Scooter Resource -- 1980 Quasar

Name: Quasar
Built: 1975 - 1981
By: Quasar Motorcycles Ltd
Romarsh Electronics Ltd
1981 - 1991
Malcolm Newell
Numbers: 21 originals, approx 10 later.

Specification

Chassis: Steel Tube peripheral frame
Front Suspension: Earles Fork
Later models Bob Tait centre hub
Rear Suspension: Swing arm with custom shaft drive
Drive train: Reliant 850cc watercooled 4
Reliant gearbox with positive stop mechanism
also
Reliant / MotoGuzzi drive train
Kawasaki Z1300-6
Honda VF750S-V4
Suzuki GS850-4
Brakes: AP Disks
Tyres: 4.25 * 18
Tank: 3 Gallons
7 Gallons
Bodywork: GRP
Others: Windscreen wipers
Radio
Hot air vents to hands
Hammock seat adjustable for solo or passenger
Rear lights, fluorescent tubes behind red grp
Huge custom panniers

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 77"
Width: 28"
Length: 101"
Seat Height: 18"
Weight: 680 lbs

Claimed Performance

Cruising Speed: 100 mph
Top Speed: 100 mph
Fuel Consumption: 65mpg
____________________________



Although I tend to wear a waterproof jacket anyway I stay pretty dry in the Quasar. Rain
gets to the outside edges of the shoulders and elbows and then blows off. Hands
completely dry and in line with hot air blowers (bit feeble, got hot grips too).

Aerodynamics of the Quasar are a bit wild. There is the most massive wind roar which I
suspect means loads of turbulence down each side. At speed (80mph+) the front bit
shoves the wind violently aside and the raindrops are possibly thrown outwards by this
turbulence keeping the sides drier than you would expect. A bit like the Dyson vacuum
cleaner, when the air forms fierce spirals each side it throws heavier stuff (ie raindrops)
outwards, so that although it looks as if your elbows and shoulders are going to get
soaked, in fact all you get is a light misting. But although mostly dry the environment for
shoulders and elbows is extremely windy, a loose coat or jacket flaps like crazy as I found
when riding in my normal country-style Barbour coat.

One good idea is the stainless steel rain channels each side of the roof, so that rain hitting
the rool is channeled away rather than dropping down on the rider. It's probably these
channels that break the flow of air and add to the noise.

Although Mr Crowson says that the two little windscreen wipers can be much improved
mine seem to do the job ok when they're working. But when they're not working I'm
absolutely blind.

Scooter Resource -- True 2 Seater

Paris 1922



Don't you wish such designs were still available ?





SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource -- NYPD Scoots

Cover of the Incredible Scooter Cops Biography

It’s funny how things go around. 20 years ago Police scooters were bought by scooterists mostly to strip for parts or to use as a base for a restoration.

The first police scooter ScootersO ever found was a Lambretta TV200. The markings were hard to see under the poorly painted side panels.

After that first one, other Police scooters started to pop up: Vespa Sprints, Vespa P150Xs and Serveta Lambrettas. These scooters got me wondering more about these Police scooters and their history.

I tracked down the importer who handled the Serveta NYPD sales (he does not have any parts or scooters left!), got some tidbits of information from him, and kept my eyes peeled for any news clippings or stories I could find.

Over time I was able to piece together a timeline of the makes and models of scooters used by the NYPD.

Photo of NYPD Italian Lambretta

The first police scooters seem to have been small batches purchased for special purposes – the earliest seems to have been the Parks Commission – who bought Vespas in the early 60s. Throughout the mid to late 60s various branches of public service bought scooters in small numbers. It wasn’t until Innocenti were looking to break back into the US market that the NYPD bought a large fleet of scooters.

Clipping of anouncement of NYPD buying scooter fleet

Unable to handle the US relaunch themselves, Innocenti Italy gave Lambretta Concessionaires Ltd in the UK the rights to distribute scooters to the US (and Australia). As can be seen from the press release above, from a UK scooter magazine, up to 400 Lambrettas may have been part of this initial Italian scooter order.

Although the article mentions the DL model, personal research has shown that due to the labor dispute problems the factory in Milan was having at that time, the order was filled instead with Li 150 Series 3 with some modifications. This batch of scooters seems to have been supplied with whatever parts the factory had lying around. These early models were painted in dark green and white, which were the NYPD colors at the time.

The typical Italian Li 150 Series 3 Police Lambretta seems to have featured:
SX Headset (to allow an ignition switch to be fitted), black body rubbers and plastics, plastic toolbox, forks using the push-in buffers, handlebar switches with black buttons, DL bench seats, SX150 engine cases, and their VIN numbers are higher than most reported VIN runs for the Li150.


The initial batch of Italian Lambrettas proved very popular, so when the Italian factory stopped production, scooter supply switched to the Spanish factory.

New Jersey Lambretta Distributor Police Flyer NYPD Lambretta Group Photo

US distribution switched to a NJ company who expanded NYPD sales to over 1000 machines. These Spanish machines were the blue and white models most commonly associated with the NYPD, and one is featured in the NY Police museum.

The Pasco, a product of the Brazilian Lambretta factory in Sao Paulo, was imported in the mid 70s by the NJ distributor, at Serveta’s insistence, in an attempt to secure orders from the NYPD and give their new factory some sales. Needless to say the NYPD turned down this new Lambretta, and instead decided to keep using the Spanish models, for at least a few more years. This resulted in a few Pascos being sold around NJ through the distributor’s retail outlet.


Sometime around 1976 or 1977, the NYPD switched to the Vespa Sprint 150 V and shortly after, in 1979, the P150X – a model specially imported just for the police. The P125X and P200e were the commercially available models. Vespa pulled out of the US in the early 80s, and although the NYPD kept the vehicles in operation as long as possible, they had to switch to Japanese scooters by the end of the 80s.


I doubt there are still batches of Lambrettas or Vespas to go up for auction from the NYPD, which means the few that are surfacing should be preserved for historical reasons. We will do our part by restoring the NJ Police scooter we have found.

-Gene

Scooter Resource -- 2 Wheel Rights

Going to Daytona for Bike Week? Make a Stop, a Statement and a Stand in Myrtle Beach!

Have you ever wanted to make a stand on the front lines of the battle for Motorcyclists' Rights? No, I don't mean lamenting lid laws from some VFW barstool after an ABATE meeting. And no, I don't mean making whiney postings about new reckless riding rules on some Yahoo Groups sportbike forum. I mean, just once in your life, wouldn't you like to truly take the point position in the fight for *your* Right to Ride? Well here's your chance!

Over the next several days, hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts from coast to coast will be leaving their recession depressions behind as they stuff their saddlebags, top off their touring cases, or load up their "Live to Ride" trailers and head to Florida for the 68th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week. If you are fortunate enough to participate in that pilgrimage, I encourage you to add some slack to your schedule and reroute your GPS for a 2/28 side trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Here is why:

Defying sound economic reason, overriding the sovereignty of state law, and in clear violation of our Constitutionally-guaranteed civil rights, the municipal government of the City of Myrtle Beach has passed a series of rules and ordinances aimed at terminating Myrtle Beach's Bike Weeks, i.e. the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally, and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest:

http://myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com/ordinances.html

This Google News link will help to bring you current on the controversy...

http://tinyurl.com/bztbsb

...and I'd like you to pay special attention to the article linked here...

http://tinyurl.com/ddkhlo

...which reads as follows:

***

MOTORCYCLE "FREEDOM" RIDE

By Thema Ponton
WBTW News 13 Reporter
Published: February 13, 2009

In an email to News13, one biker states that the Myrtle Beach Helmet Freedom Ride will be held on Saturday, February 28, at the Beaver Bar, 3381 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, beginning at 11:00 AM. The ride will depart at noon.

The email states that "participants will be given instructions and route details just prior to the departure of the ride. All participants in this Helmet Freedom Ride do so as common adventurers. Local bikers may coordinate this ride but no one is considered a leader of this ride. All participants take responsibility for making their own decisions including, but not limited to, whether to participate and what equipment they choose to use or not such as safety equipment (helmets) or vehicle equipment (mufflers)."

Organizers state, "The ride is a grassroots effort to oppose discrimination. There is no single group or individual leading this grassroots effort. Bikers in every town or city of the Carolinas are the backbone of this effort. Motorcyclists of every walk of life are welcome."

Organizers add that free legal assistance will be provided for the participants...

Organizers have also set a rain date for the event, March 7, 2009 at the same time and place.

***

Despite the focus of Ms. Ponton's report, DON'T THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT THE ISSUE HERE IS LIDS. The real issue here is *your* right as an American motorcyclist to share the road equally with other motorists, and whether the City of Myrtle Beach--or any other municipality--can blatantly disregard state law and the Constitution of the United States in an open and unapologetic attempt to take away that right. Remember WHY WE FIGHT:

"The battle for bikers' rights is not about patches, parties or poker runs. We fight to protect the freedom and promote the interests of American motorcyclists ... to defend our right to choose our own modes of transportation, attire and lifestyle ... to deter and defy discrimination against us ... and to vanquish those who violate our rights or right-of-way." [ http://BikersRights.LdrLongDistanceRider.com ]

And whether you're going to Daytona for Bike Week or not, please make a stop, a statement and a stand in Myrtle Beach!

Speaking strictly for myself and no other individuals or organizations,

Bruce Arnold

Bruce@LdrLongDistanceRider.com
Author and Publisher, LdrLongDistanceRider.com
Co-Moderator, Bruce-n-RC's Biker Forum
Mile Eater Gold Member, Iron Butt Association (IBA)
Member, Bikers of Lesser Tolerance (BOLT of Florida)
Sustaining Member, Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
2009 Chairman's Circle, American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)

***

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL CONCERNED MOTORCYCLISTS NATIONWIDE!

***

MYRTLE BEACH BIKE WEEK LINKS

http://www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com/


http://www.mbbikeweeks.com/

***




SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource -- Dealer Expo

As many of you know we had the pleasure of attending the 2009 Dealer Expo last
weekend in Indianapolis, IN. Although there were not as many exhibitors as in the past,
there were still plenty of cool new models/products. We just wanted to send out a quick
message to give you guys and gals an overview of some of the highlights in case you
haven't had the chance to check out our extended coverage. Some of our favorite new
products include:

Fly Cub Concept: New Super Cub concept from Fly Scooters


SYM Symba: See the US spec version of SYM's Symba. It's their modern interpretation of
the Super Cub.


Hammerhead Venti 150: This is the Vespa VBB clone made by Hammerhead. Suprisingly it
looks pretty authentic.


A2B Electric Bicycle: I got a chance to ride this bike and it was a blast. This is the future of
mopeding as far as I'm concerened.



CPI Bravo: This is CPI's new take on the modern Italian scooter






SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource-- PGO scoots ?

Andrew asks...

I hope you are well. I have been doing some research into my next
bike over the last couple of weeks. I have gone from the thinking of
getting a 250cc Honda (manual motorbike) to thinking that a scooter
will suit me better, with the storage space and ease of twist and go.

I have considered the Kymco scoots (specifically the People S 200 and
the Grand Dink/Vista 250 - the 250 is winning at the moment).
Yesterday I came across the PGO scoots which I hadn't seen before.
These are imported into South Africa through Kawasaki.

Can anyone tell me about the PGO scoots? What is their quality and
reputation like compared to the Kymco scoots. I quite like the look
of the Gmax 250 - looks like it will give me everything I need
(except the bigger wheels for our rough roads).

So 2 questions:
1. How is the quality on the PGO scoots?
2. Would you recommend the Kymco or the PGO?

Many thanks
Andrew
South Africa




SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource - '04 Reflex For Sale

For sale is a 2004 Honda Reflex. This Reflex is in
good running condition, has 6377 miles. It has been laid down on a
gravel road, so it does have some scratches and rub marks on it. It
is missing its front fender, and has red tape on the left side
fairing where the fairing cracked when it was laid down. I do have a
full front fairing I bought off of eBay I am going to include with
this sale, as well as a left side panel. I also have a battery on
order, should be here this week (old battery barely holds a charge).
The bike appears to have a slight fork seal leak (do note the
word "slight").

I do have a clear title with this bike, as well as a filled out title
application. I bought the bike last July, and never did register the
bike, so the title and title application has the previous owner's
name on it (I never did fill out the title information, so you just
put in your info and bring it to the title office).

The bike has a KBB book value at $3250. I have marked it down alot
for a quick sale, and for the cosmetic issues the bike has. You
should be able to replace the body panels, based on what I have seen
on eBay for pretty cheap. I will consider all reasonable offers, as I
really need to sell it as I am moving into an apartment complex 520
miles away.

The bike is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, along Highway 287, about
1 1/2 to 2 hours Northwest of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. You can
write me back at shaggydoo29@yahoo.com, or call my cell at 940-312-
8423.


SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource-- Burgman Observation

I've finally got round to trying the 'manual' mode on the Burger!
Since I've never heard anyone have a good word for it, I expected it
to be awful, but I actually quite liked it! I found it easier to use
than expected and the changes were much quicker than I'd feared.

Obviously there are times when its useful, and times when it'd be a
pain - its just a hassle in urban areas. But it'd be useful on open
roads, as you can use rather higher gears (and lower revs) than the
auto mode usually gives you.

Two snags: When you switch into Manual on the move, it puts you in too
low a ratio, often with a jerk. And since you have to use your left
hand for the rear brake, it gets awkward approaching fast roundabouts
etc cos your left hand is trying to do several things at once!

Still, much better than anticipated.



SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource -- Scoot The Ozarks '09

RALLY DETAILS AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

The Annual New Holland PA Spring Scooter Rally will be held on May 15-
16 and 17th. 2009 and as in the past the central headquarters will be
at THE HOLLANDER MOTEL. This is our 7th. year for holding a PA Rally
in New Holland. GROUP STAGING, DEPARTURES AND ACTIVITIES WILL BE FROM
AND AT THE HOLLANDER PARKING AREA. Police assistance will be provided
as required.

This rally is open to ALL scooters/riders however, the main group
ride will be limited to 125cc and higher displacement scooters due to
ride route conditions and group safety issues. THERE WILL BE A
SEPARATE GROUP RIDE AND RIDE CAPTAIN PROVIDED FOR A GROUP RIDE
FAVORABLE TO SCOOTERS WITH LESS THAN 125cc DISPLACEMENT.

***SPECIAL MOTEL RATES:***

The Hollander Motel (Rally Headquarters)
320 E. Main Street
New Holland, PA 17557
(717) 354-4377
$57-----one person.
$62-----two persons.

The Country Squire Motor Inn
504 E. Main Street
New Holland, PA 17557
(717) 354-4166
$49-----one person.
$59-----two persons.

New Holland Comfort Inn
626 W. Main Street
New Holland, PA 17557
(717) 355-9900
Prevailing Rates apply.

***SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES***

***Friday May 15th.

Check in and "Kick Tires"
7:00 PM-----Evening meal @ Yoder's Country Buffet

***Saturday May 16th. (Hollander Parking Lot)

8:30 AM PROMPT-----depart for breakfast at Shady Maple Smorgasbord.
Staging area will be in the upper S/E banquet hall parking area for
those not leaving with the Holllander group.
9:00 AM-----assemble at the Customer Service Desk for admission and
reserved seating.
10:30 AM-----after eating yourself full-----assemble in the parking
lot staging area for Riders Meeting.
11:00 AM-----depart for group scenic ride/s
5:00 PM-----depart for evening meal at Yoder's Country Buffet.
7:00 PM-----Door Prize drawings and awards.

***Sunday May 17th. (Hollander Parking Lot)

Various Motel check out. (Anyone not checked out prior to 12:00 noon
at the Hollander, will be charged another day---this is due to the
fact that time must be provided to ready the rooms reserved for
guests arriving for a horse show on Monday)

9:00 AM PROMPT-----depart for breakfast at The Windmill Restaurant at
the intersection of RT23/.RT10 in Morgantown.
11:00 AM-----riders meeting and depart for short scenic ride.
2:00 PM-----arrive at Hollander Motel for farewells and departures to
home.

NO RAIN DATE---WE TAKE IT AS IT COMES. YOU WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN
ALL ACTIVITIES AT YOUR OWN RISK. EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE BY YOUR
HOST AND RIDE CAPTAINS TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR UTMOST ENJOYMENT AND
SAFETY.

If you have not previously replied on this thread, please reply with
attendance confirmation or by email, so that a count can be made at
the request of our various sponsors. Please come and join us for
another great rallly.

Door Prize Chairman---Mike Engelmann
Host---Will Lewis willewis@hydrosoft.net
Last edited by JohnK on Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:55 07, edited 1 time in
total.
Reason: Added updated event details per OP.
RIDE SAFE,




Re: Scooting the Ozarks Rally, 2009
Posted Rebecca Beckwith
United Scooter Riders out of Houston is planning to ride up there via
Oklahoma. Anyone who wants to meetup with us is welcome.

If you do a google search of Meetup Houston Scooter - our site will pop
right up.



SevenLawsofAttraction.com

Scooter Resource - '06 Reflex For Sale

Dean is selling his 2006 Honda Reflex ABS NSS250A 250cc with only 1,128 miles (approximately) on it. Photos are available here.
" I’m selling the bike because I have another scooter and I need the room in my garage. The bike is in excellent condition and only has one scratch on the front fender from trying to park it in the garage. Oops! The bike has had its first 600 mile service, has never been laid down, and has had no problems whatsoever. The bike is equipped with the rare Honda Antilock Braking System. The VIN is JH2MF06456K400070."




"The bike is the Candy Blue color and I have installed some nice accessories that are also included. The bike is equipped with a Givi tall windshield which really helps with the wind. I have also installed the Honda genuine heated grips, a 12-volt accessory socket in the glove box, and an LED battery gauge just below the instruments. I have replaced both the low and high beam halogen bulbs with Sylvania Ultra Silver Star bulbs. It really brightens the road up. I even carpeted the under seat trunk to make it look nicer. There is a tool bag under the seat that has a helmet lock cable and the spanner wrench to adjust the rear shocks."


"I feel $4200.00 is fair and has been based off NADA. NADA indicates a “Low Retail” as $3840.00, and “Average Retail” of $4945.00. With the condition of the bike and the extras, I am selling the bike below the “Average Retail”. You will save a fortune buying my bike than going to the dealer and paying MSRP if you can find one. Honda stopped importing the Reflex in 2007. The bike is truly in spectacular condition, no other scratches than the front fender, and extremely clean. I average about 65MPG."

"I will not release the bike or title until funds have cleared. The title itself is free and clear. I will furnish all necessary inspections & documents as required by law. If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact me (my name is Dean) on my cell phone 719-433-5723. If I do not pick up, please leave a message with your name and number and I will call you back. Sometimes when I'm at work I can't answer the phone immediately. I will also include all records that I have, the owner’s manual, two master keys AND the Honda genuine repair manual. If you would like me to take any additional pictures or of something specific, just let me know."

minidean2003@yahoo.com

Scooter Resource - Reflex Air Deflectors

As a former Helix rider that is now riding a Honda Reflex I really missed
the leg air deflectors that the Helix had! I found material to make air
deflectors and I think they turned out nice. It is a black, flexible
plastic and when installed look like they belong and they make a
noticeable difference in reducing the COLD air! I have sold several
dozen pairs with all positive responses. I am selling them for $29.95,
shipping and detailed instructions included.
I HAVE NOW ADDED HAND AIR DEFLECTORS AS WELL AND WILL SELL BOTH PAIRS
FOR $49.95 shipping included.

THANKS for looking!

Scooter Resource -- Service Manual AN650

For those of you who ride a Suzuki Burgman 650 maxi scooter, there's a downloadable copy of the service manual HERE

Service manuals are wonderful to own if you do your own maintainance or to carry to a shop if you're having someone else work on your bike.









AllThoseArticles.info

Scooter Resource -- P200 Project for sale in ATL

Just Passing this along in case anyone is looking.
Here's that winter project you've wanted: Complete and assembled (but
not running) P200. I haven't even tried to start it, but I would guess
it definitely needs a rebuild and a thorough cleaning of the fuel
system as it has been sitting for a couple of years. Has bondo on it,
and someone used a paintbrush to paint it a horrid yellow. It's pretty
much all there, though - although I think maybe it's missing a center
stand, which I should have extras of.

for sale by a friend of mine

I'm not sure how much but if anyone is interested just give me a shout
I'll post more details soon...
Zed



AllThoseArticles.info

Scooter Resource -- Bajaj Q & A

Robin writes..

First let me say thanks for all the advice you have given to others.
Many times I have read this blog and had my problems solved. I have
a 2004 Chetak. Everything is great on her except the other night she
just stopped working. Let me explain what happened.
Driving home from work the other night around one in the morning I
was doing fifty on a nice flat stretch. The next thing I know she
just wasn't accelerating anymore and I had to pull over. I thought at
first I must have snapped a cable but once I got the Scooter home
(thanks to a friends truck) and checked the cables they all seemed to
be fine. The Scooter will start up and change gears (I can see the
cables pulling the transition into gear) but it just wont engage. As
i said, it starts up no problem, the engine sounds fine but I can't
get it to go into gear. Any ideas? I have a great scooter shop that I
plan to take her to but I thought I'd see if there is anything I can
look for or do first as they are massively expensive. I'd hate to
think that the transmission is just shot...
As you can probably tell I'm not that mechanically minded although I
have changed the shifter cable before once when that snapped (thanks
to a tutorial on this blog) So any advice or help would be
wonderful. Thanks again


Some possibilities...
Is there any tension on your clutch cable? Did you try re-setting the
tension (loosing the cable bolt near the clutch arm, resetting the
tightness and tightening them). Can you move the clutch arm with your
hand?

It it starts and runs fine but you have no drive, that narrows it down
to the clutch, I would think. Is it making any funny noises (whirring
or clunking)?
It may be a disconnect between the engine and transmission.
Does the clutch lever feel normal? or does it seem to have more or less play
in it?
With the back wheel off the ground with the engine off, while in neutral the
wheel should turn freely. As you go through the gears, normally (with
clutch engaged), the wheel will stop turning as the gears engage. If this
does not happen, it's internal with a complete teardown to fix.
There have been a few cases of the nut coming off of the clutch plate
assembly.
To check, you must pull the clutch cover. This can be done without removing
the engine. Then you can see the entire engine/clutch/transmission
engagements.

Scooter Resource -- Q & A

Question:
Do you know if a 2003 and 2004 ignition switch assembly are interchangeable on a Honda Reflex scooter?

I have a 2003 reflex and the ignition is getting stuck to where I
cant turn it on. It used to be that it only got stuck in the lock mode
so I stopped locking but now its stuck in the off position. so I can
get a used 2004 switch assembly for $30 and try to install it myself
(any advice on doing it myself would be helpful) or I can pay a dealer
$100+ for the part and however much for labor.
Thanks for the help
Jake
One reason i think this is happening is I have a big key chain that
puts pressure on the ignition.

Answer:
The assemblies are interchangeable.
Buy the Honda Reflex Service Manual and follow the steps involved.
The Service Manual can be found here or at this site


Also, I'd suggest that you place just the key (with a ring) in the ignition.
The added weight of other keys and fobs are probably the culprit.

Scooter Resource -- New Vespa

News of a new Vespa VBB styled scooter have emerged from 2Stroke Buzz and the Dallas/Ft. Worth scooter forum. Reports sugguest that the scooter uses a modern fuel injected 150cc GY6 clone engine and CVT transmission. It has a metal tubular frame and, plastic body work, and 12" wheels. Pictured here are photos of the actual production prototype from China and my first impressions are good. I really like the styling but the 12" wheels do look a little out of place (when compared to the VBB's original eight inch wheels). That compromise should prove to be worthwhile due to the good selection of modern 12" sticky scooter tires. The bike also has disc brakes at both ends which should make the Venti out perform just about any vintage 150 and under scooter. Yes, it is a China bike but it seems to have potential and more details on the quality should emerge at the Dealer Expo next month.



Vespa : From Italy with Love

Scooter Resource -- Work of Love

To see this handmade scooter in progress Click Here


Learn Italian with ItalianPod



AllThoseArticles.info

Scooter Resource-- Burgman Question

Niall asks..
I'm after a live (ignition side) take-off somewhere up the front of the Suzuki Burgman AN650 to save running a line from the battery - must be one somewhere up
there.
This would give me a switched feed.

Anyone point me in the right direction?

I was hoping for something wheel side than cockpit side - its to run
auxilliary lights that I intend to fit to the side of the mudguard, in a
similar vein to www.motolight.com

These lights set out the bike, and give a point of reference to other road
users, not just a single point of light (and yes, the Burger has two
lights)

Since I've been using Motolights or replacements, the incidence of cars
pulling out in front of me has vastly reduced - just my straw poll, my
opinion, my experience.

Cars look again - and then see the bike, and can judge the distance it is
away from them.
___________________________________________________________________

Can't you hijack the existing power socket which, according to the handbook, is in one of the gloveboxes?



AllThoseArticles.info

Scooter Resource -- Holland Viewpoint

Emile writes...
The cyclists vs rest of the "world" discussion is totally alien to me.
In Holland almost everybody who rides a motorcycle will also
ride a bicycle regularly and have a car as well. Most car drivers
will not ride motorcycles, but bicycling in Holland is as much a part
of general life as eating. On top of that, or maybe even more
important, is the fact that we of course, besides cars, also grant proper
infrastructure to all those bicyclists. Separated bicycle lanes, thousands
of km's of bicycle routes, separated traffic lights, crossovers and unders,
parking facilities etc etc. There's no need at all to put your own life at
risk by trying to join high speed traffic on regional roads. And because
of that, no need for helmets or ugly fluo vests either.

So even though Holland is the single most densely populated country
in the world and even though, like in every big city, there's plenty of
irritation because of traffic jams everywhere and expensive (full) parking
lots, bicycles aren't an annoying factor. And in general, they get plenty
of respect and understanding from other road users since those other
road users are just as much "bicyclist" usually.

I can imagine that bicyclists in the UK want to fight for the little space
they get "granted" and it's sad to hear that they're seen as a separate
group of people, weirdly enough not seeing motorcyclists as a similar group
of underrepresented two wheeled road users either. I think if bicyclists
would get better infrastructure, usage would be much higher (because
safer, quicker, easier) and respect hopefully would be universal like here
because everybody would use it as a proper alternative means of transport.

Buslanes here are just used by busses. Bicyclists have no need for them,
since they have their own lanes which often ride parallel to buslanes (but
never in them). For Dutch motorcyclists it is interesting though, that's why
I am hoping for a successful trial period which might serve as an example
for Holland. Too bad the cyclists seem to disturb the picture, especially
since they wouldn't be a factor here.

Emile
'02 ST1300 Pan European

Scooter Resource -- Maintainance

MONTHLY WELL-INTENTIONED REMINDER

Fuel System:

Keep the fuel tank full - especially during prolonged storage - to avoid rust.

Exhaust System:

Check all of the fasteners along the exhaust system and PAIR Emission system at each preventive maintenance check to help avoid blown exhaust gaskets and damaged PAIR items. Torque on headpipe studs is 7ft/lb, 9 Nm.

Fork Tubes:

Clean them to prolong fork tube seal life.

OIL LEVEL:

At least two people I know have experienced a catastrophic engine failure
due to oil loss!!!!

NEITHER observed tailpipe smoke or seepage or a puddle of oil.

At least one - a conservative rider - checked his oil (among other things)
WEEKLY - so his oil loss happened in a week's time of LOCAL ridng!

Hopefully, they will find out how the oil escaped when they
disassemble the engine so that we can learn from that
and avoid such a failure.

Meanwhile, check the oil each day you ride!!!

If one simply unscrews the dipstick and looks at the level on it, that dipstick was inserted about 1/2 inch FURTHER than the way it is to be done!!!!! - because it was SCREWED IN!!!!

It will give an artificially HIGH oil level indication.

It is imperative to:

1. Park the scooter on the centerstand - on flat ground.
NEVER DO THIS CHECK ON THE SIDESTAND!!!

2. Remove the dipstick, then wipe it with a clean lintfee wipe.

3. Reinsert the dipstick WITHOUT SCREWING IT IN
in order to get a correct check on the oil level.

4. Withdraw the dipstick without having screwed it in.

5. Check that the oil level is within the level marks on the dipstick.

Be careful to not overfill.

The Scooter Book: Everything you need to know about owning, enjoying and maintaining your scooter

Scooter Resource -- An MP3 is a Scooter

I am still trying to get to the bottom of the story of the American lady who fell off an MP3 due to tilt lock problems and ended up will all kinds of breakages.

If you are daft enough to fall over while standing still (and we've all done
it or come close) is there a peculiarity
about the way an MP3 falls over that makes it somehow worse?



I wonder if it is because its top heavy? If it topples, and you manage to
pull it over on yourself, its going to trap you significantly, and maybe
because of the "third wheel" its harder to get upright?

I've not seen one on its side to know, but I've seen a smashe dup one and
it looked VERY expensive.

If the rider went over, and didn't let go of the bars, and had it land on
her - that might be a reason for multiple breakages.


When my TMax was killed by a car, it went up, down and over, and I was
lucky that when it came down it only "just" caught my foot - but at the
strongest part, exactly on the sole (sideways) so limited crush damage.

How to Restore and Maintain Your Vespa Motorscooter (Motorbooks Workshop)