How to disable the kick stand stop/kill switch (Downtown 300i/350i)

[mousejunks]

As we know putting the side stand down stops the engine. However you can easily disable this feature by simply unplugging the black connector (coming from the stand switch) and plugging it into the matching disconnected connector (3 green wires) already included on the same wiring harness.

[mousejunks]

Photo below

[EvilTessmacher]

But why would you want to do that?

It's a massive safety breach, to be able to start up with the sidestand down. If you do that, the bike very easily can and will run away from you, without you on it.

I vigorously advise against it.

[ophelia]

Interesting write up. I prefer to have kickstand safety though. I once owned a Kymco Bet and Win 250. It didn't have the safety.

I let a friend try it in a parking lot so he could experience a world of firepower beyond his factory Ruckus. I think there were six of us waving and yelling at him to bring the kickstand up. He thought we were just excited until he attempted a left turn.

He saved it though to his credit. Bet he wouldn't make that mistake again. 

[CROSSBOLT]

Me, too, sorta wonder why. 'Course I'm older these days when I forgot and nearly lost it. I don't know if I could save it these days. What REALLY sucks is when a dealer preps a DT300I for sale and does not check this feature which was in op and I catch it on pre-ride inspection. Then he tosses it off to "that is done at the factory" excuse!

[ophelia]

I don't understand dealers and mechanics that don't get me what I paid for in the line-item mandatory pre-purchase inspection. It's usually some non-trivial amount of money too.

[mousejunks]

Kymco had decided to include this feature from the factory, so it was designed to do this, even if it is less safe.

However I like to think of it as a easter egg - functions of the bike that aren't described anywhere in the owners or service manual but you simply discover them. These include:

- The fuse for the glovebox cig socket.
- The coolant drain bolt on the water pump.
- The oil drain tube on the air filter box.
- Changing the headlight globes by simply reaching into the gap behind them.
- The copper contacts on the 12V 8A relay to mark output terminals.
- The battery warning light coming on when the battery is under 12.0V. In cars it comes on when there a charging issue.

[kneeslider]

Mouse,

Can you please advise further on this:

- coolant drain bolt on the water pump

Thanks.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

[EvilTessmacher]

Mouse:
If you could also expound a bit more on the headlamp removal thing too...
On my old PCX, I had to take body panels off to get to the headlights, before I discovered that they could be reached by going up underneath from the wheel-well area. Problem with that was not enough grip was possible with the hand position necessary to reach, so I couldn't generate any turning force. That is, until I made a tool to fit over the bottom of the headlamp. Cut a circle out of some 1/2" thick hard plastic, and demeled out the shape of the bottom of the bulb. Worked like a charm. If I can do this to the X400i, it will simplify things when it comes to bulb upgrade.
Your thoughts are most wanted on this topic!

[kneeslider]

Mouse:
If you could also expound a bit more on the headlamp removal thing too...
On my old PCX, I had to take body panels off to get to the headlights, before I discovered that they could be reached by going up underneath from the wheel-well area. Problem with that was not enough grip was possible with the hand position necessary to reach, so I couldn't generate any turning force. That is, until I made a tool to fit over the bottom of the headlamp. Cut a circle out of some 1/2" thick hard plastic, and demeled out the shape of the bottom of the bulb. Worked like a charm. If I can do this to the X400i, it will simplify things when it comes to bulb upgrade.
Your thoughts are most wanted on this topic!

We have the Downtown. To get the main headlight beam bulbs, you can reach in from underneath. If you look from underneath, you can see the rubber back cover, pop that off and you can use your fingers to turn the bulb out.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

[mousejunks]

Mouse,

Can you please advise further on this:

- coolant drain bolt on the water pump

Thanks.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

Here is a photo of the coolant pump. Notice the 3 outer bolts holding the pump to the engine block. The centre bolt (silver) is the coolant drain bolt. Simply remove this bolt to drain all the coolant (except the reservoir).

[mousejunks]

Mouse:
If you could also expound a bit more on the headlamp removal thing too...


If I can do this to the X400i, it will simplify things when it comes to bulb upgrade.
Your thoughts are most wanted on this topic!

In the DT300i you can simply reach behind the headlight assembly and pop off the round rubber cover. The bulb can then be taken out by twisting it anticlockwise.

[kneeslider]

Thanks Mouse,

Is this the lowest point for the radiator cooling system?

Here is a photo of the coolant pump. Notice the 3 outer bolts holding the pump to the engine block. The centre bolt (silver) is the coolant drain bolt. Simply remove this bolt to drain all the coolant (except the reservoir).

[mousejunks]

Yes.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I have no fear of the side stand causing my scoots to leave without me.
I do not want to employ any more switches which could fail and leave me stranded at the donut shop! So, did not connect side stand swich on my Piaggio. Will advise if I  ever find it AWOL!
(Many scoots do not have this switch)
STIG