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Post by newc77 on Nov 19, 2007 7:24:58 GMT -5
That is a bummer Aero. Hope S/F treats you well and that you're road worthy again soon. Keep us posted. Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 19, 2007 12:01:49 GMT -5
Yeah, it does stink, but to put it all in perspective, I do ride the crap out of it. I ride everyday at least 25 miles on mostly 55mph roads (read: WOT a lot). I just finished emailing them, but as it has only been about 5 minutes, I haven't heard back yet Again, I'll keep you all posted. Anyone have any ideas as to what might have caused such a failure? Aero
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Post by tortoise on Nov 19, 2007 14:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by sweetpea123 on Nov 19, 2007 16:41:44 GMT -5
Hello all New here. I'm thinking of buying either the Vintage or the Venice, 150. I can't tell too much of a difference looking at them (aside from a very slightly different design, and the price) so i'm thinking of going for the Venice. I live about an hour away from their store in Ontario, but Aero, you mentioned that the "store" is "brick and morter" and was wondering what you meant by that? I'm going to be stopping by in a couple weeks to check them out and wanted a better idea of what the place is like. Thanks!
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 19, 2007 17:29:42 GMT -5
Yeah, I call it "brick and morter" because you can actually go there and they have a section of their wearhouse set asside for showcasing their products. They have moved recently, so that might have changed, but I bet it is still pretty much the same. They will also answer your questions and show you around the products like a real B&M store would. So they're kind of like 75% B&M, not completely. They will treat you like they are a B&M, but last I knew they didn't have a fancy showroom. Again, this might have changed when they moved.
Aero
EDIT: Thanks Tortoise, I already figured that it was caused (or helped at least) by my hard riding. That combined with a bad head gasket would probably have caused it right? My question wasn't quite worded right. I was thinking more along the lines what actually happened. Think the head gasket blew all together?
EDIT2: I heard back from S/F and it seems like they will take care of it. They said it would be fine if I bring it in, just let them know when, so they can have a mechanic handy.
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Post by swampsniper on Nov 19, 2007 19:19:34 GMT -5
A blown head gasket won't pump out massive amounts of oil. Could be the cam chain tensioner fell out, have you checked that? It would explain the oil and the noise.
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Post by tinknocker on Nov 19, 2007 21:14:56 GMT -5
Good luck Aero. What a bummer. That's pretty cool though that SF will have a mechanic there to help you out. I did'nt think that they provided any kind of actual "hands on" service. Let us all know how that pans out. If I had some kind of catasrophic failure I guess I could load mine up and drive down the 350 some odd miles to their shop if they were willing to do an overhaul. Hopefully I won't have to find out. Take care, John
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smk8er
Junior Dawg
Occifer are ur i's glazed?
Posts: 14
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Post by smk8er on Nov 20, 2007 8:23:14 GMT -5
That sucks, Glad S/F said they would take care of it but actions speak louder then words. Like everyone else said keep us posted. But at 27hundred and change on the mileage that kinda sucks even though you ride it WOT. Good luck!
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 20, 2007 9:22:04 GMT -5
Just a guess without actually seeing anything, but I will bet you lost your oil through the valve cover. With less than a quart in the engine, it doesn't take long to run it dry, so I'd expect that there was an overheating event and the engine is likely toast since the labor to repair will be more than the engine. Unfortunately, with a parts only warranty, you are probably looking at 3-500 in labor costs if they provide the parts. Hopefully, I am wrong and it's something simple and cheap. Good luck. Stan Yeah, it does stink, but to put it all in perspective, I do ride the crap out of it. I ride everyday at least 25 miles on mostly 55mph roads (read: WOT a lot). I just finished emailing them, but as it has only been about 5 minutes, I haven't heard back yet Again, I'll keep you all posted. Anyone have any ideas as to what might have caused such a failure? Aero
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Post by sweetpea123 on Nov 20, 2007 9:49:49 GMT -5
Just a guess without actually seeing anything, but I will bet you lost your oil through the valve cover. With less than a quart in the engine, it doesn't take long to run it dry, so I'd expect that there was an overheating event and the engine is likely toast since the labor to repair will be more than the engine. Unfortunately, with a parts only warranty, you are probably looking at 3-500 in labor costs if they provide the parts. Hopefully, I am wrong and it's something simple and cheap. Good luck. Stan Actually, the great thing about SF is that they DO cover the service if you take it in to them. And luckily Aero is within driving distance. I'm planning on getting one from them too. I live about an hour from the shop, so if anything big like this happens I can get it fixed for free. After reading this thread, even though I do realise they have some problems, it's great to hear that SF has pretty good customer service and actually fixes them at their shop. It put my mind at ease! I'm going to look at them in a couple weeks ;D
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Post by bob on Nov 20, 2007 12:06:30 GMT -5
Did you have time to change the valve cover O-ring that S-F sent you before the scoot quit?
Bob
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Post by swampsniper on Nov 20, 2007 18:55:19 GMT -5
There is not a lot of oil pressure inside the valve cover, unless something else craps out.
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2wheelsnhooked
Big Dawg
lance vintage 150-it's pink so noone will steal it!
Posts: 25
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Post by 2wheelsnhooked on Nov 20, 2007 22:29:03 GMT -5
For those of you who have purchased from scootersfactory or any online distributor of lance products what have you done to prep your scooter? Alot of people seem to say that you should immediately swap out all the fluids along with any fuel lines before using a chinese scoot. batteries seem to be recommended to be replaced early or at the beginning also. javascript:add(%22%20???%22) i have a lance vintage 150 from scootersfactory. i have 89 milel/kilometers on it. i think it might be kilometers since it adds up a little too quickly to be miles, imho. so far so good. i have not changed anything so far. i was under the understanding that the oil currently in there is the break-in oil and should only be checked for levels until break-in time is over. book says one thing and i have read other opinions. the battery was the easiest thing to fill and the bike has started every time just a little slower when the temp dipped. so i would also like to know what else others have done. as for scootersfactory, aero, what would they have done for you if you lived across the country like i do? somehow i don't think it would be as easy. anybody from northwest ohio know of good scooter repair places. i'm new to scoots. and it's been love since the thing was delivered
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 21, 2007 2:02:45 GMT -5
Hey Bob, the ironic thing is that I was trying to make time to install that gasket, but hadn't got around to it yet. Just today I had a Calculus 3 test (multivariable calc) and a physics test (electromagnetism) to study for so I haven't had time to sleep, let alone break into my scooter. I do check my oil several times a week, and at last check (2 days before splat) it was well within the normal zone.
2wheels: I can't really say what they would do if I was across the country. I do know that they cover parts, but not labour unless you bring it into them. I can't really say what they would do for sure, but they would probably try to help from what I know of them.
Aero (crap it sucks to drive a cage again...) student
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Post by newc77 on Nov 21, 2007 8:20:12 GMT -5
2wheels: From my experience, S/F does honor their parts warranty pretty well, which is what the warranty is. They say if you do bring it in they will do labor repairs. Other wise it is a parts only warranty, and I personally have had a decent experience with the warranty. Also have had quick service ordering nonwarranty parts. There's been a lot of postings here about S/F service and warranty. Most have been positive. In my case, most of the time they have been prompt, reliable, and really try to help you out. Sometimes a bit hard to get someone online or by phone. I would recommend you do a google search, or yellow pages search and find a local bike repair shop that will talk to you and agree to do repairs. A little hard to find but they are out there. You probably will need to find a local mech who does bikes, or an independent shop that works on bikes only. I do not think most major bike dealers will work on a Lance ot other cheap China import. Tom
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2wheelsnhooked
Big Dawg
lance vintage 150-it's pink so noone will steal it!
Posts: 25
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Post by 2wheelsnhooked on Nov 21, 2007 11:47:07 GMT -5
thanks tom, it's good to know that they honor the warranty at least for parts. i still think that i should have forgone the one yr warranty since parts are fairly cheap and i'll have to pay for the labor since i live in ohio. i did find a cycle repair shop that will work on chinese bikes. in a city of a little over three hundred thousand there was only 1 shop in the whole phone book that would work on a chinese bike. but after reading this forum i'm sure that'll change. i was just wondering if anybody here had any personal experience with any shops. sounds like i'm the only one in the toledo area in the dawgpound. oh, and i made a trip to scoot around town up near ann arbor mi. very cool store if anybody's interested. thanks again everyone, i've been getting great scoot tips. happy thanksgiving
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Post by sweetpea123 on Nov 21, 2007 13:00:15 GMT -5
2wheelsnhooked, do you happen to have any pictures of your scoot? Thats the one I want, also in pink. Just curious if it looks as cute as the pictures:) Also, how tall are you? I'm 5'2 so i'm kind of worried about the seat being a bit high..
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Post by guyruss on Nov 21, 2007 23:19:16 GMT -5
:'(Aero, I am deeply sorry to hear that. I was a little affraid for you when You talked about the little oil leak. The egine doesn't take very much oil and it needs every little bit to help keep engine cool. Did your RPMs increase alot when you switched to 11g rollers? maybe with increased rps, with engine running hot with to rich of fuel air mixture, something had to give.
I am glad scootersfactory is getting the mech to take care of problem, Might want to try 12g rollers and get a tach to monitor the rpms and see how you do.
Russ
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2wheelsnhooked
Big Dawg
lance vintage 150-it's pink so noone will steal it!
Posts: 25
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Post by 2wheelsnhooked on Nov 22, 2007 23:31:18 GMT -5
sorry, sweetpea123, no pics as of yet. i don't know why since i look in the garage and just stare at her. i'm about half inch shy of 5ft. and i feel pretty confident on the vintage. i have sat on a honda 250(can't remember the model) and the seat was pretty low. i'll keep that in mind if i want to get a larger scoot, especially since they have a local dealer. is there an addiction to scoots thread?
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Post by guyruss on Nov 23, 2007 0:21:24 GMT -5
Your on it Russ
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 25, 2007 21:56:19 GMT -5
Yeah, the engine RPM increased a whole lot on initial acceleration, but at WOT, it was just barely higher, about 100RPM. I'm not sure if that would have coused it as a good number of people here have had good results with lighter weights, I've seen some run as low as 10g without reporting negative affects. It is still a possability though. I was thinking of trying 10.5g, 11.5g, and 12g, to see which was a better overall feel. Originally with stock 14g's the takeoff RPM was about 2300 which maded it really slow off the line and up hills, with 11g's it was up to about 4200 or so, the digital "tach" only read in increments of 500, but it was better than nothing.
Dropped scooter off at S/F last Friday. They are going to fix it and say that they'll have it done by Wednesday (the 28th, right?). We'll see what was wrong with it then.
Aero
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 28, 2007 20:06:23 GMT -5
Allright!! I just got off the phone with S/F and it is done. They are fine tuning the carb, and they fixed the muffler rattle I had which I didn't even mention to them. The person I talked to didn't actually work on it, but knew that in order to fix the problem they had to open the case. I will find out exactly what happened to it when I pick it up this friday (sooner I wish, but I can't get there untill friday), and what I can do to keep it from happening again.
All in all, I am very happy with S/F's responce to problems, and the really do keep their word and honor their warantee. Props to them for good business practices!
Aero
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Post by swampsniper on Nov 28, 2007 21:16:35 GMT -5
Great news! ;D
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Post by guyruss on Nov 29, 2007 1:13:04 GMT -5
That is awsome Aero. Scootersfactory just doesn't talk the talk, they also walk the walk. It makes me feel real good to be informing people about scootersfactory, when I see them doing all around outstanding service. I can't wait for you to pick up the scoot so you can tell us exactly what caused the breakdown.
Scoota-Rollin-Friend, Russ
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Post by newc77 on Nov 29, 2007 7:37:31 GMT -5
Aero: That is great news. Hope you get many more enjoyable scoot miles on that GSR. Another make believe 'karma' to S/F for another good story about how they honor their warranty and take care of people. Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 30, 2007 21:19:05 GMT -5
Picked up scooter today, and it is as good as new, litterally! Turns out that the piston had siezed up and needed replacing, but since they said it would have taken a while for that parts to come in, they just replaced the engine, and will rebuild the other one (not sure what they are going to do to it though). They said it was caused by not changing the oil often enough. I thought I was (700miles was what I'd shoot for, but more often it would be near 1k before I could get the time), but I guess I will change it at the suggested 300 mile mark from now on. Just for notes, I did change it at 50, 150, 300 for break-in then went to the above incriments. I guess it wasn't enough... Anyway, I am very happy with what they did, and they even replaced a few odds and ends that had been MIA (rubber gromet on muffler mount, keyhole plastic, something else I think ). Anyway, I have to give them props for doing all this. All in all, great customer service! Aero
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Post by swampsniper on Nov 30, 2007 22:59:16 GMT -5
That's a good ending! Did they say where the oil dumped out?
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Post by guyruss on Dec 1, 2007 1:46:44 GMT -5
Oil does't go bad that quickly. What type of oil are you using. Engine probably started losing more oil than what you thought from the leak, and the engine just got to hot and siezed up. Might want to switch to sythetic after you break in this engine, just to help it run a little cooler. Did they say how you were losing the oil from the leak? Keep us updated my friend.
Russ
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Post by newc77 on Dec 2, 2007 8:46:35 GMT -5
Good ending. Scoot safe and enjoy the ride again Aero. Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Dec 2, 2007 20:09:09 GMT -5
They didn't even mention anything about the leak I had. But I think your right about it losing more oil than I though, about three miles from when it died, I heard a strange kind of pop sound, and a loss of power and wierd ticking noise started within about 1 second. I was using Chevron I believe, but I normally use Shell, I was thinking about switching to royal purple, synthetic when the engine brakes in. It is well on it's way at about 25 miles, time for an oil change. I picked up another Iridium plug today for it, as the (old) plug wasn't included with the new engine, but it probably wasn't to good anyway, and for 7 bucks, no biggie. Running good as ever, and I think this engine will be a little faster than the old, once broken in, it feels better already, but that might be just because the old one was starting to go before I realized it ( ). Aero (glad to be on 2 wheels again/riding through the winter) student
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