Modern Buddy

Mr.FixIt

This is why I have cats.

Mr.FixIt

and here's to many more miles. CHEERS !

Mr.FixIt

Howdy, Neighbor.

Sometimes its hard to find a one-stop shop. I got nearly all the stuff I needed from David at http://scootermercato.com/
The rest from
https://www.sip-scootershop.com/

Instead of a kit, I just ripped everything apart until I knew what parts needed replaced.

Mr.FixIt

The extra ventilation did help. A few more holes may approach the cross-sectional area of a factory-vented cowl, but this little bit did help. Without performing the test running up a hill over and over with holes covered vs holes open to get a good statistical sampling, the difference was barely 9 ...

Mr.FixIt

Does it rock back and forth? It isn't stuck in gear is it, that would explain if the kick starter wouldn't depress?

The de-clutch switch can prevent starting with the electric start.

Mr.FixIt

A couple weeks ago viney266 and I were sitting around the table with a bunch of locals enjoying some cold adult beverages. The subject of Stella engine cooling came up. The engine cooling fan moves quite a bit of air, as we all probably know the engine runs cooler if you run with the engine cowl off...

Mr.FixIt

Thanks for sharing, I just finished Episode 1. I'll be sure to be regular listener. It is good to know that the Vespa Club of America is accepting of our Stella scooters. Josh has a great story and a wonderful dream to keep the club going. I was born in Johnstown. I'll maybe get back there for the B...

Mr.FixIt

Be cautious about abraded wiring harness conductors in the steering column. The insulation can wear off the wires and then they short to ground against the metallic frame of the scooter. Poke around and look for bare wires. If the brakes were smoking that badly the bike probably wouldn't roll easily.

Mr.FixIt

I just cleaned a fuel tank out on another vehicle last week with the same problem. I used a product from Eastwood for sealing fuel tanks. It had to be shot-blasted, then pickled with hydrochloric acid, finally rinsed with acetone. It turned out fine, but that was half a day of work. The cost of a ne...

Mr.FixIt

Wow. I'm glad you found it. You'll love the DR kit once it is sorted.

Mr.FixIt

Electrical testing should start at one end and move to the other. You've done a good job so far. I usually start at the problem device and move away from it (your choice). Get a BIG jumper lead (maybe even a automotive jumper cable) and bypass the start solenoid. Connect to the + terminal of the bat...

Mr.FixIt

I know this is a smart-arse answer, but you could always start dating large women. Speed problem solved. We normally want our machines modified to go faster so they keep up with traffic. I have to ask... Why slower? Why not just trade in for a 49cc instead of experimenting with the variator to limit...

Mr.FixIt

Was the decision to upgrade to the DR177 just an upgrade, or due to some failure with the original cylinder? I would agree, the crank should spin freely when the gear selector is in neutral. Pull the fan cover and make sure nothing has fallen down in there. Check the bendix on the electric starter t...

Mr.FixIt

Its easy enough to pull the gudgeon pin back out and look inside the crank chamber. There should be no foreign objects for certain and the crank should turn smoothly with you guiding the connecting rod from banging against the side. Second make certain that the rings are not getting hung up on the p...

Mr.FixIt

Doing each wire one at a time avoids confusion about where they are supposed to terminate. Its better to avoid putting a splice where the original break was. That will just be a fat spot where it will experience abrasion again and potentially wear the insulation off and short out. My advice, try to ...

Mr.FixIt

ARGGGGG the saga continues. The ambient was 80Â°F today and I rode the 9 miles into the office and back. (Running the 107 Main Jet at present, due to lack of power and noticing some "four stroking".) She goes "waaahha hah hah hhaaaaahaaaa" when the engine is still cool, and has f...

Mr.FixIt

The Star (Stella) has got the style I love.

I hope you can solve the source of misbehavior. The old tech is at least fixable with a few hand tools. Fuel injection is nice and all, but there is nothing like 2 stroke.

Mr.FixIt

Have any of the constituent here actually purchased one?

I'd love the opportunity to take a test ride, alas the demo day back in March at my local shop did not include the Royal Alloy among the choices to try.

Mr.FixIt

Can you tell me where you got that italian flag hex emblem thats on your front horn cover? I want one! The previous owner had de-chromed the Genuine badge and it looked pretty poor. I ground out the center of the badge till it was smooth with a Dremel bit and applied three strips of colored tape. O...

Mr.FixIt

I threw up in my mouth a little.

Mr.FixIt

While there truly is "no replacement for displacement", a 2 Stroke must breathe. This is something I have learned as well as read. The exhaust sets the bar, everything else must adjust to meet it to make the most out of an engine. The reed can't hurt performance, but it's not going to do a...

Mr.FixIt

No real update from my last post. Unlike Christopher, I haven't opened up the ports on the cases. The 108 Main jet still feels about right. There seems to be so many variables on engine builds that is is difficult to compare one scooter with another. Simple things like exhaust, intake, and porting s...

Mr.FixIt

I've been using Stella to run and get takeout after being stuck in the home-office all day. Scooter rides are indeed a good way to relax.

Mr.FixIt

If you intend to loosen the fastening bolts, I'd make sure the gasket are good. When you cleaned the carb, did you use new gaskets? I like brake cleaner over carb cleaner. It doesn't leave any oily residue. Make sure the float is floating and the float valve is operating well. Observe the torque spe...

Mr.FixIt

Christopher, that's impressive that the venturi makes that much difference. viney266 in my local scooter club predicted that I'd be around 116 with my setup, but it doesn't seem that I can make any power with that rich a main jet. More power to ya if the venturi is passing more air and making happy ...

Mr.FixIt

I've watched quite a few of the "That Scooter Thing" videos.

Why not hop up a Stella? She sure pulls better up the hills after some performance parts. For "agnostic" purposes only mind you. Ha ha.

Mr.FixIt

I'm thinking the engine has to be well heat soaked. Quick trips may not be enough, and ambient temperature plays a part in reading the Cylinder head temperature. I'm beginning to think the 38/120 idle jet is too lean in the mid range. The mix screw out 3 turns seems excessive. It doesn't bog at all ...

Mr.FixIt

The saga continues. It was a balmy 70 'F today and the CHT was getting higher that I've ever seen it reaching nearly 300 'F on the way home. I wasn't even really pushing it hard. I had already been at a #108 main jet, which was spot-on at 40 degrees ambient this morning. Changing to a #110 main jet ...

Mr.FixIt

Keep us informed on how you get on during the Cannonball. It looks like a nice northerly route.

You've got the right machine for it.

Mr.FixIt

Hopefully shifting the mid-range to the leaner side through the idle jet and enriching the main jet back to 107 makes the difference. It certainly feels too rich in part-throttle as it is. If the SIP Road Pipe is similar to the SITO+ there should be similar results. There are a few steps in between ...

Mr.FixIt

That's what I need, a break in the weather. All the testing has been done at uncomfortably cold temperatures.

Patchik, thank you for sharing your experience with the idle jet. Its worth the effort to try a change there. I too have experienced issues with mid-range throttle with testing so far.

Mr.FixIt

I get the "what year is it" question all the time.

Mr.FixIt

I was able to get one from SIP.

Mr.FixIt

I watched a review of the 2020 GTS 300 HPE. The earlier models have a higher top speed, but the power and torque of the HPE engine is incredible.

Doesn't the Royal Alloy 300 use a Vespa engine? Did I see that somewhere?

I could have a bike for every day of the week.

Mr.FixIt

A little Blue Loctite won't hurt. Clean the brake dust out of the hole first with some brake cleaner and a cotton swab (or a handful of them).

Mr.FixIt

I just watched a youtube video from "Motors for the Masses" reviewing the Royal Alloy GP300. Now that's something I could get excited about if it ever makes it here to the USA.

Mr.FixIt

Who would have guessed it was going to be over 60 degrees in January!

Overlooking Harrisburg International Airport at the radar site.

Mr.FixIt

Also make sure that the oil line is sealing well to the tubing coming out of the air box. The hose clamp on there is constricted well beyond the intended hose diameter, plus I have noticed that some of the aftermarket hoses are slightly too large inside diameter. To get mine to seal well, I put anot...

Mr.FixIt

The 107 main jet was installed this morning. The results are noticeable directly in cylinder head temperature. On the usual test run route at temperatures in the 40's the CHT did not rise significantly. The worry was that with the 106 Main Jet that the CHT rose far too quickly and high with cold amb...

Mr.FixIt

I only bought presents for my scoot. Stella is getting a larger main carb jet, some new spark plugs, and some new rubber leg guard trim.

Happy Christmas!

Mr.FixIt

I put a 10 element TruckLite LED headlamp on my '79 Yamaha XS650 years ago. The technology is nice because it draws only a little current. It allows you to be seen because the LED light is so white and brilliant. That was all fine, the issue was seeing with the light of the darn thing after dark. Th...

Mr.FixIt

Are the brake discs flat? Warped discs can produce this phenomenon. It seems unlikely, but what else could do it?

Mr.FixIt

It was 45 degrees in the sun today, so I got Stella out for some more miles and testing. Even though the CHT reads some reasonable numbers (at these cool ambient temperatures), I'm still paranoid about the mixture. Here's the test I did today. I ran out on a straight flat road in 4th gear and then p...

Mr.FixIt

Glad you got the wiring sorted.

Bubbles in the brake line don't like to go downward. I gently pressurize the cracked-open bleed screw using a jar with a dip tube and pressure tube. This necessitates the removal of excess fluid from the reservoir by syringe. The bubbles flow right out.

Mr.FixIt

Suffering from PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) as it is presently snowing. I'm sitting here reflecting on the engine rebuild. I very much want to get out and get her broken in properly. ------------------------------------- Night Flight A red scooter is the best way to get around, No other transpor...

Mr.FixIt

Craigslist find in my backyard... a low mile Chetak.
Oh man, that is sweet.
That glovebox is HUGE !

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld ... 07750.html

Mr.FixIt

The #108 main jet was totally dogging on me last night when I took her out to the gas station for some Ethanol-Free. She didn't want to climb any hills. I put the #106 main jet back in which yields about the right performance. So how hot should I let the CHT reading get (measured with the ring under...

Mr.FixIt

... now if the morning temperature is below 35F I will likely take my car. This make my scooter season it usually early March through early November.

The temperature is a big factor these days. I hate getting older.

Mr.FixIt

There are four screws under the headset. Item 32
Remove them along with the speedometer, that will give you access to the declutch switch.

declutch switch harness is in yellow.

Referring to the parts catalog manual can be very helpful.

Mr.FixIt

I only have a 9 mile trip into the office on all back roads. Scooting to work is perfect.

Modern Buddy

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Poked holes in my cowl ! (spoiler)