The basics of running your 2 stroke scooter Your day to day commitment That's it nice and simple use the same oil, basic petrol, air in the tyres and the odd turn of a nut.
Brendon Watson You've got your new scooter and forgotten what you have to do on a day to day basis for maintanence. This is for owners of Vmoto 50cc, Daelim S-five and All Bolwell two stroke scooters
What two Stroke Oil do I use?
This is what lubricates your engine, oil is critical in your two stroke scooter and if you read the article "Two stroke or Four Stroke" it will explain why. Always use the same brand of quality 2 stroke oil, don't be tempted to throw in something from the petrol station and definately no car engine oil. Its more than likely we have supplied your scooter with Shell Advance SX2 (Daelim S-five can use VSX2) we used it in the Le Minz 24 hour scooter race and recommend it for your scooter. If you can't get in to see us you should be able to get it from most motorcycle or scooter shops.
Its important you don't mix different brands or run cheap two stroke oil, doing so will make your scooter run poorly, it will also become difficult to start. The difference in cost between a good and a cheap two stroke oil is literally one or two dollars. Under no circumstances should you use mower or chainsaw oils and we don't recommend using racing two stroke oils, the smell will more than likely attract police attention and performance is usually gained at the expense of engine life.
All the new scooters we stock hold at least 1 litre of oil which should be good for around 800-1,200km depending on the scooter and rider so its not something you need to check on a day to day basis. Your scoot will also have a red light on or near the instruments. When this comes on you will need to top it up.
What Fuel do I Use?
In a 2 stroke engine use only regular 91 octane unleaded fuel. Two stroke engines mix oil with fuel to lubricate the engine, they are designed to do this with regular unleaded fuel. Most higher octane fuels (Vortex, Ultimate, etc) contain additives that do not mix well with 2 stroke oils (Like adding salt to your coffee). The end result is loss of power, siezures and fouled spark plugs. Fuel containing ethanol is also a no go zone.
What tyre Pressure do I run ?
Usually between 30-32 PSI depending on the size of the rider, check it whenever you put fuel in it or if its been sitting for more than a week. Its also a good idea to check you tyres before you get on it in case you have picked up a nail at the end of your last ride.
Tyres are far more important on a scooter than in your car, you've only got two. Tyres without enough pressure in them can have a dramatically negative effect on the way your scooter corners, brakes and handles. It will also make it slower reducing your top speed by as much as 15 percent. Get the pressure right and it will stop, corner and handle properly. In addition the tyres will last longer, the bike will be faster and your economy better. Can't lose really! If you don't know how to check pop in and ask!
My brake(s) aren't working properly
The rear brake on most scooters (and front on some) are called a mechanical drum brakes. Brakes work by forcing surfaces together to create friction and slow the rotation of the wheels. One of these surfaces is known as a pad on a disc brake and a shoe on a drum brake, they wear over time meaning the gap between the two surfaces increases with wear.
When you got your scoot the back brake required only a small amount of movement on the handle bar lever before it started to work and over time it has required more lever action to work, eventually it will stop working yet the front brake is fine.
Your front disc brake uses hydrulic fluid which automatically adjusts the gap between pad and disc. No one needs to touch it, just replace the pads when they are worn out. Simple.
The rear drum brake is cable operated and has to be manually adjusted. As the shoes wear from use the gap between the drum and shoe increases so every now and again you need to tighten the cable. We would have shown you how to do this at delivery and first service but this is not one we expect you to remember until you've done a couple of thousand kms. On the left hand side of the scooter in the centre of the back wheel you will notice the brake mechanism and a nut that can be turned (look at your manual for diagram). Turn this nut clockwise to tighten the brakes and anti clockwise to loosen. Give the lever a squeeze and keep adjusting until you are happy, don't over tighten it. Brake adjustment is important but is something anyone can do, if you have any doubts pop in and we will guide you through the process.
This is a prompt and we are trying to jog your memory into remembering how to adjust the brake. If you even remotely think you have a brake problem let us look at, it makes us feel wanted.
That's it nice and simple use the same oil, basic petrol, air in the tyres and the odd turn of a nut.
published 8/02/2007 |