LIKE long term and SYNTHETIC OILS ??

[Dolemite]

Stig, I installed Dr. Pulley sliders, whichever were listed as the stock weights for the Like, I think they're the same as a Buddy 125. They're a great upgrade, take off is noticeably quicker, top end not so much. It does reduce the amount of engine braking that occurs when you release the throttle which is kinda cool, it gives the feel that you're coasting when you're at speed. It was easy to do with an impact wrench to remove the variator nut.

As for my repairs all I know is the guy i'm using only charges $40 labor per hour, so no matter the outcome I won't be too out of pocket. Fingers crossed it's something stupid I overlooked. I once brought my old 84' Crown Vic to a tranny shop because I couldn't for the life of me figure out why it wouldn't shift out of 2nd. 10 minutes later the guy says "give me $20", I did... he "temporarily" fixed it with a paper clip, a C clamp on the linkage broke but when in park looked like it was in place. Sooo... yeah, here's hoping. I'd like to think these engines are built of tougher stuff like everyone says, we'll see.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Stig, I installed Dr. Pulley sliders, whichever were listed as the stock weights for the Like, I think they're the same as a Buddy 125. They're a great upgrade, take off is noticeably quicker, top end not so much. It does reduce the amount of engine braking that occurs when you release the throttle which is kinda cool, it gives the feel that you're coasting when you're at speed. It was easy to do with an impact wrench to remove the variator nut.

As for my repairs all I know is the guy i'm using only charges $40 labor per hour, so no matter the outcome I won't be too out of pocket. Fingers crossed it's something stupid I overlooked. I once brought my old 84' Crown Vic to a tranny shop because I couldn't for the life of me figure out why it wouldn't shift out of 2nd. 10 minutes later the guy says "give me $20", I did... he "temporarily" fixed it with a paper clip, a C clamp on the linkage broke but when in park looked like it was in place. Sooo... yeah, here's hoping. I'd like to think these engines are built of tougher stuff like everyone says, we'll see.

Thanks for your reply,
Yep, the first time I did the full-monty tune up my VW Beetle - it wouldn't start. Towed it to the dealer - the mechanic came out stuck a matchbook between the new points  - cleaned off the stuff they came packed in. Fired right up.
Good luck
Stig

[TroutBum]

With 6,200 miles on the Like I've done primarily routine maintenance following the owners manual intervals and recommendations. Replaced two defective batteries under warranty the dealer finally gave up and gave me a Yausa that has worked flawlessly over a year now. I'm getting ready to replace the brake fluid as soon as my brother returns my Mityvac. Original tires have plenty of thread. Brake pads are at 4mm thickness so another 2mm to go. Replaced the spark plug at around 4,800. It was clean and light golden brown. Even so I replaced it. My rollers all have flat spots so I will replace the rollers with Dr Pulley sliders and replace the rubber dampers on the ramp with ones from Dr Pulley. The belt is within tolerance, but since I'll be opening up the case and removing the variator I might as well replace the belt. When I had the mechanic check the rollers since I didn't  have a universal tool to assist removal of the variator he said he noticed a slight leak in the seal behind the variator. That will be fixed under warranty if in fact there is a leak.

My oil of choice is BMW MC synthetic. No issues. I do wish Kymco made our scooters with a canister filter. The screen they use doesn't give me much confidence in removing contaminates.

So far the Kymco is running great. Except for the problems with the two defective batteries it's been a reliable scooter.

[Stig / Major Tom]

With 6,200 miles on the Like

So far the Kymco is running great. Except for the problems with the two defective batteries it's been a reliable scooter.

Thanks a bunch TroutBum !
These reports give us good info.
Sounds like KYMCO used to install their own batteries - the few new ones I've seen all had a Yuasa battery in them. Kinda surprised to see that was an American battery co. - sounded Asian to my ears. Vivo said they were good batteries - so I'm sold.
Still waiting on the cold to depart - my Xmas present Bestem w/lights is still in the box! Too cold to be sitting out there staring at wires and screws and plastic bits. (new flooring and carpet - so the Mrs. declined my invitation to bring the scoot in the house. ) Things are looking good for 2 days hence, then more snow - but rain and 40's next week. I'll take it!! I am enjoying the folks I'm meeting on the city bus. Interesting bunch....
Still, will be good to scoot again.
Stig

[TroutBum]

Stig,

Not to rub it in, but living in Cali means riding year round. It's not to late to move out west. You'd have an instant riding buddy. Lots of backroads to explorer. Open invitation.  "

[Dolemite]

UPDATE! My mechanic called me today. He says he can't find a leak, and suggested I might have just overfilled it on the last oil change. I usually put the whole .9L in and that shows as "FULL" on the dipstick, I think i'll start putting a little less and just have it go up 1/2 on the checkered portion of the stick. He cleaned it up and put it through it's paces and said everything is torqued properly and none of the gaskets are showing signs of leaking. He's got her ready for me to pick up and suggests I just keep an eye on it for a while, but he thinks nothing is wrong. AND that there's nothing wrong when it comes to using synthetics, which seems to be the consensus amongst most mechanics. I'm not sure where all the naysay is coming from.

He even said I didn't owe him anything because he couldn't find a problem to fix, regardless I talked him into letting me pay him for his time which is only $65.

So here's hoping he's right and nothing is wrong. I will be changing my oil filling practices after this. No more "topping off" on oil for a while.

[91cavgt]

UPDATE! My mechanic called me today. He says he can't find a leak, and suggested I might have just overfilled it on the last oil change. I usually put the whole .9L in and that shows as "FULL" on the dipstick, I think i'll start putting a little less and just have it go up 1/2 on the checkered portion of the stick. He cleaned it up and put it through it's paces and said everything is torqued properly and none of the gaskets are showing signs of leaking. He's got her ready for me to pick up and suggests I just keep an eye on it for a while, but he thinks nothing is wrong. AND that there's nothing wrong when it comes to using synthetics, which seems to be the consensus amongst most mechanics. I'm not sure where all the naysay is coming from.

He even said I didn't owe him anything because he couldn't find a problem to fix, regardless I talked him into letting me pay him for his time which is only $65.

So here's hoping he's right and nothing is wrong. I will be changing my oil filling practices after this. No more "topping off" on oil for a while.

Good deal!!  It sounds like you've got a good mechanic! 


I never fill mine up all the way.  In racing, it is common for cars to smoke or leak oil if it is filled all the way.  I keep mine in the middle of the hash marks, and at about 800 miles on the oil I add a bit of oil to put it back in the middle of the hash marks. 



On an unrelated note, but relative to the thread, I rode my Like for the first time in about a week today and heard something weird.  I started looking closer and this is what I found;





My muffler is cracked.  My Like currently has 3850 miles on it. 

[Stig / Major Tom]

Stig,

Not to rub it in, but living in Cali means riding year round. It's not to late to move out west. You'd have an instant riding buddy. Lots of backroads to explorer. Open invitation.  "

Troutbum,
Thanks for the invite ....
I lived in Covina and Pasadena for a short time, was married in L.A., thumbed to and lived in San Francisco for a year....after Vietnam actually drove my VW from Mass. to San Francisco again to make a perm. move. It did not work out - but, outside of Paris and London, it remains my favorite city.  The Big Sur was/is amazing!....and I was on foot; to ride through that area would be great!
I have 6 kids in Ohio - (and a bunch of grandkids - the Mrs. even knows all their names!) so, will be sticking here....except Mrs. Stig says we're going to Florida. The Land of Year 'Round Scootering!
Do you know "ootscoot at Ooty's Scooters - Santa Barbara, CA.
SYM Dealer, SYM rider, SYM owner - got them all!" ??

Seems like a nice guy and runs a good shop from what I read.
Would be fun to have a scooter guy to kick things around with. My 2 LIKE-owning neighbors are really great folks - but they are waiting for the riding class to start before they get back on their scoots.....I hope. They failed the riding test first try. I really don't want them out on the streets until they get to be better riders. Poking around our neighborhood at 20MPH does not equip them for Ohio drivers.

My head tech. at the cycle shop is a nice young fellow and tries to answer all my questions - but he's a motorcycle guy at heart. Sure like this forum - for the folks like yourself, and for the info!
Stig

[Dolemite]

Woah 91cavgt, that's a crack! I've noticed a little surface rust around some of the welds on my exhaust as well, but nothing as serious as that. I Think it's probably about time to give mine a good coat of black primer. Are you still under warranty? Mine expired this past October.

[Vivo]

That's a factory defect!

[91cavgt]

Woah 91cavgt, that's a crack! I've noticed a little surface rust around some of the welds on my exhaust as well, but nothing as serious as that. I Think it's probably about time to give mine a good coat of black primer. Are you still under warranty? Mine expired this past October.

I purchased my Like in March of last year so it still has one year and one month left on the warranty.  It has been stored out of the weather the entire time I have owned it, and the few occasions that it was stored outside, it was under an awning and I had a cover over it. 



The only thing I can think of that may have caused this is the last time I took my Like in to the shop, it had a check engine light on for throttle position sensor and a code for running rich.  If it ran rich for too long, it may have clogged the catalytic converter that is in the muffler.  This in turn would increase the temp that the muffler would be at when running.  This in turn would cause a large temperature swing which could stress the metal.