What is my KYMCO Sooner 50ss?

[Frustrated2]

Hey all,
Looks like I have found a good spot to find some answers. Or the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow. I live in Japan and while I realize this site is mostly american based I haven't been able to find any other Kymco fan gathering anywhere.
As the title suggests I have a "Kymco Sooner 50ss." I know I am going to need new variator, rollers etc.. They are quite worn. But everywhere I go leaves me with another dead end. No-one has anything on Kymco. The shop I originally bought it wants to charge an arm and a leg for even the simplest parts.
My question, well there are two.
1) What is the actual model of my scooter? Is it a ZF-50?
2) Is there another make that I can steal parts from? Maybe a Honda?
Sorry, that's four questions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

[Vivo]

Welcome to the forum!  Try removing the parts you need to replace and go to a shop that sells Chinese scooter parts instead of specifically searching for Kymco products.  Use these parts as samples so you can compare before buying... if you can get performance parts, the better... Is there a scooter racing community there in Japan? best if you join and get more information.  They usually have lots of information on local parts stores.

[Frustrated2]

Thanks for the suggestion, Vivo. That brings me to the other problem I face...Communication barrier!! I will have a scout around (with parts in hand) and see where my limited Japanese gets me. I think also, the next warm, sunny day I will get out there and snap a photo of the old girl, upload it and see if anyone recognizes her.
I think I read somewhere that 2-strokes are getting harder to get in the US. We are facing the same challenges here in Japan. They aren't making nor importing these engines anymore..Shame!! Always been on a 2-stroke. Nice and easy..

[Vivo]

Take pictures of the engine, if you can, and post it here... or try to look for markings on the engine... numbers, etc.

[Frustrated2]

Thanks again Vivo. Ripped off the variator 'n bits that go with it. Took it to a shop and tried to compare it to a honda dio variator. I read somewhere that might work.. Just my luck, they didn't have the parts in stock. Story of my life.
Anyway have blown the budget for this month with tires, weight rollers a new impact wrench etc.
I'll wait for the new stock (performance part) to come in and see how that goes. Failing that, I'll rip everything off and snap a few photos or search for some id, tags or numbers or something.
Thanks again. I'll let you know how it goes. Probably next month after I get a few $$ back in my pocket.

[Frustrated2]

Did you know that Kymco was a Honda parts manufacturer before they started making their own bikes? Hope that helps.

[Vivo]

Did you know that Kymco was a Honda parts manufacturer before they started making their own bikes? Hope that helps.

Yes, but that was a long time ago... Now Honda makes new and different engine designs... and Kymco's basic scoots uses old school tech...that's why I mentioned the closest might be the Chinese engines...

By the way, Honda started in the late 1940's and made their first motorcycle in 1949. Kymco was just a parts manufacturer then and not a scooter factory... Then they left Honda in 1963 to form their own motorcycle Company... The first Kymco brand scoot was out in 1970.. Now, they have tie ups with BMW and Kawasaki...

[Frustrated2]

Thanks again, Vivo.

[Peters]

Yes, but that was a long time ago... Now Honda makes new and different engine designs... and Kymco's basic scoots uses old school tech...that's why I mentioned the closest might be the Chinese engines...

By the way, Honda started in the late 1940's and made their first motorcycle in 1949. Kymco was just a parts manufacturer then and not a scooter factory... Then they left Honda in 1963 to form their own motorcycle Company... The first Kymco brand scoot was out in 1970.. Now, they have tie ups with BMW and Kawasaki...

A wealth of knowledge 

Get some pics up Frustrated. I probably can't help, but I'd love to see some pics. Vivo will probably be able to help you the most. More Kymco scooters in his country than in the US. And yes 2 strokes are getting harder to find. None of the Japanese manufacturers sell 2t powersports in the US anymore. Maybe snowmachines. Maybe. However, Kymco 2ts seem to be going strong. I think Kymco is just small enough to not catch the attention of the EPA. There are some Italian 2ts here too.