ai_zeus blog

New Mirror Assy

2011-06-08T09:02:00.004+07:00

Finally, the mirror assy arrived from Taiwan. Yes!

This is the original mirror assy for my scooter, and it is different from the one that sell on my country, hihihi...

Here is the picture of it.

This one is the front side (sorry about the picture, the source light is a little bit to much).

This is the mirror from a closer look, there is a letter written on the mirror.

This is the front side from a closer look

What I like about this mirror is there are 2 holes at the bottom of the mirror for water drainage

And of course, a unique bolt mounting design

KKE3 vs KUDU

2011-03-18T13:34:00.005+07:00

I don't know exactly when did I swap the Face Movable Drive for my scooter transmission from KKE3 to KUDU. But one thing I do remember, the parts made the fuel consumption become more worst.

For a comparison:
- KKE3: Speed for 5600 RPM is 60 kmh
- KUDU: Speed for 5600 RPM is 53 kmh

Let say if we really test it run for an hour with a very stable 5600 RPM for an hour (which is imposible in the real world). Then we can assume it will reach 60 km. And so on the KUDU will reach 53 km in an hour.

On KKE3, the fuel consumption is about 35 kpl.

Now we calculate the new fuel consumption if we use the KUDU parts.
Fuel Cons KUDU = Distance KUDU / (Distance KKE3 / Fuel Cons KKE3)

Fuel Cons KUDU = 53 km / (60 km / 35 kpl)
Fuel Cons KUDU = 53 km / 1.7143 L
Fuel Cons KUDU = 30.9167 kpl

The conclution is:
KKE3 vs KUDU = 35 kpl vs 31 kpl

Stupid Car Driver

2010-10-27T08:28:00.003+07:00

This morning, Wednesday, October 26, 2010, I ride my scooter with my beloved wife. I ride earlier because I don't wanna get stuck on the morning traffic jam after last night the road get flooded.

After half way to go, I arrive at the cross intersection. I slowdown my scooter and take the right path, because I want to use the right lane of the street. (Before 10.00 am, the police made a policy that the whole street is one way. So all the vehicle that opposite direction, have to move around.)

After I get to the right lane, suddenly a car that is on the left edge of the lane turn the steering wheel to the right and crossing the road very fast.

CRASHH!!!

He crashed into my scooter and I fell and he stopped.
When I move my scooter, suddenly he went away without leaving a single word.

STUPID JERK!!!

Is this what they always says that a motorist never obey the traffic rule and they always made the traffic even worse?

I simply dunno know...

Damn You BASTARD !!!

2010-06-07T09:25:00.003+07:00

Friday, June 4, 2010, after office hour about 17:05, I want to go home immediately. So I pack all of my stuff and put in the bag. I move to the elevator and press the Ground Floor button. I walk to the parking area and headed to my scooter.

I open the baggage and put my bag in. I didn't notice it first, but then 2 parking men approaching me and tell me about the accident.

I look forward to it.

DAMN YOU BASTARD !!!

The parking men said that they notice this after it happen and they don't know who did it. They only know, that there is already one motorcycle that fall on my scooter.

Horn Relay

2010-05-17T10:39:00.006+07:00

Monday, May 16, 2010, I want to implement a Relay for my scooter horn, so it can produce sound quality on it maximum performance.

First thing to do is prepare the tools needed to implementing the relay.

1 pcs 4 leg relay
1 pcs relay socket
3 pcs male terminal
6 pcs female terminal
2 pcs rubber seal terminal
1 pcs round terminal
1 pcs 10A fuse
1 pcs fuse socket
Cable with 1.5mm diameter cooper width

The fuse that I choose is 10 amp, because the battery in my scooter was 8 amp.

Here is the diagram for the horn relay:
Get to work.

Make 3 pcs cable @15cm length
Connect each cable on one side with female terminal
Connect each of the fuse cable with female terminal and give one of the cable with the rubber seal
Plug it the 3 cable and one of the fuse cable into the socket relay
Connect the 86 relay cable feet with male terminal
Release the socket from the horn colored with light green and then connect it with the 86 relay cable
Connect the 87 relay cable feet with female terminal and give a rubber seal and then plug it to the horn
Connect the 85 relay cable feet with a male terminal and then connect it to the horn ground
Make 1 pcs cable 1.5m length
Connect the cable with round terminal and male terminal
Connect the male terminal with the fuse cable and the round to the positive battery
Plug the relay onto the socket

Done. Lets test the sound.

I push the switch button and I get shocked. Wow, it louder than before...

Damn good indeed!!! No need to buy a louder one.

LED Turn Signal Bulb

2010-04-29T08:14:00.006+07:00

Tuesday, April 20, 2010, I received a packages from a friend of mine. He told me that it is a LED turn signal bulb and the winker relay as I requested. I really want to upgrade my turn signal bulb into LED system to save the electricity cost.

The stock bulb is 10 Watt a piece, so it will consume 20 Watt (1.67 Amp) if I turn on the light (excluding the winker relay).

Here is the calculation on Amber Superflux LED:
- Voltage: 2.2 V @ 20 mA

So the Wattage is = V.I
That is 2.2 V x 20 mA = 0.044 W

1 bulb contain 15 led, so the total is:
15 x 0.044 W = 0.66 Watt

Total 2 bulb is: 2 x 0.66 Watt = 1.32 Watt (0.11 Amp)

Compare to the stock bulb (20W:1.32W). I'm saving about 1.500% of wattage!!!

Let's prepare:
- 4 pcs LED turn signal
- 1 pcs winker relay
- Socket converter

There are couple of reason why I need a socket converter, and that is:
- The stock socket has 3 pin, and this one is only 2 pin
- The stock pin is straight aligned, and this one not
- The stock pin size is very small about 1/3 of this one

Lets work.
- Remove the front license plate and the bracket
- Remove the front shield
- Remove the rectifier
- Remove the stock winker relay from the bracket
- Remove the socket that attach to the rectifier
- Attach the socket converter onto the stock socket
- Attach the socket converter to the led winker relay
- Remove all of the lens winker
- Replace the stock bulb with the LED bulb

Done, lets test the winker. Ups... it doesn't work... If this happen to you too, then you should switch the cable on the switch converter.

Ok, this should be working correctly right now, if not, then the winker relay is damage or the bulb is dead.

I got nervous about this... Because LED winker replacement kit is not a cheap parts you know, and there are no guarantee for this parts.

OK, I build my courage to turn on the switch...

HORAY.... IT WORK.....!!!

But something is missing. Yeah, it is the sound "tic tac" from the stock relay. This one is silent because it only has 3 pin. The one is missing is the Ground Cable. Ground Cable is needed for the buzzer to produce sound on the stock relay.

Put everything assemble as before and job done.

Testing Poorboy's World Products

2010-04-13T08:16:00.005+07:00

Thursday, April 8th, 2010, I received a package. I know what it is inside the package. Yes, it finally arrived. It is some of Poorboy's World product.

There are 3 product:

Super Slick & Suds Car Wash

Super Swirl Removers 2.5

Wheel Sealant

Here is the detail of each products:

Super Slick & Suds Car Wash

Meguiar's Gold Class™ Car Wash

Super Swirl Removers 2.5

Wheel Sealant

Here is a picture of the result:

My conclusion is, these 3 Poorboy's World product is an excellent product.

Polishing Machine: DA & Rotary

2010-02-08T09:43:00.009+07:00

Saturday, February 6, 2010, I decided to buy another new Polishing Machine that is Rotary. This machine is not intended to replace my Dual Action (DA) Porter Cable 7424XP machine, but it will compliment and perfecting the polishing result. Err, may be not. The correct sentence should be: The DA machine will perfecting the end result of the Rotary cutting.

I choose DeWalt 849.

This machine called the Yellow Bull, because of it bullet proof and indestructible machine. It can correct paint surface faster than any other machine; and of cource it can damage the paint surface on inexperienced guy.

Now I had Porter Cable 7424XP and DeWalt 849. This two machine is the best machine on it category.

The Rotary should cut better and faster because of it heavy weight and it produce more heat that help cutting process faster. And then at the final result, the DA should do the rest at the Glaze level.

The difference between DA & Rotary is:
- PC-7424XP jiggle and move inconstantly, because this machine designated is to avoid heat that can damage the paint surface on inexperienced guy.
- PC-7424XP is lighter than DW-849 about 1kg.
- PC-7424XP is shorter than DW-849.

Porter Cable 7424XP:

DeWalt 849:

You may notice that there is a small pin on the top of DW-849 machine:

This pin is for locking the spindle thread, so you don't need a wrench to change the Backing Plate.

Halogen vs HID

2010-02-01T09:21:00.004+07:00

Friday, January 29. 2010, I decided to try HID head lamp on my scooter. I search the best 35W HID product with the best value of course. I contact the vendor, and we setup the meeting point. After me met, he demonstrate the HID and test the HID that I want to buy. Done with that, I brought the HID back to home. He said don't worry about this HID, it's universal HID, it has a few adapter for a few type of bulb. Which I need is H4, it has it. And he mention that the cable is long enough, so I wouldn't worry about the installation.

Saturday, January 30, 2010, I dissemble my scooter parts; the front top cover, front lower cover, right floor side cover, and of course the handle cover.

Second, I dissemble the H4 35W/35 bulb from the headlight socket. And then continue plugin the HID bulb into the headlight socket and seal it with the rubber seal socket.

After it done, I change the hi/lo trigger cable from only terminal type into socket type. Done with that, I plug all the wiring cable as it shown on the manual. and place all the device (ballast, etc) to the safest place. And I set the cable to a more orderly position.

One problem found when I set the cable, that is the cable is not long enough to reach the battery!!! Whoa, I have to add some cable so it can connect to the battery, about 40cm long.

After it set properly, I turn on the engine and then turn on the light. HID need some time about 4-5 second until it reach maximum light output.

And here it is the result of 35W HID:

Compare to the halogen H4 35W/35:

As you can see, HID shine brighter than halogen bulb.

Another difference is not only the light output, but the battery consume too. On the idle RPM about 1800 RPM, the battery produce about 13.8V; and when the light turn on:
- HID: battery voltage drop until 12.2V
- Halogen: battery voltage drop until 13V

So, I should be carefully using this bulb!

Note: Both of the bulb type is 4300K.

A New Beginning

2010-01-11T13:27:00.003+07:00

2009 had passed, it is time to look forward. I know it's kinda late to write this. But it is better late than never, right?

Let see, what have I done on the past...
- Demon Eye
- H4 Headlight
- Migrate to full DC System

Very little indeed. But I'm pretty satisfied with that project, 'cause I can complete that project with lack of time.

Almost forgot; last year I has 2 accident that broke some of my scooter parts. Some can not be fix or replace, and some can. That is because I had trouble to get the parts here, the factory has been stop and shutdown for sure.

So, what next?

Hmmm, don't know for sure... Let me think for a while...

Got it!!!

First, I want to fix my scooter engine.

The oil is always running out and unpleasant smell from the exhaust.
I already check the piston, nothing problem with that. I found the problem on the oil valve seal; and I already replace it with the new one. But it didn't solve the problem. Maybe the oil valve seal isn't in a good shape when I buy it, or maybe something else. Don't know.

Second, I want to open Detailing Workshop

This is always my dream, I had to fulfill this dream no matter what. One by one, I buy the polishing product and also the polishing machine.
And I carefully select the product on each level, so I can get the best product on each level. Hope this will keep my customer satisfaction later on when it open.

Third, I want to buy a car

This is the hardest. Because buying a car is not as simple as it look for someone like me. You know why? This is the bad side of me; if I want to buy something, then I will make thorough research and carefully select the product. I don't care about the brand image, as long as it give the best overall value to me, then I will pick it.

It's quite challenging for me. This will take up a lot of my energy and also spent a lot of the budget that I ever imagined.

Power to Weight Ratio

2009-11-26T10:20:00.023+07:00

Bored with 2 wheels writing, let's have some chit chat with 4 wheels.

This is the first time I write about 4 wheels. So, I will start with light writing first. That is "Power to Weight Ratio".

Power to Weight Ratio is very common this days, because it measure actual engine performance. It is the engine Power output divided by the curb weight of the vehicle.

This is the Formula:

P-to-W = P/W

The measurement I use is Watt divided by kilogram.

Now, we are headed to the real 4 wheels specification data. I limit the category into urban compact car that exist in this country, that is Indonesia.

Yaris

Power	=	80 kW / 109 ps @ 6000 rpm
Displacement	=	1,497 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,035 kg (MT)

Yaris Specification 1

Yaris Specification 2

Swift

Power	=	74.5 kW / 100 ps @ 6000 rpm
Displacement	=	1,490 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,000 kg ST
Curb Weight	=	1,020 kg GT2

Swift Specification 1

Swift Specification 2

All New Jazz

Power	=	88 kW / 120 ps @ 6600 rpm
Displacement	=	1,497 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,115 kg

Jazz Specification

Livina XR

Power	=	80 kW / 109 ps @ 6000 rpm
Displacement	=	1,498 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,117 kg

Livina XR Specification

Hyundai i20

Power	=	74.6 kW / 101.4 ps @ 5500 rpm
Displacement	=	1,397 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,100 kg

i20 Specification

Aveo

Power	=	63.3 kW / 86 ps @ 5500 rpm
Displacement	=	1,498 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,055 kg

Aveo Specification

Mazda2

Power	=	76 kW / 103 ps @ 6000 rpm
Displacement	=	1,498 cc Gasoline
Curb Weight	=	1,029 kg

Mazda2 Specification

After we have the fact data, let us calculate the P-to-W data.

Yaris

P-to-W	=	80 kW / 1,035 kg
	=	80,000 W / 1,035 kg
	=	77.3 W/kg

Swift ST

P-to-W	=	74.5 kW / 1,000 kg
	=	74,500 W / 1,000 kg
	=	74.5 W/kg

Swift GT2

P-to-W	=	74.5 kW / 1,020 kg
	=	74,500 W / 1,020 kg
	=	73 W/kg

All New Jazz

P-to-W	=	88 kW / 1,115 kg
	=	88,000 W / 1,115 kg
	=	78.9 W/kg

Livina XR

P-to-W	=	80 kW / 1,117 kg
	=	80,000 W / 1,117 kg
	=	71.6 W/kg

Hyundai i20

P-to-W	=	74.6 kW / 1,100 kg
	=	74,600 W / 1,100 kg
	=	67.8 W/kg

Aveo

P-to-W	=	63.3 kW / 1,055 kg
	=	63,300 W / 1,055 kg
	=	60 W/kg

Mazda2

P-to-W	=	76 kW / 1,029 kg
	=	76,000 W / 1,029 kg
	=	73.9 W/kg

This data proved that All New Jazz is the winner followed by Yaris on the second and Swift ST on the third grade.

Migrate to The Full DC System

2009-08-12T15:38:00.005+07:00

Friday, August 7, 2009, I want to implement Full Wave electricity system for
my scooter.

The positive effect of Full Wave system is:

Full DC system
Stable battery charging
Minimal blinking on the light system
More brighter light

And the negative side of Full Wave system is:

More hotter on the rectifier
Must use the Full Wave Rectifier minimum 2 phase (bigger is better)
More hotter on the cabling system

This is the step detail to implement Full Wave system (see picture
below):

Release both of the blue mark cable
Join both of the cable

Note:

The left blue mark picture is for AC system light
The right blue mark picture is for grounding

Technically, Full Wave system or should I say full DC system, doesn't need light system sourced from the Stator. Because it source directed from the battery!!! So, the light cabling system and grounding is disabled, and then replace it with the combination of the light and grounding cable. This make the output became doubled or may be tripled through the light cable (yellow cable).

Make sure that the Stator ground is disable for good. If not, then the Full Wave system didn't work correctly! And can cause burn to the whole electricity system.

Next step is (see picture below):

Release the yellow cable on the white socket opposite the pink dot and seal it!
Remove the rectifier
Release the yellow cable on the rectifier socket and connect it to the positive system out from the key contact
Connect a new cable to the white socket and direct it to the rectifier socket
Replace the rectifier with a brand new Full Wave Rectifier

Done. That's all the step detail if I want to migrate to the Full Wave
System.

Note:

Yellow cable: Lighting sourced from the Stator
White cable: Battery charging sourced from the Stator (AC)
Red cable: Battery input charging (DC)
Green cable: Ground

Delvac 1 5W-40 vs Fastron 10W-40

2009-07-24T08:09:00.032+07:00

May be some of you very curious about this. Why? Because Delvac 1 is Group IV oil and Fastron is Group III. How can I compare 2 different Group oil? Should the answer is clearly that Group IV is far better than Group III?

OK, I don't want to give any conclution yet. So, let's go on to the test comparison. Mobil Delvac 1 is Singapore packaging nor the US. Pertamina Fastron is Indonesian product.

	Mobil Delvac 1	Pertamina Fastron
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)	14.7	14.13
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)	98	99.99
Viscosity Index (ASTM D-2270)	156	144
Flash Point °C (ASTM D-92)	249	230
Pour Point °C (ASTM D-97)	-48	-27
Total Base Number, mg KOH/g (ASTM D-2896)	10.1	6.43

Based on the technical data, lets try compare the oil one by one.

Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)

Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)

Viscosity Index (ASTM D-2270)

Flash Point °C (ASTM D-92)

Pour Point °C (ASTM D-97)

Total Base Number, mg KOH/g (ASTM D-2896)

Time to test these two. The method that I use is:

Drain the oil from my scooter until the last drop
Check whether there is still some oil in the crankshaft or not
Fill the brand new oil into the engine about 850mL
Change the air filter with the new one
Start the engine and make sure the engine is hot enough and the idle RPM is flat
Test the oil on regular road condition until 2000km usage at maximum speed 70kmh

Mobil Delvac 1:

Torque

Engine noise

Torque after 2000km

Engine noise after 2000km

Oil color after 2000km

Pertamina Fastron:

Torque

Engine noise

Torque after 2000km

Engine noise after 2000km

Oil color after 2000km

My country is tropical country that the temperature range about 28-32°C at noon.

My conclution is:

Fastron was better on the torque. That make sense, because the cSt of Delvac 1 @ 100°C is thicker than Fastron.

Delvac 1 can be use longer than Fastron, indicated by the sound of the valve stem. This is make sense too, because Delvac 1 has higher VI and TBN than Fastron.

Source:
- Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40
- Pertamina Fastron 10W-40

High Temperature Grease

2009-05-22T10:01:00.016+07:00

Thurday, May 21, 2009, at 2:30AM, I want to change the grease on the driven pulley part of my scooter.

The grease that I used is not an ordinary grease, because it has to be stand on a very high heat and corrotion. And that is High Temperature Grease.

Why should I use the high temp grease? Because, the heat that transfered from the engine combustion, the friction of the gearbox and the friction from the cvt it selves is very high. Beside, sometimes water got through into the cvt, so the grease should stand on the corrotion too.

This grease is made from a lithium complex, and that is synthetic grease.

Lets begin the work.

First, loosen and remove the two screws signed with a white arrow with a medium plus (+) srewdriver. Then, remove the black plastic part to safe place.

Second, remove the two bolts signed with a red arrow with a 8mm socket or 8mm T-socket. Remove the 8 bolts signed with a white arrow with a 8mm socket or 8mm T-socket. Then remove the cvt cap to the safe place.

Here is the picture inside the cvt.

Third, remove the nut that hold the front/drive pulley with a 17mm impact wrench or with a 17mm socket and a universal holder if you don't have the impact wrench.

Fourth, remove the nut that hold rear/driven pulley with a 17mm impact wrench or with a 17mm socket and a universal holder.

Fifth, disassemble the front and rear pulley together.

The part that I should replace the grease is the rear/driven pulley especially on the secondary sheave. Before that, I check the clutch.

There no weird condition on the clutch, seems the clutch work very good so I can move on to change the grease.

Dissamble the clutch with a clutch special tools.

Oh almost forgot, from now on I don't give any picture, cause my hand is dirty with dust and grease. So I can not take any picture with my situation from now on.

Here is the continuation of the work:
- Remove the clutch spring seat.
- Remove the sheave cover with a medium minus (-) screwdriver.
- Remove the three push pin with the minus srewdriver.
- Remove the secondary sheave.
- Clean all the grease inside and outside the sheave
- Clean all the grease on the secondary sheave.
- Give a brand new high temp grease onto both of the sheave

Done with it, now put everything up together step by step backward. And don't forget to give a little amount of the grease onto the countershaft.

Testing Gold Class™ Car Wash

2009-05-18T09:07:00.004+07:00

Sunday, May 17, 2009, I run out my regular car wash shampoo. So I took my brand new car wash shampoo that I bought about 2 week ago; that is Meguiar's® Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

I read on how to instruction on the back. Meguiar's recommend 4 cap bottle mix with 1 gallon water.

Something that messing in my mind is, what is the "Gallon" standar that they use? is it US Liquid or UK or Imperial?
- 1 Gallon = 3.785 Liter (US Liquid)
- 1 Gallon = 4.546 Liter (UK)
- 1 Gallon = 4.546 Liter (Imperial)

Based on this data, which one should I choose? UK and Imperial result the same value, so I bet I should use 4.546 Liter right? Hold on a second, let us read closely the back side instruction. Hm..., they didn't mention any of that. But may be, if I follow the maker of this product I can get preassumption which one should I take.

The bottle had written it made in Holland. It is part of the Europe right and closer to the UK than the US, so they must use the UK Gallon convertion unit.

Ok, lets prepare the bucket and clean it. I've only need about 2 Liter to wash my scooter, so I pour 2 cap of it and mix with water about 2+ Liter.

I Spray the whole paint surface with water and hope that the grime will wash away and the dirt will get softer after I spray on it. I continue washing the paint surface, after that I continue on the other parts that has no paint at all. Spray again with water to dismiss the foam.

Wow, the paint surfaces has repellent the water. The paint shine really great far better than my old car wash shampoo.

This is the best car wash shampoo that I ever had. Oh this product is Biodegradable too, so it is safe for the environment.

Testing Hot Shine™ Tire Gel

2009-05-04T10:27:00.012+07:00

Sunday, May 3, 2009, I want to try out the result of Meguiar’s® Hot Shine™ High Gloss Tire Gel on my tire.

I wash my scooter and finish it with the Ultimate Quik Detailer. After that, I shake the Hot Shine bottle and remove the inner seal. I pour the gel onto the sponge and wipe it to the side wall tire surface carefully.

"Be sure not to apply on the tire surface that contact with the road, because it will cause slippery on your tire"

Here is the final result after I applied it to my tire:

As you can see, the result is very dark black and deep gloss, I like it so much. Meguiars recommend to apply second layer for best result, and the second layer must be apply 10 minutes after the first layer.

Lets wait how long this Hot Shine can protect my tire from UV dan rain badly, is it 1 week? Or may be 2 week? Or may be more or less than that. I don't know for sure, but I hope it will last longer than the tire protectant that I used previously. And hope too that dirt and mud doesn't adhere strongly to the tire surface not like my previous protectant, so I can easily clean it.

Almost Complete Detailing Amunition

2009-05-04T07:51:00.006+07:00

Saturday, May 2, 2009, I go to buy some of detailing product, I want to complete the list of my consumer line detailing product so I can achieve the finest result of paint detailing.

The product that I buy on saturday is:
- Meguiar's® Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
- Meguiar's® ScratchX®
- Meguiar's® Quik Detailer®
- Meguiar's® Ultimate Quik Detailer™
- Meguiar’s® Hot Shine™ High Gloss Tire Gel

All of the product is Meguiar's consumer line. By the way, ScratchX that I buy is still the old one (not ScratchX 2.0) because is hasn't out right now in my country, still on shipping.

And here it is, all of the product that I have right now.

Complete? No, not yet. I still hasn't:
- Meguiar’s® Gold Class™ Bug & Tar Remover
- Meguiar’s® PlastX™ Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish
- Meguiar’s® Smooth Surface® Replacement Clay

Last thing that I want is DeWalt DW849 Heavy-Duty 7"/9" Electronic Variable Speed Polisher.

Ideal Tire Pressure

2009-04-14T09:39:00.002+07:00

This is an old post, but I think I've accidentally deleted it. So I decided to write it again to remind me the ideal tire pressure for all scooter and small sized motorcycle.

According to the manual book, the ideal tire pressure is:

* 1 rider
Front: 1.75 kg/cm2
Rear: 2.00 kg/cm2

* 2 riders
Front: 1.75 kg/cm2
Rear: 2.25 kg/cm2

* 2 riders (GD250)
Front: 2.00 kg/cm2
Rear: 2.25 kg/cm2

If we convert it into PSI (1 kg/cm2 = 14.223 psi), then the tire pressure is:

* 1 rider
Front: 1.75 * 14.223 psi = 24.89025 psi
Rear: 2.00 * 14.223 psi = 28.446 psi

* 2 riders
Front: 1.75 * 14.223 psi = 24.89025 psi
Rear: 2.25 * 14.223 psi = 32.00175 psi

* 2 riders (GD250)
Front: 2.00 * 14.223 psi = 28.446 psi
Rear: 2.25 * 14.223 psi = 32.00175 psi

Source:
http://event.kymco.com/global/manual/AGILITY_50cc.pdf
http://event.kymco.com/global/manual/GrandDink_125_150_250cc.pdf
http://xtronics.com/reference/convert.htm

Pirelli SL-38 Unico

2009-02-19T15:35:00.005+07:00

Monday, February 16, 2009, my scooter tyre arrived, that is Pirelli SL-38 UNICO 110/80-10 sized for my rear wheel.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 11.00 AM, I change my rear Pirelli SL-26 with Pirelli SL-38 UNICO. It take about 20 minute to replace the tyre.

The thread is design for a wet surface, but not limited on a dry surface.

Let's try it on a real road condition.

Turn on my scooter and run it about 40kmh on a dry road condition. Wow, my scooter is very stable, I don't sense any wrong movement on the rear when I tried to move in and out so sudden. Even when push hard my scooter on high speed and high acceleration, I can control my scooter easily.

What about on a wet condition?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009, the road is wet after the rain fall not to heavy. The rain is stop, time to test the tyre. I choose time after the rain stop, because it's the time when water is not moving and will cause the aqua planning on the tyre.

Run my scooter as usual, speed 40, 60 and 80kmh, and run a slalom. The tyre keep my scooter stay onto the ground, this is good, When I hit the brake, my scooter is stop correctly, only a small amount unnecessary movement. But ordinary rider won't feel it either.

My opinion is: This is tyre is impressive!!!

Safety Shoe

2009-02-19T14:45:00.009+07:00

Saturday, February 14, 2009, I ride with my wife to the shoe store, I need to buy a new safety shoe to replace mine that almost broken.

After look around a bit, my eyes stop on one shoe.

That is Kings Safety Shoes. This shoe meet on my standar criteria, that is:
- Waterproof
- High enough if I use on a rain, that water can't get inside from the top if I wear a rain coat
- Has a steel cap, that protect my finger

The store gave me a discount, about 25%. Great, this will save my money from a high expense.

OK, here it is. The shoe is King Safety Shoes KWD805X

Kings made this shoe with a high standard, like:
- Oil resistant Sole
- Antistatic, etc

The look of this shoe (or may be a boot) just like a hard work shoe. But don't mind with that, as long as my feet is safe, I don't care about it.

"No Steel Midsole" mean this shoe doesn't have a steel protector on the bottom of the sole.

First impression of this shoe is, "Its heavy and kinda difficult to walk". Same impression when first I wear my old shoe, may be after couple of day, I will get use to it.

Lets try on my scooter.

Run the scooter slowly and step the shoe onto the deck. HEY!!! It's weird, no it's very soft and a little bit bouncy when I first put my feet on the deck.

I love this shoe sole but I don't like the weight.

H4 Headlight

2009-02-13T09:58:00.008+07:00

Last January 2009, the reflector H4 for my scooter is arrived, I look at it, and found some differences with the stock. The position of the bracket reflector is differ, so I must make some changes on it.

I go the modification house to make the changes based on my order.

After waiting about two week, finally it finished yesterday on Thursday, February 12, 2009. I plug the part on my scooter.

Finished.

Now I look for the lamp. I choose Osram Nightbreaker H4 60/55 W This is performance halogen lamp +90, that is the best halogen lamp right now.

Inside of the package:

There is a blue coat that osram claim that this coat make the lamp become less glare for the driver. That make this lamp is safer to eye strain.

Lets try on my scooter. First I plug the lamp onto the reflector and tighten the lamp onto the reflector. Plug the socket wire to the lamp.

Now get ready for the action. I am very nervous about it. I pull my scooter right on the middle of the street right in front of my house about 12pm.

This is the result; before that, I am really sorry if the picture isn't good enough, because it late, and my eyes is heavy too.

This is the street condition before I turn on my scooter headlight:

Now I turn my scooter on, and see the result on low RPM about 1800 RPM

And now, the last is on more than 3000 RPM or the maximum condition of the light:

As you can see, the spot light is wider and long enough, so I can see the road condition better than before. I really loved it.

Demon Eye - Failed Project

2009-01-28T08:29:00.004+07:00

Saturday, January 17, 2009, I started to begin my Lightning Project again, signed with the Project L. Now, the braking light system that need to redefined, and make sure that the light doesn't consume electricity to much that pooring all the system.

1st stage of the braking system is called "DEMON EYE".

I bought 2 meter white glow wire with the Inverter for 12V input.

- Cut the output cable from the Inverter about 20cm long, and paint it silver so it will shadow with the brake reflector.

- Connect the inverter input cable onto the night mode light output

I tried to measure the output from the inverter with the Volt Meter. It about 5V, so I assume that this glow wire will work best on a 5V input.

- Stick the glow wire onto the inside section of the red mica with a glue gun.

- Solder the two small wire inside the glow wire with the negatif output of the inverter

- Clean up the middle wire of the glow wire with an abrasif paper so we can see the metal part shining

- Solder the middle wire of the glow wire with the positif output of the inverter

- Place everyting parts together and switch on the night mode light

As you can see the result is not good enough, the reason is the glow wire diameter is to small about 2mm. For best result, I need to change the glow wire to 5mm diameter so it will make the demon eye more eye catching and more elegant. And that is on the next project!

Custom Clutch Spring

2008-11-21T12:29:00.013+07:00

Actually this has to be written about 5 month ago. But sadly at that time I don't have much time to spare.

The story begin when I change my scooter clutch with the brand new one. Bought a set of clutch and the clutch bell (clutch house or whatever it call). I must change the clutch because the old one had damaged when I tried to climb up a bridge. The bridge is not high, but I had to stop my scooter on the foot of the bridge because the traffic is stuck; my scooter incline position is about 35 degree with full of bagage and tandem with my wife. When the car in front of me is moving, I tried to open the throttle, but its to heavy for my scooter, and I open it a little wide; my scooter is moving and pass the bridge.

But there is something wrong after it, there is a vibration when it come on a stop and go traffic. Oh no, I think the clutch is burning. The vibration getting worse and worse, and I have to get used to it after the parts that I ordered is ready stock.

After the clutch is ready, I switch the old clutch with the brand new. Nah, it's done. Clean up the tools, and take some break.

Now, time to test the new clutch performance. I know that the new one is a stock, so I don't expect any increase on the performance. Turn on my scooter engine, and run it on the street.

First impression is, the brand new clutch is very poor on the performance. it need very high RPM to start the scooter to engage. This is very bad for the fuel consumption. But let us make an exception for this because it is a brand new clutch and it must be the clutch shoes didn't sit properly on the inner clutch bell. Let's test it for a two week, if there is no change on the performance, then I would do something about it.

1st week is very bad, fuel consumption become doubled than regular. I hate it so much, the scooter performance is very poor indeed. It take lot of time for my scooter to engage, the exact RPM is about 4800. And on the 60kmh, it need 8000RPM; regular is 6000RPM. Hope next week will be better.

2nd week is good, but not good enough. still my scooter engage in a high RPM about 4500. Usually my scooter engage on 4000 RPM.

I can't wait any longer, I must do something to make it good or better than before.

I think the brand new clutch had a problem on the friction point that make the clutch can not stick tightly on the clutch bell. So how come can I fix this problem. I think the best way to solve this is to change the clutch spring with the softer one.

I need a softer spring than the one on the after market. The solution is, I must make a custom clutch spring.

I search on the market any spring that softer than the stock and it must be steel not iron, and the length quite similar. Got it! Time to change the clutch spring with this one.

Prepare some tools:
1. 8mm socket
2. 17mm socket
3. Clutch special tool
4. Big sized minus (-) screw driver

- Open the CVT cover with 8mm socket and remove it.
- Open the front pulley with a special tools and 17mm socket, or if you has an impact wrench then open with it.
- Remove the front pulley.
- Open the clutch bell with a special tools and 17mm socket and remove it.
- Pull the clutch from the engine.

As you can see the clutch isn't touched the bell inner surfaces properly, about 60%, signed with the black surface on the shoe.

- Remove the clutch from the sheave with clutch special tool opener.
- After that, we must remove the three pieces steel ring with a big sized minus screw driver and remove the plate.

- Separate the clutch shoe from where it sit with the screw driver

- Now you can see the clutch clearly and remove it

This is the stock clutch spring:

This is the stock and the custom spring:

- Plug the custom spring on the clutch shoe, and stick everything together backward.

Done with that, lets test it right away.

Turn on the engine until it hot enough, and open the throttle while I see the RPM meter closely. I feel the scooter is engage, and you know what; the scooter engage on the 3500 RPM.

Scooter Auto Detailing

2008-10-13T08:01:00.011+07:00

Saturday, October 10, 2008, I decided to migrating from my old wax into the new one. And I want it to move not only the wax, but something beyond from it. It is auto detailing; I choose Meguiar's.

I prepare my scooter and go to the Meguiar's shop and buy three of their product:
- Smooth Surface® Clay Kit
- NXT Generation® Tech Wax™ Paste
- Supreme Shine® Microfibre Towel

I know that three of these product is not enough if I really want to concentrate on auto detailing for my scooter. The answer is money. My spend money is only enough for three of these product, and based on my knowledge this is enough for the basic auto detailing.

Clay is useful to remove the contaminants that wash process can not clean it. The inside clay package is:
- 16oz Quik Detailer
- 2 clay bars
- Supreme Shine® Microfibre Towel
- 4oz Cleaner Wax

I don't use the Cleaner Wax, because I already buy NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Now let's prepare the scooter first with wash. After that, I open the clay bar and flatten it on my palm. I spray small amount of the Quik Detailer onto the clay, and I spray it either to the paint surface. I buff the paint surface with the clay, after that I clean it with the Microfibre Towel included in the package.

Done with that, now it is time to move on to the wax to protect the paint system of my scooter.

NXT Tech Wax™ Paste package contains:
- Wax Paste
- Application Pad

Hold the pad on my palm and touch the wax. Buff lightly onto the paint surface.

Wait until it dry and use the Supreme Shine™ Microfibre Towel to remove the residue. Almost forgot, the Supreme Shine™ Microfibre Towel contains three pieces of towel. With this towel, cleaning the wax residue become more easier and faster. I note the previous differences with my past wax is, this NXT doesn't leaves a white residue if it touch the plastic parts.

Here is the result:

Front:

Rear:

Bottom Plastic:

As you can see, the result is amazing, especially on the black paint; the result is like a mirror. You can see the reflection on the black paint clearly.

Now I must spend more money if I want more deep gloss and darker result.

Go Green with Asbestos Free

2008-08-12T14:47:00.011+07:00

After a long search, I found such a good product to replace my brake pad. Asbestos free made from a carbon, make this pad very special. It claims that this pad is work great on a wet and dry condition, and stands the heat better than the stock. And something that makes me so curious about this pad is; it cost far lower than the stock, about half the price.

Let us prepare the tools needed to plug the pad into the braking system.

1. Big sized minus (-) screwdriver
2. 12mm socket
3. 5mm hex socket

Remove the two bolts that stick the caliper onto the shock absorber with 12mm socket.

Now remove the two bolts that hold the pad with 5mm hex.

After that, remove the pad. Now I tried to clean the pad and compare with the carbon pad. This is the original pad:

This is the carbon pad:

And this is the surface of both pad:

Left one is the stock and the right one is the carbon pad. As you can see the quality of the carbon pad is good enough.

The distributor offer a replacement if the pad washed-up before six month or 15,000km. And he claims that this pad is not abrasive.

After everything is setup, on later day I try it performance. Oh no, I can stop my scooter properly, my scooter can not stop! What happen, did this pad is bad or what? I check my disc brake, and I saw something weird. The pad isn’t full contacting with the disc; signed with a dark Grey mark on the disc surface.

OK, lets wait a couple of day and see it performance, is it going better or not. After a week, my braking system is improving, but it still lacks of braking power, I need more. I check again the disc surface, now I’m so amaze that this pad still isn’t full contacting!

I should wait a little longer and be patient with the road condition.

After a long wait (almost 3 weeks), the pad indicate its true performance. The braking system is good enough, better than the stock. I can use late braking without worries. And it’s true that after using 5 month, the disc is still in good shape and smooth condition. But the side effect of this pad is, it make the disc become a dark Grey not shiny.

Hybrid System

2008-08-12T11:46:00.004+07:00

After successful migrating into full DC system, theres is something wrong with my scooter. The battery loosing its power slowly! I must do something quick to make the battery work like before.

I tried to count electricity consume by the lighting system.
6 bulb 3.4W
1 bulb 12W/12W (brake lamp)
2 bulb 18W/18W (head lamp)
The total when it on is 80.4W = 80.4W / 12V = 6.7Ampere

Ups, this is to much for the battery, I must migrating some of it back into AC system. The Head light is the biggest battery consume, so I must migrating it as soon as possible. But only the head light not the other, because the brake lamp and the rest is sharing one switch.

Cut on there and plug in here, etc. Finished with that, I turn the key on and switch on the light. First is the twilight lamp. Yes, it turn on without the engine have to turn on, and now the head lamp. Move the switch slider again, to make the head lamp turn on, but it won’t turn on. Now I turn the engine on, and yeah, the head lamp is on.

Horay… the hybrid system is worked…!!!

This is the result, after I’m using 6 luxeon on my scooter:

And this is the speed indicator:

Testing Pulsar 180 Dts-i

2008-08-12T11:00:00.005+07:00

I don’t know exactly when I tested this motorcycle, may be at end year 2007; quite long indeed. This motorcycle is owned by my brother. He pick this motorcycle because this is the best motorcycle based on his criteria.
1. Fuel economic about 1:50
2. Low engine vibration compared to local Japanese brand in this country
3. Best value for his money compared to the others brand that has lower capacity engine.

Based on those criteria, he was chose this motorcycle (the back one)..

Ok, I don’t want to discuss much further about this. Let me test this motorcycle performance.

1. Handling, Steering and Stability
Pulsar 180 Dts-i handling is very good, its stability and accurate handling is just the answer if you like a touring bike. If we look on the wheel based then you will know that this bike is design for stability not for a fast cornering. But with a right handling skill, it shouldn’t be any problem.
The thank is big enough (15L), but the design is not good. It should be bigger near my leg, so my leg is more comfort.
Front shock absorber is soft and the rear too soft, I should adjust it based on my criteria.

I test it on a medium ‘till high RPM on the cornering; the bike is very good, I can push the bike until I touch the curb and get out as fast as I can. But there is something that bugs me; the tire grip isn’t good enough on cornering. I should be more careful on this tire performance.

2. Riding Position
Riding position on Pulsar is like a semi sport touring bike with a medium steering (not too low and not too high). Pulsar is offer enjoy of city ride. I can not sit on the seat a little backward, because it’s not comfort on there, I should sit forward near the thank. That’s the most comfort riding position.
The seat foam is thin, I can not sit a little bit longer with it.

3. Torque and Power
Turn the engine on, and I’m ready to roll. Shifting to gear one and open the throttle. Engine power distributing to the rear wheel is very smooth, and I think this 180cc engine torque shouldn’t be like this, it should serving me with more torque on first acceleration.
I almost forget, shifting to the gear one from the second gear is a little bit difficult if I compared to the other gear.
Open the throttle minimum 5000 RPM on every gear giving me the right power on the track. Fortunately I can only go about 60kmh; the track isn’t support for a top speed. But I’m pretty satisfied with the engine test result

4. Braking System
Front and rear braking system is good; I don’t need more effort to stop this motorcycle while I’m on fast mode. The bike stop just as I want.

That is my test result on Pulsar 180. I know this is quite late, because I’m kinda busy to start writing these days.

Oh, the pulsar engine vibration is increased on medium RPM, it seem that Bajaj should fix this a soon as possible because it disturbing me. I always using medium until high RPM, and I can feel it on the seat. But I think the vibration is not as high as Japanese brand.

Rubber steering is hurting my palm, the rubber design is like a 0.5mm needle on its surfaces; should wearing my glove.

Luxeon

2008-07-21T09:46:00.007+07:00

Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 10:35AM, I start to migrating my scooter lighting system from AC system into DC system. Because Luxeon need a DC System from 10V-15V. If this is not fulfill, then the Luxeon will damage in a short term.

It takes about 1 hour to migrating the whole system. Checking the cabling with Ohm Meter to figure out which one is the DC. After I found the cable, I attach the cable that connect to the lighting system onto the DC socket cable.

Finished with that, I turn on my scooter without ignited the engine and move the light switch on. Horay, my scooter had successfuly migrating to the DC system.

This is the picture of my scooter after migrating to the DC system taken at 04.00PM

At 04:05PM, I loosen the screw that hold the mica and remove it. Now I can see the bulb. The original bulb was 3.4W triple, so the total is 3.4W * 3 = 10.2W

I only have 2 pieces Luxeon @1W. Now the total is (1W * 2) + 3.4W = 5.4W

As you can see, I can save 4.8 Wattage if I use this Luxeon. And if all of the lamp is Luxeon, I can save 7.2W. This will help the battery from light consuming.

Here is the picture after I change the light with Luxeon taken at 05:30PM

Next project is, I want to change the last bulb and the speed indicator bulb with Luxeon. My speed indicator uses 2 bulb 3.4W too, if I change whole of it, the total Wattage before migrating to Luxeon is 3.4W * 5 = 17W. And after migrating to Luxeon is 1W * 5 = 5W ONLY!!!

I can save 12W!

1W Luxeon produce about 120 lumens, the minimum standard for headlight is 900 lumens. So if I want to use this Luxeon for my headlight, I need 900/120 = 7.2 pieces.

8000km with Amsoil and Migrating to AMO

2008-03-19T08:15:00.012+07:00

Wednesday, March 18, 2008, Amsoil MCF 10W-40 has reached 8000 kilometer. It's time to drainage the oil and change it with the new one.

8000 kilometer for Amsoil it seem ok, I don't sense any minor failure about this oil. Run very great for my scooter.

1. Engine Noise
The engine noise is still low as before.

2. Engine vibration
This what I like about this oil, the engine vibration almost reduced if I using this oil. And 8000km is no problemo at all. Good bye vibration.

3. Power and Torque
The power and torque had been drop on 7000km, but that is not Amsoil failure. That is my fault, cleaning the air filter with the wrong way. But amsoil can make the whole system work great even when the air is not flown with the correct way. 7000-8000km the power and torque isn't change at all.

Let's change the oil. Prepare 17" rachet, tray and beaker.

First put the tray below the scooter and open the oil drainage nut with 17" rachet. Drain the oil until the last drop.

I touch the oil with my finger and feel it. This oil is still slick. I think this oil can go further, may be about 10,000 kilometer, don't know for sure.

Next is I put two drop of oil on a plastic and see the oil, if it still clean or dark or none of those.

As you can see, the oil is very dark color. I tried to flatten it again and see if there is still gold color. Yes, there is.

That convince me that this oil is great for my engine. I recommend it for anyone who would like to try this oil.

Pour the Amsoil AMO 10W-40 into the beaker about 800mL. And fill it into the engine after tighten the drainage nut. Finished; check the dip stick gauge if it correct.

Job done. Time to test this oil performance.

I turn on my engine and warm it until the RPM steady about 1700RPM. Open the garage and run my scooter to the office.

On a heavy traffic there is no difference on the torque and power, so the engine vibration. On a light traffic, I open the throttle wide, and fell it. Nope, nothing change at all. But wait when my scooter speed reached 80kmh, the engine vibration is differ than before. The engine vibration is getting down and down. Even when I force my scooter until 100kmh, still the engine vibration is low than the old one.

I think the second Amsoil change work better than before, because the first one, is still contaminated with the old one.

Now my engine lubrication, pure with Amsoil. And it work very great. Thank you Amsoil.

Pirelli SL 26

2008-02-21T07:57:00.020+07:00

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, I change my scooter tire with a pair of Pirelli SL26 100/80-10 53J TL and 110/80-10 58J TL

According to the official website, it say that this tire give a good wet performance. But when I look at it, it has only a small amount of grooves. How can it give a good wet performance? Don't know for sure. I should test it to prove it.

As you can see on the left picture it turn backward for the front tire. You are wonder right, why it turn on the opposite?

The answer is, it help on the handling and helping you out from the mud if you cross on it. Its not digging the mud, instead floating onto the mud. Weirdo isn't it? But thats the fact! If you go to the farmer that has a tractor, you will see that the front tire is opposite from the rear. Tractor use that combination to help them get out from the mud.

Let see this tire rotation direction:

Pirelli recommend for the front tire is opposite from the rear. Obviously Pirelli support tire installation this way.

After I put the tire into the rim, I inflated it with a Nitrogen (sign with the green nipple cap) 25psi on the front and 33psi on the rear. After that, I plug it into my scooter.

This is some picture of it after I install it.

This is the ground clearance on the rear when swith the stand. Almost same as the old one. The old stock use 100/90-10 on both of the tires, about 1.5cm to the ground.

Lets test this tire performance.

I turn on my scooter run it. Who ho, the handling is so light. Far more light than the old stock, seems like it flying. Almost forgot, the old stock id heavier than this one, I don't know for sure how much gram the differences. But I sense something weird about the handling, sometime I can not control it. What happen? I park my scooter and check it.

Can you see this, it has a rubber on the middle of the tire. I should do a break in period for the new tires about first 50-100km. That will increase the lean angle until the mold release compound is worn off the tread. And I should avoid sudden brake or panic stops. After the break in period, the tire should be free from any shine.

At 5.00pm, I try my scooter again to break in the tire. I want to try it about >50km, so I pick the path that accomodate my will. I choose a light traffic to break in this tires. The handling is still the same, very crappy. After a long ride, I check the tire. Some of the mold compound is still there but not much as before. I it run again and again. Hey wait, I sense something different about it, I can sense that this tires is gripping on the street. Horai, The tire is getting better and better. Now its light and very stable, there isn't any wrong movement from the tire. Even when I'm doing fast cornering without braking, this tire is gripping!

Cornering with this tire is great, very improved from the stock. No slippery on a very low cornering.

Thursday, February 21, 2008, I run my scooter again. This time the weather is differ than yesterday. It rainy.

Time to test wet performance of this tire. I prepare my jacket and my boots and turn the engine on. I used the yesterday path, because its the best place to test tire performance. I run it on the street and figure out that this tire is great even on a wet track. No Slippery fault!

Let us test the braking system with this tire. I'm waiting for a heavy traffic ahead. When I see it, I hit the brake, not hard, because I don't want to hurt this new tires. Hey, my scooter is stop pretty fast without any leftover movement on the front or rear. It steady!!!

2008 Resolution

2008-01-23T14:07:00.001+07:00

Another year has lapsed, a new year is coming. Year 2008 is coming and it warming my heart to encourage me to take a step forward. Before that, I want to step back to review my past resolution.

- New book of journey

This is the best part of my resolution. The most wonderful day when He has made this book of journey fill with two ink. I am so thankful to Him. Rejoice in my heart.

- New Scooter Techno GT 150

I can not fulfill this one. Because the scooter is not sell in my country, and I don't have enough money either if this scooter is coming. I have to use my money for another purpose. But even I can not buy this scooter, I buy another type.

- Building my house

I don't want to fulfill this resolution, I change my mind. Because the house that I buy, is not good enough based on my criteria. So I buy another one that good enough, but it takes my money alot. Almost doubled from the first one.
What about the first one? I'm gonna sell it to the someone who love it.

- March 17-18th, Yogyakarta Touring

Travel with some of my best friend to the Yogyakarta is so amazing. I already write this one, but I can not finish it, because of one two thing that bothers me.

- Activating Jakarta-Yogyakarta Mediavisi

I have to apologize to someone who work so hard so that Mediavisi is still alive until now. I'm so sorry, I can not focusing my mind. I am disappoint you.

In 2008, I only has one resolution based on my life experiences. That is:

- Zero Accident

I had enough accident in the past, and I don't want to it happen again and again. I hate it so much. A lot of people say this and that. But I don't know which one is true and which one is not. I'm so confused.

Right now I can only blame my selves to all what happened to me. I know that He want to tell me something, but I closed my ear and closed my heart. Such a selfish man I am.

Now I want to change my self, but I can't do it alone.

"Dear Father, please put a coals in my tongue and thorn in my flesh."

IRC Tire is Suck!!!

2008-01-02T09:40:00.000+07:00

As you can see in the title, I'm trying to write my upset to this tire manufacturer. I'm using IRC MB-520-m on my scooter, because this is the only IRC tubeless tire sole option for my scooter in Indonesia.

Lets track back my experiences with this tire.

1. Tire Lump
I don't know exactly what time it was. What I know is, I change my rear tire with this tire. I don't have to wait too long before lump appear, about 6000km after I change it.

2. Tire Ripped
Friday, October 12, 2007, me and my wife was riding to a friend house. Suddenly my scooter become unsteady after I heard an explosion. Fortunately I can handle my scooter so we aren't fall down to the grown. I run my scooter to the left side of the street and see what happen.

When I see my rear tire, it had flattened. Whats going on? I check my tire and found out, It Ripped! Whereas I fill the rear tire with 32psi appropriate to the owner manual.

3. Tire Slippery
Saturday, December 22, 2007, about 10pm I rode my scooter alone to home. I know its very late, but I don't have any choice. With no street light at all, I can only count on my scooter head light. Suddenly it happened. In front of me not far about 5 meter, there is a huge hole on the ground. I can't avoid it, it half the street. And on the right side, there is a huge mud truck.

I must slow down my scooter. I hit the brake not too hard and my scooter is slowing down. But suddenly I sense something wrong with the rear. It shaky! I'm loosing a grip on my rear tire. I tried to control it, but it didn't work. I hit the ground!

That is what happen to me, three is just enough for me to judge that this tire is suck.

Lets analyze this tire.

According to the official website, there is MB-520. But when I see it deeply, that is differ from what they sold in Indonesia
And this is the one that IRC sold in Indonesia

These two pattern are different! What is wrong with IRC? Do they change the specification pattern on each country?

Now I'm going to test this tire with a simple test. I spray water on the tire surface to see the water drainage.

As you can see as point the arrow, water drainage is so bad. It block the water on the center of the tire. That will make water floating on the tire.

How about if we use this tire for cornering on a wet surface?

Again, this tire drainage is really bad. It blocking the water while it use on cornering. Dangerous indeed if we keep using this tire on a wet surface.

So, my conclusion for this tire is: IRC MB-520 for my country IS SUCK !!!

From Taiwan with Rain

2007-11-30T15:08:00.001+07:00

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, I got a package. It is a rain coat from Taiwan, I don't know the brand is. What I know is, this rain coat made a 100% PVC and pretty elastic enough. So this coat must be water proof. Here is a picture of it:

I try to wear this coat, if this is suit for me and how comfort is it.

1. Size
This rain coat is big enough. I think this pants can fit two men as big as I am. I'm 171cm and 73kg.

2. Comfort
I try to sit using this rain coat. The pants are stretching upward about 10cm, but this is normal. When I try on the seat; this coat can hold my body, and I don't sense any slippery on the seat using this coat. This is very useful when on a heavy rain. Because while you're riding and your pants is slippering, it can danger your life.

3. Water Blocking
Let see the front side of the suit.

As we can see, there is a layer in the inside that hold the water if the water crossing the first layer. So total is three layer blocking.

4. Fabric Joint
As you can see on the bottom of the pants, the joint is very special.

Look, the joint is form like a circle. This mean, it double the joint. This is the critical part on the rain coat, because if this spot is not strong enough, it can rip streched by a rider leg.

Last thing is I don't like the neck part.

It don't have any button that seal my neck. So, water can through from the neck.

4000 Kilometer with Amsoil

2007-11-27T08:56:00.001+07:00

Monday, November 26, 2007, I arrive at home at 10.45PM. When I look at the trip indicator, it shown at 10,011km. That mean Amsoil has been pass the 4000km trip. This is the right time to see the oil quality. Amsoil recommend the user to use it doubled from factory default. My scooter factory recommend changing oil interval is every 2000km.

I want to check the oil quality right now, but my body refused it. I'm too tired to do the job.

1. Oil condition
Tuesday, November 27, 2007, I wake up at 5.30AM and go to the garage. I open the dipstick and pour some oil and see the color.

Left is the oil concentration. As you can see the color is dark but not to dark. When I tried to flattened the oil (right picture), I can see there is still gold color. That mean, I can still using this oil farther more.

I now that this is not a good test. Because, used oil has to be check in the lab before I can used it for some more trip.

This is the oil, when I flattened it more

As we can see, this is still good enough.

2. Oil Level

The oil level is still on the maximum. That mean I don't have to added some more.

3. Engine Noise
The engine sound is no change at all, still as low when I first time tried this oil. I'm pretty comfort with the sound. I think this is the lowest engine sound I ever had.

4. Power and Torque
The power is a little bit down, not much. Usually when I stay on the 5600RPM, the speed is about 60kmh. But now I need 5800RPM to get to 60kmh.
The torque is no change at all. I can climb 40 degree hill on tandem with my wife without any difficulties.

Changing The Brake Fluid

2007-11-26T12:53:00.000+07:00

Saturday, November 24, 2007, at 2.30 AM, I want to change the brake fluid. Because it already reach 10,000 km and it is time according to the factory default.

This is the tools that I need for this job:

1. Waste container
2. 4mm clear pipe
3. Scissor
4. Wire Brush
5. 12mm socket
6. Medium sized screwdriver
7. 14mm ratchet
9. 8mm ratchet
10. 5mm hex socket

First, remove 5 screw that hold the rear cover handle bar and 1 screw in the front cover. Split the front and the rear plastic cover by slide the clip inside the rear top cover and pull the rear cover (NOT THE FRONT!!!). Now I can see there is 2 screw inside that unite the front cover with the handle bar.

Remove the screw with the screwdriver and the mirror too with 14mm ratchet. Don't forget to remove the mirror driver with 14mm ratchet.

Open the fluid reservoir cap with screwdriver.

On the disc brake caliper, put the 8mm ratchet on the fluid drainage nut and the pipe on top of it. On the end of the pipe, put the waste container and cut the pipe with the proper length with scissor.

Loosen the drainage nut. Pull the handle brake again and again. Make sure that the fluid is empty and tighten the drainage nut.

"Remember, the brake fluid is very abrasive!!! You must clean the fluid as fast as you can if it contacting the paint surfaces."

Lets clean the brake pad. Open the two nut that holding the caliper that stick with the absorber using 12mm socket. Using 5mm hex, remove the bolt that hold the pad. Remove the pad and clean it with wire brush. After that, put the pad and the caliper as it was.

Fill the reservoir with a brand new brake fluid. I prefer DOT-3, because it softer than DOT-4 when I pull the handle brake. Pull the handle brake again and again while make sure that the reservoir is fill with the brake fluid. This process is to make the fluid reaching the caliper and presses the air outside of the reservoir. Do it until you are sure that there is no air inside the hose.

This air is extremely dangerous if there is, because when the caliper work, it produce heat and this heat distributed to the fluid. If this continue occur, then the fluid can boil. Hot air can force the fluid can not push the caliper piston when you pull the handle brake.

After there is no bubble come out inside the reservoir. Change the clear pipe on top of the caliper with the clean one. Pull and hold the handle brake, then loosen and tighten the drain nut with 8mm ratchet as fast as possible. This step will make sure that we thow useless air that trap inside the hose. See the clear pipe, if there is only fluid, then it done.

Put everything together, and I'm ready to roll out.

Electricity Problem

2007-11-26T09:25:00.000+07:00

Friday, November 23, 2007, at 9.30 PM I pickup my wife at her office. after running on a low fuel, finally we've got to the gas station. I fill my scooter with some of fuel. After that I turn on my scooter and push the starter button. But there is no reaction, even when I tried to turn on the turn signal. There is no electricity!!!

I should turn it manually with the kick starter right now. After it turn on, I run my scooter a long way home. I can see that the all of the electric circuit system isn't work properly. I should fix it as soon as possible, but I can't fix it right now, because it already late. Hey it 10.30 PM when I arrive at home.

Saturday, November 24, 2007, at 10.00 AM I deliver my wife to her office again with my another scooter. After that I buy a wire about 2 meter length just in case that there is something wrong with the wiring system.

At 2.00 PM I prepare some tools to fix the electricity system. Here it is:

1. Multimeter that has Ohm gauge
2. Medium sized screwdriver
3. 10mm socket with the extension

First thing we should do is, open the baggage. Remove four bolt with the 10mm socket and one big screw with the screwdriver in the baggage.

Remove the baggage from where it position. Look at the bottom of the battery and you will see a bolt that hold the box battery.

Remove it with the screwdriver and slide the box until you can see the two bolt that connecting the battery with the wire.

Remove the two bolt with the screwdriver to make sure that there is no electricity flow in the wire. So we are sure that everything is safe.

Open the red wire fuse box and check with the Ohm meter (multimeter).

Oh no, the ohm meter needle isn't move at all. I check the black wire fuse; the needle is moving. My conclusion is there is something wrong the fuse. But the wire in the fuse isn't break either. I unattached the fuse and try to discover the problem.

When I unattached it, the top metal part of the fuse is popping off. That mean the fuse wire is alright, it just slacks. Haha, I laugh at it. Only a slacked fuse cap!

I tighten the cap and keep it in case of emergency. I put a brand new fuse to the fuse box and try to turn on my scooter. It work!

Installing Rear Backrest

2007-11-08T08:33:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, November 7, 2007, I got a package, white box, not too big. I know what is inside of the box is. It kymco original accessories rear back rest for G3. I order it not so long ago.

I want to put the rear backrest for my scooter because my wife always complaining about the comfortness of this scooter. She said that this scooter seat and foot rest make her can not stay in a long period of time, differ from the other one.

At 5 am, I prepare 12mm socket to install this parts. I'm sorry that the image here taken after the parts had installed.

1. Open the baggage and remove 2 bolt that hold the rear bar.

2. Put the brackets on the bar and tighten it with the bolts
3. Put the backrest on top of the brackets and tighten it with the nuts

Job done. I'm pretty satisfied for the result.

From front, it will look like this:

Rear view:

And last from the side view:

Nice isn't it.

How To Adjusting The Valve Clearance

2007-11-05T08:24:00.000+07:00

Saturday, November 3, 2007, I wake up at 6 am, I want to adjust the valve clearance. I need to do this because my scooter power is weaken. Lets prepare the tools needed to do this task.

1. Medium sized screwdriver
2. Medium sized flat-blade screwdriver
3. 10mm socket
4. 16mm spark plug socket
5. 9mm ratchet
6. 3mm hex socket
7. 0.10mm feeler gauge blade

Remember this; valve adjustment should be done in a stone cold engine condition and every 5,000 kilometer.

Oh one thing to remember, this tools is for my scooter. May be in other scooter model, the tools are differ. This is the step to adjusting the valve clearance on my scooter:

1. Open the baggage.
2. Remove the four bolt (two in the lower front, and two in the upper back) with 10mm socket in the baggage, and remove the screw inside the front part baggage.
3. Remove the baggage and remove the front plastic part infront of the baggage that has a hanger.
4. Remove the cylinder head inhalation hose on the top.
5. Remove six bolt that hold the valve cap with a 10mm socket.
6. Loosen the tie screw that hold the hose in the lower section of the cap and remove the hose. Don't forget to keep the cap in a safe, dry and clean place.
7. Remove the spark plug cap and remove the spark plug using the 16mm spark plug socket.

On the left side of the cam, you will see a gear that has 3 holes (1 in the middle is bigger than others).

8. Turn the kick starter until the middle hole of the gear position are horizontally between two rocker arms. This mean we put the condition on TDC (Top Dead Center).

First we adjust the in valve then the ex valve.

9. Put the 9mm ratchet on the rocker arm nut, and the 3mm hex socket on the valve trigger. Turn the ratchet counter clockwise to loosen the nut while holding the hex.
10. Put 0.10mm feeler gauge between the trigger and the valve stems. Turn the hex until the trigger pull the feeler. Don't turn the hex too much, just make sure that the gauge didn't move by the pressure of the trigger.
11. Tighten again the nut with the ratchet while holding the hex. And make sure the trigger didn't turn while we tighten it.
12. Remove the gauge.

Do exactly as the in valve to the ex valve.

After finished, put everything together as it was with a backward procedure as we open it.

2000 Kilometer with Amsoil

2007-10-18T07:55:00.000+07:00

Thursday, October 18, 2007, my scooter has reach it first 2000 kilometer with Amsoil.

Lets check the whole system:
1. Spark plug
Last time I clean the spark plug about 3500 kilometer ago, so the spark plug should be very dirty right now. My last motorcycle, every 2000 km I should clean it up, because in that period there is some deposit on the top of the electrode and it thick enough.
First, remove the four bolt and one screw that hold the bagage, and remove the bagage. Second, remove the front side plastic panel. Third, remove the spark plug cap. Fourth, using 16mm spark plug tool to remove the spark plug.
After the spark plug has been removed, I check it. Wow, this is amazing, my spark plug is very clean. I don't have to clean it up, I just setup the electrode gap again about 0.6mm and set everything up.

2. Oil level
I open the dip stick and check the oil level. I can see that the weight loss was very little and I can accept that as a tolerance.

3. Oil condition
I deeply see the oil color. The oil color isn't dark, but gold with a little bit of dark. I touch the oil and feel it in my finger, is it slick enough. Yup, it is still slick enough. I don't know what happen to this oil, is it my engine is clean enough so that the oil hasn't changed it color? Or something else that I do not know?

4. Torque and Power
If the oil had degradate, than the torque and power will get down too. But I sense there is no power loss at all, but opposite of it; the power and torque is increased.

5. Engine noise
The engine noise is very low indeed, just like when I changed the oil with it. Even this brand new engine will not campared to my engine noise. My wife said that she can not hear the engine sound when I run about 60kmh on a empty traffic on night.

Remember, I didn't change my scooter setting, I only change the oil.

With this oil, I can longer the drain interval and the spark plug life too. And the most amazing is, I can save some gas, about 2-4 kilometer each liter.

Third Day With Amsoil

2007-09-28T08:16:00.000+07:00

Friday, September 28, 2007, I open the garage and move out my scooter. Then I turn on my scooter and leave it alone. But my scooter ack strange than two days ago. The idle RPM is increasing easily, it seems like the auto choke work better than before. I didn't hold the throttle to make the RPM increasing.

Yesterday I didn't notice about this, but last thing I remember is, this kinda strange also happen yesterday. As you know, I already complain to the dealer about the choke that didn't work correctly. But the dealer said it just fine, nothing wrong with the choke. With this oil, it fix the auto choke problem. I do not know how did they do. Maybe because the oil film that protect the engine better than before, so that make the friction point very low. Because of the friction is very low, the piston can move easily too. So this make the whole system work more lightly.

I run my scooter until 60kmh, the engine vibration is very low. Even when I run until 80kmh. I must go further to test it, but a heavy traffic is headed near by. So I must slow down and forget to test the top end power.

Last thing is, the engine deseleration is not like before. Now the RPM fall more slow. This mean the engine power will not drop as fast as a free fall when I close the throttle. But the side effect of this is I need to brake more accurate and a better braking system. May be I should change my braking fluid with a better one and check the whole braking system.

I'm getting more curious about this oil. What kind of another strange thing that this oil would do to my scooter engine.

Testing Amsoil MCF 10W-40

2007-09-26T11:44:00.000+07:00

Friday, September 7, 2007, I buy an AMSOIL MCF 10W-40 right after an office hour. It rained outside, so I would have some problem getting this oil from the dealer.

After I get this oil, I contact my friend that I had one for him. He said, he will wait for awhile until his scooter get the right trip to change the oil. OK, no problem, me too.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007, I open the garage and move my scooter to the open area. I drain the oil and fill the brand new amsoil to it. But it still in the morning at 04.00 AM, my eyes and my mind still not work correctly, and it happen. I pour the oil to much about 850mL. It should be 800mL, because the engine could hold upto 900mL.

I think I will stay with 850mL, because I would test it for 6000 kilometer first, and see the result. What will happen to this oil. For my concern, amsoil recommend oil drain interval for this oil is twice from the factory default, which is 4000 km. But I said to my selves, hey this is synthetic motor oil, it should be more than that. Amsoil recommend that interval for a harley davidson 1000cc motorcycle, while mine is 125cc scooter.

After packing some stuff, I'm readdy to get to the office. I turn on the engine and wait until the engine ready. It's test time!

I open the throttle as usual, I don't sense any different from this oil compared to the last one. May be this oil is not working yet, or may be because I fill it to much. But something different about my engine. It sound very quiet now, Even when I open the throttle in a rush, still, the sound so smooth. I like.

After a couple of kilometer, another strange happen to the engine. The idle RPM is increased about 150 RPM from before. I do not change any setting on my scooter, I only change the oil. This is kinda interesting for me, how come an oil can increase my engine RPM. My conclusion is the oil is more superior in lubricating the metal, so the friction point is decreasing. That make my engine work more light than before.

Lets try on a stop and go condition. I run my scooter lightly to test the acceleration. Suddenly the RPM is increased rapidly, differ than before. Right now, I'm a stranger on my own scooter, I don't know what happen to this engine. Only an oil can make my engine turn to this? The RPM increased rapidly, but very smooth. I never get such a experience like this. I watch the RPM meter, and I can't stand it watching the neddle movement. I'm so excited.

The last one that make me currious until now, is the clutch. My scooter clutch is a dry type. With the last one, my scooter isn't run smoothly. There is some vibration just before the scooter is moving. But now, the vibration on the clutch almost gone. What happen? I don't know the answer, my assumption is, it related to the RPM that increased rapidly, so that make the torsion increased too. Torsion increased make my clutch spin faster, and the clutch open correctly on the right RPM.

Thats all today test. I should wait a little longer to test this oil endurance. Amsoil claim that the NOACK is 6.44%, this number indicate the weight loss. The number is very low, so my assumption is the oil loss is very minimum, and I don't have to check the oil level twice a month. Or may be I should? Oh, I don't wanna take the risk, I will check it based on my regular schedule and measure the weight loss every 2000 km.

Testing Shell Advance 10W-40

2007-08-31T17:59:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, I buy a brand new oil, that is Shell Advance VSX 10W-40. I am so curious about this oil, because it is cheaper a bit than the oil that I used before.

At 8.20 pm, I drain the oil and fill it with the new one.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, I test it on the way to the office. I turn on the engine and wait until it ready.

I run my scooter with my beloved wife. I dislike it power and torque, because it is not like before. The power has drop, I don't know the exact number, but I can feel it. While I'm riding my scooter, I can feel that the engine too hard to operate, may be if I remove some milliliter of the oil it will help out.

At 4.00 pm, I go to the parking line and see the oil gauge. Hem, I think I should do it right away to decrease the oil level. But I don't brought any tools right now, what should I do? Don't tell me that I should go home and do it on the garage. But I don't have any choice didn't I?

At 8.40 pm, in the garage, I decrease some amount of the oil. I don't like this way, because it riskying the engine life.

Friday, August 31, 2007, I test it again. This time the engine power is not like before, it increase. But still, I don't like it, I expect more than this. Should I decrease it again?

Readjusting The Air Mixture

2007-08-07T07:45:00.000+07:00

Monday, August 6, 2007, I open the baggage just to adjust the idle screw. But I wonder what if I adjust the air screw again.

First, I turn the idle screw to clockwise until the RPM high enough. Now I turn the air screw clockwise until reaching the end, and turn it counter-clockwise until it get the highest RPM.

Second, I adjust the idle scew until 1700 RPM on idle.

Jobs Done. The test is running my scooter to the office. I know this is not a good idea, but I don't have any choice.

After my wife sit properly on the seat, I run the scooter to the road. The path is usual as yesterday. When I open the throttle, I feel something different with the scooter, the power is amazing. I think this is the best set of carburetor air mixture, I don't know why. May be this morning I can feel and hear the engine sound clearly enough, or may be my mind too.

From now on, riding become so much fun.

Testing Shell 10W-40

2007-08-01T10:50:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, August 1, 2007, I go to the workshop for servicing my scooter. I want to test this Shell Helix Plus. I pick Shell 10W-40 API SL.

I want to test it compare to the older one. So I don't want any changes on my scooter setting. Even on the valve clearance or anything. I want the test as accurate as possible.

After finished, I'm leaving the workshop to test the result. Here it is the result:

- Sound
I run my scooter below 40kmh for a couple of hundred meter just to make sure that the oil has circulated inside the engine. Now, lets hear the engine sound. The traffic condition is very suited for this test, yes it is very light traffic. So I can hear my engine sound very well. My engine sound is very quiet. I love it very much.

If this sound keep like this until the time I change it, then I will use it again.

- Vibration
While I'm testing the sound, I also test the vibration. I run my scooter in low, medium and high RPM until 9000. In any RPM, my scooter vibration is better than before. This time my scooter is a lot more smoother.

- Power
I run my scooter as usual. The power has increased very little, you can not feel it if you aren't feel it deeply. I can get to 60kmh without a notice. I think this is correlation with the vibration that has decreased. I can get through the heavy traffic lightly without any trouble.

- Top Speed
I haven't test it yet, may be next time. I can only reach 80kmh, I can not go faster because of the traffic.

Conclusion:
Overal, this oil is good, better than before. The smell is good too. May be I should test it again before I change it, whether the sound, vibration and any other test items are decresed and how much does it decresed?

Dream Machine

2007-07-25T11:08:00.000+07:00

It's been 5 years since I buy my last desktop computer. It is time to buy another one with the latest technology inside. But something that bother me is, my computer is still as fast as brand new computer, even if I compare it with the computer that I used in my office.

My desktop computer specification:
- Abit NF7-S Socket A
- AMD Athlon 2400+ (1.8Ghz)
- NVidia GForce2 MX-400 256MB
- DDRAM 512MB PC-2700
- HardDisc Maxtor 40GB ATA-133

My office desktop computer specification:
- Wearness PC
- Intel Pentium 4 Dual Core 3.0GHz
- Graphic adapter onboard
- DDRAM 256MB
- HardDisc Seagate 80GB ATA-100

As you can see, compared to this two different specification, my desktop still win. Why I can say that, if I only had an old machine.

My analysis is:
1. Graphic adapter. Mine is faster, because it separated from the motherboard, so it will not suffer the whole system.
2. Memory (DDRAM). Mine is doubled, so it will hold data larger.
3. HardDisc. Mine is using faster I/O interface, so it will reduce bottle neck in data communication.

If I check the system when on full load, Intel dual core produce more heat than AMD Athlon. Mine is 55 degree and Intel is 67 degree. So when it reach 70 degree Celcius, it will try to slow down the whole system. This is bad! Intel easyly reach 70 degree Celcius, while AMD maximum only 58 degree. And also the cooling system. The fan only rotate about 2100 RPM in Intel, compared to mine is about 4100 RPM. How can that they slowing down the fan speed when the system produce more heat tolerance than other? I put my computer in my room that temperature about 32 degree Celcius without air conditioning, while my office had an air conditioning. If my office PC is put in my room, I don't know what will happen to it; may be the heat will damaging the processor.

The conclution is, even the processor are using the fastest one without support from the other peripheral, it useless!

Back to the topic, I want to buy a brand new PC right now. Why? Last time I said my old 5 year PC is faster than the brand new PC; the answer is, I can not play a brand new game with it, even my office PC.

So, here it is my dream machine specification:
- AMD Athlon™ 64 FX (Dual-Core)
- Radeon® X1650 Pro 512MB PCI Express®
- Memory 2GB minimum
- HardDisc 250GB minimum

Air Intake

2007-07-10T07:59:00.000+07:00

Something that make me so curious, is the air intake. If I can make some huge different in the air intake, I will produce higher power than before.

In physics, it use A1.V1 = A2.V2

Air flow from the air intake is A1.V1 and flow go through the carburetor is A2.V2

If I maximize the air flow from the air intake, then at the end of the carburetor, it will produce such a higher volume of gas mixture. This concept was adopt by the turbo charger. I'm planning to try this concept.

The problem now, there is no turbo charger for two wheels.

So I turn back to the basic concept. I try to higher the A1, and that mean fastering the air flow. I do not want to bigger the V1 (volume), because that will make me to replace the air intake with the bigger one. No way I would replace it, because there is no replacement kit for it.

How do I do this? That is still mistery in my mind. I am still research it. Hopefully I can speed up the research time, but it will cost alot of money.

The Awakening

2007-07-02T10:31:00.000+07:00

After a long hibernating, finally he awake. Awake with a full a power that so frightening, a life form from a shadow. Burn like a fire from the hell. A fire body with aflame blue eyes, it so frightening. This knee become a supple when I meet his face to face, can't keep my eyes of him.

How can I beat him with such a great power? I can not even move my body apart. My courage is falling down like a waterfall. Is this his true power? A power that can make others can not move it own body because of his greatest power!

I need more strength! I need to be fly like a phoenix!

But I can not...

I'm here right now, hopeless, crying at my own body. Sitting just a couple of meter in front of him.

He laughing at me, this time he win against me. What should I do? No one can help me out! Right now, I'm on my own. I must beat him, I must!

I build my own strength, facing my own fear. I get up and challenge him. We start to fight. But my strength isn't enough yet to offset him. I keep loosing fight against him, but I won't give up so easily this time.

Wooaaaa......, I keep raising my strength until crossing my own limit. My body is so hot, feels like I'm burning my own body. With my full energy, I fight him, and attack him with all of my strength. I release my last energy in a single attack, hope I can win this match. If not, then I do not know what todo next.

It seems it work, I beat him! I absorb his energy and we become one. Now, he is under my control.

Rehealing My Scooter

2007-06-18T08:16:00.000+07:00

Saturday, June 16, 2007, I want to tune my scooter torque power. The reason is, after what happen to my scooter a few weeks ago, my scooter torque power has been down grade. And that make more stress on me if I'm facing the heavy traffic. My scooter become so slow when I want to accelerate.

The valve is correct, air mixture is correct. What is the problem then?

I think the carburetor throttle valve spring that too hard. The result is the throttle valve always to late to respond, because it can not push the spring higher.

It is time to work!!!

Open the baggage with the key, and open the carburetor maintenance cover inside the baggage using screwdriver. Remove two screw on top of the carburetor that hold the vacuum parts. Remove the metal parts. Now I can see the spring. I take out the spring and measure it. Now I must press it and lowering the spring tension.

Done.

Plug the spring and replace all of the parts that I had been removed it before.

Now the test begin.

Turn on the scooter and wait until the auto choke stop to operate. I open the throttle and hear the engine roar. Yes this is what I want.

Engine OK, now time to moving on the front brake. My scooter had a problem on the front brake that always making a noise like a rat. I hate that. Remove the two bolt that hold the brake and remove the L-bolt that hold the brake shoe. I check again and again the piston mechanism, nothing wrong with it. I pull the front brake handle lever, and it OK too. It take so much time to figure it out what's wrong with thw brake. The brake suspension like mechanism is OK. But when I look closely to the bar suspension, I can see that the suspension and the brake pad has adhere. I test it whether this is the problem or not. Yes, I found it, this is the problem. I take out the abrasive steel to cut out a couple of micrometer. After the process is done, I put everything together and see my scooter front brake mechanism. Yes it work.

I open garage and run my scooter on the street. Yeah, everything work perfectly. I feel very comfort with my scooter condition right now.

Sunday, June 17, 2007, I check the horn sound. I sense it not alright with the sound, I must fix it. Open the seven screw that hold the shield, and remove the shield from it location. I see that there is a cable that stick together with the horn, and that makes the horn can not vibrating correctly. So I move the cable to the proper place, so it will not disturbing the horn again. I test it and it sound great.

I plug the shield and put all of the screw to it place. My scooter is in the best condition now, except the air filter that need to be cleaned. I don't have any compressor, so I can not clean it by my selves. May be next time I will bring the filter to the workshop just to clean it out.

Setup The Valve

2007-06-11T07:48:00.000+07:00

Sunday, June 10, 2007, I go to my friend. I want him to check my scooter valve, I though something wrong with it. I promise to him at 5 pm I will arrive to the meet point.

I said hello to him. He is so warm, he accept me as his old friend. He heard all of my scooter problem, and he promise that he will check it later after he pack some stuff.

7 pm, he check the valve and tune it to the proper set. He said that the out valve too tight, and the in valve is correct. But he want to make sure. So he check it again and again, almost 4 times. Yeah this is what I like from him, he is so thorough. He set my carburetor again just to make sure.

Finished. He ask me to test it whether I like it or not.

Wear a jacket and helmet, I turn on my scooter, and run it. I run it a little bit hard.

First test is the acceleration and then mid power, and the last is top speed.

There is a lack of power on the acceleration, I don't like it. But the mid power was great. I though the roller combination must be set again from the beginning. I can not get the top speed on this road, because the path is reaching it end, only 80kmh. But I think the top power isn't good. So I get back to my friend to tell the result.

He said that I must replace the intake manifold to the original. Because he think that there is a leak on the air intake, and that make the air mixture become too much. But I said that I have check the intake and I don't sense any leak. He check the intake thoroughly. and he found out there is a leak. I look into it and check it together with him. There is a voice of wind came out from the carburetor.

We found it! The leakage was on the auto choke.

I said that the auto choke was expensive, so I wouldn't replace it with the new one. I must figure it how to make that leak disappear. I think some sealant would be the right answer of this.

Finished will all of this, I say thank you and goodbye to him. And I run my scooter to home.

Monday, June 11, 2007, I wake up at 5 am and prepare some tools. Remove the baggage and look deep into the auto choke. Open the two screw and remove the auto choke from it place. I see a plate that hold the auto choke, I flatten the plate and plug the auto choke to the proper place. Tighten the scew and test the result. I shake the auto choke if it shaky or not. Yes, I don't sense any movement from the auto choke while I shake it.

Turn on the engine and test if it work or not. I tried to hear any voice came out from the carburetor. Nothing! So the problem solved. Yeah, I'm so happy about this.

Packup the tools and get ready to go to the office.

At 6.15 am, I ride my scooter to the office with a normal riding style. Still, there is a lack of power on the acceleration. But this is better than yesterday. Mid power was great, I can feel it until top power. I can get 80kmh easily, but I can not get the top speed because of the traffic condition. Well, I'm pretty satisfied for my scooter condition now. Next time, I must set the roller combination again to get a better acceleration.

Green Is Back In Business

2007-06-04T08:56:00.000+07:00

Friday, June 1, 2007, I think I know the problem. The problem was on the carburetor, the float setting was incorrect after I change the rear shock absorber. The engine angle is increasing after I change the absorber, it about 15-20 degree. So the fuel distribution from the tank is shutdown before fuel on the float bowl rearch it lower limit. That make the fuel can not get through the jet into the air stream. Thats the reason why is my scooter is always having a trouble lately.

I setup my tools to solve the problem.

First, open the baggage and remove it. Next open the bolt on the intake and air intake, and remove the carburetor. Remove the three bolts that hold the float bowl, becareful, do not waste the fuel in it. Now I try to remove float from the seat before adjusting. The float is made from a plastic, but the adjuster is made from a metal, so it can be adjusted.

Remove the metal from the float by cutting on the pilar that stick on the metal. Adjust the metal about 20 degree outer and plug it into the float and stick it with a powerfull glue. Now put everything together to the proper places.

Everything is set, now is just the final test. If this is gonna work or not?

I turn the key on and start the engine. I tried to turn my scooter on about 5 times, but it wont startup. I think the float bowl hasn't fill with the fuel. So I open the throttle a little bit wide and keep it on a few second. I try to turn it again, and it work with a problem. The engine RPM is not constant, I thought that the bowl still hasn't got a proper fuel. So I wait a little longer.

After the engine RPM is constant, adjust the air screw mixture and idle to about 1700 RPM. Now my scooter are ready.

I open the garage and test it.

The scooter work fine with only one rider, now the test continue with tandem. This time, the scooter is fine. The power just like before, a little bit low power than before actually. But I think that because of the valve that set incorrectly by the mechanic.

I test it until Monday and it work fine. So the trouble is solved!

Now I'm ready to move on to the next tune.

Green is Having a Trouble

2007-05-29T10:46:00.000+07:00

Monday, May 21, 2007, my scooter front light won't turn on, I tried short and long distant light, but it won't turn on. But when I press the passes swith button, the bulb suddenly on. I release the button, and the bulb turn off. So I should press the button continuously until I get home? Give me a break!

The sun is not friendly enough, because now is 6.00pm. I should pick up my wife, before its late. Phewf, I don't have any choise didn't I?

I turn my scooter on, and run along the street to pick up my wife. I keep pressing the pass button until we get home. My finger become numb by time we arrive at home.

After get some rest, I open my tool box and fixing my scooter. I think the switch had a problem, so I dismantle the handle bar front cover. I check the switching system. It seem alright, now I check the electricity. I open the shield from cover. Using AVOMeter, I test the cabling system. Yup, this good either. I check the bulb filament, the bulb filament is good either. Now, I'm confused with this situation.

It turn on when I press the passing button, but no sign if button short or long distant is pressed.

But the one, that make me more confused is the long distant light sign on the dashboard keep turn on in every situation. So, my conclution is, there is something wrong with the ground cabling. I check again the cabling system including the rectifier. But hopeless, I can not find whats wrong this. Now the time shown at 9.00pm, I can not continued my search. Hopeless indeed. My last conclution is I must change the bulb with the brand new one.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007, I buy a brand new bulb and replace it. I turn on my scooter and test it. If this is not the answer then I must check the electricity system again. I turn on the light switch system, and see the result. IT WORK! Damn, after a long night search, it only the bulb.

AFter an office hour, I turn on my scooter and run along the parking lane. But when I get out from the parking lane, my scooter suddenly shut off. Oh no, another problem. I tried to press the starter button again and again, but it is not help. I contact my wife to wait, because the scooter having a problem. I try to contact my mechanic friend but I'm running on low battery power. Why this is happen when I needed. I look forward to the power jack for charging my phone battery. After have enough power, I contact my friend. He agree to come, but he said, now he didn't brought any tools. So I must wait for him to get his tools. I tell to him where is my location now.

Very long time to wait, but my office friend accompanying me. Such a gret friend I have.

Now, he arrived. I said sorry to disturb him, and he said, "It's alright, he get used to it". I told to him about my scooter problem. Nervous about my scooter problem, what was it? He check the carburetor and clean it. and he check the spark plug cable. The spark was big enough. He plus the carburetor and turn on my scooter. Tada. My scooter is on, final check he tune my carburetor. Finished with that, we run along together until we separate on the 3 way street. I said thank you and take the right path to pick up my wife.

Thursday, May 24, 2007, I turn on my scooter in the morning before I go to the office. I headed to the road and run my scooter along the street. But after a couple of meter, my scooter suddenly switch off. What happen? I tried to turn it on again and again, but it won't start up. What should I do then? Lets wait for some time.

OK, its time to turn it again. And it can. I open the throttle carefully this time, I don't want it switch off again. I can go to the office without any problem. If the CDI is broken, then symptom is I can turn on my scooter for a couple of few meter and it turn off, and it happen again and again. That happen because the CDI is heated. But this is different, my scooter can run a long way to the office. May be the spark plug, because my friend told me that nothing wrong with the electricity. In the noon, I go to buy a new spark plug and replace the old one. The old one aged was about 30,000km, I never replace it since I buy this scooter.

Lets test it on this 3 days, if nothing wrong with it, then the solution must be the spark plug.

Sunday, May 27, 2007, I'm having the same problem with the last Thursday. Oh no, its not the right time, because I had to go to the church. I park my scooter again to the garage. This time, I don't want to try again. I will wait until the afternoon. Mean while I go get a rest to cooling down my mind. I will take the afternoon worship.

At 2.00pm, I dismantle my scooter body parts. I check the electricity. It alright, I tried to swap the CDI with the brand new one. The problem is still the same, so my CDI is still in a good shape. I check the spark cable, it good. OK, I unplug the carburetor and check it. I close the intake manifold with my hand and try to turn on my scooter. It start but only a second. I think the fuel is flooding the engine to much. So, I setup my carburetor with the factory standard.

Finished, I plug the carburetor again and turn on my scooter. Yeah, my scooter is on. Last one is setup the stationer. Done.

5.30pm, I go to the church without having any problem.

Monday, May 28, 2007, my scooter start in a very short time, and dead again. I check the carburetor again, and set the stationer a little bit high, and it start. I run my scooter to the office with a very high RPM on the stationer. At the traffic light, I must push the brake if I don't want it to run. After arrived at my wife office, I tried to lowering the stationer a little. And I run my scooter to the office, without any problem.

5:15pm, I turn my scooter to go home. This time my scooter is not having any problem, except this little to high stationer. I run my scooter to my wife office and lowering again the stationer at her office. I'm doing this in step by step, because I don't want my scooter dead again. And then we go home.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, I'm lowering the stationer based on my feeling. I set to the right set for my riding style. Done. Then I run my scooter to the office without a problem. Hopefully, it keep runing on this way.

New Shock Absorber

2007-05-14T12:36:00.000+07:00

Friday, May 11, 2007, I received a rear shock absorber from my friend. He gave it for me, because he didn't like it. He said it is like riding on a rock. This shock absorber is a stock version for Kymco Free Series type LX.

I look forward to it size. Hem, it diameter bigger 10mm than mine (EX). I measure the gap between my rear tire and the spring, it 3mm. Ups, with this such a close gap, I can not put the absorber into it. I must figure it how to plug it without some modification. Some of my friend added a ring to the axis. It is very risky, my life depend on it.

Oh I know, I got the idea, lets measure my front tire size. I am using 90/90-10 on the front and 100/90-10 on the rear. Front tire wide is 93mm and the rear is 101mm.

If I swap the tire, the gap will be bigger than before:
103mm - 97mm = 6mm

The new gap was: 6mm + 3mm = 9mm

Now I can plug the shock absorber into my scooter. Shock diameter difference is 10mm (5mm to the right and 5mm to the left), so with the new absorber the gap between my tire would be: 9mm - 5mm = 4mm.

OK, its time for the implementation. I said to the mechanic to do as I said.
1. Swap the tire
2. Unplug my stock absorber
3. Plug LX shock absorber

Done.

After finishing some paper. I turn on my scooter engine and start to ride. First impression is, my scooter is higher than before. I think its too higher. This LX shock absorber has 2cm lengthen than my scooter stock. The handling become a little hard. Because it differ now, the center of gravity of my scooter has move forward to the front. So I must change my riding style to handle my own scooter.

Lets test it on the real road condition.

I run my scooter to my home at Tangerang City. The path I choose has many type of road condition. It has a smooth and bumpy. Something strange I feel when I ride my scooter, I feel that I'm floating. I never feel such a thing like this when I ride my scooter.

Test on a smooth asphalt was great, the traction is bigger than the stock. When I cross the railway track, I test the rebound. The result is a little hard than my stock. But this absorber haven't reach it limit, so it can move to absorb the vibration. Not like my stock that has been reach it limit. My stock is more softer, but when I pass the railway track, it feel very hard, because the absorber axis has reach it limit and it hit the border.

Sunday, May 13, 2007, I test with my wife, how is the rebound if we ride on tandem. We run along the street and find a perfect place to test this shock absorber. The path only 10m length, but it very bumpy alright. I past it just as usual when I past this path. The rebound is very good when on tandem, not too soft, and not too hard. I like it very much.

I think I'm gonna love this shock absorber.

Tune up Green EX

2007-04-17T08:14:00.000+07:00

Saturday, April 14, 2007, I woke up in the morning and get prepare to go to Otista. I had an appointment with my friend that we want tune up our scooter at Pulogadung Trade Center (PTC). After arrived at Otista, I contact Mocky, because he wasn't there. He pickup his phone and said that he's on the road, gave him a 15-20 minutes. Let see, what should I do at that time, oh there is a man sitting at the front of the workshop, ok I'll talk to him and open a conversation.

This man is great, a lot of information that I can get from him. After a while, Mocky contact me, he said that I must wait a little longer, 'cause Godot isn't arrive yet. The conversation become more exciting with this man. He talk about his life and experiences.

After Mocky and Godot arrived, I prepare my self to ride with them. We headed to PTC. When we under the bridge (I don't know the road name), I saw other motorcycle are on the left side. Ups, I think we pick the wrong path. Previously there are 3 branch of road. Left, middle that headed to the highway, and the right. We pick the right one, because the left one look so hesitate, only a small road. At the end of the road, some policeman has waited us for raid. Mocky said that we are journalist, hahaha. And other policeman come to us issuing the traffic ticket. I'm prepared for my driving licence, but the police chief come to us and said that we can go. We said thank you. At the road we laugh about this. Hahaha.

We arrived at the PTC about 10am, and I saw there is only a few of man in there. Oh yeah, Wagni is there already and his scooter is in the line waiting for his turn. We apply for the service and giving our key to them. After that we talk to our friend there, and seek some spot to talk comfortly. We met friends from cikarang, and discussion became more warm. So much information that we can share with them.

Oh there is a new product that launch there. Yes, there is Free LX 14" alloy wheels. I tried to test ride and feel the different from this scooter. Hem, first impression when I look at it was this scooter look very peculiar. I think the tire become look so small, just like a muscle man with a small leg. OK, lets taste it.

This scooter power is same just like the 12" wheels. But there is some big different with the handling. This scooter steering is not good as the 12". The comfortness differ either, this one less comfort. I can't image how the rider should ride this scooter for a long period of time. Back problem will appear. Where does the comfortness that you offer from your brand, are you forgot?

Now my concern is turn to my scooter that been handled by the factory man wearing a white suit. I told to him to change my roller set from the one I brought. It's combination 7.5g and 10g, each 3 pieces. The air filter was changed either with the new one, because it need to replaced. Finished with the work, it's time to tune the carburetor with the emission test. Done!

I turn my scooter engine on, and feel it. Yeah, this time it acceleration will be boost. At 3pm, Mocky, Godot and I are leaving from PTC. I test my scooter on different traffic condition. First one was heavy traffic. Ups, the acceleration is not like before, it boost alright. Riding in a heavy traffic become more fun this time. I don't need more skill to pass it again.

At the Cempaka Putih we separate, I continue my journey to the west jakarta, while mocky and godot headed to south jakarta. Lets find a wide open road to test the acceleration from 0-60kmh. From Cempaka Putih until Gambir station I can not test it, but from Gambir until Monas I open the throttle wide and constantly to test the acceleration. This is good acceleration, but I think there is a lack of power on it. I think I need a bigger acceleration, but if choose the acceleration, I will sacrifice the top speed. Right now I do not wish to touch the engine for tuning, my concern is transmission parts first.

This is not the optimum condition for the transmission based on my need. There are some parts that I would like to try, but I should wait before it arrive.

Test Ride Another EX

2007-04-12T11:09:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, April 11, 2007, Me, Arif and Wagni met at the front of Bidakara Building. Our plan is test ride between our ride performance and made some comparison between it.

After all of the team is complete, we switch our ride. I am using Arif scooter, Arif using Wagni scooter, and the last one is Wagni using mine Green EX.

From left to right: Arif, mine, and Wagni scooter

Take a look closer from the left

From the right side

Now we set the path for the test. I think Gatot Subroto is the best path for the test, because it consist of 4 traffic lane. The path is: Bidakara - Semanggi - TVRI - Semanggi - Bidakara.

I lead the group to the road. My first impression about Arif scooter was, the acceleration good enough. When I see a wide open road, I open the throttle widely to the proper torque. I tried to open a little bit rush this time, the power I think is enough. I can reach about 95kmh, and I think this scooter can go further. But wait, when I look at the mirror, where is everybody? Ups, they left behind. What happen? Are they did not open the throttle widely or what? At the bridge that turn to right, I'm very enjoy the ride, because I can open the throttle differ than anyone else on that road. While the other hit the brake, I keep the throttle open and not hit the brake until the scooter really closed to others.

Now the traffic quite heavy. It's time for acceleration test. Arif scooter can get out from the heavy traffic easily, but I'm having problem with the handle grip. I think its to big, he added some rubber to the grip that make it larger than the original. And the brake is a little loose either the front and the rear.

At the mulia tower, I stop the scooter waiting for Arif and Wagni. Arif ask us if we want to switch our ride, but I told them not. Because this road is suited for the test. After I run about 200m, I saw the road is in medium traffic, I can not run it as good as before.

Arif scooter character is, low and mid power good enough, but the top end need a little extra effort to get to the top speed.

And the second test is, I'm using Wagni scooter.

The path is changing right now. It's Bidakara - Otista - Bidakara. Now I told to Arif to go first. Wagni scooter is great, the acceleration is great. It respond based on the throttle very impressive. The power exist until the last speed. First test I can go 102kmh, and the second when we turn back to bidakara, I can go to 104kmh. But there is a problem with this scooter, it can not brake properly. My assumption is this scooter handle brake had been cut down a couple of inch, and that make the rider can not pull the handle with full power. This time I leave those two guy left behind like the first test. Whats wrong with them?

Oh yeah, I forgot. Wagni scooter character is, low until top end is impressive.

After we finish the test, we talk so much things about our ride. Wagni ask me about his scooter and what should he do to the scooter.

I told him, your scooter is alright. The problem is your selves. If you could fix your riding style, you can catch up your brother. And it depend on the rider guts and technique. But he told me that this is his first bike and he learn to ride a bike with this scooter. I smile at him.

For Arif, I told him to change his riding style too, about how to treat my Green EX. Don't be hesitate to open the throttle.

My last conclusion is, riding style can make a huge different effect for the ride.

Jogja Touring - Bandung 1st Destination

2007-03-22T11:20:00.000+07:00

Friday, March 16, 2007, Me and my wife packing some stuff before we go out for touring to Yogyakarta. We choose Friday 07.00pm, because it's the most suitable time for us. First, we don't have to take leave permission and we can get more rest time.

Before that, I'm discuss with my friend, especially with Mocky. We discuss about several time for starting time. Our first destination is Bandung, after that we go to Jogja. After a long discussion, we pick a different time. He pick Friday morning, while I pick Friday night.

After office hour has ended, I go to my wife office to pick her and meet my other friend at some point. After I arrived at the meet point, Pram was there already. After a while, I saw Rangga and Bayu arrived. We discuss so much thing. But on the outside it is getting rain, I'm so worried about this. Because it will disturb our trip to Bandung. When I look at the outside, Cucu has arrived. Now it's complete. After praying for our trip to Bandung, we get hurry to our 2nd meet point to meet other friends. And catch our schedule time if we don't want get late on the road.

At the 2nd meet point, we only found Bene in there! Where is Lukman? 1 hour wasted just waiting him.

Now, we are ready for our first journey.

Lukman leads, and the others follow him. Our route is thru Jonggol. It hard trip indeed, because we pass it on the night. While the road condition is not good enough, lot of hole everywhere. And the road are wet either.

One thing is very riskying is the braking light of SR and LX are very bright, and that my eyes can not see the road clearly if they push the brake handle. Suddenly the is a big hole in front of me. Oh no... I'm gonna crash this time, because I can not avoid if this close. Fortunatelly, I can hold my scooter. If not, noth of us will fall down into the hole. I saw my wife almost fall down, but she hold on very tight to me, so she won't fall if I'm not. Thank God.

Second thing that very dangerous is, don't make a slalom move while you are on the touring group. You will make rider on your back confused.

After taking a deep breath, we continue our trip.

When we almost reach Bandung, suddenly our friends rear tire get trouble. Someone contact Dutamatic to get help bring some spare tire. Very long long wait, just to finished changing the tire. It takes about 3 hour to finished it.

Now, we must get hurry to Bandung get rest as much as we can. So, we open the throttle as fast as we can. I look at the speedometer, it reach 95kmh! Amazing! Riding a 100cc scooter in tandem, can reached that speed. Wow, it's a damn crazy. I look at the throttle, I think I can get faster than this, but my wife pull out my jacket. I know this sign, she want me to slow down. Oh ok, I will, I will be steady on this speed.

Finally we arrive on Bandung. But wait something wrong with our group, Bene is missing. Where is he? We open our eyes and look for him. We ride slowly, just because we don't want to loose him. It's not funny if he is missing on Bandung. On the branch of road (I don't know the name), we stop and wait, maybe he is on our back. Waiting with nervous for him. Suddenly Dutamatic friends that help bring and changing spare tire arrive with Bene. We are so glad that he is not missing. We split our group. Me, my wife and Bene follow Lukman into his house for taking a rest before we continue our trip to Jogja.

We have only about 1 hour left to rest. We must use it wisely. Me and my wife taking a rest on the sofa, while Bene rest on the carpet with a pillow. This is not a good sleep I think, but the time forced us to get prepare for other trip.

At 05.00am, we prepare our selves to the Dutamatic. Now this is the real journey begin. Wait and see, what will happen on our next trip.

Complaining The Tire

2007-03-12T12:41:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, March 7, 2007, I want to complain about my rear tire by phone, because it puffy. So I seek the tire producer on the internet. I found it; but there is something weird about this. The official website tell me that they only produce tire for bicycle!

So who is the one that produce my scooter tire?

Forget it, as long as I can complain this tire and get the new one. I call the number that exist on the header site. I call it once, and it busy. I call it twice, and it keep busy. And the third one, it worked. Some woman pick up and answer my phone. I tell her about what I want. And she said that if I want to complain about tire, this is not the place. I have to call to floor 10th. She gave me the number to call it by my selves. What is this! Is she can not forward or transfer my call to the complaining area that locate on the floor 10?

That made me so angry, why the customer service is not good. Is it because there are a lot of complaining about their product or what? Lot of my friend said that the tire that I used is not good, it often puffy for this brand. They told me to switch to another brand.

I think I should change it, but I don't wanna loose for this one. I tried the number that she gave to me. Someone pickup and I said hello, I want to complain about your tire product. But without any word, she forward me to another one. Is this some kind of joke?

After waiting for a while, there is a man voice. He ask me, "what can I help for you?". Oh this one is kind and pretty good in customer service. I tell him about the tire quality and what happen to the tire that i bought a few month ago. He ask me where do leave, and he told me to go to the main supplier that near to my home and complain to them. This is great, because I don't have to ride to bring the tire just to complain.

I call it to the main supplier, and I said I want to complain about my scooter tire. The one that on the end of the phone forward it to the warehouse section. Mr Rachmat answer all of my complaining, including the procedure that I must take. He told me that I must complain it to the store that I bought. Ok, I said, I will complain it to the store. But what if they can not help? He said that he will help me.

I closed the phone and call the store. After a long debate, I give up. The store is not accept any complaination for the tire. So I call back to Mr. Rachmat to tell him about it. He said that he will help me. But he is not promise that this will succeed, but he will try.

Saturday, March 10, 2007, we plan some points in our todo check list. One is bring my rear tire to Mr Rachmat. After I meet him, he test the tire and sign the puffy spot. He made some document and gave it to me and he said that he will contact me if the replacement for my tire arrive. And he tell me that if I want to buy a new tire again, he can help me too.

Dangerous Ride In The Rain

2007-03-07T08:33:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, March 7, 2007, I ride my scooter with my beloved wife to the office. This morning it rained. So we wear our two pieces rain coat gear (jacket and pants) and seal all of our stuff with a plastic, so it will not get wet or dirty.

I rode 40kmh 'til 60kmh, because this is the best speed for lowest fuel consumption, and I think this is the best speed for great handling when the road very slippery.

When we got on a medium traffic, I look at my mirror. I saw a man and a woman riding with a motorcycle and wearing a ponco rain coat both of them. I ride steady at the average speed of 40kmh, because I can not get faster beacause of the traffic. But this motorcycle suddenly on my side and very close indeed. And he is faster than me, I think he is to fast for this traffic condition.

In a few second, his ponco suddenly hook on my right handle bar and he is keep faster. Oh no.....

Me and wife crashed down with my scooter. Fortunately, I'm not riding faster so the wound is not very bad, just some bruised in my knee. Someone help us out of the traffic, we are so glad about that. Thank you for your help sir, I'm very appreciated that. I saw the one who made me down is running away. I'm in deep sad. I look at my wife, how is she. She said that its alright, just some bruised on both of her knee. I look at my scooter condition, there are some scratch on the plastic.

After we are ready to continue our trip to the office, we said thank you again to the man that help us out. And we continue our ride to the office.

So the conclution is: "DON'T YOU EVER WEAR A PONCO RAIN COAT ON A TWO WHEELS, BECAUSE ITS DANGEROUSING OTHERS AND YOUR SELVES"

Reborn

2007-02-26T08:13:00.000+07:00

Friday, February 23, 2007, I go to the workshop to pickup my scooter. Cause my friend said that its done. I wokeup in the morning in a rush, just to get to the workshop earlier. And I receive a sms from my friend that he can go to the workshop too just to get some test ride of my scooter. I said its a perfect timing to test ride before I switch some CVT parts.

After taking a shower and packup some parts, jacket and helmet, I go get into the road, stop a taxi. I am so nervous how was my scooter going look a like after it finished.

After arrived at the workshop, I go to the section where was my scooter been fixing. But something wrong happen. It could be my eyes or what? My scooter isn't finish yet! Whats wrong?

My friend said that he clean all of my scooter section, including the tank. Wow, I am so proud of him. He is so dedicated to his job. I never ask him to do that job, but he do it; checking all of my scooter condition. After the cleanup process is done, he plug and screw all of my scooter parts into the proper place.

The final check is checking all of the panel. He found out that the speedometer lamp is dead. He plug a brand new lamp for the speedometer and its done. Now he turn on my scooter again. But wait, something wrong with it. My scooter sometimes suddenly dead. He check all of my scooter electricity.

And then my friend is come.

We discuss about so many things around the scooter. He asking me so many thing, and I answer it based on my knowledge. I'm so happy to meet such a friend like that, his curiosity made my blood run faster. I like a man like that.

While we are on discuss, I look at my mechanic friend. It look like he confused about the problem. His assumption that my CDI socket is broken. I borrow my friend CDI to test it on my scooter. If the test is good, then the CDI must be broken. If the test fail, then another part is broken (don't know which is). And the test result is good. Oh no, I must buy a new CDI. Its expensive!

But I must buy it if I want my scooter run again. So ask him to buy it, and buy a new original torque spring (default 1000RPM). After he arrive, he plug it and test it. But the problem is just the same. Oh no, I waste my money for nothing.

He search all of the cabling system and the electricity. Now he get another conclusion, there is one cable that plug onto the CDI that broken. It take so much time to search only which cable that broke down.

But my friend can not wait that long, he already had a appointment with his client. I said I'm sorry to him, that I can not fulfill my promise to him. But he said, it's alright, may be next time.

After it solved, he turn on my scooter again. Now it run with no problem. He adjust my carburetor for the final check, plug NCY variator, 10g roller set and torque spring.

Can't wait 'til I test it. Finished with the administration, I say thank you so much to my friend.

I leave the workshop to another place. I have to catch the tight schedule. I open the throttle smoothly, but the power is less than before. This must be because the torque spring. Ok, next is low climbing. I turn the throttle a little bit wide. Hem, I can feel the acceleration even when on the climb area. I know that this is not a good place to test. Lets find a wide open area to test the acceleration from 0 to 60kmh. After I got the perfect place to test, I open the throttle in a hard way. The result is slower than before. But when 60 to 80, it become faster than before. When the speed reaching 80kmh, I can still open the throttle again, and power still exist. I think I can go more than this, but the track isn't enough for the test. To much other vehicle, and it dangering my self as a tester.

Saturday, February 24, 2007, I go ride with my wife. With this new parts, riding become more fun than before. Because I can control the power easier than before, not like riding on a mad buffalo. Riding in tandem is so much, I don't feel losing any power on the CVT, even when I tried to climb on the bridge, the power is still exist when I open the throttle again and again. When I look on the panel, it 60kmh. Amazing. And it still has more power in it. My experience crossing the bridge with tandem is can not exceed 40kmh and it losing the torque.

I think I can enjoy it for a while. (Until the next new toy).

The new Green Free Ex is just reborn with the new power. Does anyone want to test it?

Delayed Again!

2007-02-19T10:46:00.000+07:00

Monday, February 19, 2007, I would like to go to my office. But when I look at my cell phone, there is a sms from my friend. He said that some of my parts had been delayed again.

Damn!

On Friday Authorized Service Station said that my parts is delayed until Monday. But now they said it again with the same word: "DELAYED!". I hate those word, it make me numb.

Poor my friend, he had to re-return to the Authorized Service Station just to check my parts. How much does it cost he has to spend just to do this job. Such a wasting time and money. Do they don't think about this?

Now they promise to my friend that it will arrive on Thursday, February 22. Lets wait, if it not arrive again, then I must change my scooter with other that fit with my criteria.

Finally I Can Reach The Workshop

2007-02-12T08:18:00.000+07:00

Saturday, February 10, 2007, I tried to brought my scooter to the workshop again. I hope this time will be successful. If not, then I am very in deep sorrow. Two weeks of nothing.

I contact Father in law, borrow his office box car. After the car arrive, I look for the key. But when I look and see it, something weird had happen to the key. IT BENT !!!

I tried to aligned it, but the key became broken into a two pieces. Woaaa, what should I do? Another a hard job. First is, pull out the scooter out of the garage without moving the steer. And second is lifting the scooter into the car.

Phew, finally finished. Now lets get move on to the workshop. The road that we pick is fine, only some spot that is a little damaged. But it's alright for me, as long as I can reach the workshop.

After arrived to the workshop, I greet my friend as a mechanic in there. I told him about my scooter condition, and he is so welcome as usual. He write all of my scooter problem and he will check it later, he said. After signing some paper, I go back to home.

At 01.30 pm he contact me, he said that the parts will arrive on Friday. Ok fine, no problem with that. As long as my scooter is fixed. Thank you so much my friend, you're the best.

Can Not Access The Workshop

2007-02-08T08:35:00.000+07:00

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, I wanted to bring my scooter to the workshop for fixing the broken parts.

My plan is like this:
- I contact my father in law to borrow his office box car
- I contact my mechanic about my visitation

I must bring it on the Saturday, because my scooter take so long sitting on the garage. Now this is the right time. Yup, this is the most perfect time after my new book of journey is done.

But something horrible happen on the Friday, rain isn't stopping from Thursday until Friday, and that make the road become like a river. I only see water everywhere. How can I bring my scooter to the workshop for repair? What Should I do?

Right now, I can only wait and see for the flood withdraw. I contact my father in law again to cancel the car and changing my plan into another one. Yup, there is always plan B in my life.

I miss riding with my scooter again, but the street didn't support for a safety riding. I choose to stay with a bus for awhile, and I can not sleep tight until I can ride with my scooter again.

New book of journey

2007-02-01T09:28:00.000+07:00

January 28th, 2007 is one of my biggest day. It is the new book of journey.

I closed the old book that full with memory. Memory that still inside my head. There are a lot of wonderful memory, I hope I don't forget it, what a pain if I forget it.

The Holy Matrimony was very great. I know that we don't prepare it very well for the church. Grandma is coming on church, I know that her health is not very good, but she tried to come to see her best grandson got married. Tears in my eyes and I cried on her knee. Thank you Father in Heaven for bring her on the Matrimony.

I am very enjoyfull on that day, I can met all of my best friend. They are coming from all over the places. I had a great time with them. But there is something that make me so sad, some of my best friend don't have a picture with us on the ceremony.

But overall, the celebration of love is run smoothly. I thank to Father in Heaven again for this. He is so wonderful, He heard and answer our prayer in the perfect time. Thank you Father.

For Soyuzno, thank you for the invitation design. I keep it one for you.
For Uma Yusuf, thank you for your support.

2007 Resolution

2007-01-12T08:37:00.000+07:00

2007 is just begin. But there is so much memory in the past that I can not forget:
- Added new friend and of course best friend, that year I'm so excited that they are so good and nice to me. I can not mention it, because there are so many. Thank you all of you my Kymco friend.
- So much things to learned from what I've done in the job and from my friends.
- So much scooter experimental that takes my money a lot, but I'm so satisfied that it aim to the right path.
- Forcing my body until its limit that causing disaster.
- New Job.
- House for my future.

This Year of 2007, there are so many that I would like to reach

- New book of journey:

This year will be the first year in my whole life, that the book of journey will be written not only by me, but there will two ink scratch in the book. Can't wait 'til the day come.

- New Scooter Tecno GT 150

This year we want a bigger scooter to cruising the town. We had satisfied with this Green Free EX. But we think that we would like to buy another one that bigger than this. It seem that Techno GT 150 would meet our criteria, but with note that this scooter will launch in Indonesia.

- Building my house

I've buy a new house for my future plan. This year, this house must be reform into the new look. I have made the scratch in my mind about the design (interior and exterior), hope it would look great. I just draw it in the paper and give it to the contractor.

- March 17-18th, Yogyakarta Touring

In March, there will be Yogyakarta Touring. This time it will be very big, Yogyakarta will be full with Kymco. I don't know the agenda detail, but I can imagine that it will be great and so much fun. I must prepare Green as soon as possible so it would be ready when the day has come.

- Activating Jakarta-Yogyakarta Mediavisi

After discussing with my friend, we agree that Mediavisi will be active again after a long dormant. I contact my friend from Jakarta and Yogyakarta about their comment and they are so welcome about this.

I think this is the best resolution at 2007.

Merry Christmas 2006

2006-12-26T07:40:00.000+07:00

December 24-25th, 2006, I've received a sms from all of my friend. They've send such a good words to me, it make my spirit get renew again after the accident. But on the other side, I'm so sad that I can not reply their messages, I don't have any pulse on my phone. I'm broke right now. All of my money is spend for my day on the next month. Even for the last week on December, I don't have enough money until the next wage. What should I do?

This time I can only pray to Father through His Son, that I hope some miracle in this Christmas. I pray for all of my friend, because this is the only thing that I can do. I can not give a beautiful word, because of my limitation.

This is for all of my friend: "If there is a love in your heart and your mind, you will feel like Christmas all the time. The joy of Christmas stay here inside us, feel each in every heart with love."

2nd Accident

2006-12-18T09:48:00.000+07:00

Saturday, December 16th, 2006. Green EX got an accident again. Exactly before one of my biggest day in a whole life. It cession day between our family. First one is one day after the propose.

I think Father want to admonition me about a things. I keep thinking, what does He want from me. But I'm very grateful that He still love me. The proof is, I'm alright, just bruised on some parts of my leg. But Green is so bad, front parts is hardly damaged and broken.

But this is all my fault. I'm pushing my body too hard, that it can not hold up anymore. To few time to get rest and relax. Cause I must prepare all for the day on the next month. I think this is the peak time that Father want me to slow down and get back to Him. All of the preparation is almost done right now, 80% I think.

The lesson that I receive from this is, I must take more rest and calm down my mind and my heart. After the incident, I decided not to make my family and my heart to be sad because of my act. So from now on until next month I will take a bus. This is for goodness of my self and for them too. Thank for Your guidance Father, my Lord, my devotion.

2000 RPM Torque Spring

2006-12-08T12:50:00.000+07:00

Friday, December 8th, 2006, at 09:00 AM I go to the authorize workshop for servicing my scooter.

As usual, changing the oil with the brand new one, tune some parts, and cleaning it. But this time, I want to test my new toy. Yup, it's 2000 RPM Torque Spring. First, my mechanic open he CVT cover and plug my new toy into the Driven Pulley. But when he tried to place the belt into the driven, it won't opened. "The spring is very hard to open", he said. Three men had tried to help him, including the Taiwanese, but it won't budge. Hahaha, I can see from their faces that they will gave up this time. But there is one guy from Factory that told to the mechanic to using a CVT tool for pusing the belt into the driven.

It looks very hard indeed, just pushing the belt into the driven. But it work! Well done, great job man. Big smile in my face.

Jobs done at 11:25 AM.

After finishing the payment, I wear my riding gear and get back into the office.

IT'S TIME FOR TESTING.....

I seek a good route to test the toy. Route that I pick must include heavy and light traffic.

I turn the key to the ignition position, and turn my scooter on. Leaving the parking line, woaaa it's drizzle. I must get hurry testing my scooter if I don't want to get wet. I open the throttle as usual, but my scooter won't moving. What happen? It become heavy. I open the throttle a little bit more, and now it's moving. Phew.... I was so scared if my scooter won't moving, then I will not get into the office this afternoon.

After a bad experience, I run my scooter slowly this time, because I don't wanna something bad happen to my scooter. But the weather is not supporting. Well, I don't have any other option right? So, I open the throttle a little bit rush. What is this....???? The acceleration are moving faster than before. I can get into 40kmh easily, but I heard the engine become more noisy than before. Reaching 40kmh need a higher RPM. My assumption that this will make gas consumption increasing.

Now I tried to loosen the throttle and let the RPM to drop, after that I open the throttle again. My first impression of this toy is "Great". Yeah, I can get the acceleration power easily.

After that I get stuck in a heavy traffic. It's time to test the second one. "STOP N GO" test. I ride slowly behind other motorcycle. After he start to moving, I followed him. The power is so smooth right now, differ than before. The power very heavy indeed for the first time acceleration. But after that, the power become fiercing.

Last test is on a light traffic. After I get into the main street that has 4 traffic lane. I run my scooter to reaching the top speed. As usual, it fast enough to reach the 40kmh. I tried to run it again to reach 60kmh, yeah it still easy. "Piece of cake", I said. After satisfied, I get currious testing speed over 60kmh. I opened the throttle again. But something weird happen, it so hard to reaching the speed after 60's.

Now the test is over. I will try to get some conclusion based on my test.
Higher Torque Spring is usefull to get acceleration.
Lighter Torque Spring is usefull to get top end.

I think I need a heavier roller weight combination to balance the spring.

Another Night With Techno

2006-11-17T13:31:00.000+07:00

November 16th, 2006 at 06:00pm, I drive my scooter to the JMS (Jakarta Motorcycle Show) again, because there is something that I want to clear it first. Something about the cooling system of Techno GT 150.

Here is the machine. Lets take a look closer to the cooling system.

This engine is still using Air/Fan Cooling system. Why Kymco is still using this technology on 150cc CVT engine? According to some article on the internet, 150cc CVT engine will produce higher heat than can not be cooling down by only Fan System. It can only using Liquid System. May be there is some secret that Kymco try to offer to us.

See picture above, It said KMAP (Kymco Magnesium Apply Production). According to the Kymco.com.tw, this machine using Magnesium-Alumunium alloy. What I know is this alloy is superb light. Key to Nonferrous said that this alloy will be more cooler. And the most amazing is, this is aerospace technology. Damn, from where does Kymco has this technology!

Back to the heat. If this alloy can release heat better than other alloy, then may be Kymco calculation is correct, that this machine do not need Liquid Cooling system. The answer is simply, because this alloy is cooler.

May be this Fin will help the cooling process. Air flow coming from this fin will flowing to the back. Blowing the hot air backward that blowed by the fan onto the engine surface.

Look at the bottom of this machine, you will see the secondary air that control the emission. They put it on the left side, differ than other type that put on the right side. But this will not effect the emission, because it just only the placement. Left or right is just the same.

Wait, something strange with the muffler.

There is a bolt on the muffler. What is this bolt function after all? I read on some bike magazine. To test bike emission, it should be plug some device on the front, middle and the rear muffler, so the test will be more accurate. May be this bolt is a preparation for this test. If so, then this is a great functionality.

Another feature that I like is, they put a plate in the middle of the shock absorber to protect the electricity from water, sand and dirt, so it will not come up. Yup, I'm so amaze by this, because this is very clever solution to protect the electricity when the road is not in perfect condition.

On the mid stand there a cube that make the stand to stop on the proper place. I think this is funny, because of the shape. Another question is, how strong is this cube can hold up to the high pressure of this machine weight plus the rider when they sit on?

I call it a safe hook, just like SR-125. Why I said that, because when you park this machine and lock it. You can place your stuff on this hook and lock it by pushing it. Your stuff can not be remove until you open your handle lock and this hook will release automatically. Unless they cut down your stuff tie.

The key is just like JR-100. It does not have a shutter key yet! I don't know why, because SR-125 SE+ has this feature. Last I remember that in Taiwan this product had launched before the shutter key invented by the engineers. But if they launch in Indonesia, I said this will be a step back technology. Because in Indonesia, SR with shutter key function is launched before Techno. This key has a great function. Turn to left end to open the baggage and turn to right end to open the gasoline cap.

The speedometer is so futuristic, but I'm so sorry I can not take a good picture of it. May be picture from kymco.com.tw will be a perfect to describe it.

This speedometer is a combination between analog and digital. Speed on the above are analog. The RPM meter are digital, sign by a light that will light the bottom indicator. Odotrip, watch, gasoline capacity are also digital.

The mirror design is very unique and exclusive. See the arrow. When I saw it, first thing in my mind is, "is this mirror had broken?" But when I look closely, it not. This is like a two piece alloy that joined together. The engineers made this mirror is so good, event I do not know how to plug this mirror, I don't see any nut on it. May be they cover it. Very interesting.

Last thing I want to said that the seat has a writing "Techno GT" that same design as the sticker. Cool.

Techno will launch at January 2007

2006-11-13T10:36:00.000+07:00

November 12th, 2006, I drive my scooter to JMS (Jakarta Motorcycle Show). I pay the ticket and enter the exibition. My target is only Kymco stand, because I don't have much time. I must hurry and get info as much as I can. After I stand at the front of the kymco stand, suddendly my eye's keep looking at one scooter that keep in the corner. The name was "TECHNO 150 GT".

Wow this scooter amazing, seeing this scooter can not make my eye's to turn to another type.

First I go to the front look and get the picture of it. I admired of it design, it is very modern scooter design, it aerodynamic. I keep looking and see.

Look at the headlight position, cool isn't it. I like it, because it is just like my scooter right now, very exclusive indeed. Not like other brand that put the headlight at the handle bar.

Let's have a look at the handle bar.

Sorry I can not have a good picture of it, because I can not jump in to have a close look. Take close look of the left handle panel. They has design this machine is soo thorough. Rounded like a playstation stick, hehehe, but you can not play like a playstation. You will get caught by the police. And the speedometer is cool too, like a diamond.

And now the deck.

Hehe, this is Kymco like I know. They had put their brand name and logo everywhere. But this is the first time I know that they put it on the floor deck. The design is nice too, like a batman.

Let's move on to the rear.

Techno 150 GT or Techno GT 150 exactly ? Don't know which is correct??? Heck with it. The rear suspension is using gas suspension, it should be more soft rebound than other type. Damn, I should buy this scooter as soon as possible after I have the money. But wait a second, This machine is still using drum brake. Why they do not put disc brake on the rear? Hem, may be they already calculate it that using drum brake is still safe for the rider. May be I should look back on the front disc, how large is it.

Yeah it is big enough for the front disc, may be it about 220mm on the diameter. This should be enough to stop this machine compared to the wheels diameter. It using 120/70-12 on the front.

The most amazing on this machine is the tail.

This machine using led system on the rear light. Brake and turning light both using led system. This will be the first scooter using full led system on the light. I push the seat, yup, it will be comfort enough riding this machine, not too hard and not too soft. But it is softer than other brand.

I must buy this machine, forget it about GrandDink 250 HID, lets focus on this machine. The marketing team said that this machine will launch on January 2007. I know that this machine will be the favorite among kymco rider. Lets wait and see the future of it.

New Gasoline Consumption

2006-11-09T08:27:00.000+07:00

It takes four days to make a trip until I fill up my scooter tank again. The total trip is about 49km * 4 days = 196km

I buy Shell Super Extra for Rp.20.000,- and I get 3.74L.

Let's count my gasoline consumption:
    Consumption = 3.74L : 196km
                            = 1L : 52.406417112299465240641711229947km
                            = 1L : 52km
                            = 1 : 52

Hehe, my scooter is the most economical in gasoline consumption.

Disc Brake Comparisons

2006-11-08T08:21:00.000+07:00

After I've got the exact size of 17-inch Disc Brake motorcycle diameter, then I try to make a data comparison for testing both two wheels in braking ability. That is between 10-inch wheels scooter and 17-inch wheels motorcycle.

Before doing a measurement, I make some based assumption:
1. Contact area between the Disc Pad and the Disc it self are same.
2. Both of them are using Double Calipers Brake Pistons.
3. Friction point for Pad and The Disc are same.
4. Engine Displacements are same.

Below is the data that I've collect:
1. 17-inch motorcycle:
     - Tire = 70/90-17
     - Disc Diameter = 220mm
     - Alloy Wheels Diameter = 17-inch
2. 10-inch scooter:
     - Tire = 90/90-10
     - Disc Diameter = 160mm
     - Alloy Wheels Diameter = 10-inch

Note:
1-inch = 2.54cm
            = 25.4mm

Lets count the outer diameter of the wheels
d = diameter(alloy) + (tire thickness * 2)

1. 17-inch motorcycle:
     d = 17-inch + ((70mm * 90%) * 2)
        = 17-inch + (63mm * 2)
        = 17-inch + 126mm
        = (17 * 25.4mm) + 126mm
        = 431.8mm + 126mm
        = 557.8mm

2. 10-inch scooter:
     d = 10-inch + ((90mm * 90%) * 2)
        = 10-inch + (81mm * 2)
        = 10-inch + 162mm
        = (10 * 25.4mm) + 162mm
        = 254mm + 162mm
        = 416mm

Now, I count circumference of the wheels and the Disc:
Circ = pi * d

1. 17-inch motorcycle:
     Circ(wheel) = pi * 557.8mm
                          = 1752.38038217238666841446mm
                          = 1752.3804mm
     Circ(disc) = pi * 220mm
                      = 691.15038378975451246178mm
                      = 691.1504mm

2. 10-inch scooter:
     Circ(wheel) = pi * 416mm
                          = 1306.90254389335398720046mm
                          = 1306.9025mm
     Circ(disc) = pi * 160mm
                      = 502.65482457436691815402mm
                      = 502.6548mm

After that, I make some ratio between wheels and the Disc circumference.
Delta = Circ(disc) : Circ(wheel)

1. 17-inch motorcycle:
     Delta = 691.1504mm : 1752.3804mm
               = 1 : 2.5355

2. 10-inch scooter:
     Delta = 502.6548mm : 1306.9025mm
               = 1 : 2.6

Smaller the ratio, better braking capacity.

The difference between both ratio is just 0.0645. I assume that this is too small difference, and I can ignore this.

So, the conclusion is: "Braking capacity both two wheels are equal".

Heavy Duty Oil

2006-10-30T09:15:00.000+07:00

Saturday, October 21th, 2006, I change my scooter engine oil with heavy duty oil (diesel oil). Last time I used motorcycle oil SAE 15W-50 API SG, now I used heavy duty oil SAE 15W-40 API CI-4.

My first impression about this oil is, my scooter noise become more silently. Don't know why is this could be happen? Can't wait 'til next test, and I prepare some point to test about this oil performance.

First is the vibration. I test my scooter to run about 20-40kmh, because this is the best speed range for testing a vibration. Hemm..., my scooter become very very low vibration, better than before. Even I know, that my scooter is low vibration, but with this oil, the vibration is lower than before. Amazing!

Second test is acceleration. I stop my scooter and try to run from 0 to 20kmh. Wow, the acceleration is better than before, it seem's that this oil work better than a motorcycle oil. I open throttle widely again and see what will happen with the power, I can feel the power has become extremely higher than before. No loosen power from low to top end. Feel that I would go faster and more faster with my scooter, I don't wanna stop riding my scooter.

Thursday, October 26th, 2006, I test my scooter against Z's that using racing muffler. Remember that my scooter are only 100cc and my rival using 115cc. I catch up him, and open a match. Hehehe, crazy match isn't it? How can 100cc win against 115cc that using racing muffler. But the fact say different! My scooter win against Z.

Enough with the test, and I run slowly to my garage and stop my scooter. I hug it deeply, I'm very proud for you!

New Springs Set

2006-10-20T08:06:00.000+07:00

Friday, October 13th, 2006. My springs order has arrived. According to George Szappanos article at the www.off-road.com about clutch, I'm going to tune my clutch. I am focusing on the acceleration.

So, I want my clutch engage faster than before. George said that I must plug a lighter set of clutch springs. I plug a 1000RPM clutch springs into my clutch. And hope that this modification will make my clutch engage faster.

Also, It seem that my rear torque-driver spring is not hard enough. Why I said that, because when I tried to run my scooter at 60kmh and go down to 40kmh, and try to accelerate again, I felt that my scooter has loosen some power. So I plug a 1500RPM torque driver spring.

Now It's time to test all the thing that I have done. First thing that I want to test is my clutch springs, so I turn on and run my scooter. The first impression is, "wow is this my scooter or what?". I feel that my scooter has moving faster than before from 0kmh. George, you are absolutely right about this clutch spring. Now I can be more relax on passing a heavy traffic, I don't need a higher RPM to moving my scooter.

Second test is acceleration at the medium speed. So I run my scooter at 60kmh and go down to 40kmh, after that I open the throtle again to speed up my scooter. "This is what I want from my scooter", I said. Because, now the acceleration is good enough to bring it at the 60kmh again.

The last test is, I run my scooter hardly to reach 60kmh from 0kmh. I open the throtle this time hardly. "Wooaaa, my scooter power is amazing, I can feel that my body has pushed back". My heart beat become faster, and I can pass other vehicle easyly. It's different scooter right now.

I am very satisfied about what changes I have made to my scooter. I think I'm gonna love my scooter better than before.

Meet at Kymco Mangga Dua

2006-10-09T08:03:00.000+07:00

Saturday, October 7, 2006, I go to Kymco Mangga Dua to meet my friend cause he ask me to come there. It's a perfect time I think, well, may be not a very perfect either, because I have to pick my honey at the airport. And the opposite is I can meet my best friend.

After I arrive at Mangga Dua, I meet Tok, Opa Albert, Ryan and of course Stefanus the owner of Kymco Mangga Dua. Opa, Ryan and Stefanus has big conversation between them. So I walk to Tok and simply open some discussion about scooter in Indonesia.

I admired him, cause he also open mind like our. We talk so much thing about many brand of two wheels. We talk about the superior or weakness of it. I think we has some equal that both of us like to observe about development of two wheels.

He ask me so much thing about Kymco, I explain him about so many type that Kymco sell in Indonesia. He is very interested in Easy JR 100. Yes, JR is great I said, it power is about 8,6PS/7500RPM same like other brand that use 125cc. You can get 100cc engine that has power like 125cc, isn't that great?

He loved JR handling, riding position, baggage and odometer. Unfortunately JR use 10" on it wheels, so the ground clearance is so low. I said that JR based engine is not like Free series, JR has so much power on it engine. Even Free LX that has 111cc engine can be catch by JR. I don't know the secret on JR, because I don't have the opportunity to take apart on JR engine.

He loved Kymco steering that has so much low on vibration, he said that two wheels should be like this.

After a long discussion, we conclude that two wheels production in Indonesia is best at 95's and below, and after that there is some descent in quality.

He talk to me that he admired Kymco community in Indonesia, he said that this community is fast in cooling down after some hard debating. Welcome to our cummunity Tok.

Preparation to Bandung

2006-10-06T08:05:00.000+07:00

October 05, 2006 I contact Ryan asking for help to book a hotel for me on Bandung. And he pleased to help me. He told me to wait a minute, and then he contact me again. He said "yes, I've book the hotel and make a reservation, And I paid the bill too". I talk to him, that I would substitute his money for the next wage.

Wow, I have such a great friend. He is the best friend I ever have, I am soo grateful about what he has done to me. I said in my heart that I must help him when he need me a favor next time. I must!

Now I must make some preparation for going to Bandung. First thing that I must do is make my body healtier, because my noose got some ache, feel not comfort alright. And of course make some plan to what we must do on Bandung.

New Intake Manifold

2006-10-05T11:19:00.000+07:00

After a long wait, finaly my intake manifold that I order from the workshop has arrived. I took my scooter and went to the workshop to get those stuff and go home again.

Now I'm home, can't wait to try my new toy.

I pull out my scooter into garage, and took my tools. Now I'm ready for the experiment. The new intake has about 2cm shorther than my original. I detached the seat from the compartment, and loosen the nuts. And I replace the original with new new one. After finished, it's time to try it in the real road.

I turn on my scooter, I try to run about 20kmh. "What happen to my scooter? Is this really my scooter?", thats the word come out after I try it. Because the acceleration so different. Used to be about 1-2 second before my scooter move, now there no more. Feel like I don't wanna stop, the torque is so amazing.

I try to run it hard. I get shock, my scooter is so powerfull right now. I don't test it with GPS, because I don't have any. But I'm feeling so comfort with my scooter now.

My next target is tuning the CVT.

Gear Lubricant

2006-10-05T11:16:00.000+07:00

Sept 6-7, 2006, Ryan and I discuss about what best gear lubricant for our scooter. We talk and compare about some brands which is we think it is a good quality brand.

We limit our discuss for synthetic gear oil only and the grade is 90. After a long discussion, we select grade 75W-90 synthetic gear oil is the best suit for our scooter. However I'm starting to confuse about the specification of some oil that we choose. There is a "cSt", what is this keyword meaning? Don't know much about this, so I look for it on the internet and I've got this.

cSt = centistokes

It amusing alright. I assume it explain about viscosity of the oil on several degree of engine temperature, usually on 40 and 100 degree celcius.

There is some brand that we choose, like Mobil, Maxima and Redline. Ryan already use Mobil, and he decide to try Redline. Me? I don't know which one, because all of thoose product are a good quality.

My answer is, I have to go to the oil shop and see which one is in stock. Ridiculous isn't it. But the fact is, thoose product may be not sell in my country (just my 2 cent). But hey, what about if all of those product are in stock? OK, I pick Mobil and then Redline and for the last is Maxima.

Price? Don't care about the price, as long as my scooter is in a perfect shape.

Kymco Parts

2006-10-05T11:15:00.000+07:00

Finally the scooter part that i've ordered arrive.

My friend told me that I must meet him at some place to give that part to me, and then we agree to meet some where at the corner of the city. Can't wait 'till the day, I can not sleep thinking about which part that arrive.

Then the day is coming, I turn my scooter on and go to the place that we agree to meet.

After meet, we discuss so much thing about our scooter progress. We trade some idea that we think is cool for our scooter. And back to the business, he show me the part that he promise to bring it to me. I open the seal and deep look into the part. I know something is missing. I order air filter box assy and intake manifold, but there is only filter box assy in there and where does it intake manifold goes? I ask him about that part, and he told me that factory will sell together with the carburetor. I'm very dissapoint to the factory, because they are very slow to sell some part for users. It seem that something is not correct in their parts distribution, or something that issue them to not come out the parts. I don't know the answer yet.

How do I must plug the assy without the intake manifold? Cause the new part is very short than the old one. So it wouldn't fit in my scooter. Or I must wait again before the part come out.

The modification that I wish to do is making some cut out to the gasoline distribution before enter into the engine. If this is succeded, then my scooter accelaration will get higher than before. I need this to pass the heavy traffic easyly.

Gasoline Consumption

2006-10-05T10:26:00.001+07:00

After changing my roller with a heavier weight. I started to count my scooter consumption.

Usually I fill my tank every 2 days about 3.2 liter of gasoline. The distant between my home and office is about 37km, so a day would be about 75km.

Now with this new roller, 3 liter gasoline I can use for 2.5 days.

In my country, 1 liter gasoline = Rp.6,050.-

Before:
3.305 liter = 150 km
1 liter = 45.375 km

After:
3.305 liter = 187 km
1 liter = 48.4115 km

In 1 Year:
Before:
356 days - 52 days (Sunday) = 304 days
Distant = 304 * 75 km
= 22,800 km
Consumption = (22,800 km / 45.375 km) * 1 liter
= 502.479 liter
Money = 502.479 * Rp.6.050,-
= Rp.3,040,000.-

After:
Consumption = (22,800 km / 48.4115 km) * 1 liter
= 407.9625 liter
Money = 407.9625 * Rp.6.050,-
= Rp.2,849,322.99

Difference:
Consumption = 502.479 liter - 407.9625 liter
= 94.5165 liter
Money = Rp.3,040,000 - Rp.2,849,322.99
= Rp.190,677.01

This is amazing, I can save a fuel just because changing the roller. The point is, I help the planet too because of lower fuel consumption. And I save my money too.

New Roller

2006-10-05T10:23:00.000+07:00

Finally I bought a new set of Roller for my Kymco Scooter. The roller weight was 11gr, heavier than before that just 10gr. According to some website, the more weight of the roller, the more acceleration you got.

So I test the roller after I set it in my scooter. After come out from the kymco workshop, I turn my scooter into the street. First I test it to run about 40kmh. Feel so heavy to reach the 40kmh, but the RPM so low different than before. I think this will decrease my scooter gasoline consumption, because to run at the average speed, it will need lower RPM.

After satisfied at 40kmh, I try to run about 60kmh. The feel like at the 40kmh, the RPM is still low. May be because the way I ride the scooter is different from other people. I ride slowly and let the RPM increase slowly.

At night about 21:15pm, I try my scooter again. Now with different riding style. I try to turn my scooter faster than before. I run my scooter at 40-60kmh. After a while I meet 2 biker that ride Honda so fast. So I want to try my roller weight to chase them.

The gap between us is about 200m when I try to chase them. When I turn my scooter hardly, the power is so soft but the RPM is increasing fastly. Unbelievable! That two biker, got chase in about a few second and I leave them behind in a far distant.

That was a amazing. My heart beat so fast when I past them, this is great sensation that I don't feel in a long time.

I hate those Bike

2006-10-05T10:17:00.000+07:00

Last day May 17, 2006 on 17:20pm I came out from my office. I turn my scooter out from the parking line. I really enjoy the street that day, because the street has less crowded than before. Than I try to give more speed on my scooter until 60kph. Wow , I really enjoy it riding with my scooter when the street is like this all the time, but this is rarely happen. So I just stick and enjoy it while I can.

But at the under the bridge that cross Rasuna Said, I stuck. FInally I have to slow down my scooter and walk slowly with other motorcycle.

Than the dissaster is happen. When I go along with other motorcycle, suddenly a motorcycle just hit my scooter so hard. I'm so angry because of this. And that make my scooter fender is broken. Why he can not just ride slowly like other motorcycle or hit the brake at the time before he hit my scooter. Feel like I'm gonna punch that man! But I can't...

'Cause I have to hurry to pick up my honey. So I just leave him and get my scooter out of the crowd. Now I have to prepare some money to buy a new fender.

New Menu of Pizza Hut Indonesia

2006-10-05T10:16:00.000+07:00

Tuesday, 16 May 2006 at 3-4pm all of RSC (Support Center) team had a meeting. We discuss about our department progress, we report what we can do for our lovely company in 2nd quarter. We discuss so many thing, and it was so much fun in it. Feel like I'm in my own big family.

After the meeting has done, we eat new menu of Pizza Hut Indonesia that look similar like Malaysia. It call "ORIENTAL PIZZA", this menu has a 2 choice chicken and seafood.

I decided to pick one of seafood oriental cheezburst pizza. From the smell it was so good that make me so hungry, oh no I can't wait to taste it.

I try to bite a little, it feel strange taste in my tounge, may be because the bombay onion. I think onion lover would love this menu, but overall taste is good not like ordinary seafood pizza.

Choir Crisis

2006-10-05T10:15:00.000+07:00

Another scary thing in my mission is Choir Crisis.

Angelic Voice is the Choir that I join with having a crisis of instructor. He went out from from our choir. Now what we gonna do without instructor. I know we can make it without him, but some amusing thing will get happen when we have a concert. Who will conduct us?

We are so flustered about this. The solution is, we must find another instructor as soon as possible if we want to go on stage. But we don't have a budget to pay a professional.

What should we do?

New Concept of Kymco Club

2006-10-05T10:14:00.000+07:00

Today, May 9, 2006 my kymco friend ask me join Kymco Club. I said, I already join Kymco Club. But he said this club is different. I'm so curious about what he said, and he send me an email the detail of this Club.

The concept was making a "Drag scooter and modification Club of Kymco". I said, wow this is brand new concept after so much tiredness of so many Club in Indonesia that only have touring program.

I am so excited about this, because the Kymco dealer will full support for this club. The founder of this club is the manager of the dealer.

But I think I'm not ready (yet) to join this club, because I have to buy some parts to modificate my scooter. And it's not a cheap parts.

Now my concern is prepare some fund to get marry *laugh*. And that is my first priority now, except if somebody would become my sponsor to modify my scooter (only my dream).

Cube-OLAP on my Office

2006-10-05T10:13:00.000+07:00

My job a lot better now, after designing a new cube for Promotion.

Now Marketing team just open the cube on their browser if they want to know about their promotion for a new product.

They just slice and dice and the cube automatically changed as they expect. This technology is very comfortable, because user can create their own report according to their need.

Finally I'm more enjoying my job. But still I can not just sit and calm down, because I need to compete for next 3 month if I want my sallary upgrade again in the second quarter.

This is very high competitive and challenging a lot.

My Friend wanna Pizza Treating

2006-10-05T09:40:00.000+07:00

"Hehehe"; that is what I said if all my friend asking about treat a pizza from me.

Why I said that? That because my employee discount voucher isn't out yet. So, I can not treat my friend as they expect. Especially when they know my probation is over and my salary has upgraded. Wow, the pressure is high hahaha...

For Mr. Soyuz, I'm sorry I can not buy you a pizza when birthday. May be next time when you are come home to Indonesia. And for all the warrior from PTX, may be May 2006 I will buy all of you a pizza.

Bonus of The Month

2006-10-05T09:39:00.000+07:00

Yeah... all right.., finally this Month, April 2006 the company will give me a bonus about 45% from my salary. Because the company sales bigger than they expectation. Btw, the bonus is every 3 month. Is that amazing? And you know what, I've finished my probation and my salary upgraded into 10% from the base.

Wow, I can't imagine this. Feel like I'm flying.

Overloaded

2006-10-05T09:38:00.000+07:00

DAMN!!!!

I have to design about 23 website. Poorly I must complete it in just a couple of week.

The purpose of this website is just for raising the rating for search engine of the official website. I think this is cheating, because the content of the official website is NONE, and never been updated by he. I don't wanna this assignment, but I've got a pressure from the above. What should I do?

I don't have any power to reject. I told them to hired a new one to specifically do this job. Beside complete this job, he must update both website content regularly. And I don't have much time to do that, my priority is DBA and project maintenance.

May be if this project time line has a more extend, I will consider it.

Finally . . .

2006-10-05T09:36:00.002+07:00

Finally. Yes that's the first word after my scooter arrived. I'm so happy about it, and I can't express it how I feel.

But something is weird, the specification of my scooter is differ than what they have told me.

The next day I complain about it, and their response is positive. They agree to accept all my complain, and they will process it soon. Wow, I don't no what to say after a hard day with the tax man, kymco is so welcome. And it make me calm again.

Thank you Kymco.

Buying My Scooter

2006-10-05T09:36:00.000+07:00

Saturday we go to Kymco, and order our scooter. After picking the color, we sign some paper.

And they told us that the leaser will come to survey to my home, and I said OK for that.

This day, the leaser call me, and he wanted both of my parent sign some paper too. And I think this is so complicated, because I have to contact my dad to come home as soon as possible and so am I.

I'm the one who'd liked to buy a scooter, and why do they want my parent sign that paper too? Do they don't trust me, or that is just their SOP. I don't know, but it make me confuse.

The leaser come to my office to interview me, but it doesn't make me comfortable, because he interviewed me in the street.

Now, I'm waiting the approval for my scooter. If they agree, then Kymco will deliver the scooter tomorrow to my home.

I'm so nervous waiting for tomorrow.

Which One

2006-10-05T09:35:00.000+07:00

After reading some news, Honda will launch their first 125cc injection motorcycle.

It make me confuse again, which one do I have to choose. I can't make up my mind. Because the technology would be amazing, and it make me so wonder how it will be. Woaa, what should I do, I can't control my self!!!???
Should I wait and pick that motorcycle or stay with my last choose (Kymco).

But when I saw to my past, I think I will keeping my choose to Kymco. They offer more comfortness than the other brand. Because next year will be a hard ride from home to office.

But if other brand offer comfortness just like Kymco did, may be I will consider it again.

My Future

2006-10-05T09:34:00.001+07:00

After the ruler raised Fuel Price, I know that starting on October 1st, 2005 my day will get harder.

I must pay debt for my house, buying a motorcyle, insurance, get married, fill my house with furniture. Oh, I don't know what to tell, but it seems that I can't imagine how hard it will be. Plus I don't know about my contract with company that I work for. If they decide to continue, what about my salary? Is it gonna raise or stay, feel hopeless if it not raise.

Because other comodity will raise to following the Fuel Price. What should I do? Desperate in my mind.

But my love always give me a good support. I know that I must not sink in the cloud of darkness of my mind, I must survive. Feel warm when she is beside me.

Thank you my love, you're the greatest gift that HE has given to me

Get Ready To Buy My New Kymco

2006-10-05T09:34:00.000+07:00

We (me and my love) agree and decide to buy a new motorcycle.

And we decide to buy Free Ex, but another problem is when?
After a long conversation, we decide to buy 2-3 weeks before Ramadhan. Why? Because usually dealer have some promotion for the customer to attrack customer to buy their product.

Can't wait till that day. No more back hurt, or tired of riding, it will be fun. Cause riding a motorcycle should be fun, that my new paradigm of riding a motorcycle.
Why should I buy an expensive motorcycle, just to hurting my back or make my arm and whole my body tired. It's a long way go to my office, it spend an hour may be more. It's time to make some change, I don't care what people said about this motorcycle.

Ride with pride

12 inch alloy wheels

2006-10-05T09:17:00.000+07:00

Right now Kymco scooter owner especially Free Ex, discuss about the application of 12 inch alloy wheels on their own scooter.

According to the other version of this scooter on other country version, it is ok if you trade the 10 inch with thoose 12 inch. But another problem comes, where can we get thoose 12 inch alloy wheel.
I've allready emailed Kymco UK about purchasing only the alloy wheel, but until today they don't reply me. I've emailed Kymco Indonesia too, but it seem that their email didn't active anymore. There is one website that sell alloy wheel for Kymco: TrickTape Motorsports, but they don't sell it to Indonesia.

There is a debate between Indonesia Kymco owner, about the application of 12 inch alloy wheel. Some say that it won't fit, because with 10 inch, the tire is very close to the engine. But others say that there is some gap that it would be fit. But the fact is, no one ever try it with their scooter because no one have that 12 inch alloy wheel, neither do I.

The rumor is, Kymco Indonesia will sell 12 inch version, but somehow we do not know when they will launch that scooter.

Brand New Motorcycle

2006-10-05T08:57:00.000+07:00

Tired of using my motorcycle....

I need a brand new motorcycle, that drive with relax and feel free. I'm sorry my motorcycle,may be next month you will rest forever or I just sell it to someone else.
According to goverment rule, oil price will increase on October 1, 2005, and loan too. I think this the time to buy my new motorcycle.
I've already survey a lot of Japanese brand, including Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki. But I'm fall in love with something else beside Japanese cycle, and that is Kymco Free Ex. I think she is cute, I know this is just my opinion. May be other people doesn't agree with me, but no problemo. I have a right to tell my opinion.
Free Ex, that is the name. Why I choose this motorcycle? A lot of my friend as me "why do you pick that cycle, the aftersales is not good like japanese man". Yeah I know that, but that just because people paradigm.
Kymco is Honda partner on 1964, they build Honda engine. With the flow of time, they decide to build their own brand, and they call it Kymco. And thats why I confidence to buy this motorcycle. The quality is good, Last thing I know, kymco market share in US is one of the biggest in 250cc below.
The part that I love about this motorcycle is, she has a huge baggage that my full face hetmet will fit in it, not like other that only fit a half face helmet. I would not going to risk my life just for that.
Oh, why I'm writing this.... Never mind, I will buy this motorcycle or scooter exactly.

Bravo Kymco