Winter upgrades to your scooter?

[animal]

What upgrades or changes to your scooter are you planning to do before spring?

I would like to install a Clearview XL windshield to my Burgman before the spring riding starts. I want it to be the one with the vent built into it. If I hit the lottery I'd also like a Corbin or Daylong Rider seat with backrest.

There's my planned and hoped for list. What's yours?

Happy Scootering!
Animal

[gabe502000]

I ride mostly year round here in L.A. (lower Al.) But, I have upgraded my new Zuma125 a bit with a set of polini 43X13 (3.30) drive gears, that I replaced the stock 56mph Yammy 44x11 (4.00) cogs with. Picked up almost 5mph and 6mpg with no noticable lack of acceleration. Next will be Amsoil Synthetic lubes at the 2000 mi service, and possibly a larger cylinder/piston in the future. Gabe

[smorris]

After almost a year, the Autoswitch garage door opener module* on my Burgman croaked. There was only a short warranty on it, so when I contacted the company for information on where I should start looking given the symptoms, I was shocked to have them insist on sending a replacement at no cost. Great customer service! So I have that to put on when the weather gets better.

Other than that, I've got three scoots that need oil changes. As Gabe above uses, I'm going to try Amsoil this time around.

I've done most of the mods I want on the Vespa and Burgman. I really need a better performance exhaust for the LX, but with the experience of the Scorpion and stories of other brands, I'm hesitant. But with the stock muffler on, I'm choking the extra performance from the 190 kit.


* Activates your garage door opener by double clicking the flash to pass button, or can be connected to the brake light.

[gabe502000]

You'll really like Synthetic Lobes... I became fond of them while I was involved with Army Aviation in the early 70s. We used them on nearly all of our aircraft. It would be 25 deg out on the flightline.If you got sloppy and spilled some on the asphalt, it would flow into a sizable, thin puddle if not cleaned up quickly. It's the same way inside your Scooter's cold engine. Flowing through oil passages to to Rod, and Main bearings, and elsewhere, while "Dino's" still in bed! It caused the engine on my C3 to run cooler, smoother, and more efficiently. Gabe

[smorris]

You'll really like Synthetic

I'm running Repsol racing full synthetic now in the Vespa, and whatever they put in the Suzuki for the first oil change. (I always have the dealer do my first change so that if anything comes up during warranty, there's no quibbling) and I have semi-synth as my 2T oil for the Super Sport.

My WRX uses Redline Racing full synthetic, and I did the tranny and diff, too. It does make a difference. But I've heard and read good (and not so good) things about Amsoil for 30+ years, so I'm going to try it. Some claim it is the best lube ever invented, and others claim it is the Bose of the oil world; mediocre at best, with great advertising.

[gabe502000]

I've ued it in my Yamaha C3 for 3500 miles now. (oil & gear lube) and have been happy with it. I just sold a '90 Pontiac GrandAm with 251,000 mi on the clock, that had Mobil one in it since 12,000 mi. And, still not using oil, that was getting 29mpg on the highway. I like the fact that it's flowing instantly when it's cold! Gabe

[animal]

This past summer I started using Amzoil in my Burgman 650 and really like the way it's working. I use it in the engine, transmission and the rear drive hub. The next time I have the wheels off I will be using their synthetic waterproof marine grease in the wheel bearings. I used this on my semi's fifth wheel and could use two fingers to release it at any cold temperature. Even in the winter I could leave my truck parked in front of my house with the truck getting sprayed with salt from snowplows. It would never have any rust show on it. I had used synthetic lubes in my semi for years and used synthetic lube in the hubs on the trailer along with greasing the whole rig with synthetic grease. Before synthetic lubes came out I would use mineral oil in the demo's transmission. I also used mineral oil in my Harley's transmission. It made starting it easier in cold weather. With the synthetic and mineral oil in a semi's transmission you never had a problem with the transmission shifting into high range at any temperature when the transmission was cold.

One place synthetic oils can give you a problem is with engines like a Goldwing or a BMW has. When you put them on the kickstand you will have a slight smoking problem when you start the engine. The synthetic oil is so thin that it will pass between the rings and cylinder wall and cause a slight smoking problem upon first starting the engine. Using the centerstand eliminates the problem. I strongly believe in synthetic oils. I know a semi owner that lives in East Liverpool, Ohio and has over one million miles on his semi truck. He changed the oil the first time then switched to Amsoil and has never changed his oil again. He is testing the engine life for them. Every 10,000 miles he changes the filters, takes an oil sample and adds a additive packet they give him. They require adding a bypass filter system when using their oil at extended intervals for them to warranty that if you have any engine failures with using their oil. If a failure occurs and it's related to using their oil, they will replace the engine for free. This doesn't include doing like he is doing, unless you are hired by them to do engine life testing.

Happy Scootering!
Animal

[gabe502000]

Hey Animal, Good Morning! I just became an Amsoil Dealer last fall, to get the Dealer's price on the lubes. I'm in the process of changing All of my vehicles over to it. I've got the oil for my old pickup sitting on the bench out in the shop + waiting for a really nice day to get the floor jack, jack stands, etc.,out and change it. I use the 10W40 Formula 4 Stroke oil in my Yammy C3, and the 75W-110 severe gear lube in it's transmission. It added much smoothness, better acceleration, and upwards of 4mpg.I've got a Buddy in Detroit that uses it in his Harley that's equipted with an oil temp gauge who says it's made his oil run cooler, another benifit! MSJ's shop was using synthetic grease to lube all of their equiptment and it does make life Much easier! I used to run out to Alamosa, Co. in Jan. and had no problems with my 5th wheel or steering when the wind chill was -100 deg. Just got 1200 mi on the Zuma125 it'll go on Amsoil when I have the 2000 mi check done.This will likely be the last regular maintenance I'll have my Dealer do. The Zuma125's a whole lot more user friendly than the C3! I am thinking of eventually upgrading to the 66mm cylinder/piston which is supposed to increase the displacement to 172cc. The idea of a scoot the size of my C3, being able to run 65mph, appeals to me! Gabe

[animal]

A lot of people doesn't realize Amsoil makes a lot of specialty products. They make a " Scooter Oil " that's designed for the smaller high rpm engines used in scooters. It doesn't have the lube modifiers in it that causes problems with the wet clutches. It is a different oil than Amsoil synthetic " Motorcycle Oil " . Always make sure you use a synthetic oil that doesn't have lubrication modifiers in it if you have a wet clutch in your scooter or a motorcycle. If you use a one with lubrication modifiers in it with a wet clutch, you will have clutch slippage. The fix requires replacement of your clutch pack. Always verify synthetic oil doesn't have these to prevent problems. I use the Amsoil Motorcycle oil in my Burgman. If I had a smaller single cylinder small displacement scooter, I'd use the Amsoil Scooter Oil.

I full believe in synthetic oils but you have to pay attention to what lubricant you put in different places. With synthetic oils I have gotten better fuel mileage, cooler running and way longer service life. I purchased my 1983 Harley Police Special new. I rode it for over 100,000 miles before having to rebuild the bottom end of the engine. A buddy of mine running the newer evo engine in his Harley with a 98 c.i.d stroker kit had his engine last over 100.000 miles before rebuilding the bottom end.

Happy Scootering!
Animal

[gabe502000]

Yeah, I Know what you mean about being sure of the oil. Both of my scooters have a dry clutch. I use the oil that Amsoil reccomends fot 4T scooters (formula 4 stroke) with good resuts thus far. Gabe

[animal]

I forgot to congratulate you on becoming a Amsoil dealer. I wished you lived closer, as the local AutoParts dealer doesn't like ordering a single case of special Amsoil products I like. Circle Auto Parts here in Circleville, Ohio does carry Amsoil products. They stock the normal items. Sense getting rid of my semi it takes a bite out of my budget if I wanted any more Amsoil waterproof marine grease. They don't normally carry marine products and I can't find a local boat dealer that carries Amsoil products. I only have two tubes of grease left. I used to get it four cases at a time.

I only noted the oil modifiers remarks in my last post for people that's not use to using synthetic oils and are thinking about changing over to it. My Burgman uses a wet clutch as it has a six speed transmission. I had to do some research to make sure I purchased the correct oil. None of the Suzuki dealers have Amsoil and wasn't able to answer questions about which Amsoil product to use with the Burgman 650. I ended up calling Amsoil directly. They was super helpful in answering my questions.

Happy Scootering!
Animal

[scousermike]

I use oil.

[gabe502000]

I grew up near St.Louis (Collinsville, Ill.) You've probably been over on an axle,or way behind on your funnybook, and gotten off at the Ill Rt.159 Exit, & gone south through there to I-64W, to I-255, over to !-270 at St.Louis, to avoid that set of scales there! The Inspector must live in town,he's always there! In '71 I had an opprotunity to become an Amsoil Dealer....Not being a visionary in those days, (I didn't learn to type in High School either! ) I didn't pursue it....I'd probably be the Amsoil Regional Distributor for the Midwest by now if I had! Got involved with Synthetic lubes anyway, a couple of years later, in the Army....I get my products through a Company in South Carolina, It's no problem to have him ship you whatver you need at Dealer Cost. You just pay the freight.... Let me know. Gabe

[animal]

Thanks a bunch for the info! I'm going to have to remember that because of my dwindling supply.

Happy Scootering!
Animal