Roketa Bali 250

[donroketa]

I just got my first Chinese Scooter last week, a Roketa Bali 250. I love it, but it had more than its share of glitches perhaps. I have it running (sort of), but it won't idle! I have the stop screw turned full down, still needs another 1/8 inch or so to keep it running. It seems like it is an air leak leaning the mixture down or the idle circuit plugged, I have not found an idle mixture control screw. I did ride it a few blocks, seems VERY peppy when cruising.
Anybody got any suggestions?

[scooterollie]

Donroketa;
Welcome to the Dawg Pound!

Also read your other post about the shipping damage. My Bali is an '06. Got it in June. Out of curiosity, what is the name of the Chinese manufacturer on the large, square ID plate?

One suggestion you will probably get is to check for vacuum leaks. If you actually do get the replacement carb. from your dealer and it doesn't cure the problem, check the integrity of the rubber intake manifold as well as other vacuum hoses. Mine did not have the canister so I can't help there with those plumbing issues. Could be a hose was not attached or came loose with the jar of the crate damage. Many folks suggest immediate replacement of all hoses - fuel, vacuum & coolant - with better quality stuff. This also helps you check the routing, connection and condition of each hose. Having unattached or pinched hoses from the factory is very common. We may grumble about the quality of some of our cars but we are really spoiled because we often don't realize how good the quality has become on our American of high quality foreign products.

[donroketa]

Here is a photo of the tag. I am planning on removing all the cover and replacing, re rerouting lines etc.

[swampsniper]

It's made by Zhejiang.

[scooterollie]

Donroketa;
Thanks for the pic. I have been doing a little survey for around a year to see who Roketa uses. Mine was produced by Chongqing Astronautical Bashan Motorcycle Man. Co. My local Roketa dealer friend had the worst luck with scoots from "Unique", but his were 50 cc models. Other than the usual missing or improperly placed hose clamps, the worst problem on mine was a hidden coolant hose pinched in half. Caused the scoot to overheat and blow the hose off the water pump hose bib. Mechanical quality was pretty good on mine. Body panel fit-n-finish was average.

Good idea about the hoses!

[donroketa]

I appreciate that information, but how the heck did you deduce that?

swampsniper said:

It's made by Zhejiang.

[donroketa]

Fit and finish are superb on mine! The beauty is only skin deep though, I could not believe the sloppy assembly - of apparently pretty good parts! I was prepared for it though actually, and for $1399 in the crate, still feel I got a great deal, so far it sure suits me for my purposes. Wish it had a radio though, am figuring out how to get one added, any ideas?
I am a ACE certified automotive tech, a small engine course grad, and an FAA licensed Aircraft and Powerplant mechanic, so little stuff like I am finding are really sort of fun. Also am turning 70 in days, so this is finally my Cushman Eagle I could not afford when they came out!

scooterollie said:

Donroketa;
Thanks for the pic. I have been doing a little survey for around a year to see who Roketa uses. Mine was produced by Chongqing Astronautical Bashan Motorcycle Man. Co. My local Roketa dealer friend had the worst luck with scoots from "Unique", but his were 50 cc models. Other than the usual missing or improperly placed hose clamps, the worst problem on mine was a hidden coolant hose pinched in half. Caused the scoot to overheat and blow the hose off the water pump hose bib. Mechanical quality was pretty good on mine. Body panel fit-n-finish was average.

Good idea about the hoses!

[scottfla]

Better late than never I'm on my first scooter and wondering why I didn't buy one years ago.

[scooterollie]

Donroketa;
My Bali came with an AM/FM/Cassette radio. I promptly removed it! You could add almost any type of audio device and use marine/exterior grade speakers. I prefer to enjoy the outdoors and not have any distractions sound-wise.

[donroketa]

Happy camper! My dealer was a good guy after all, he shipped me a brand new complete carb by DHL and gave me a hundred bucks for the "missing" radio. I spent all afternoon tearing all the plastic off to get to the old carb, replaced it with the new one, and now it idles down like a fine sewing machine! Made it around the block a couple of times at city speeds, don't know what it will do on the highway yet.
Initial impressions are it is really peppy and smooth, up to 35mph or so, but did not seem to want to go much faster, but too short of a street to really find out.

[monty57]

Donroketa;

I would also like to welcome you and wow someone that actually knows about Cushman Eagles. When I was lad of about 14 I traded for a Cushman Eagle with two very worn out engines. My dad was a mechanic at a plant that used Cushman Roadkings for their tool wagons and he had access to parts (The plant is gone now so I can tell the story). He brought me a few parts and we rebuilt the best engine and brazed the broken side plate where the kick starter was bolted. A nice blue paint job, some brake work and the firing it up the first with it's dual straight chrome pipes is one of the most pleasant memories of my childhood. I kept it until I could afford my first car and boy do I wish I still had it today. Two speed shifter by the gas tank and a foot clutch feeding power from a 9 hp engine. Wow what a great scooter.

Good luck with your new scooter and I hope it makes you as happy as that old '47 Cushman did me. Thanks for firing some very old and very happy memories.

[scooterollie]

Monty;
I also had an old Cushman in my teens. Not certain of the model. Don't remember dual pipes, though. Just a centrifugal clutch on mine. Would do 45 down hill with a still tail wind! Stripped mine to bare metal and repainted it in blue, also. New seat upholstery, tires and it was a cool machine and my start with two-wheeled vehicles. Slow on the take off and not much acceleration after take off.

Don;
Out of curiosity (there I go again) is there a brand on the carb. you removed? How about on the new one, but don't go removing it if you didn't notice. (LOL)

[donroketa]

Daydream with me a bit, since the "retro look" is so popular, just think how we could make a chinese scooter into a retro cushman:

[donroketa]

Don;
Out of curiosity (there I go again) is there a brand on the carb. you removed? How about on the new one, but don't go removing it if you didn't notice. (LOL)[/quote]

They only have the letters K and F, then a blub saying "The standard of Japan". Seem to be a real high quality product, it is not their fault that you can't adjust the idle mixture after it is installed, whoever made the engine mount for it screwed that up. That sure bugs me.
The idle air screw was screwed out so far on the original carb, I feel sure that was the only problem. If it had been accessible a turn or two in would have fixed the problem. I wish I had actually checked the new one for turns out, I would have pre adjusted the old one the same amount and called it fixed.

[scooterollie]

Don;
My Cushman was a real dog in the performance department and, by today's standards, I wouldn't rate the quality very high. Just about any Chinese knock-off of the Cushman would be a great improvement! Could be fun.

My dealer friend seems to prefer the Japanese Keihin" carb. My 250 Bali has one and it does seem to be a quality product but it still failed early on because of a speck of something in the float valve seat that caused it to purge raw gas from the float bowl vent. Not really the carb.'s fault and all is well after a thorough cleaning and inspection. Had even replaced the gas filter almost immediately after I got the scoot.

[donroketa]

Yep, they were all dogs in comparison. I had a collection of 23 when I sold them all. Not too dependable either. The later ones with the OMC engine were a bit better, called them Super Silver Eagles.

[sunroket]

donroketa: I would appreciate it if you could share your dealer contact info. I have been digging around the net, and have not spotted anybody selling a Bali 250 for $1399, except one unsold one on ebay (the seller was in Victoria, BC). I was contemplating a Bali 150 or the Bandit, but a 250 might be too good to pass up.

[donroketa]

Sure, just click on this link, it will take you to him. He trys to compete on EBay, so "free shipping" etc is all negotiable. Mine came from Dallas by truck, if in Texas he can wiggle more on some charges too. EMail him, tell him I sent you, Mine was actually $1499 but he gave me $100 when he found out it had no radio.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-250cc-DOT-EPA-Approved-TOURINGScooter_W0QQitemZ200130975533QQihZ010QQcategoryZ6722QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

sunroket said:

donroketa: I would appreciate it if you could share your dealer contact info. I have been digging around the net, and have not spotted anybody selling a Bali 250 for $1399, except one unsold one on ebay (the seller was in Victoria, BC). I was contemplating a Bali 150 or the Bandit, but a 250 might be too good to pass up.

[Gary]

The Bali is identical to my Viva 250. I've had a few issues (charging system not working, coolant leak) but have been able to work through them. Besdies those issues though, the scooter has provided great reliable transportation. The engine runs great, it idles really nice once broken in, and it has plenty of power. Mine was $1780, if you can get one for 1499 or 1399 that's a heck of a deal. Just be prepared to roll up your sleeves a bit and do some wrenching.

[monty57]

donroketa,

What a great picture of the Cushman. Yes, they where not fast but when you were young lad riding back country roads with the wind in your face and the sound of those pipes you felt like you were flying! Had to push it home a couple of times but for the most part it was a lot easier to work on then these little Chinese beauties that have taken their place.

I have only seen one of the Super Silver Eagles. For a long time it sat in the window of a transmission shop here in St. Louis. He was never interested in selling. I guess we always remember things being slightly better than they actually were but I still loved that old scooter. It was my first intro to the two wheeled world of motorcycles and that started the love affair that has continued all the way into the world of scooters.

[donroketa]

To share a bit, my first scooter in 1952 was a four cylinder two stoke "Doodlebug".
At that time for us very poor folks, the doodle bug frames were readily available from people that had trashed the original Briggs and Stratton engine. I acquired one of those frames from someones junk pile, and since the only engines that were availible in my price range (free or nearly so) were Maytags! They made a cute little two stroke, two cylinder washing machine engine that also populated everyones junkyard, as the world was going to electric washing machines.
I promptly put one on, and found it to be woefully short on power. I devised a transmission of sorts with a pair of cone pulleys and belts, tightening whichever belt was needed for the grade. Still not much action, I could almost walk as fast. I then put ANOTHER Maytag on top of the first one, making a four cylinder doodlebug. That did the trick, it ran much better.
I rode it to the Cushman dealer in Topeka KS one day to admire the Eagle. Even though I was only 15 and looked about 12, the dealer quickly suggested I test drive the Eagle! I promptly let it get away with me, and crunched one of the footpads against a curb, but managed to clip its wings and make it around town. Wow, did I ever feel big that day!
Several years later, I worked at an auto parts store, and they had a Cushman with sidecar for deliveries. Nobody else would ride it, so I became the delivery guy! Imagine getting paid for riding a scooter around all day! Those WERE the days!

[monty57]

Wow, I can't believe the similarities of our stories. I bought a doodlebug from a an older kid with two basket engines when I was 12 years old for $10.00. Saved from birthday money and cutting grass. The best engine was a slant cylinder Continental engine with a centrifugal clutch. It ran pretty good but had a habit of trowing rods. I guess I ran it a little hard. After two more rod it went through the block and that was that. Dad had an old washing machine B & S motor in the back of the garage so I cleaned it up and it actually started. It was not even powerful enough the operate the clutch so like any desperate kid I put a pulley and ran it "direct drive". Like you said, I could out run it on foot but at least I did have something to ride. About a week after I installed the B & S engine the kid I bought it from called and asked if I still had it and told him the story. He said he did not care he had a motorcycle motor he wanted to try on it and he had an 47 Cushman Eagle in piece with two more basket engines. I jumped at the trade and the rest I have already related. I put many, many miles on the old scooter.

Well now for today. After ready your posts I felt the need to relieve my childhood a bit. I have been staying with my mother this week and going to work from there to give my bother some vacation time (she recently broke her hip and needs a little help to get around) so I went home and loaded up the new Yamaha. What better way to break it in by revisiting the roads I used to terrorize with the Cushman. Well they are not quite country back roads anymore more like an industrial park so on to my childhood hometown a few miles away on some great back roads. Last one of the best motorcycle rides in the US. The Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, IL. 150 miles of reminiscing. Once again thanks for bringing back some great memories.

Well I hope we haven't bored all the other readers by several old guys reliving their youth.

[scooterollie]

Maybe you guys are OLD but don't include me in that group just yet, at least not in attitude! LOL!

[monty57]

Just the fact we are playing with these things says somethign about our mental age and I think that is really all that counts!

[scooterollie]

Amen!, and Amen!!

[scottfla]

Actually, it's kind of cool to read about someone having a home made scooter with one engine and deciding, 'hey, what the heck, I'll put another engine on, too'

[donroketa]

If they are not nice to us Monty, we will start on stories of Whizzers and Mustangs and REALLY bore them to death, huh?

monty57 said:

Wow, I can't believe the similarities of our stories. I bought a doodlebug from a an older kid with two basket engines when I was 12 years old for $10.00. Saved from birthday money and cutting grass. The best engine was a slant cylinder Continental engine with a centrifugal clutch. It ran pretty good but had a habit of trowing rods. I guess I ran it a little hard. After two more rod it went through the block and that was that. Dad had an old washing machine B & S motor in the back of the garage so I cleaned it up and it actually started. It was not even powerful enough the operate the clutch so like any desperate kid I put a pulley and ran it "direct drive". Like you said, I could out run it on foot but at least I did have something to ride. About a week after I installed the B & S engine the kid I bought it from called and asked if I still had it and told him the story. He said he did not care he had a motorcycle motor he wanted to try on it and he had an 47 Cushman Eagle in piece with two more basket engines. I jumped at the trade and the rest I have already related. I put many, many miles on the old scooter.

Well now for today. After ready your posts I felt the need to relieve my childhood a bit. I have been staying with my mother this week and going to work from there to give my bother some vacation time (she recently broke her hip and needs a little help to get around) so I went home and loaded up the new Yamaha. What better way to break it in by revisiting the roads I used to terrorize with the Cushman. Well they are not quite country back roads anymore more like an industrial park so on to my childhood hometown a few miles away on some great back roads. Last one of the best motorcycle rides in the US. The Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, IL. 150 miles of reminiscing. Once again thanks for bringing back some great memories.

Well I hope we haven't bored all the other readers by several old guys reliving their youth.

[monty57]

Yep, now that you mentioned it my brother had a Whizzer and I have seen a couple Mustangs but you are right. If they give us hard time I think we could on for days and days!

[donroketa]

I am still grounded, the dealer signed the certificate of origin on the wrong line, and there was no bill of sale, so the DMV as usual sent me packing. I got the bill of sale today, and DHL is bringing me another certificate or origin, I am getting antsy to check it out on the road! I have made it up and down my short dead end street a couple of times, just enough to whet my appetite for riding.

[monty57]

I can imagine. I would be seeing presents under the tree Christmas morniing and someone telling you can't open them. I was very fotunate. My paperwork came the same day as I received the RR 250 and it was right and the title process was painless. I have heard many stories about paperwork problems. I hope it get sorted out soon so you can get some real riding in.