stem bearing replacement

[moparkid]

Ok.....I didnt follow all of Dee's instructions but have since gone back, removed front panel where you hang your helmet from and finally got the stem nut off. No grease hardly on the bearings but other than that they look fine but will replace bearings and races as I have bought the parts I might as well use them. Thanks to Dee and Karl for all their fine advice!

[de dee]

glad to hear your hemi scooter is back together,.  cant get the happy face to come on,.    nope      good work mopar

[moparkid]

Not so fast De....I am still trying to figure out how to get the throttle cable back on the handgrip.....I'm sure there's a trick to it or a "special" tool.....but other than the throttle cable not being attached yet its all back together and no extra parts!

[de dee]

go to the throttle adjustment at the handle bar , loosen it and tighten it after you are hooked up, there should be another adjustment near the EFI ( carb. )

[moparkid]

Thank you Dee....that got my throttle cable back on....but once all is assembled and test driven it feels as if the front tire/wheel is not tracking correctly. I put a square to the tire and I have a quarter inch gap at the bottom of the tire when the square is touching the top of the tire. I have checked the shocks to make sure they are in place and with the groove that matches the hold down bolt its impossible to not be in there correctly. So its back to the drawing board.....

[CROSSBOLT]

'Splain again please the square with the tire.....

What brand and model is the front tire?

Karl

[de dee]

loosen the 4 bolts at the top, wiggle the shocks a bit and retighten,  it would not take much to put the wheel off,.   now is the rear wheel off too, if so the scoot is tilted floor not level,. 

[de dee]

Thank you Dee....that got my throttle cable back on....but once all is assembled and test driven it feels as if the front tire/wheel is not tracking correctly. I put a square to the tire and I have a quarter inch gap at the bottom of the tire when the square is touching the top of the tire. I have checked the shocks to make sure they are in place and with the groove that matches the hold down bolt its impossible to not be in there correctly. So its back to the drawing board.....

 

  Garage floors are famous for dips and not being level

[moparkid]

Thank you Dee and Karl for your insightful input...all is well here in Kymco Texas! Once I drove around a little and got the shocks bouncing it seems to be just fine. And no more "notch" in the steering at the 12:00 position....I knew those knuckleheads at the dealer were wrong about the notch being "factory specs". Maybe because I was so used to the notch that not having it anymore felt odd.....Now I did have a problem with the front fender. The hold down nuts for the reflectors that are attached to the front shocks and fenders broke off therefore no front fender until I find a used replacement on ebay. I remember now that my daughter had run underneath our SUV and cracked the front of the fender and I guess most likely snapped off the back plastic parts but until I did the bearings the fender had never been off. While looking on ebay for a fender I came across this. Anyone have any idea if this is an improvement over the standard part?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYMCO-DOWNTOWN300-K-XCT300-SHADOW300-KAWASAKI-J300-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-HiT-CLUTCH-/132130531436?hash=item1ec397e86c:g:JXgAAOSwdndUlSoL&vxp=mtr

[Redk]

That fancy clutch part could be an improvement over stock.
Are you racing or overly aggressive that you have a need for an improved component at a higher price?
redk

[moparkid]

Always looking for an upgrade on parts but I am satisfied with the performance as is.

[Redk]

Yep.
I'm kinda thinking the scooters, with their CVT transmissions, unlike motorcycles, are pretty much what they are.
Best improvement for increased performance is to upgrade to a larger displacement model that is engineered to do more.

From what I can see, the most cost effective changes made to any smaller engine size scooter would be to change variator weights, rejet the carb, and perhaps drill the muffler open just a little to relieve back pressure at the expense of a little more noise.
Snipping the limiter wire on the CDI unit could bring more rpm.
Other than top quality tires for your conditions and riding style, That's about it !
(Oh, a lighter rider is both quicker and faster than a heavier one ! )

Unless your goal is to get the absolute MAX from your scooter model, at any expense, which may be a valid concept, also.

Fun stuff !
redk

[kneeslider]

Sometimes the faults of a motorcycle is what makes it fun.

In the past I was on my old 150cc scooter bouncing on the outside of a sweeper going past a friend on his KTM Duke 690 with a huge grin on my face.

[Redk]

After reading this thread, I have been able to generate a small clicky near the top of my Helix steering assembly by quickly grabbing some front brake...

Now, I will need to learn how much plastic demolition must be done to tighten it on the neck bearings...  or, if I should dis-assemble and lube them properly.

It's now 30 years old.
redk

[mrbios]

I would cheat by just adding grease and don't overtighten to the point where the steering bearings begin to bind.  If you are not happy you can always go back in there and pull everything apart and clean /replace bearings & races I have done this several times on dirt bikes and some street bikes but it's a lot of work.