the sample as well, so I'm probably talking about late summer before we reach any agreements. Even then, I'm not getting into the distribution business, just trying to put my boys in business, but there may be a west coast dealer who I might supply... It's just too early for any of that discussion right now, and I don't want to hijack the thread for those who need it. -Rich |
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Post by kaintuckdave on May 13, 2008 20:47:23 GMT -5
Very very cool and informative. Big thumbs up!
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 15, 2008 0:08:06 GMT -5
Okay, so I don't have really great pictures with the PDI... here's what I want to do:
Anyone from SE Louisiana with a new scoot, I would like to offer my time and my shop to do a complete PDI for you. All you have to do is show up with your scoot! Or you can have a new one delivered directly to my shop. We will get together on a Saturday or Sunday and do the entire PDI so I can take better pictures and some video.
Anyone interested, let me know! But do it soon! I have yet another scoot coming in about eight weeks...
-Rich
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Post by glassvial on May 15, 2008 0:14:14 GMT -5
Okay, so I don't have really great pictures with the PDI... here's what I want to do: Anyone from SE Louisiana with a new scoot, I would like to offer my time and my shop to do a complete PDI for you. All you have to do is show up with your scoot! Or you can have a new one delivered directly to my shop. We will get together on a Saturday or Sunday and do the entire PDI so I can take better pictures and some video. Anyone interested, let me know! But do it soon! I have yet another scoot coming in about eight weeks... -Rich I hope someone takes you up on your generous offer, your PDI site is already very good, more pics/info would make it great! Looking forward to your adding brake fluid change, and maybe a little more specific info about the hoses (common diameter size? type of hose to use? (high pressure, for example?)) |
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 15, 2008 0:25:06 GMT -5
Yes, thank you, I do plan on adding on as I go... it is a work in progress and I just published it early because I got tired of copying and pasting into emails...
BTW, these are low pressure fuel lines and the standard is 1/8", but I upgrade to a performance line that is 1/4" with better clamps. I have heard from a lot of folks that have had problems with the cheap lines cracking, kinking and collapsing, which is why I recommend the change.
The best upgrade to the page will be the video tutorials... I'm looking forward to those!
-Rich
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Post by glassvial on May 15, 2008 0:30:13 GMT -5
How does 1/4" hose mate up with what it's connecting to? I figured you'd just replace like for like. Autozone sells hose by the foot, I'm sure other auto parts stores do as well, in case someone is clueless as to where to get hose from. I'm pretty sure AZ around here sells goodyear brand/grade hose, but it's been awhile since I needed just bulk hose. Either way, it's quality stuff.
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Post by tavikat on May 15, 2008 2:00:02 GMT -5
Okay, so I don't have really great pictures with the PDI... here's what I want to do: Anyone from SE Louisiana with a new scoot, I would like to offer my time and my shop to do a complete PDI for you. All you have to do is show up with your scoot! Or you can have a new one delivered directly to my shop. We will get together on a Saturday or Sunday and do the entire PDI so I can take better pictures and some video. Anyone interested, let me know! But do it soon! I have yet another scoot coming in about eight weeks... -Rich [glow=blue,2,300] I wish wish wish I lived nearby! karma for you![/glow] |
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Post by "Big Guy" on May 16, 2008 15:32:52 GMT -5
How does 1/4" hose mate up with what it's connecting to? It works fine with normal clamps. It still takes some doing to attach them. You can replace it with anything you want, 1/4 or 1/8, the thing is, I look for the PSI rating. 50lb is overkill, exactly what I want. They generally come with cheap 14-25lb lines that crack, kink, collapse easily, and worst of all, deteriorate from the inside out, which is why I buy 50psi replacement lines made in the good ole USA. The sidewalls are very thick and the hoses are high quality here. -Rich, |
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Post by ty on May 16, 2008 17:39:17 GMT -5
Hey Rich, I read on another thread somewhere to use 3/16 for the fuel and 5/32 for the vacuum line. My question is, is this very far off from the dimensions you are suggesting (for example, i know 4/16 = 1/4)? would those sizes be okay? what difference would the differing sizes create, if any? Thanks.
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Post by allworld on May 16, 2008 18:06:28 GMT -5
Hello Big Guy (Rich)I read the PDI after printing it out at work and reading it on the train home. I got alot of great info, and want to thank you. I plan on following this guide carfully and will also check/replace the fuses. I was told to put some "never sieze" on the spark plug as well. I also was concerned about the air filter, which I will check and make sure it is oiled.
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This should be stickied. Nice work.
