LIKE speed run & pancakes en plein air!

[Stig / Major Tom]

I jumped on the country highway with the LIKE this morning for an Italian tune-up.
OK, if I was going to do this often, I'd be trying some of those magic balancing beads. - I think the 8yr old front shocks are getting tired.
Noted a bit of front tire bounce - which is not evident at my normal 30MPH backroads cruise.






Yeah Buddie!
Pancakes are back at the UnderDog Cafe' ---- they just must be eaten outdoors at a sidewalk table! (the Dog has the Book Shop advert on their wall) Going to be a lotta fun sitting out there in the snow this winter with my daughter....just have to dress for it,  G o o d flapjacks!!




Stig

[Iahawk]

the higher speeds really expose the weakness in our front ends!..and just as I suspected, our scoots (my S200 and your Like 200) share the same front forks and internals (based on an examination of the parts schematics).

I have complained for a while about how my scooter frame seems to be made of rubber due to the way the bars shake back and forth in my hands over anything but perfect pavement. I have finally traced it to the front forks..there seems to be no damping for the 1st 1/2 inch of travel...and they just bang around..

but if you are contemplating rebuilding your front forks...I'm all ears..and eyes...parts are the same and fluid volume should be the same....

bet that 'ol Like would feel like new again with some freshened front forks!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Well, I'm going to try the magic beans first.
Less work😊...and not sure I understand what rebuilding a front fork entails. ..or if parts are available. The fluid doesn't wear out i guess.
The way I deal with the lousy suspension that all scooters have - is to stay off all poorly paved roads. After 8 yrs, I know where they are. If I had no choice but to ride on them, I'd get a motorcycle.

Stig

[Neil955i]

“the fluid doesn’t wear out”. Are we sure Stig? I’m sure I recall being told that the viscosity of the oil breaks down over time. Or are motorcycle forks different to scooters?

Update: Just found this on line - Certainly, change the fork oil every time you have a leaking fork seal. ... The oil also provides your damping. The viscosity of the oil will break down over time and produce less damping action and needs to be replaced because of this.

(Always found suspension to be something of a Dark Art and have tended not to fiddle with settings - other than preload for carrying a pillion!)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yeah, fork oil probably breaks down over time
....but I'm not messing with them unless I seesigns of failed seals. Then might just invest in a pair of new assemblies, for another decade of riding....or put $ down on a Honda motorcycle. (300cc or less)
Stig

[Iahawk]

fork oil definitely deteriorates over time...and I don't believe you can purchase a new, complete fork assembly (meaning assembled, ready to install). You can certainly buy all the parts but it doesn't appear that you can purchase the assembly.

A typical fork rebuild consists of replacing the oil and dust seals and fluid, while inspecting for deterioration of any other parts. Of course, like most things, I've never done it myself...but I have watched it done on youtube!

[Stig / Major Tom]

fork oil definitely deteriorates over time...and I don't believe you can purchase a new, complete fork assembly (meaning assembled, ready to install). You can certainly buy all the parts but it doesn't appear that you can purchase the assembly.

A typical fork rebuild consists of replacing the oil and dust seals and fluid, while inspecting for deterioration of any other parts. Of course, like most things, I've never done it myself...but I have watched it done on youtube!

Each assembled front shock is @ $75. So $150 for a fresh new front pair to slip in and bolt up to the stem.

Stig

[Iahawk]

Stig - where did you see that?  if i could pick up new ones for that ($75 each) the laziness in me just might pull the trigger!

[leomagnus]

No pics of the pancakes?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Stig - where did you see that?  if i could pick up new ones for that ($75 each) the laziness in me just might pull the trigger!

General Discussion,  buy scooter parts here.
Stig

[Iahawk]

OK, I was looking at the exploded parts view of the forks....complete forks for $72 each for my scoot...might be worth doing this off-season...still might be fun to tear down existing forks to see how they're all put together.