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Post by kmesse on Apr 18, 2008 17:25:29 GMT -5
20 years ago I was tooling around AZ on a Honda Aero 80. Brought it to Cali after graduating, and commuted on it from Diamond Bar into LA. 1 hour trip one way. Yikes. It finally died and I buried it along with the memories. Now I find myself hating the 3.60 price tag on gas, so I got me a Strada RX200HP. Nice (sounding) bike. Ordered it today. Interesting thing is I wanted a dealer in CT, so I went with valley scooters. They had ONE left and I grabbed it. Got a call tonight, SINCE they are in CT but are not full-service, they can't sell anything over 50cc. Isn't that stupid? So John had to refund me and sent the sale to his friend in MI and they shipped it from there instead, and saved the sales tax as well! So that's my story. Praise God for rebate checks this year that allowed me to get this. I'll be tooling back and forth to work on it and saving tons of gas while having a huge smile I haven't had for 20 years. Can't wait to get a GOT GAS? bumper sticker. If only it had a bumper. Any tips that come to mind about this bike or after riding this after 20 years of cars, pass them on! I will have it looked at by a shop so I can get the 2 year warranty. Otherwise it's 6 monhts parts only. yikes. Kevin
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Post by newc77 on Apr 18, 2008 18:49:34 GMT -5
Welcome to the best pound around! Enjoy your new scoot and ride safe! Tom
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Post by kmesse on Apr 21, 2008 10:05:08 GMT -5
Woof. is there a link for what should be done for the prep/assembly when it arrives? I might have missed out on the dealer doing it for me.
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Post by newc77 on Apr 21, 2008 10:29:24 GMT -5
Seach function..you will find all kinds of suggestions from super Dawgs. Tom
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Post by rerun2 on Apr 21, 2008 10:34:07 GMT -5
woof, woof, aaaaROOOOOOOO! Welcome to the dawg pound, kmesse!
Yes, there are a LOT of posts concerning the initial set up for your scooter!! Great to do this correctly because it will probably save you headaches from cropping up later.
Look up at the top of the page, click on the 'SEARCH' tab, enter something like 'prep' t hen go down and change the number of response you care to read, then change the 'from' field to something like 300 days, then hit search, bingo, lots of posts some back...
Search feature is fun to play with, and can save you a LOT of time!! People come on line and off line all day, so having that beautiful search feature usually gets you info FAST, rather than waithing for someone to come on and address the issue.
Regardless, do not hesitate to ask away, people are freindly, and only a question without an answer is a bad question!
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Post by "Big Guy" on Apr 21, 2008 10:57:10 GMT -5
Click the link in my signature...
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Post by kmesse on Apr 22, 2008 8:08:26 GMT -5
Thanks. Not so much asking how to search as what to search for to narrow it down. I'll dig for "prep". Dang, with the price of gas this thing can't come soon enough.
kevin
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Post by "Big Guy" on Apr 22, 2008 9:53:48 GMT -5
Search for PDI instead... you'll get better results.
-Rich
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Post by isawhim on Apr 22, 2008 10:23:15 GMT -5
Quick "Prep-List"...
1. Remove all body panels (Tupperware) 2. Tighten anything silver (Bolts) - Take special note to... - Exhaust and Intake bolts. - Valve-cover and CVT bolts. - Frame-mounting pivot bolts. - Shocks and wheel-mount bolts. - Brake caliper bolts and break mounts. 3. Check all vacuum line retainer clips and lines. (Wire-tie loosely away from friction points.) 4. Check all wires and connections. (Tie back and make sure they are snapped in good. Ignore most of the unused wires. If there are any.) 5. Fill battery with acid, and wait about 1/2 hour before you place seal/seals on them. 6. Charge battery. 7. Adjust idle-air, to keep bike running, so it warms up... then... 8. Adjust idle-fuel, so you can reduce the idle air to nearly closed... 9. Readjust idle-fuel, by giving it a 1/8 turn, so it gets just a little more fuel. 10. Large air-flow lines. (Check for rubbing against other parts, and tie-parts back from lines.) 11. Check, if you know how, valve-rocker clearance. 12. Check spark-gap. 13. Put body back on. (Reinstall Tupperware.) 14. Run for a break-in period, which-ever one you choose, hard or soft. I prefer hard break-in. 15. Change all oils, Crank-case oil, Gear-oil, Break-fluid optional change.
What part of Connecticut are you from? I was from Enfield, Connecticut. Now I reside in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Post by kmesse on Apr 25, 2008 6:37:43 GMT -5
Okay, the darned thing arrived already. Arrived in good shape.
I got it out of the crate, assembled the battery and charged it, assembled mirrors. Screwed up the connections on one of the mirrors, they're difficult to connect. Have to redo that side.
There is a box of parts, looks like a belt of some kind, and some parts wrapped up I haven't had a chance to look at. There also seem to be small black hoses that just hang and don't go anywhere, one has a wire wrapped around it with a metal plug. What do I do with all that? Oil was full, I put gas in (89). There's also this loose bolt with a long tie wrap underneath. Don't know if that's a vestigial organ from shipping or it's supposed to DO something.
Can someone who has one of these or knows what's going on tell me what to do with the parts? I just want to get it running enough to drive it 2 miles to the shop who will do the PDI.
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Post by kmesse on Apr 25, 2008 13:44:23 GMT -5
Got ahold of Valley, belt and other parts are spares. Flopping hoses can just be secured, probably an air and a fuel end, but I'll open the side and make sure. Bolt and tie wrap, no idea.
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Post by isawhim on Apr 25, 2008 15:22:59 GMT -5
The one with the plug and wire spring woround it... that is the fuel drain. (Think that should be attached to the front of the CVT case with a bracket.)
The other one, is an air line, for fuel overflow, and some air to escape or enter the fuel bowl.
Could be just a bolt for holding it securely, while transporting... if the tie goes across the foot-rest area. (Keeps it from swaying, and putting all the tie-pressure on the tires.)
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Post by kmesse on Apr 28, 2008 5:37:24 GMT -5
Thanks. There were 2 bolts just sitting inside on the bottom, and the fact they stuck through a hole just made it possible to notice them easily. looks like they were shipped and fell into there or something, I didn't see that they were meant to be installed anywhere. Tie wrap was just loose. Got the thing started, took it for a quick spin to the engine place to give it a lookover. Whee!! First ride in 20 years. Boy, I'm pretty shaky at it.
I read a post on this model that the engine was mounted to move in a way that relieves some of the torque, so they socked the engine directly to the frame instead. Not that I'd mess with that, but is there any real benefit to this besides wanting to burn tires?
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Post by preachp on May 3, 2008 0:55:24 GMT -5
Hi Kmesse,
I am also in CT. (East of the River). I too am buying a scoot to commute. Ride safe and enjoy.
preachp
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Post by kmesse on May 14, 2008 7:39:24 GMT -5
What a cool bike. Starting out, I was getting 54mph top. Today I took it to work for the first time (after registration and RAINS). 18miles one way, by the end I was getting 60mph, so it's breaking in nicely. I'm using the drive it like ya stole it method.
preach- I'm in east hampton. where are you?
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Post by I-RoQ on May 14, 2008 8:12:26 GMT -5
Welcome!
Glad to see that you're enjoying your new scooter!
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Post by livewire on May 14, 2008 15:05:31 GMT -5
Welcome Happy to hear your enjoying your scoot. I'm west of the river and when I bought my Tank 250 last spring the guys and gals on here were a great help...and still are. Good Luck!!
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Post by kmesse on May 29, 2008 7:53:32 GMT -5
Well, here we go. I can't make new posts from work, so I'll keep adding to this one as a running log of my adventures.
I got my little rocket up to 64 today! I'm proud of it. A very slight downhill and no wind. I can get it to 60 on a flat. It's working up to the 65+ the specs said it would get. When I first got it it went up to 54. 3 good rides later it was up to 60.
The gas mileage isn't what the specs say it should be (naive me). I thought I had a 2 gal tank for some reason too, so I figured I had more to go. So halfway across the Portland bridge, the worst possible place, it sputtered and stalled. There's no shoulder there unless I can lift its 450lbs over a Jersey barrier to the sidewalk. I can't even get it on its stand.
As I was pushing it along with people wanting to run me over, cursing myself for not being better at recording my mileage (now that I think if it, 232mi at the fillup...) I thought about all the positive things that went through my mind.
The emergency flashers work (not that many notice them). I can slow down and enjoy the nature that I normally cruise by. Not that the concrete jungle is all that natural. It's not raining or snowing, although it got to 35 this morning - brr. I don't have to stop for school buses, and I won't get speeding tickets. I'm getting a great workout "I'm getting great gas mileage now!" Now I really know how much gas my tank holds (1.5 gal... period) I thought my gas gage wasn't working, it kept flashing empty before I thought it should. Now I know it does at least sometimes. God has a way of humbling us. Yes, that's a good thing cuz I've been bragging this thing up and down. Said a cheerful hi to bums on the street I normally wouldn't get to meet. They smiled back.
It's a good day.
So I'm getting around 66mpg. That isn't all that bad, but I'm hoping for 75 as "the specs" state. Maybe it'll get closer once it breaks in.
***** Questions as I ponder this. Is there anything I can do to increase gas mileage? I was planning on working with the weights this winter to increase the top end, will that actually decrease my mileage?
Do they sell larger tanks or reserve tanks, or anything? I'll have to fill up every 2 days with my commute, that stinks. Can I stick a bottle of gas somewhere safe as emergency? It's really uncool to push this thing.
My controls (digital) have been iffy. Speedometer wasn't working one day, fudged with the cable now it does, and the gas gage flashed E with gas still in the tank. Well this morning I hit a bump and the instrument panel went blank. Curious behavior, I thought. So it looks like I have a loose connection that I have to get into. At least I know what it is.
The rear brake cable rubs against the fender, and it's digging in, gotta secure that quick. Otherwise it's been a great bike with no problems mechanically (yet). There's quite a bit of resonance at 35-40 where things vibrate quite a bit. But tires seem smooth, no vibrations there. I'm hopeful it'll stay happy til it gets cold and I can work on it all winter in anticipation of next year.
Any answers or feedbacks on this bike are appreciated. Kevin
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Post by rerun2 on May 29, 2008 17:52:58 GMT -5
Changing your roller weights around can give you some better accelerating in most cases, (lighter ones 'activate' the system sooner). They will NOT improve your top end to any meaningful degree at all. Think of gears, they have a max size, and changing your rollers have nothing to do with that part of the scooter, might get you topped out quicker, but not more than the 'gearing' will allow as it is now.
Inexpensive things to do for more performance are increased air flow, new high flow air filter (UniFilter-K&N types) are not costly at all, and you will probably need to put larger jets in the carb to accommodate the leaner mix from the additional in flow of air, your exhaust is a biggie, and new performance ones can be costly. Lots of folks get inside theirs and remove as much stuff as they can that is restricting air flow, if you force more air in, it only makes sense to give it a way out too! Some have been known to drill holes in their pipes as well... horrors...;d
Those changes will give you better performance certainly, and should increase you mpg figure too. Every thing will be working more efficiently.
I do suggest that you DO NOT RUSH into making modifications, give the scooter the miles it needs to be worn in, you might find that mods are not needed to do what you want. AND once you start tinkering, it may take some days to 'get it right' so it is good to have a little bit of experience with the scooter, and learning where to get info and stuff when you destroy your ride...(temporarily of course) ;d
Glad you are not having serious issues! There are safe containers for carrying a reserve fuel supply, I don't remember where I have seen them, but several Internet sites have them, they are basically a thermos bottle thingie...
Good Luck!
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Post by kmesse on May 29, 2008 20:02:15 GMT -5
Karma for rerun! Thanks, that's lots of help. I'll dig around for the fuel reserve. I was figuring around 500 mi or more I'd give it a good lookover and start researching more fine-tuning. I imagine drilling things out will make it louder.
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Post by preachp on Jun 7, 2008 6:48:21 GMT -5
Hi Kmesse, You mentioned the Portland Bridge, I have been over that many times, and I agree it is definetely NOT the place to get stuck for any reason! Glad you got off it in one piece and wish you many happy miles.
In ht epeace and love of the LORD, preachp
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Post by kmesse on Jun 9, 2008 14:07:36 GMT -5
where do you live?
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Post by kmesse on Jun 12, 2008 7:30:57 GMT -5
OKAY, major problems here with the display. The speedometer will occasionally register 1/2 the actual speed, and recently had just stayed at 0 sometimes. Problem is the odometer malfunctions accordingly, and I have no idea what kind of mileage I'm getting, or when to fill up because I don't trust the fuel sensor either. I'm being bounced around with the warranty.
Where should I start looking to find the problem? Does it sould like a computer or just a loose connection?
Is there a manual anywhere for the strada RX200HP specifically? I dread looking into all that wiring and guessing.
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Post by preachp on Jun 16, 2008 12:34:41 GMT -5
What a cool bike. Starting out, I was getting 54mph top. Today I took it to work for the first time (after registration and RAINS). 18miles one way, by the end I was getting 60mph, so it's breaking in nicely. I'm using the drive it like ya stole it method. preach- I'm in east hampton. where are you? Hi Kmessse, I am in Willimantic. I have a Sunl sc-14, which is actually a Konced XT-150-T. I have added a Mr Gasket 42s electric fuel pump, a Mr Gasket 9710 adjustable regullator that I have set at 2psi, and have a 115 mainjet and a 38 pilot jet that I will be putting in very soon. Also I drilled two 3/8 dia holes through the end plate of the muffler and through the first baffle plate. The thing runs really nice and I was getting 54 mph stock. That would have been fine but I work in Manchester and I needed just a bit more so I am adding these changes to get that. Also I will eventually do the variator wieghts thoug I am goign to wait on that till the winter. By then I ought to have a better idea of what I am need. Also I am on a CT local board called Sun and Fun Scooter club. It is new but they have a lot of local events listed and I am putting a scoot route together to get from the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret to Harry's Burgers in Colchester on some twity low speed roads. Drop me a line anytime. I work 3-11 but am off most weekends. P.S. Sorry it took so long to answer I guess I just overlooked this post. Let me know if I can help you. Ride safe and ride long, In the peace of the LORD, preachp
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