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Post by jimslaton on Oct 18, 2008 5:14:30 GMT -5
Hello everyone!
I bought a new MC54 250B scooter about a week ago here in Houston, Texas and I had a shop here put it together for me. I am sure I have a "Linahai" (Yamaha) engine on my bike which is a 2008 model. Is this an actual Yamaha engine (doubt it) or a copy of one? It seems that the Chinese are VERY GOOD a copying just about anything but use the cheapest parts possible, is this correct?
The plate under the seat of my scooter says the date of manufacture is April 2008 with my serial number. However, the plate thats on the frame near the bottom says "CYPRESS 250" with the same serial number. What does Cypress mean? I have been reading all the forums here specially posts from other MC54B owners. I have had no problems but I have been working on the scoot alot to keep it that way.
I took the advice from other owner and have done the following...
After 20 miles I replaced the engine oil with 15W 40W,
I also replaced all the gear oil.
I have also replaced the stock battery.
I went around checking and tightening any loose bolts and screws.
I have purchased the stuff to change the radiator and brake fluid but I have some questions first. As you guys know the MC54B comes with an owners manual its a joke with bad choice of words.
Finally, in an attempt to replace all the cheap chinese parts I want to replace all the hoses and clamps. How do I know which hose and clamps to get? I mean is their a list somewhere or do I have to take them all off and take them down to a shop to find find the replacements?
Thanks...Jim
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Post by Rockin Ran on Oct 18, 2008 7:29:57 GMT -5
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Post by earlwb on Oct 18, 2008 7:53:04 GMT -5
Actually it is a copy of a Linhai engine which is a copy of a Yamaha design.
The fuel lines and vacuum lines are of questionable quality, but they seem to hold up and work Ok. The engine coolant hoses (radiator hoses) are OK, they should not pose any problems. I like the long springs used to prevent kinking and things from wearing through. Better hoses are more thick and the springs won't fit.
Replacing the hose clamps is a good idea. You can get the regular screw types most everywhere.
Yes the owner's manual is a humerous bit of reading.
ScootDawg off of his main site, sells a better version that might be of interest to you.
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Post by wxguru on Oct 18, 2008 8:58:51 GMT -5
Interesting...I got the same scoot in July, and it was a JUNE 2008 build date.
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Post by madmanjustice on Oct 18, 2008 10:54:41 GMT -5
Cyprus is the name that Unique (the mfg) gives the MC54 Bs that they make for Roketa.
Where did you get it from?
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 18, 2008 17:13:29 GMT -5
Cyprus is the name that Unique (the mfg) gives the MC54 Bs that they make for Roketa. Where did you get it from? I got the scoot here in Houston at a place called "Toys 4 Less motor sports". I purchased it for $2,100 with tax, registration and license. There is another place here in Houston called "Revel" that takes the MC54B and replaces all the Chinese parts with American parts, cleans it up and puts there own logo on it and call it the "Road master". They do a good job but they cost $2,700. It looks like I will have to spend the extra time and money I saved doing what I could have had them do for me but I wanted to do it myself so I would learn the bike...Jim |
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Post by Rockin Ran on Oct 18, 2008 17:49:43 GMT -5
All in all Jim, you will appreciate the scoot much more doing it yourself. You have a great attitude toward all of this will obviously end up with a fantastic ride.
Just remember ... no stunts! ... lol
Have a bone for your ensueing efforts!
Ran
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Post by madmanjustice on Oct 18, 2008 18:05:50 GMT -5
ahh, so you got your bike from the same place I got mine.
I have heard of Revel but not seen any of their bikes.
There is another dealer on Hwy 6 call Lone Star Powersports, they carry the JCL branded scoots.
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Post by jimk on Oct 18, 2008 18:47:54 GMT -5
Welcome to the pound Jim. I have the same bike. Love it.. It's a great scoot. And really the hoses are decent enough you shouldn't have to mess with them.. Be glad you got the Cypress, it means it was made a bit better than some of the other 250Bs... Check those exhaust manifold bolts first chance you get. They come loose, then the exhaust gets kinda loud. I tightened mine up finally, but I didn't replace the gasket, I will maybe, dunno.. It isn't that loud, so I might leave it... Anyway, what color did you get? Where's the pictures? Gotta see that.. And you should do a skydive with the scoot, just ride off the side of a cliff or something.. hehehe... ok ok, maybe not.. Might hurt the scoot... Can't have that.. Anyway, need pics man!! Scooter porn is a must!  JimK |
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 19, 2008 3:14:11 GMT -5
Welcome to the pound Jim. I have the same bike. Love it.. It's a great scoot. And really the hoses are decent enough you shouldn't have to mess with them.. Be glad you got the Cypress, it means it was made a bit better than some of the other 250Bs... Check those exhaust manifold bolts first chance you get. They come loose, then the exhaust gets kinda loud. I tightened mine up finally, but I didn't replace the gasket, I will maybe, dunno.. It isn't that loud, so I might leave it... Anyway, what color did you get? Where's the pictures? Gotta see that.. And you should do a skydive with the scoot, just ride off the side of a cliff or something.. hehehe... ok ok, maybe not.. Might hurt the scoot... Can't have that.. Anyway, need pics man!! Scooter porn is a must! JimK OK, I will get some photos but you'll have to wait until Halloween. I got a solid black one. Funny enough we have a dropzone out in Arizona out in the desert where we are clear to drop vehicles out of large aircraft. Many years back we rolled out cars, motorcycles and bikes while inside!!!! Fun but get back out of the car at 120 miles an hour is so scary we wouldn't do it again without a convertible! Which exhaust bolts are coming loose and what do I have to remove to get to them? What has been working to keep them from loosening again? Lock washers, glue? |
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 19, 2008 3:15:31 GMT -5
Actually it is a copy of a Linhai engine which is a copy of a Yamaha design. The fuel lines and vacuum lines are of questionable quality, but they seem to hold up and work Ok. The engine coolant hoses (radiator hoses) are OK, they should not pose any problems. I like the long springs used to prevent kinking and things from wearing through. Better hoses are more thick and the springs won't fit. Replacing the hose clamps is a good idea. You can get the regular screw types most everywhere. Yes the owner's manual is a humerous bit of reading. ScootDawg off of his main site, sells a better version that might be of interest to you. Sorry but what is the URL to the main site with the better version owners manual for the MC54B? |
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Post by earlwb on Oct 19, 2008 11:40:23 GMT -5
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Post by jimk on Oct 19, 2008 18:21:02 GMT -5
Which exhaust bolts are coming loose and what do I have to remove to get to them? What has been working to keep them from loosening again? Lock washers, glue? It's the bolts on the manifold, as well as the heat shield bolts.. CHECK THOSE TOO! But to check the manifold bolts, you need to remove the lower right panel, or at least the back side of it, so you can pull it back a bit to get to the bolts... It isn't too hard, and you can tighten them up.. I didn't put locktite or anything on them, because I need to put a new gasket on there sometime.. I want to keep them able to come loose when I need them too..THe bolts for the heat shield, they can disappear if you aren't careful.. The bolts that held the crate together work great for replacements.. BUT, if you bought from a B&M, then you don't have crate bolts.. I must say that this scoot is probably the most fun I have had in a while... It was 35 degrees last night when I took a ride to the store... It was a bit chilly, but I wore gloves this time, and it wasn't bad.. I think I need to get a scarf, or a full face helmet for the cold days... |
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 20, 2008 2:29:00 GMT -5
I thought the MC54B was a copy of the Honda Reflex? How close will the Yamaha service manual be to the MC54B? |
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 20, 2008 2:32:53 GMT -5
Which exhaust bolts are coming loose and what do I have to remove to get to them? What has been working to keep them from loosening again? Lock washers, glue? It's the bolts on the manifold, as well as the heat shield bolts.. CHECK THOSE TOO! But to check the manifold bolts, you need to remove the lower right panel, or at least the back side of it, so you can pull it back a bit to get to the bolts... It isn't too hard, and you can tighten them up.. I didn't put locktite or anything on them, because I need to put a new gasket on there sometime.. I want to keep them able to come loose when I need them too..THe bolts for the heat shield, they can disappear if you aren't careful.. The bolts that held the crate together work great for replacements.. BUT, if you bought from a B&M, then you don't have crate bolts.. I must say that this scoot is probably the most fun I have had in a while... It was 35 degrees last night when I took a ride to the store... It was a bit chilly, but I wore gloves this time, and it wasn't bad.. I think I need to get a scarf, or a full face helmet for the cold days... Thanks! I'm going to tighten up the manifold bolts. You would think extra bolts would be easy to come by. Can you get replacements and if so where? Thanks again! |
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Post by jimk on Oct 20, 2008 14:01:26 GMT -5
I am sure you can get replacements at most hardware stores if you need them. I just happened to have the crate bolts hanging around, as I am a packrat when it comes to stuff like this, and don't throw anything away... Also, as to your question posed above,
The MC-54-250B is a Honda Reflex clone, but the engine on the B model is a Yamaha design.. It is the one that was used in the Majesty 250.. So, parts fitting the Majesty 250 will in theory fit your engine.. The body and frame is the Reflex.. If you need brake pads, it has been determined that the ones for the Rebel 250 fit it. Just so you know..
Back to the bolts, I probably wont put anything on those bolts to keep them from loosening, as it isnt hard to get to them, so I will just check them periodically.. Exhaust bolts are notorious for being the opposite, impossible to get off.. So the fact that they aren't is music to my ears.. Nothing is worse than needing to take the exhaust off, just to find out the bolts aren't going to budge...
JimK
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 22, 2008 4:03:01 GMT -5
I am sure you can get replacements at most hardware stores if you need them. I just happened to have the crate bolts hanging around, as I am a packrat when it comes to stuff like this, and don't throw anything away... Also, as to your question posed above, The MC-54-250B is a Honda Reflex clone, but the engine on the B model is a Yamaha design.. It is the one that was used in the Majesty 250.. So, parts fitting the Majesty 250 will in theory fit your engine.. The body and frame is the Reflex.. If you need brake pads, it has been determined that the ones for the Rebel 250 fit it. Just so you know.. Back to the bolts, I probably wont put anything on those bolts to keep them from loosening, as it isnt hard to get to them, so I will just check them periodically.. Exhaust bolts are notorious for being the opposite, impossible to get off.. So the fact that they aren't is music to my ears.. Nothing is worse than needing to take the exhaust off, just to find out the bolts aren't going to budge... JimK Thanks for the information, do you know where I could find step by step instructions or a tutorial on how to change my brake pads? Do I have to drain the brake fluid or bleed the brakes to change the pads? My back brakes are squealing and I would like to take them off and clean them with as little trouble as possible. |
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Post by ScootGuy on Oct 22, 2008 5:18:27 GMT -5
My back brakes are squealing and I would like to take them off and clean them with as little trouble as possible. When I have squealing disk pads, I take a bit of Red Rouge Buffing Compound and rub it on the disc and let the breaking action clean the pads and disc. Be careful and only apply to front or back one at a time because it will effect your breaking ability for a short time and if you have to stop use the break you did not put the compound on until the coated break starts grabbing correctly. It does not take long. The squealing should disappear. |
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 22, 2008 19:57:11 GMT -5
Thanks scoot guy! Where can I get this "Red Rouge Buffing compound" and what is it made for?
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Post by madmanjustice on Oct 22, 2008 20:45:22 GMT -5
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Post by jimslaton on Oct 23, 2008 15:48:53 GMT -5
I know, I know...search dammit search. You guys are the best! |
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Post by ScootGuy on Oct 23, 2008 18:46:07 GMT -5
I see madman pointed you in the right direction. BTW, most types of metal rubbing/buffing compounds will probably work, I just happened to have some red rouge handy...... As always, YMMV, but it has worked great for me! |
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Post by riftweasel on Oct 5, 2012 15:19:18 GMT -5
That's funny, I just got my MC250B yeaterday. Midnight black. Already did the coolant and oil change. Only problem is I cant, for the life of me, locate my Engine Number. But anywho, I still need to do gear oil and misc fluids but man, I can tell the difference already, lol.
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Post by leo on Oct 6, 2012 22:42:45 GMT -5
It seems that the Chinese are VERY GOOD a copying just about anything but use the cheapest parts possible, is this correct? no, it's not correct. the engine/CVT in my scoot uses high quality bearings in the final drive. the clutch shoes are another high quality item, i can possibly get 50,000 miles from them. |
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Post by spandi on Oct 7, 2012 1:04:16 GMT -5
It seems that the Chinese are VERY GOOD a copying just about anything but use the cheapest parts possible, is this correct? no, it's not correct. the engine/CVT in my scoot uses high quality bearings in the final drive. the clutch shoes are another high quality item, i can possibly get 50,000 miles from them. Hey Leo I get your point, but this thread is is old it's mummified Like Boris Karloff. (P.S. that's my Halloween reference) |
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