The Bikeshite Thread

[Iamgroot]

So, it's been a long time since I've ridden a 50cc scooter, I was also many stones lighter, I've just been out on the ex cavcraft Piaggio sfera and it seems to do about 25mph with a 17st man with the aerodynamics of a caravan piloting it, though I don't have a long flat section very near (Wales) to get a real flat out figure.

Is this to be expected do you think? I will add that I got up a hill (13mph), over it and back again and managed to get 45mph on the downhill segments.

Opinions?

[andyberg]

I have been using my son's speedfight for work, again no long straights. I get around 35ish on the flat, but feels it has a bit more to go. Up hills around 25 and I have seen 50 down a long, not very steep hill. So I would say the sfera may be restricted? Maybe take the exhaust off and see if there is a washer in the bit where it bolts to the barrel (in the exhaust, not the port in the barrel) this was a common way to restrict 2 strokes back it the day, also an easy way to unrestrict them!

[Iamgroot]

5 minutes ago, andyberg said:

I have been using my son's speedfight for work, again no long straights. I get around 35ish on the flat, but feels it has a bit more to go. Up hills around 25 and I have seen 50 down a long, not very steep hill. So I would say the sfera may be restricted? Maybe take the exhaust off and see if there is a washer in the bit where it bolts to the barrel (in the exhaust, not the port in the barrel) this was a common way to restrict 2 strokes back it the day, also an easy way to unrestrict them!

Thanks for the input.

Yes, I am yet to investigate the exhaust for restriction, there isn't any on the intake or the variator so if there is some I think it would be in the world's tiniest zorst.

Also, is his restricted? And are you also a gentleman of the more ample dimensions?

[andyberg]

5 minutes ago, Iamgroot said:

Thanks for the input.

Yes, I am yet to investigate the exhaust for restriction, there isn't any on the intake or the variator so if there is some I think it would be in the world's tiniest zorst.

Also, is his restricted? And are you also a gentleman of the more ample dimensions?

Easiest step is exhaust first. Some manufacturers, honda I'm looking at you, went well overboard with restrictions and put throttle stops in the carb and possibly meddled with the variators.

My son's was restricted in the exhaust, Peugeot put an extra pipe a few inches from the manifold. I just simply cut it off and welded a plate over it, theory is it should hit 40-45 given a run on the flat. I'm 6 ft and about 14st.

[Iamgroot]

18 minutes ago, andyberg said:

Easiest step is exhaust first. 

If it's not very rusty.....

(Though it is smothered in WD already in preparation)

I'm not especially after de-restricting it, just wondered if it sounded about right as it is for a 30 year old fifty

[andyberg]

8 minutes ago, Iamgroot said:

If it's not very rusty.....

(Though it is smothered in WD already in preparation)

I'm not especially after de-restricting it, just wondered if it sounded about right as it is for a 30 year old fifty

It's still faster than a modern 50. In my opinion they are downright dangerous, no acceleration and woeful top speed, even down hill.

[Cavcraft]

On 5/1/2022 at 6:15 PM, Iamgroot said:

Thanks for the input.

Yes, I am yet to investigate the exhaust for restriction, there isn't any on the intake or the variator so if there is some I think it would be in the world's tiniest zorst.

Also, is his restricted? And are you also a gentleman of the more ample dimensions?

That's about right, imho.

 

Incidentally: Paging @UltraWombleas he's after a 'ped for his daughter.

[Iamgroot]

Cheers @Cavcraft, I haven't re -mot'd this sfera yet, but i think it is finally running properly now I've fitted new reeds, cleaned the original carb and refitted it (after junking the Chinese one I bought for it), put a new electric choke on it, rebuilt the variator and put a new drive belt in it, I've also even put a battery in the time clock on the dash. Of course I replaced the non shock absorbing front shock with a real one too.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Iamgroot
Forgot about the new shock

[Cavcraft]

1 hour ago, Iamgroot said:

Cheers @Cavcraft, I haven't re -mot'd this sfera yet, but i think it is finally running properly now I've fitted new reeds, cleaned the original carb and refitted it (after junking the Chinese one I bought for it), put a new electric choke on it, rebuilt the variator and put a new drive belt in it, I've also even put a battery in the time clock on the dash. Of course I replaced the non shock absorbing front shock with a real one too.

Want it taking for a test run up the canal, M8?

[Iamgroot]

13 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

Want it taking for a test run up the canal, M8?

You only want to do that so you can drop it in and get magnet fishing glory the following day!

[Snake Charmer]

On 5/1/2022 at 6:27 PM, andyberg said:

Easiest step is exhaust first. Some manufacturers, honda I'm looking at you, went well overboard with restrictions and put throttle stops in the carb and possibly meddled with the variators.

My son's was restricted in the exhaust, Peugeot put an extra pipe a few inches from the manifold. I just simply cut it off and welded a plate over it, theory is it should hit 40-45 given a run on the flat. I'm 6 ft and about 14st.

I had a Honda Melody, scary wobbly thing until you became used to it. The variable drive had a longer spacer in one of the pulleys that restricted the ratio to exactly 28mph. I turned it down to let the pulleys close up, hard work as it was case hardened. On a down hill it would exceed 40mph!

I regularly met another muppet on a Melody commuting the same route and it was comical that we did exactly same speed and a tribute to Honda accuracy, we only caught up at traffic lights! After I shortened the spacer  he was gobsmacked after we hit 28mph side by side and I carried on pulling away. 🤣

Didn't that Peugeot exhaust have a restrictor ring in the flange and a brass plate on the carb inlet plus airbox restrictions?

 

 

[Fabergé Greggs]

On 4/29/2022 at 5:51 PM, Dave_Q said:

Hmm yeah that does sound pretty shit. I've got no actual tales I just thought most bikes only needed the test.

On some bikes if there is a manual adjustment just making it a bit richer might get the NOx down, obviously at the cost of some HC or CO/CO2 but they are only regulating/measuring NOx.

I understand they are the only place that is authorised to test as well which gives them licence to be knobs about it as you can't exactly go somewhere else.

But yeah, hard to budget on a coin flip of "maybe £180/maybe £450"

Fun fact: 

I spoke to another ULEZ tester up Cambridge way who was a bit more frank about their process to get it to pass. 

They work on mixture first, either with a "fuel module" which I guess is a resister on the ECU somehere, to richen the mixture, or, get this: BY RESTRICTING THE AIR INTAKE which usually costs in the region of £60.

If that fails, they fit a cat. 

He didn't say in so many words but I'm guessing that you remove the old sock from your intake manifold as soon as you roll out of the yard £240 lighter. 

[Dave_Q]

Yeah that does make sense, and makes a bit of a mockery of the regs if its that easy to get on the DB then just undo the conversion.

I've got some socks, does anyone know a Tory MP so we can get a licence to operate one of these rackets?

[Wack]

For anyone interested in the TT £14.99 buys a pass to watch all the qualifying sessions and races streamed live 

 

https://ttplus.iomttraces.com/products/tt-live-pass

[MT606]

no wonder the c90 was running rough as fuck! looks like the burgman is this years bike of choice......

[Nibbler]

I hereby present the mighty DBS Handy 2610. Power and style in one attractive package. Made I Norway! 

[martc]

Is there a Puch Maxi under there?

[Fabergé Greggs]

Airbags. Anyone wear them? I'm considering one for my motorway commute on my recently acquired Maxi scoot 

[hairnet]

Hai

[twosmoke300]

Of course being flat out at work , over run with motor bikes at home and work and being a 17st fatty meant I had to buy a grom with a broken engine

 

[Iamgroot]

This seems like an excellent idea!, I approve

[tom13]

5 hours ago, twosmoke300 said:

Of course being flat out at work , over run with motor bikes at home and work and being a 17st fatty meant I had to buy a grom with a broken engine

 

Love it! Sell it to me.

I really want to try one of these. Report back on your findings. 

[Fat_Pirate]

On 5/10/2022 at 12:38 PM, Fabergé Greggs said:

Airbags. Anyone wear them? I'm considering one for my motorway commute on my recently acquired Maxi scoot 

I've been using a Helite Turtle 2 for the past few weeks... when I remember to put it on... and when I remember to attach the tether... it's taking some getting used to.  I was in the queue with it in Sportsbikeshop when a guy wearing one walked in, I asked him how he was finding it and he reckoned it had saved his bacon when he ran into the back of a car, bounced head-first off that and into another car coming the other way (the vest fixed his helmet in place).  No injuries, though the vest becomes very tight and he was shrieking for somebody to get it off him.  Said he carries a spare gas canister under his seat now, presumably planning to test it further

It feels heavy when you pick it up, but I don't notice it once on.  It's more faff of course, but then there's already loads of faff with helmet, gloves, etc.  Wouldn't recommend for track days, you need the tether pretty short.  Would it make any difference in a big crash?  Dunno, I think of it as just buying more lottery tickets.

[andy18s]

Cheap bike and a spare included 

[UltraWomble]

Shite bike acquired for 16YO Womble

1998 Honda SGX50 (Sky)

 

I had one when they first came out in 1998

[hairnet]

Sad old man travel alert

[Cavcraft]

If you don't ask, you don't find out...

The remains of a long hidden 1928 BSA A28, it's believed. Was stripped for restoration 'years ago' then just sat there, until today. Sadly, that's pretty much all of what's left that I could find, bar some small-ish other bits, but there was also a fuel tank and the hand gear change lever from a 1920s Bown Villiers, plus some great other things, including what I think was the owner's own (i.e drawn by him) oil paintings. I'll stick some other photo's up later, if anyone wants to see them.

[hairnet]

Boats quicker than the bike this is 25 mins out

Edit oh sorry Billy's bike(s)

 

[hairnet]

Sad old man travel alert 2

[MrDuke]

Clothings for sells!! Let me know if I'm way off price wise. I can post at cost, or take to the next FoD if anyone wants to organise an elaborate relay.

Dainese Nighthawk boots, size 10/44. Excellent condition, tiny scuff on one toe but otherwise unmarked, hardly any sole wear. £60

 

Dainese Bora mesh jacket, not sure how their sizing works but I'd call it a Large. 102-106cm chest apparently. Excellent condition, no damage or marks, never worn while sliding down the road at 50mph. SOLD

 

 

Richa jacket, size L, excellent condition, no marks or damage. Has zip-out quilted lining, front & rear air vents, big pockets and good adjustment. £40