New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33 
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 22, 2015 14:29:55 GMT -6
I do not think that the small wobble in the front is a wheel or tire problem. I have checked the front tire - it is round - and balanced. The wheel itself has been checked - it too is round and runs true. I think that leaves the damper as the next item that needs to be checked. Keep in mind that the wobble is not really bad - more annoying than anything and a situation that I can live with. It just takes getting used to a trike. Until now I have been a two wheel scooter, bike rider but at age 89 with a slight balance issue I felt I would be safer on a trike. And I do enjoy riding this bike.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 21, 2015 17:55:07 GMT -6
cyborg -I have though about that - but am not sure how to proceed. Should I take the one on the Zod off and take it to a auto parts for a match? What is the dampening value of the one on the Zod now? How do I measure that? What should I look for in a damper value? Any help along these lines is appreciated - I assure you. I am also mindful of Rapid Jim's comment that some front end wobble in these trikes is normal.
Thanks - John
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 20, 2015 11:38:00 GMT -6
Hi, crwford - I know you are enjoying the lift - makes things a lot easier - especially as our joints makes it harder to get down! I am beginning to enjoy my trike - it does take some getting use to - with the front end wobble some at low speeds.I have an invitation for you and your wife - I will give you a call with the details.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 12, 2015 8:54:12 GMT -6
After measuring three times I decided that the Zodiac would fit where I wanted it to go. And it does - with room to spare. Now that the back wheels have decent tires and are balanced, I am pleased with this bike. As Jim reminded us the front end wobbles a bit at low speeds but it is not really bad and I can live it. The seat latch is not consistent in opening the seat but I can live with that as well.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 7, 2015 19:23:57 GMT -6
I have already gone through all the nuts and bolts that I could reach and put locktite on them. I will tackle the electric connections next. I did a small adjustment on the reverse bar and using the reverse gear is much better now. I do not wish to overdo it but I will try another small adjustment next.
The Zodiac was used today to run some errands and although the front end shimmy was there it was slight and went away entirely when 26 mph indicated was reached. There were several lookers - all were impressed! I am now a happy camper.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 6, 2015 13:45:14 GMT -6
Jim - I remember your writing about this same topic - and I recalled that the tank slap (where did that name come from?) you referred too was normal. I do believe that mine was excessive -but I really do not know what is normal.
I went out for a ride today - some slap at low speeds - but everything was rock solid at about 28 mph. I had it up to 60 mph for a very short time and it was solid. It seems to do best about 55 mph - but since it is new I did not want to hold it at that speed for very long.
I found that the steering damper needed to be tightened. When I took a ride after that adjustment the ride was considerably better at low speeds. I can live with that - it was not excessive - something I just need to get used to..
Jim - thanks again for your insight and for the time you gave to respond. It helps to give me - and others with trikes - peace of mind.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 5, 2015 12:15:56 GMT -6
Yes, the vibration damper rod for the front wheel is correctly attached. Although not to any extreme - the front end tends to twist at low speeds. Again it is not a major problem - just one that I am not familiar with.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 4, 2015 18:36:53 GMT -6
The sun shined - sky was clear - good time to test the Zodiac. When I started out the front end shimmed a bit - like it twisted - but not to an extreme. I can handle that! Then I got the bike up to cruise - 55 miles per hour for a short distance - and it was rock solid! As a matter of fact it was solid from about 15 mph but there was a slight bit of a twisting motion at the front end at slow speeds. What a joy! This is how it should have been on delivery. I am now a happy camper!
crwford - I already had a flash light and a long screw driver in the trunk - but I could not get to it until the trunk latch was fixed.
ellpee - basically I think the Zodiac is a pretty good machine for the price. I do think the dealer did not do a very good job with the PDI and I doubt if he did much of a test drive before delivery otherwise he would have caught the problems I was having before delivery. Maybe he has learned something from this experience. I do believe he was glad to see me go because I kept insisting that it be fixed right.
Now I am looking forward to some great rides on my new Zodiac - before winter sets in!
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 3, 2015 11:42:52 GMT -6
It is hard for me to explain the reverse problem. It goes into reverse easily - no jerk - but it does take some pressure to get it into reverse. Now, whenever some throttle is given - then it jerks - and goes back at a high speed - really fast. When breaks are applied and the Zodiac stops - then give it some throttle and it goes back in reverse at a reasonable and safe speed.
The idle: When I got the Zodiac and tried to ride it - every time I came to a stop sign - it would die - so I had to set the throttle a higher to keep it running. Now maybe it is, in fact - too high. I will need to keep that in mind when I get to ride again. Maybe with a throttle adjustment along with the possible reverse linkage adjustment I will be able to get the reverse issue resolved.
I have been the owner of the Zodiac for 6 weeks now - and have not been able ride it much at all. Bummer!
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 3, 2015 9:11:36 GMT -6
Jim - Yes, I took delivery from a dealer who was supposed to assemble and PDI it. I have had nothing but trouble since delivery. Now - because of the rain - I am not able to test ride it to see if - in fact - they corrected everything. The seat latch does work fine now - and I see weights on the wheels. When I picked the bike up on Wed I was told that the wheels were spun balanced - that should have been done prior to delivery. Reverse continues to be a problem - the dealer insists that the reverse is normal as it is. I disagree and I still think a jerky reverse is a linkage adjustment problem and I will try to work on that myself.
Thanks for your comments - they are very helpful.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Oct 2, 2015 11:57:42 GMT -6
I got the Zodiac back this Wed - 9/30 . The rear wheels were balanced and the trunk switch was repaired. To fix the trunk so that it would open with the ignition key, the mechanic had to take off both the front and rear plastic. It now works as it should. As far as fixing the wobble - well - I will wait for the the rain to stop before I test that out. I did see some weights on the rear wheels so I hope the wobble is fixed - or at least a lot better. We shall see! I am really anxious to ride this bike - I think it will be a blast! After I have given the Zodiac a good ride, I will report my impressions back .
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Sept 28, 2015 17:23:22 GMT -6
Interesting that nothing has changed with the speed. It is good to know about the reverse being smooth. BC Cycles insists that it is normal for the reverse to go in with a jerk - which - according to them - means that it is in reverse and ready for some throttle. I still think that the reverse cable can be adjusted so that the reverse is as smooth as forward.. Guess I will see. I go to pick up my Zodiac this Wednesday.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Sept 22, 2015 18:22:43 GMT -6
crwford - I have not heard anything from BC Cycles. I intend to contact them tomorrow for an update. I will keep you posted. Let me know how the sliders work. I might do the same with mine - when I get it back - but I may need some expert help.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Sept 21, 2015 15:06:46 GMT -6
I took my Zodiac back to the dealer - BC Cycles - just this side of Nashville - last week. I wanted them to get the wheels right and fix the seat lock. While they are at it I wanted them to adjust the backing cable - it jerks when put in reverse - and then takes off going backward like a bat out of hell. And - yes - the tire and rim was well lubricated and I heard the pop when the bead came out to the rim of the wheel.
Crwford - sorry you are having trouble with the red one. I have never heard of such a clean break. I am really impressed with Rapid Jim. I would like to meet him some day.
|
|
New Student
Currently Offline
Posts: 33
A+'s: 0
Joined: Jul 22, 2015 18:11:55 GMT -6
|
Post by seniorcit on Sept 6, 2015 12:16:32 GMT -6
I received the wheels and tires on 9/5 - as promised. However, the tires were not mounted on the wheels. When one of the tires was mounted on a wheel, the tire bead would not go on correctly - part of the bead was outside the wheel rim. This would mean that the tire would not run true - it would wobble as the others did. So now I am going to take this unit back to the dealer so that he can see first hand what the problems are. This would include the seat lock as well. This experience with the Zodiac has been a nightmare! I have a great looking unit - but I am not able to ride it - bummer!
|
|
