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Post by perc2100 on Nov 13, 2009 14:31:50 GMT -5
I have a Lance Duke 250cc that I got a little over a year ago. I've been having a lot of fun riding it around, and I'd like to do some customization to it to get it a little bit faster. I'm thinking maybe a better exhaust would help. My brother-in-law is going to help me out, but I don't know where to go to find parts. I'd prefer the easy rout of buying an exhaust kit; can anyone point me in the right direction to a website where I can but that, as well as what you recommend?
Thanks in advance
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Post by chaz12 on Nov 14, 2009 23:54:33 GMT -5
How fast does your Lance Duke 250cc do?
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Post by JR on Nov 15, 2009 8:05:07 GMT -5
Ditto: and just an exhaust alone won't do anything for the speed unless you upgrade air filter and carb and just how fast do you want to go on a 13" wheel? JRR
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 16, 2009 20:35:20 GMT -5
My scooter, on a straight-a-way with no wind, will take me to about 45 mph. Going downhill, I've gone as fast as 55ish.
The route I take for work takes me on roads with speeds of 45-55 mph with some uphill riding. I HATE that I'm literally driving, maybe, 35 mph up a hill in a 45 or 55 mph zone.
I'd love to hear any suggestions regarding a) what I can do to increase my speed a little bit, or b) welcome to the life of riding a scooter, if you want to go 55 mph get a motorcycle.
I honestly don't want to go that fast, I would just like to be able to go 45-50 mph while going uphill so as to not disrupt traffic too much.
Thanks in advance!!
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Post by JR on Nov 16, 2009 20:58:29 GMT -5
Wait a minute Hold the bus ! You have a 250 and it will only do 45 to 55 mph? This is a 250 right? Not a 150? Let me find some engine specs and I'll get back with ya! If this is a 250 something just not right here! JRR
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Post by JR on Nov 16, 2009 21:21:22 GMT -5
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Post by cruiser66 on Nov 16, 2009 22:34:53 GMT -5
Welcome to SD. Hate to say it, perc2100, but my VIP Peace 50cc gives me the same performance as your 250. The specs for your scoot read 70 mph for top speed. The rpms of the engine would be very helpful in diagnosing what is going on, but your scoot doesn't seem to have a tach.  Have you done a PDI? This sounds like a restriction of some kind. Have you checked the throttle linkage to see if you are getting full opening of the throttle? Have you checked the plug to see if you are running rich or lean? Like JRR said, give us all the info you can. 66 |
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Post by harrywr2 on Nov 16, 2009 23:25:09 GMT -5
You should be getting 65 mph out of that puppy.
Got to start with making sure all you maintenance is done. It ain't running right.
Valve gap adjustment..last time..how many miles?
Measure the width of your cvt belt...someone will chime in with what it should be.
Like cruiser said..RPM's will be helpful as well.
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Post by "Big Guy" on Nov 16, 2009 23:38:28 GMT -5
It should be whatever the belt says it is... like maybe 22.5 for a 250? Read the number on the belt. It'll say something like 828-22.5-30 or similar for a 250. 7/8" or 22.5 is usual for 250s.
-Rich
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Post by als01seville on Nov 17, 2009 0:57:04 GMT -5
Hi Perc121, The troops are correct if its a 250 it should do 60-65mph with NO SWEAT. So give the troops all the information you can. Something is not right with that Scoot, and you do not need any upgrades to get the performance you need and want. They will be asking you a lot of questions to determine what is wrong with it but be assured something is holding it back.
Alleyoop
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Post by CCProf on Nov 17, 2009 6:24:47 GMT -5
Welcome. I'll echo the others. Good luck!
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Post by chaz12 on Nov 18, 2009 15:19:38 GMT -5
Ya, me riding on a gusty day( say wind speed is 15 mph and in my face) still able to do 65 easy. Down hill 73 mph. Down hill and wind at back easily 75 to 80 mph.. I tend to let up on the throttle above 75 mph. Like to go 60 to 65 mph so I know the scooter is not working hard. But to blow cobwebs out, ya, about every month I will take it up to 75 mph. MC-13-250 Scooters are fun to ride..
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 23, 2009 15:16:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply everyone. I'm scrambling trying to find someone to check that stuff out, as unfortunately the business I originally purchased the scooter from (Alba, in San Diego) has changed management, and is now refusing to service/maintain my scooter. The biggest reason why I bought this scooter at that time is because I trusted the maintenance garage to service it for me. Had I known they would've changed their tune I would've paid more money for a better name brand scooter.
There might be some other places around, but when a service garage in 30 miles away via highway, and my scooter only goes 50ish mph, riding it on the highway doesn't sound like the safest option. Hopefully I can get this cleared up sooner than later.
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Post by ootscoot on Nov 23, 2009 21:12:40 GMT -5
The Lance Duke 250 has the Helix clone engine - 244, w/13' wheels. When properly tuned it should reach speeds of 65 - 70. The valve adjustment does a lot for this bike - easy to do with the marked dials (no valve cover to remove...but finding TDC is tough. You may find a Honda mechanic who can do this for you - the engine was originally a Honda design.
You can also contact lancepowersports.com /customer service for a dealer near you. or 909-987-8999
I do agree that a little more money could get you a lot better scoot - in the case of the Duke 250, probably less money could get you a better scooter...
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Post by chaz12 on Nov 23, 2009 21:43:26 GMT -5
Ya, it almost sounds like they sold you a 150cc scooter and said it would be a 250.. I would check to see if it has a radiator. That is one way of telling. All the 250 scoots have radiators and the 150 scooter are made with fins on the head for air cooling with no radiator. But it sounds like the company is trying to screw you.
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Post by ootscoot on Nov 23, 2009 21:52:11 GMT -5
The radiator on the Duke 250 is strangely hidden behind the gas tank. The best way to tell if it is really the 250 is by the coolant fill chamber, also strangely right next to the gas fill cap. The instrument panel on the 250 has a water temp gauge..
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Post by cruiser66 on Nov 23, 2009 22:48:59 GMT -5
Well, perc2100, if you do have a 250cc based on the CfMoto 244cc engine and decide to try a valve adjustment, read this first: www.ch250.net/techtips/5.htmUse the 'warm engine running method' which is as non-technical and easy as it gets in valve adjustments. The radiator in back of the gas tank location may seem strange but that's the way it is in the Honda Reflex which is what a lot of these scoots are cloned from. Honda must have had a reason for designing the scoot this way. They have been building scoots for decades. 66 |
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 27, 2009 18:05:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. My brother-in-law and I are taking this apart to have a look at it and tweak some of the things mentioned above.
One thing we did this morning, though, is we replaced the stock exhaust system with an MRP short exhaust that I bought online. That seemed like a quick/fairly easy switch, and we took it for a spin to see if/what the difference would be.
HOLY COW did it make a difference! I drove around some of the stepper hills with higher speed limits, and I never felt like my scooter was coming too close to topping out. The bogging down was completely gone, and speed was definitely not a problem. I look forward to driving it more over the next couple of weeks and putting it to the test, so to speak!
We still plan on tweaking other things, as mentioned above by some of you, to try to increase performance and make sure things are running as smooth as possible. I definitely have a 250, and not that I have the new exhaust the performance I was looking for doesn't seem to be a problem anymore.
Thanks again for your advice. This forum has been a GREAT help (I've been lurking around here for a year, as I've had my scooter for awhile) so far, and I look forward to utilizing the experience and knowledge of you guys and gals!
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Post by flyangler on Nov 27, 2009 18:50:33 GMT -5
Perc, if you installed that mrp exhaust without rejetting the carb you are running too lean, make sure when you're tweaking to rejet the carb and do somthing with the air intake to get more air in.
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 27, 2009 20:27:32 GMT -5
Do you know where I can get a jet kit online?
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Post by rherald2 on Nov 27, 2009 20:39:51 GMT -5
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 27, 2009 20:46:06 GMT -5
Do you have a recommendation on what size jet?
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Post by rherald2 on Nov 29, 2009 19:23:41 GMT -5
try 122 or 125 I bought both but never did the upgrade because I went with a bigger scoot. if you decide to do a performance exhaust you need to go a little bigger. But most people first upgrade is to change your roller weights on your cvt. If you want to go faster take off lower roller weight, more top end heavier roller weight. Just wondering have you tried to adjust your valve gaps yet it is very very easy. I can explain if you need me to it's yarddogs trick and it is very effective.
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 30, 2009 15:03:07 GMT -5
I'd definitely love to have help explaining a valve adjustment
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Post by rherald2 on Nov 30, 2009 20:29:53 GMT -5
First open your seat and remove the screws to the engine access ( by the battery tray). Now this is when the fun starts. Take a magic marker and mark where your two valve adjustment arms are at ( good reference also if you feel you might goof you can put them back @ orginal position ). start your scoot and let it warm up to normal operating temp. Next lightly loosen adjustment arm nuts, so it is a little stiff to move by hand ( yes keep your scoot running for this). Now move one arm forward until your scoot is about to die( or tap really bad) when this happen take a note of which notch it is at( or mark it with your marker). Now go backwards until your scoot is about to die( 0r tap really bad) and make a note or mark. Now divide the difference and place you valve adjustment arm there. Tighten your adjustment arm nut so it does not move. Now do that exact samething with the other valve adjustment arm. This will adjust your valve gaps pretty close. This is a little scary @ first but once you do it. It will make total sense. Good luck to you perc2100 Here is a link to see what your looking @ www.oregonvintage.com/250Valves.pdfThe way I explain it is what they call the Hot method. |
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Post by perc2100 on Nov 30, 2009 21:21:32 GMT -5
Thanks a lot for the the help! Can't wait to get started on it tomorrow; I'll let you all know how things turn out!!
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Post by cruiser66 on Dec 1, 2009 23:24:51 GMT -5
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Post by rherald2 on Dec 2, 2009 17:12:29 GMT -5
that is a very good video cruiser 66. That should be very helpful to all cn250 owners. Outstanding job have a bone.
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Post by yoster on Dec 2, 2009 17:22:45 GMT -5
That video needs to be a sticky!!!! I have always been concerned that I was hurting the engine when doing a valve adjustment. I would loosen up the bolts and the slider would fall to the side and tap REAL bad (like in the video). Always freaked me out and I'd shut off the engine. Looks like you're SUPPOSED to do it like that, and not to worry about it  |
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Post by cruiser66 on Dec 2, 2009 22:19:29 GMT -5
Thanks, dawgs. This video does eliminate a lot of the mystery and anxiety about setting valves on this engine.
66
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Have you done a PDI? This sounds like a restriction of some kind. Have you checked the throttle linkage to see if you are getting full opening of the throttle? Have you checked the plug to see if you are running rich or lean? Like JRR said, give us all the info you can.
