Kymco plastic not so fantastic

[TroutBum]

As I usually do after a ride I quick clean my scooter. It gives me a chance to make sure things are good. After today's ride I found a crack in the left side foot skirt below the floorboard (see pic below). I don't understand why Kymco used thinner plastic for foot skirts . Anyway any suggestions on repair? I'm thinking about removing the skirt and using a Cyanoacrylates glue. Then to strengthen it further with fiberglass behind the damage. Your thoughts on my solutions is welcomed.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Well, these things are plastic, assembled in China with Chinese parts - likely.
I find that most of this scooter is pretty well made...the tires being the only suspect part, IMHO.
I noted about a year ago one break of some tabs holding the head stock together. Seems like a warp, as the parts have changed shape -- while still together along other seams of the same parts.

Yeah, super glue I guess in your case. I'm not going to try to force my parts back together. If I can suss which part warped might watch for a wrecked sale of same part on eBay.

I put this scooter through some outings on very cold days. Knocking around 0 F. some days. That must strain things.
I found this break while looking at pictures.
$3300 OTD was too much - but one of these at those $2200 > $2500 prices is still a bargain I think. And LIKE's with 600 miles on them are going for a song.
I like mine - will be riding it to work tomorrow. The lack of vibrations compared to the Burgman is really noticeable! The LIKE feels like an electric scooter (doesn't sound like it  - but feels like it!) S m o o t h running drive train.
Good luck with your fix
Keep us posted!
Stig

[TroutBum]

The tires are very good. I was going to replace them long ago, but at nearly 11,000 the front looks about 40% while the rear is 10%. New tires are now needed, but I'm pleasantly surprised at the wear life I've received from the OEM tires. Shocked actually.

I'll be replacing them with either Heidenau or Michelin.

[ScooterLar]

The same lower left plastic panel keeps cracking on my wife's like 200. I've replaced it 3 times already. I'm at a loss to figure out why it keeps happening to her bike and not my LX.

[atxscooterguy]

I'm a big fan of JB Weld. Tested on the battlefield, that stuff is unbreakable. I use the clear. If you can apply it to the inside of the plastic that'd be even better, on the outside might look a bit tacky.

[TroutBum]

Trying to remove the skirt proved difficult and I was concerned tabs would break. As an alternative I simply degreased the damaged area and applied Cyanoacrylates glue. Once dried I applied a coat with a small nylon brush. Then covered it with a sticker (see pic below). Not the most elegant solution, but I can live with it.

[TroutBum]

The same lower left plastic panel keeps cracking on my wife's like 200. I've replaced it 3 times already. I'm at a loss to figure out why it keeps happening to her bike and not my LX.

Can you buy colored matched skirt panel? Can you tell us how you were able to remove the skirt? I always felt I was at the verge of breaking something. I removed the 3 screws Cyclepedia repair manual says to remove. Are there more than 3 screws?

[TroutBum]

On the same panel is a mounting point that broke. It's just to the right of the passenger footpeg. You can see it if you deploy the footpeg. The fastener tab is brittle and broke when returning the footpeg to the closed position with my foot. To repair I glued a nylon washer to the piece that broke off. I'll then glue this to the skirt contact point and let dry overnight before fastening the skirt to the three contact points.

[Stig / Major Tom]

OooKaaay, that repair is not so noticeable now! (
Regarding the plastics. I'm going to share this amazing, to me, forum page with you.
As soon as this fellow got home with his new scooter - he took it apart!
Scroll down the photos....
A Forza is NOT an easy scooter to remove panels from!
Anyway, I just get on my back, with a flash light and remember that some clip off, some slide back or forward then off, and there are hidden screws galore down there.... etc.
And as for the OEM Kenda tires - I bought the scooter for my all weather work commuter, and was advised (by Vivo and others) to get those hard nylon tires off ASAP! I did at  400 miles. 2 new Michelin City Grip tires and install was about $225. Good tires - those German ones are good too I hear.
Stig
http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3058

[TroutBum]

Thanks for the link Stig. If and when the time comes I'll have to breakdown the body of the Like and keep detailed notes for future reference. I went by the Cyclepedia directions and it states remove 3 screws that mount the skirt. It sure seemed like there were others hidden from view as I could not push, pull or slide to remove the panel.

[ScooterLar]

Can you buy colored matched skirt panel? Can you tell us how you were able to remove the skirt? I always felt I was at the verge of breaking something. I removed the 3 screws Cyclepedia repair manual says to remove. Are there more than 3 screws?

Yes, they are already painted when you buy them. You just have to make sure the Parts guy keys in the right color panel in his computer when he orders it.

That panel can be tricky to remove. The key screw is the one up front inside the wheel well. You have to pull the black wheel well plastic out and that will free up the panel in the front. Once that is freed up, the rest of the panel will slide off.

[ScooterLar]

Trying to remove the skirt proved difficult and I was concerned tabs would break. As an alternative I simply degreased the damaged area and applied Cyanoacrylates glue. Once dried I applied a coat with a small nylon brush. Then covered it with a sticker (see pic below). Not the most elegant solution, but I can live with it.

Where do you find "Cyanoacrylates" glue?

[Abner_Bjorn]

Where do you find "Cyanoacrylates" glue?

Educated guy's way of saying super glue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate

The two part Loc-tite epoxy for plastic from Home Depot works great for scooter plastics.  Scuff up the back of the crack, clean it real well and use a piece of plastic as a backer.  Mix up the two-part and glue it together from behind. 

[2wheelfun]

Gorilla glue might work, that stuff is good at bonding pieces together. Might need some fiber matting for best results. Rough up the area to be glued.

[TroutBum]

Yes, they are already painted when you buy them. You just have to make sure the Parts guy keys in the right color panel in his computer when he orders it.

That panel can be tricky to remove. The key screw is the one up front inside the wheel well. You have to pull the black wheel well plastic out and that will free up the panel in the front. Once that is freed up, the rest of the panel will slide off.

Thanks for the info. I will note this for future reference.