New Buyer - Used Scooter: what do look for at the first inspection/mainteinance?

[mag8]

Hi all,

tomorrow will pick up an used 2012 Downtown 300i,

I am pretty handy with regular mainteinance DIY stuff (I do it for my Miata) and looking for suggestions what to do on day1.

My checklist include:

• drain engine oil, replace oil filter, clean the filter on the drain bolt
• check brakepads, replace if necessary
• replace air filter
• replace spark plug

basically all the usual stuff.

What did I miss? anything obvious related to this specific scooter?

Thanks!

[CROSSBOLT]

No filter on drain bolt. There is a black plastic strainer just forward of the drain bolt. Check oil change odometer and reset to zero when you change oil. It turns on the SAME red oil symbol as no oil pressure!
Inspect CVT for filters, contamination and belt condition. This really should be done before you lay your money down.
How many miles?

[scooterfan]

Change gearbox oil ?

[stuo]

All the above plus change coolant and brake fluid.

[stuo]

PS Get a shop manual. Check the valve clearances. Be sure you get all the required gear oil in the transmission because if you use the "stop when it starts to leak out of the filler hole" method you may not have it filled. Don't ask how I know this...

[CROSSBOLT]

Stuo, on the DT300i the gearbox takes either 180 or 200 ml of gear oil which leaves the level well below the filler hole. I THINK I know what you are trying to say but it dint sound right the way I read it! Valves and gear oil definitely! Coolant and brake fluid considering the age of the machine couldn't hoit.

[stuo]

I hear ya, Karl, but the first time I filled my GV 250's rear gear case I thot it was filled when the oil started to leak back out; it wasn't. Now I have three old hoses of decreasing sizes pushed together onto a funnel and snugly tucked into the filler hole. It takes about ten minutes for the 180 ml of 90 weight to drain down the funnel into the case. The nice part is that I don't have to hold the funnel, there is a handy space between the seat and the metal surrounding it to tuck the tubing through and stand the funnel against. Poifecto!

[CROSSBOLT]

Boy, am I lazy! The gear oil plastic jugs have a pointy snout. Clip the end off so there is about a 1/8th inch hole, mark on the jug where the level should be when the right amount is IN the gearbox, squeeze "shots" of the stuff in, checking the level each time. Takes about 2 minutes, max! Differnt strokes!

[stuo]

That's what I like about our forum: we share different solutions to a problem and learn something new, better, easier, faster.

[mag8]

ahah, love the tips and tricks.

Thanks all for the suggestions. And yes, my bad the filter-cilinder thing is not in the drain bolt but the one next to it. Rookie mistake.

The scooter drives fine, but this morning after a heavy night of rain it had a hard time starting. Had to crank the start button for a good 10-15 seconds (in intervals, not all at once). Any suggestions?

[Viper254]

Could of sworn I posted on this. I always check the tyres are in good nick - I've been sold a couple of bikes with defective tyres over the years

[CROSSBOLT]

Mag8, two DT300i scoots, total 29000 miles combined and wife's People GTi300 with the same engine, all start on second revolution whether hot, cold, wet or dry. Any more revs than two is out of character and is an indicator. Do Viper's valve check. Make sure filter is not so dirty the moisture of heavy rain, dew or fog has not blocked it. Then get your voltmeter out and check battery voltage while cranking the engine for start. 9.5 volts or less is automatic battery replacement. Once it is starting normally (quickly) check to see if your battery is charging.

[stuo]

If your DT has close to 10k miles on it you will want to replace, or at least inspect, the drive belt because it endures tremendous stress due to how a CVT operates. My GV 250's belt disintegrated with 10.2K miles on it; luckily I have tow insurance that got me home. The CVT drive belt is the weakest link in a scooter in my opinion. At least with tires you can easily see and assess their condition, the belt not so easily. I had inspected it around 500 miles before it broke and it looked fine  and felt OK.  From now on I automatically replace it sooner, with the best one available.