Roadster 250 (MC-54-250)

[roadster250]

I wanted to open this with kudo's to all who have posted on this site and helped me decide to upgrade from my little Tank 50.

I ordered a blue Roadster 250 from County Motors in California (www.countymotors.com), who had the best price for a 250 (OK, a 244), with 13" wheels, disk brakes front and rear, ABS, with a 'free' tail case. Living in Maryland, I was pleased with 8 days to my front door for under $2100. It came Red (2nd Choice), but it's beautiful. Custommer service has been excellent so far.

It assembled without a hitch and started up as soon as I deciphered what the kill switch looked like - it ain't bright red like my motorcycles had and the crappy Owners Manual is of no help (I've not spent enough time looking at it, but it would be hard to make it any more hilarious than the one that came with my Tank).

The only loose things found was the screw holding the speedometer cable to the front hub.

Only issues I have is a 'cocked' handlebar and a single instance of shutting down at speed. The handlebars appear pointed slightly to the left when the bike is going straight. Looking beneath the plastic pieces, all looks well; nothing bent, no binding, and no looseness, so I suspect the the mounting plate for the bars had the connecting stub underneath welded off center. Anyone else have such a condition?

The third time I ran it up to speed on the freeway, it got to 65 and then the power dropped off; I pulled to the emergency lane and it just slowly died. It restarted after a couple of minutes and I haven't experienced it again. Perhaps the electric fuel pump upgrade will be needed!

Finally, I'd like to extend the mirrors to the outside to clear my shoulders from the image or find a wider set.

Once I get some plates on this baby, I'll be putting the miles on.

Chris

[scooterollie]

Raodster;
Congratulations on your purchase. The bars were cocked a little to the right on my Roketa Bali 250. Different body style but underneath, maybe enough the same. With the main front panel removed (containing the headlights) on mine I can access a nut that, once loosened, allows a very slight right/left adjustment. First time I didn't think it moved any but once on the road found that I now had a slight leftward bias to the bars.

I have never experienced the high speed power loss on any of my scoots - 50-150-250. Generally, I believe there are fewer problems with the vacuum fuel pump on the larger displacement scoots. Replace that O.E. fuel filter with a larger one. I use NAPA Gold #3011 but any good quality larger one will be OK. Others have recommended replacing all the rubber hoses - fuel & vacuum - with heavier duty ones. Some have experienced hose collapse of the vacuum lines. My O.E. hoses are into their second year and all seem fine. You never know!

[Dave]

I am into the second week with my roadster 250 also, bought mine from allnewsports.com. I have also expierienced the power loss on the highway when I get to 65 and leave it there for a while (by the way thats all I get out of her). I called allnewsports and they told me I may be getting vapor locked, and get a load of this one, they told me to drill a hole in the gas cap which I will not be doing (idiots). When it happened to me I had less than a gallon of gas in the scoot at the time. I went to the gas station and filled up and back onto the highway again, it did not repeat this time, which leads me to think fuel pump? but anyway, I can only get 65MPH out of her. I'm not a big guy either only weighing in at 175 pounds. Anyone out there have any suggestions on how I could get her to go a litter faster.
The web site said this thing would do up to 85 MPH. Did they mean with the wind at my back and going down hill with someone pushing me from behind?
Please help

[90GTVert]

You are experiencing fuel starvation that is a direct result of the poor quality vacuum fuel pump used in the Touring models. There is an article on my site about fuel pumps and valves that will lead you to the cure. You also probably still have the junky Chinese vacuum and fuel lines which are not going to get better on their own. Good luck. Stan

newdawg said:

I am into the second week with my roadster 250 also, bought mine from allnewsports.com. I have also expierienced the power loss on the highway when I get to 65 and leave it there for a while (by the way thats all I get out of her). I called allnewsports and they told me I may be getting vapor locked, and get a load of this one, they told me to drill a hole in the gas cap which I will not be doing (idiots). When it happened to me I had less than a gallon of gas in the scoot at the time. I went to the gas station and filled up and back onto the highway again, it did not repeat this time, which leads me to think fuel pump? but anyway, I can only get 65MPH out of her. I'm not a big guy either only weighing in at 175 pounds. Anyone out there have any suggestions on how I could get her to go a litter faster.
The web site said this thing would do up to 85 MPH. Did they mean with the wind at my back and going down hill with someone pushing me from behind?
Please help

[jdikov]

Too bad you didn't call me. I would have beat that price right away since you are a scootdawg member. Keep in mind that will match any price from a reputable dealer and usually beat it for forum members.

[aristide1]

ndnparts said:

You are experiencing fuel starvation that is a direct result of the poor quality vacuum fuel pump used in the Touring models. There is an article on my site about fuel pumps and valves that will lead you to the cure. You also probably still have the junky Chinese vacuum and fuel lines which are not going to get better on their own. Good luck. Stan

Hey Stan,

Isn't this why God invented electric fuel pumps?

But seriously, given how often fasteners are "loose" they would seem to be more of an issue with liquid cooled engines. An exhaust leak on an air cooled or even a liquid cooled engine is resolved by tightening the bolts. But what about a coolant leak into the combustion chamber? These are not aluminum cylinders with cast iron sleeves. Mind you, I am not trying to criticize any particular brand, this is a general question of liquid cooled Chinese motors based solely on concern.

Does your site list torque specs? Another more critical issue with motors made of aluminum.

Yes Stan please evaluate the Strada SS300.
(It really should be called the SS280 )

Thanks.

[westcydr]

60 MPH??? Heh, I wish, I am still getting no more than 50 out of my 250..

[aristide1]

westcydr said:

60 MPH??? Heh, I wish, I am still getting no more than 50 out of my 250..

There's too many people saying those exact same words.

[MLN]

jdikov said:

Too bad you didn't call me. I would have beat that price right away since you are a scootdawg member. Keep in mind that will match any price from a reputable dealer and usually beat it for forum members.

John I sent you PM about this.

[roadster250]

Great suggestions, all. I've ordered the smallest electric fuel pump. I wanted to know if you guys having trouble getting your 250s up to 65 are still running the stock fuel pump?

[monty57]

I am still running the original fuel pump on my RR 250 TLX and have reached 71 mph according to my handheld GPS. It appears too be quite a substantial piece. I has a metal case. The one on my Yamaha Pro Hauler (golf cart on steroids) was made of plastic. So far I am running the original hoses too. Maybe I am pushing my luck and I may replace them this winter when I have time. So far (knock on wood) I have not had any of the electrical or mechanical issues that seem to be common on other scoots.

Stan,

Have you changed the pump on your Race 250 or is it the same as the touring? If it is the same, do you believe it will keep on giving me good service?

[roadster250]

I've corrected the steering alignment of my handlebars. Took about 6 hours, as I wasn't sure how much plastic to remove to access the head.

I used a piece of angle iron from the shipping crate to align the front and rear wheels; you can see how far cocked they are in the second photo...





Then basically just got enough room to loosen the bolt going through the steering head



I used a laser level to check alignment (held straighter than in the picture below)



And that was that!



If I had to do it again. the simplest approach would be to remove the windscreen, remove the screws on the upper fairing, remove plastic on the bars themselves, and then gently pull the guage cluster out far enough to remove the two screws that attach that to the dash underside. Then you should be able to access the two ends of the bolt in question.

[MLN]

Glad you got it all worked out.

Why do they put such little trunks on touring scooters? Common, give a big trunk with the purchase. Those little ones look out of place.

[roadster250]

mln,

Its funny that my little 50cc Tank had the same capacity under the seat than this otherwise large and lovely Roadster has both underseat and in trunk. The trunk holds a single full face helmet and a pair of gloves. On the other hand, it was 'free' and my otherwise unhappy wife (unhappy that I've been infected with the moto virus again) likes that it makes for a larger target for SUVs and such.
Chris

[roadster250]

I added an electric fuel pump this weekend and followed the hot chick big dawg guru's advice and fused and filtered both sides. I say I added because I found that the electric pumps' mounting holes are nicely arranged for mounting atop the existing vacuum pump and there doesn't appear to be any clearance issues.

Now the problem is that I took other advice from this forum and drained the coolant. It would not take much of my new stuff, and overheated very quickly, without drawing down from the filler neck, despite a couple of gentle runs down my street. Anyone know what I need to do to motivate the thing to take on more coolant?

Thanks,
Chris

[WarrenS]

Do you know where the drain by the water pump is? Loosen that and see if the coolant made it that far. Then run it with the cap off to let the thermostat open and the air escape.

[roadster250]

GBGD Warstein,
Yes, it did make it as far as the water pump. I'll try running it with the cap off; is there a need to open something on the radiator itself to release what I assume is a pocket of air?
Thx,
Chris

[phanc70846]

Roadster250,

I sent you a PM, I also hail from the MD area.

-Philip

[roadster250]

I forgot there was a 'regular' radiator cap under the stinkin' seat! Boy to I feel stupid! This bike is really not bad. Got it all reassembled and test rode with the electric pump a humming.

It now idles slower (!) than with the stock vacuum pump; almost died a couple of times but I'm hoping it was just some air in the lines. Refueled and then took it to the same back road where it reliably died at full throttle at 60 or so.

Now she's only limited by other factors. Two round trips down the curved straight got me a reliable 65 indicated on the flats and an indicated 70+ with a slight downhill advantage. With 60 miles on the clock, I hope it will give me a bit more later.

I also was looking for some performance exhaust and found this one for a Reflex that sells for a whopping $400 bucks (w/shipping). Not sure I'm ready for that much upgrade, but if anyone know of a similiar performance/lower price alternative, I'm all ears.



Site I found it on is: www.scooterwest.com/item_detail/Honda-Reflex-Muffler/1340/

[rattler316]

What can you do for me on a ss300? Looking to buy one of them soon.

jdikov said:

Too bad you didn't call me. I would have beat that price right away since you are a scootdawg member. Keep in mind that will match any price from a reputable dealer and usually beat it for forum members.

[MLN]

You better call. I PM'd him about a scoot and he never got back to me. I should have called myself.

[rattler316]

Thank's I'll give him a call this afternoon.Thanks

mln said:

You better call. I PM'd him about a scoot and he never got back to me. I should have called myself.

[scottfla]

Hey Roadster, since you are so happy with your new scooter (it is nice looking), how about I take that Ghia off your hands?

[scooterollie]

I will never forget the "For Sale" listing in my local paper years ago: "VW Common Gear" for sale. Guess something got lost in the translation from seller to ad sales person. I haven't had a VW for over 30 years. My first car was a brand new '62 Beetle - cheaper than a nearly new used Chevy. I had been a VW nut since about 1958. My uncle was a Chrysler product salesman (later dealership owner) and I used to give him a fit about Vdubs over American products. You know how "Know-it-all" a kid can be! Kind of a bold attitude to have in a family where many fought the Germans in WWII, including my Dad and Uncle! Guess I got away with it because we were mostly of German heritage in the family, coming over after the Civil War. Next car was a "bootleg" 1965 VW Variant S - this model didn't come to the U.S. officially until '66 and did not have the high performance engine in it like my Euro-version Variant. A couple of years later, a friend gave me his '52 split rear window VW with semaphores for turn signals. Had a bad "O" ring at the bottom of the oil cooler. Got about 10 miles to the quart of oil as I was bringing it home. Kept it around with the intention of restoration but never did. Sold it several years later to a collector who also had a few rough Ghias he intended to restore. So much for my walk down "Nostalgia Lane" this morning!

[scottfla]

Oh my gosh, you HAD a split window?! I can count on one hand the number of them I have SEEN, and they were all at shows! Although, I have seen a couple of oval windows running around on the road.

My great uncle has a mid 60's VW Bug that has around 1000 miles on it, completely new, sitting in his garage...... No idea how long it's been there but it's been sitting there since the 70's at least. Runs like a top, though, he cranks it up every month for a while.

[scooterollie]

Scott;
We had a car show in the area Sat. - antique, custom, hot rod, street rod, cycles, etc. Saw four A/C Beetles there, one a 1957 (last year) oval window. Split windows are rare and I believe the one I was given came over with a G.I. - many did in the early years after WWII. Rear shocks were scissor type - first time I had seen those! Hope you are REAL NICE to your Uncle! What a find!

Also learned a good bit about Model T Fords when I was around 20. Did some work on a 1919 single door coupe for a lady who won it on The Price Is Right in the early '60s, I believe. But that was in a different lifetime!

[scottfla]

GIVEN???

*dies*

[roadster250]

Actually, the Ghia could be available to a good home and sufficient nickels! My old ball and chain won't get in it (or on the scooter), so I might as well swap it out for something she might be willing to accompany me in. Or maybe it's time to trade the wife in?

[scottfla]

She won't get in a Ghia convertible? What's the kelly blue book on her? the wife, I mean

[roadster250]

An un-restored, original '59 german make without any speed or upholstery upgrades? I don't think they bother even listing her...