Fix for a slowing-down 50cc scooter?

[KelvinAng]

My wee little scoot just had its second service at 1000km. Funny thing is that instead of supposedly having its engine run in by now and performing better, I'm finding it's getting slower. It used to be able to flow very smoothly in traffic, but now cages are overtaking me. Speedo used to read near 60, but now it struggles to go beyond 50.

The mechanic doing the service told me he made a wee adjustment to increase acceleration though I didn't find the increase noticeable. The shop's reputation is pretty good on all accounts so I doubt it's anything to do with the mechanic's skills but rather a possible fault that developed after I had it back from the shop.

Any ideas?

[vifferman]

Burn it!

[avgas]

check the wheel bearings - they may be starting to grind

[nodrog:Me]

eat less pies

[KelvinAng]

check the wheel bearings - they may be starting to grind

I'm sending the scoot to the shop tomorrow to fix a burnt-out headlight (not sure if it's burnt out - was fine one day and wouldn't light up the next). Will ask the mechanic to take a look...

eat less pies

Funny you should say that. I'm recently hooked to a particular bakery's pie near my workplace and had been eating nothing but their pies for lunch for a month...

[xwhatsit]

Funny you should say that. I'm recently hooked to a particular bakery's pie near my workplace and had been eating nothing but their pies for lunch for a month...

Ahahahah -- who tagged the thread `Fat Scooter Pilot'?

Did the slowness happen immediately after the service where the mechanic said he adjusted it to accelerate faster? Shop may be very good 99% of the time, but mechanics are human too (some would say more human ) and he may have done something silly. Go back and be polite to them and explain what's going on.

Did he fiddle with the variator rollers or summat?

[KelvinAng]

Did the slowness happen immediately after the service where the mechanic said he adjusted it to accelerate faster? Shop may be very good 99% of the time, but mechanics are human too (some would say more human ) and he may have done something silly. Go back and be polite to them and explain what's going on.

Did he fiddle with the variator rollers or summat?

I don't know what he did. I only noticed the lower top speed and non-working headlight when I rode it from home to work the following morning. On the way back from shop to home when I picked her up after her servicing, everything seem to be in order (and the headlight worked). Something strange must have happened overnight.

Will be bringing her to the mechanic tomorrow and will ask about it too.

[KelvinAng]

An update...

Turns out something was faulty and the mechanic didn't really know what's wrong and will have to further test it another day. He also said something about possibly having to sort out warranty repair claims with the distributor. Doesn't sound too good aye.

The mechanic swapped out the burnt-out low-beam bulb, test-rode her round the block and the new bulb burnt out. That was when he realised some more sinister is going on. I think my wee little scooter is throwing tantrums because she knows I've been looking at other babes lately (namely her very distant cousins Ms VL250 and Ms CBR125).

The shop loan me a 2-smoker scooter in the mean time. I don't like it very much actually, too jumpy for my preference and I don't like the sound of the engine, but the top speed of 65km is very nice...

[xwhatsit]

Oh well that's a relief. Piaggio, probably reasonable warranty service sort of thing I'd imagine?

Here's hoping it's fixed for you quickly, then you can sell it off, and buy that CBR125 instead

[KelvinAng]

I hope Piaggio have a good warranty program here... after all they do own some pretty major italian bike brands.

I once asked the scooter shop how much they reckon I can trade in my scooter for and they said about $1500-$1600. It was about 4 weeks then, with about 1000km on the clock.

I like small sport bikes. They're cute. But freaking expensive. $5200 for the CBR125, $6000 for the VL250. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

[xwhatsit]

I'm sure people have recommended a second-hand FXR150 -- sure, they don't look so cute, but they'd do all you wanted easily.

Sell your scooter privately and you'd get more for it.

[skidMark]

The mechanic fucked up the adjustment. he would have leaned it out after break in period (they have to run richer when new) hes leaned it out too much, thus not enough fuel, thus not enough revs, thus it does not go as fast. the shop may well have a good reputation and he probably is a great mechanic. but we are human, we all make mistakes sometimes. get him to richen it back up a little.

Oh and smack him across the head on my behalf

[skidMark]

I'm sure people have recommended a second-hand FXR150 -- sure, they don't look so cute, but they'd do all you wanted easily.

Sell your scooter privately and you'd get more for it.

Did you just say cute?, that honda is turning you.

[xwhatsit]

Did you just say cute?, that honda is turning you.

I'm using his terminology -- Hondafag talking to Italianscooterfag here!

[KelvinAng]

I'm sure people have recommended a second-hand FXR150 -- sure, they don't look so cute, but they'd do all you wanted easily.

Sell your scooter privately and you'd get more for it.

Yeah I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a second-hand FXR150, and also considering a Scorpio. Definitely those are the more rational options as a learner bike. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to repair, less expensive plastic bits to replace. They will certainly do the job as a transport vehicle, but... in the end I guess if I want a vehicle to get me places, I'll get a small, light, automatic cage. Cheaper too. But thanks for that suggestion.