First impressions, and a Dislike for "performance"

[neotrotsky]

So, I bought a Rattler 110 the other week, and after putting about 200 miles on it since Friday, I've drawn some conclusions:

-It's a nice quick scoot. Perfect for urban riding!
-VERY stiff suspension, but solid. May shake you apart, but it's not coming apart for a long while.
-Excellent cornering for a smallframe scooter!
-Gauge cluster is... meh.

Most people kind of just give the bike odd looks. It doesn't look like a Vespa, but I've had to correct a few that it isn't some cheap throwaway Chinese scoot. It even has a good sound. Granted I'm getting back on a Vintage scooter ASAP, but for a commuter bike I think I made a pretty good choice, especially since I got it for essentially 1800 bucks with only 2k miles on it

The one thing the bike came with that I am NOT a fan of is the "performance" MRP (I think that's the brand he mentioned, or MPR) variator/clutch assembly the previous owner put on. In short, it sucks for commuting. Engagement is around 2500RPM, which means you have to rev high before it catches, and when it does it lurches forward. Sometimes I get clutch/belt chatter on take off as well! It makes for a harsh ride on what would otherwise be an awesome scoot. My top end is only at about 55mph indicated (which probably adds up to 50mph real world, but it gets there damn fast). I think I could use a *bit* more headroom and I'd be willing to lose some of that acceleration since it's alot of in-town riding and it sprints to 40 more than fine right now.

I could replace it with a different brand of performance clutch and variator, but I think for a solid commuter I would like to try the factory hardware first before I go tweaking around. If I'm dead set on hot-rodding a scooter, I'm getting another Stella for that! But, where the heck to I find STOCK parts for this drive? I probably could just call scooterworks, but would like to know what other Rat owners know. Hell, perhaps one of you guys even have a stock variator, weights and springs lying around that you don't need anymore. I'll pay fair price even!

[Lotrat]

You can soften the rear spring if it's too stiff. I made mine more firm, maybe the PO of your scoot did the same. I'm running stock parts. Launch is fine, tops out at 60 indicated. There are lots of hills where I live and it pulls 40-45 without much effort.

Here's some links to the parts you want if you can't find them:

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/ratt ... rivingface
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/rattler110beltpulley

[Lotrat]

So did you find any parts yet?

Here's a lead for you: topic19132.html
Not sure if he still has it or wants to part it out.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Sounds like first (and least expensive) thing to do is put in some heavier rollers. That will get the variator engaging at a lower rpm.

[neotrotsky]

Haven't got any parts yet. Waiting on the grant check before I can have extra cash to do anything. Of course, we have to buy an entire house worth of new furniture, move to a different city in the Valley and finish a month's worth of shows while training two new stagehands before I get the time to start to tear apart the Rat.

So, it won't be for another two to three weeks. It runs just fine, but I'm just wanting to dial it in correct since I put alot of miles on it. Already have 400 miles on it since Friday

[neotrotsky]

So did you find any parts yet?

Here's a lead for you: topic19132.html
Not sure if he still has it or wants to part it out.

I believe that Rattler went to another fellow I know in Phoenix. It's in good hands, but not on the market that I know of.

[nissanman]

Might be as easy as getting the right contra spring back in there... you never know what MRP parts he used before you! A Malossi Multi var comes with a new contra spring in case you needed to know.