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Post by ellpee on Jun 27, 2013 21:19:33 GMT -6
2012 Magnum got delivered sans PDI -- long story, won't go into it here -- but now need to do the basics myself. Engine oil change simple enough, but not sure about gear oil. Guessing it involves taking off the CVT cover to expose the drain and fill plugs, similar to my Roketa?
Oh yeah, and rear brakes seem "loose" -- stop the scoot, but a lot of play in the brake lever compared to front brake. Hints on how to adjust welcome.
Any tips welcome on where to find general maintenance manuals for the new series Magnums. Owner manual contains VERY little information, and that's the exact same one posted on this forum. Even my Roketa came with some wiring diagrams, part lists, etc.
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Post by alleyoop on Jun 27, 2013 22:38:55 GMT -6
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Post by ellpee on Jun 28, 2013 8:36:01 GMT -6
Thanks, good to know at least that much info is available. Anyone have wisdom for me on how to adjust the free play in the rear (disk) brake lever? Fluid level seems fine, and the brakes DO work, but there's way more play than on the front brake lever. With all our hilly roads, I definitely want to feel good about the brakes.
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Post by ellpee on Jun 30, 2013 10:20:40 GMT -6
More for folks thinking of buying a Magnum. First test ride after assembly, about 7-8 miles, no particular problems. WAY different riding experience from a two-wheeler. Noticed afterward I was missing a bolt that holds the chrome(-looking) cover on the right front shock. Found one that fits, replaced it including rubber washer and locktite. Oddly, no corresponding bolt on the left side.  ?? Second test ride, about 25 miles, Ran well, local, highway, flat, hills, speeds up to about 55 mph. Felt like there was more there, but didn't want to overdo it during the shakedown period. Above-mentioned screw still fine. Screws attaching rear fender panels, a few a bit loose, re-tightened with locktite. Lost set screw that holds the handle on the shift lever (F-N-R). Don't have that size, but will replace, with locktite. Screws (bolts) that hold the windshield not impressive, never get really tight, and afraid to over-torque and maybe crack the windshield, will bear watching. Noticed that cooling system worked well at our ambient temperatures (70's - 80's), never got over 1/3 on the gauge. Heard a little bit of squeaking from something in the rear end, don't know what yet. Lubed chain with spray silicone afterward to see if that fixes the squeak. May not have been drive train at all, just body/frame -- I hope. Chain looks a bit loose, but the "play" is still within the 3 cm the owner manual says is okay. That's about 1.2", a bit much for my taste and just looks sloppy visually; will likely tighten it down to maybe half that at 100 miles, even though it will apparently require removing those darn rear fender panels again. Also plan to change to my own USA synthetic oil at 100, gear oil maybe not yet, looks like another deal where the fenders have to come off. |
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Post by ellpee on Jul 4, 2013 19:51:03 GMT -6
Went out today to get it to 100 miles so I could change the Chinese oil. Pretty black, replaced with synthetic. A little crud in the screen as well. Chinglish manual says 0.8 liter, so put in just shy of a quart, couldn't even see it on the dipstick. Remembered reading here that those manuals often contain information for the two-wheel scooter from which the trike evolved, so gradually added more oil until dipstick reading looked reasonable. Ran engine briefly, level dropped slightly but still well within what appears to be the "normal" markings.
Honestly I don't get why a two-wheeler with this (276cc) engine would need any more or less oil than a trike with the same engine, but at any rate I'm living proof that the manuals they send with scooters in general, and the trikes in particular, can't be trusted. I'm gonna say correct engine oil capacity for the 276cc horizontal engine is about 1.5 liters.
Oh, a PS: wife rode along today, and the extra weight was obviously asking a lot from the engine on our local roads, lots of hills and sometimes pretty rough. Just 'cause the book says it can carry 500 lb don't make it so, depending on what your performance expectations are. Okay for the kind of casual riding we have in mind.
Also already seeing a little cracking on the rear fender panels despite the additional rubber bushings etc. that they supposedly added in 2012. Not complaining too loud, see above about rough roads, just saying, something to be aware of and watch.
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Post by ellpee on Jul 5, 2013 17:14:15 GMT -6
Wow, comments have really slowed down here; scootfolks must be hanging out around the back yard BBQ. That's cool, just come back to me when the party's over.
Went on my first big ride today after doing a 100-mile oil change from whatever it came with (got no PDI fluid changes, thanks to the dealer I bought from).
Run was about 60 miles altogether, moderate hills, mostly two-lane, 50-55 mph secondary roads, a couple dozen miles of highway at 55-60. Scoot ran okay, other than being a little tough to start enroute. Comfortable at 55 on flat/rolling, dropped to 45-50 on the steeper stretches; still within my "expectation threshold" for the kind of country surrounding our summer digs.
Particularly on our often steep, rough roads, screws/nuts/bolts bear watching after every run, and one thing I noticed on the Ice Bear Magnum after both recent runs is that the shift linkage fForward/neutral/reverse) bears watching. At the back end there's a three-bolt(nut) situation, and it appears prone to loosening. After today's run I did my best to tighten everything involved, with copious Locktite. Will be interested to see how it looks after the next run.
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Post by rapidjim on Jul 7, 2013 10:35:10 GMT -6
If used right Locktite is your friend.
Jim
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Post by ellpee on Jul 8, 2013 7:40:13 GMT -6
There's a WRONG way to use Loctite? 'Splain me, Lucy.
Oh, a funny-sad story for those considering the Magnum. On one of my early local runs, the trunk fell off in the middle of the road three different times before I got back home, scratching it up pretty good. (Though at least it did stay closed and locked through all that.) Unlike the trunk on my Roketa, which is held on by several bolts, the trunk that came with the Magnum just kind of latches onto a rack -- slide two tabs into recesses, then push down the other side and it clicks into place on a metal bracket. DON'T TRUST IT! After my misfortune I drilled some holes and added a proper bolt, and no problems since. If the trunks on the other Ice Bear trikes are similar in their mode of attachment, I'd beware of them too.
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..BAD TO THE BONE..
