89 Elite R - my first build

[89eliteR]

Howdy yall! Sorry for the lack of updates. Did not accomplish much lately due to skyrim.

I did work on it tonight. I think I fixed the oil leak problem from where the exahust bolts to the head. The vw gaskets that I got were too big so that was a fail. I tired the stock one and made things worse, so I resorted back to the one that came with the bbk. I noticed it would not fit in the pipe end snug, so I gave it a little motivation with a rubber mallet. I did a test run and it seemed to hold and no oil leakage for the short ride I took it on. Be sure to continuously monitor this, as the rpm and temperature increase, so does the gasket have of failure.

Now there are a few things from this ride that I noticed. One for the second time, the throttle cable became disconnected inside the carb. I was thinking of putting a small amount of jb weld by the opening, so the cable cannot work its self out. I also experienced this "phenomena" and solved it by using a short wood * on the inside of the white plastic retainer where the cable goes through, and then I inserted the whole thing into the metal slide sideways. The entire white plastic retainer would slip out of the metal slide and the result was no throttle response. I don't know if this is a design flaw but mine did this and I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't respond to the throttle. So I no longer have this issue by doing both of the "modifications" I just told you.

Second, I have no get up and go. It starts ok after a few tries, and will idel fine with adjustment of the choke, but when I give it some throttle, it doesn't seem to have much power or pick up. Probably adjustment of the air/fuel like mystic suggested. What size pilot jet? Get that right first, then adjust idle. 1 1/2 to 1 7/8 out on the a/f * says you got the pilot close. Then adjust the needle clip as needed. Do not ride w/choke on, never. Update after you can ride it.

It is safe to say it is not tuned, so I'm sure this is a big part of the problem. So I guess my question is how do I "tune" it, besides the carb adjustment *. Also is there anything to check for as far as vaccume leaks, where I've herd this mentioned before when you fellas give advice for folks who lack the powah. Not yet.

The motor is not broke in yet, so I only went half throttle, and it is on a fairly cold days when I did the testing, so not sure how much affect this has. Warm up a few minutes at idle first.

It will not rev high at all, just a little higher than idel. I am running pre mix fuel, 1:32 and it seems to be getting the fuel fine, where it idels no problem, but does idel at a high rpm with the choke opened up, which I assume is normal. It will idel at a lower rpm with the choke down once warmed up, which I believe is also normal behavior. See above.

So I guess this rant is a big what's next, how to I unleash the power of these mods and make my bike not suck. Patience.

Thanks for all the help so far, and look forward to the future advice!

Quick question on this, what do you mean by adjust the needle clip?

[Mystic]

move the clip up or down on the main needle to smooth out the acceleration from 1/8th to 3/4th throttle. The needle is tapered to give so much fuel at each throttle position. moving the clip down richens and up leans. For instance if your low throttle sputters from being rich you would move the clip 1 up on the main needle and see if the throttle response is better

[89eliteR]

So i need to take the carb apart for this?

[bonesv]

Not to adjust the needle clip position. Here is the proceedure as I know it. Unskrew the cap at the throttle cable, and you will be able to pull the slide straight out so as not to bend the needle. The side of the slide has a notch in it which is so you can remove the cable. Holding the cap, push the slide against the spring until you can move the cable end out of the slide and release the spring tension. The slide should be free now. Look inside the top, hold the needle and carefully push it out of the slide, the funny looking spring should come out first, then the needle with clip on the top. Check which notch it is in and if you need to adjust it, carefully use a pair of small pliers to hold the clip. This is delicate so gentle as you go. You should probably give some details as to the symptoms of your scooter and see if there is any advice first before monkeying around with the fine tuning of the carburetor. Just trying to help is all. Glad you got some better weather now.

[89eliteR]

Not to adjust the needle clip position. Here is the proceedure as I know it. Unskrew the cap at the throttle cable, and you will be able to pull the slide straight out so as not to bend the needle. The side of the slide has a notch in it which is so you can remove the cable. Holding the cap, push the slide against the spring until you can move the cable end out of the slide and release the spring tension. The slide should be free now. Look inside the top, hold the needle and carefully push it out of the slide, the funny looking spring should come out first, then the needle with clip on the top. Check which notch it is in and if you need to adjust it, carefully use a pair of small pliers to hold the clip. This is delicate so gentle as you go. You should probably give some details as to the symptoms of your scooter and see if there is any advice first before monkeying around with the fine tuning of the carburetor. Just trying to help is all. Glad you got some better weather now.

oh I dont have better weather LOL. Just looking for more knowledge.

Now what you told me describes the stock carb worked, where the cable goes in, you can pull the needle out with the whole thing. I got one of Taz carbs, and the cable only connects to a plastic slider, which also has the spring, but no needle comes out if i take the slider out.

[bonesv]

Forgive me, I've been looking at stock carbs threads. Sorry about the weather. There should be a needle in that slide. When you pull that plastic retainer out, there is also a chrome metal slide down in the body of the carb. Stick your finger in there and pull it out. It should have a brass needle inside of it with a clip on top. there should be either three or five notches in it.

[89eliteR]

Thanks for the help Bones.

Now today I had one of those brain things that happen in your head (idea) and decided to peruse it.

Now I love this scooter:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18732

and it just so happens to be the same as mine.

Now the differences are, mine needs blinkers and the whole 9 years to be street legal, so I cannot ditch the blinkers in the front.

Now i did get the most of the plastics off as well as a few other front end pieces out of the way. I do need to clean up the front end with some sanding and painting, nothing major. The handle bars will be fun where it is new territory for me. Now I got a few questions before I take it apart.

- is the headlight connected to the bars or the plastic headset?
- ditto for speedo?
- I have seen other scooters with just the handlebars and a different light, what options do I have If I am not using the housing?

Thats all for now.

Here are some pics without her clothes on

[89eliteR]

So this is gonna be alot harder than I though. I got so many wires in the front and it looks like a mess right now, plus the harness limits where I can mount the headlight/speedo. Now am I able to cut the harness so I can extend the wires further, without shooting myself in the foot.

I did get the headset off and get the bars painted



As you can see a cluster fu*k of wires.

I was playing around with the headlamp just to see where I would want the headlight, and I love this look, very roadfox esque



now bare in mind this is a very rough mock up.

speaking of headlamp, last time I had the bike runing, the light would only work when the high beam is turned on. It always worked before, and all the other lights work, although the battery is weak right now. is it most likely the bulb?

[swimmingfree]

boy its must be nice to have a place that has heat in it ..
looking good ill be reading along
swimmingfree

[89eliteR]

boy its must be nice to have a place that has heat in it ..
looking good ill be reading along
swimmingfree

Yeah only problem its a basement and its a 2 man job to get it up the stairs.

[swimmingfree]

beer moves Montanans.. or mopeds lol
swimmingfree

[89eliteR]

Well I just got a legit test run in. It was a little on a cold side -4c but that's warm for Feb. I let it warm up then drove it in the driveway at only 1/4 - 1/2 throttle and I do notice a difference. It doesn't have a quick take off but at 1/4 throttle I was hitting 40km/h and it wanted more so I'm sure top end has improved.

I tweaked the carb a little bit. Started the fuel mixture at 1 and 1/2 turns out, then added another half turn. No sputters or bogging out.

Now I still got the oil leak at the exahust, but now it only happens when its reved harder. Ill probably have to order the vw ones online, unless one of you guys know the exact part number.

Overall great success (in borat voice)

[bonesv]

Maybe not adjust that much at once, quarter turns and wait five seconds to hear the motor.
If idle drops too much, go back one eighth in and listen before adjusting again. Get the air-to-fuel set, then adjust at the idle. If you are more than two turns out on a/f then you lower the pilot jet. Glad you got it out for a ride!
Oh, did you adjust the needle clip?

[89eliteR]

Maybe not adjust that much at once, quarter turns and wait five seconds to hear the motor.
If idle drops too much, go back one eighth in and listen before adjusting again. Get the air-to-fuel set, then adjust at the idle. If you are more than two turns out on a/f then you lower the pilot jet. Glad you got it out for a ride!
Oh, did you adjust the needle clip?

I didn't do the pilot jet. Taz showed me how to get to the needle adjustment, so I guess ill take a look tonight when I bring it in. Now I guess I don't know the rule of thumb, does lowering the jet give me more fuel where raising it gives me less?

[89eliteR]

So I got I good run in today after a few hiccups. First when I went to adjust the needle I took my 102 jet out and when screwing it back in I broke it. I did have one more jet that was a 95 so I installed it. After tuning the carbb again (1 1/2) turns outand properly connecting the throttle cable I got amazing results. Half throttle going slightly down hill I was going over 75 km/hour. That same spot prior to the mods I was lucky to hit 60. Now I did notice a little bit of a hot smell when I got back, but that could of been water that got on the pipe. I am also not leaking oil by the exhaust anymore either so I am in real good shape. At this point it seems the 95 jet works better than the 102 for my setup. Next time I'll get a video and post it up.