Speed Report... and a question to any Handy Andy's

[nuscootr]

Speed, speed and ultimately...SPEED!

So Ruckass (Todd) and I have been doing what we can to wring the smiles per hour out of our Rucki, and tonight it was all worth it. We had a blast of a ride, both of us finishing up with massive smiles on our faces that only getting results can put on your mug.

Me: the only mod I have done so far is install a Kitaco CDI, and preform a few cosmetic mods. On the way from Battlescooter? A new chrome shock, Daytona variator and suitable weights, carb jet kit and some chrome mirrors.

Todd: K&N air filter mod, Daytona variator and suitable weights, and a Kitaco CDI.

Today we were hitting 65 kph, easily (40 mph) on the flat and burying the needle going down hills. In fact, at one point, my speedo needle was up tight against the END of the dial. During our tweakings, we have had our seats and floor panels off, of course. In order to test out mods and make things easier on us, we have left the seat and floor panels off while doing test drives, just in case things needed adjusting, etcetera.

Today, we did the final jetting of Todd's carb (down from a 90 to an 85) and we both took his scoot for a spin. WOW. We attribute the immense surge in preformance to sitting very low, right on the metal tubed frame, minus the seat (we just folded up a pillow for temporary comfort). At this height, a few things became clear: one, your mirrors are now at an ideal height - allowing your line of sight to deviate only marginally when taking your eyes off the road to check your mirrors. Two, your feet can either be stretched right out, full-length and still be resting on the forward part of the floor board, underneath the battery/ wiring cover (we both also have BMX pegs and the riding position using them was better, too). Thirdly, and most noticeably, almost no drag! The riding position was infinitely more comfy and your centre of gravity was much lower, so it all felt tight and fast... very fast. We thought it might be due to being closer to the ground and thus an illusion, but no.... more on that later.

So we got to talking. Was there a way we could machine a much lower seating arrangement? Yes, the lower, after-market seat is available, but it only lowers you by a few inches at the most. Quite simply, someone has to design a new idea. We discussed cutting as much as possible out of the front of the stock seat, and as much as possible out of the back posts too, re-attaching the attachment points for the front parts via welding, re-painting (or chroming) and re-assembling.

I mentioned before that we were, at one point, burying the needles of our speedos: this was achieved by going into tight tucks. Every time we wanted to pass one another, we had to tuck as being upright robbed us of that extra zip, our bodies effectively acting as big wind-jammers, preventing us from gaining speed.

I know this isn't really helpful to anyone, but I was thinking that collectively, some one out there might have an idea as to how to machine something to help acheive a lower profile, while maintaining safety and durability. Anyone have any ideas?

Be well, ride safely and often.

Gavin
Vancouver

[Duster]

Look at the tractor seat mod I did on the TECH page on
the Battlescooter home page. See if you can figure
out a way to mount something like that on the main
frame without using the seat frame. I was looking
for a seat from a riding lawn mower when I came up
with my solution. Ride safe.

[zoomerman]

The boys at www.nightryders.tk/ have their seats dropped completely; I don't know if they're bolted on or not, but have a look, it's an interesting site...

[nuscootr]

Yep - I did check their site out but it looks like they have done rough mods (it is too hard to tell because the pictures on the sight are really fuzzy/ grainy) and I am looking for something a little slicker - close to stock but unique.

That blast of speed with the seat off has me hooked! The search continues...

Hey, is anyone interested in getting beter front shocks for their Rucki? Maybe even adding a disk brake set-up?

[abe]

Drag is a big factor for the Ruckus. I've noticed that I did get more speed with the low seat frame, narrower wheels and windscreen. You can install the Bite plastic to make the frontal area smaller but I'm afraid the OEM battery box helps block the wind from your body too. You can also remove the OEM headlights/frame to smooth air flow.

With a stock Ruckus you actually go faster leaning over the bars than tucked. I'm not sure why but it really works. When I had the 150 motor installed my Ruckus cruised at 75mph with my chest on the bar, head forward and arms extended. This is the same method I used to hit 50mph down hill with a basically stock Ruckus(shortened variator spacer).

The more you do to make it smoother to the air the less it looks like a Ruckus. I'm trying my best to keep the Battlescooter Ruckus looking like a Ruckus.

Keep us posted this is a great thread. Not more power just better use of it!

[nuscootr]

Yep.

Even with all the mods that we can do to our machines, it would appear that the biggest drag (pun intended) is us, the riders.

Todd and I adopted the tuck you mentioned, Abe. Chest on the handle bars, knees up tight to the battery box, elbows pointed as far back as possible. Sitting low would, ultimately, be more comfortable - no tucking, stretching or contorting - add a windshield and i think comfort might even be complimented by an increase in fuel efficiency.

The seat chop seems to be a pretty easy mod to do: lowering the seat as much as possible to get yourself right down to the underseat floor pan. It would involve some machining though: chopping off the front rods with the 2 bolt holes, shortening them, and re-welding them. Doing something to the rear braces too... haven't figured that out, then chroming the whole assembly, re-installing the seat hinges and seat, and PRESTO a wicked scoot. Add to the whole set-up an extended wheel-base kit and your ride would be spankin'!!

Any chance of getting that wheel-base extender kit in the same chrome that is available from Tokyo Parts?

www.tokyo-parts.co.jp/zoomania/zoomaniapic/zoo_fo/zo_fo_longbase_msoul_polishver_l.jpg

And I hate to keep bringing this up but I bet that if the Battlescooter store were to bring in better front shocks, people would snap 'em up. I might be wrong however I know I would want to get my hands on a set.

Gavin

[Ruckass]

On our highter speed rides we both have noticed that when we get up past 40mph, we both can feel a vibration not felt at lower speeds. At first i thought it migt be the tires but I think Gavin's idea that it might be the bearings might be closer to the real reason. Anyone else feel this vibration and have any ideas what it might be?

Ruckass

[zoomerman]

How about doing wheel balancing ?

[Ruckass]

OF COURSE...duh. I'll put a man right on that. I don't know why I didnt think of that.

Thanks
Ruck-Star

[zoomerman]

I just came back from a ride and felt that high speed vibration down a good hill, the speedo went to 42ish, it was well past the warning light.

I believe it's actually the belt drive vibrating. I ran my scoot at full speed on the center stand with the side cover off, and watched the belt go nuts. I guess when there's little to no load on it and it's spinning that fast it gets a little out of control.
Perhaps the sad truth is that this bike was never ment to go that fast.

[Ruckass]

Thats a possibilty. But then there has to be a solution. If its the belt then what can be done to solidify the vibration? Would a better belt help? Kevlar? BTW, does one belt fit all on scooters? I saw a Kevlar belt at the bike repair shop I was at the other day and he had one but it didn't say what type of scoot it was for.

Ruckass

[abe]

On the front forks we can get the OEM DioZX parts.
They look like cool sportbike forks and have some
extra travel. Chances are your stock forks are wasted.
You can service the stock forks to make them pretty
good but they will still have the stock 1.5" travel.

On the extension kit, they are slow movers so at this
point we will only carry one brand. They can be chromed
or you can have a local shop make one and chrome it.

I wouldn't worry about the vibration, it's normal. If you
let go of the bars at speed and the front wheel starts
wobbling out of control you need to balance the wheel
or toss the tire and get a new one. If the vibe is in
the chassis wheel balancing, suspension and making sure
things are tight will help. If the vibe is from the engine
you can't do much. It revs high and makes vibes. Changing
the exhaust, airfilter or anything can increase vibration.

We have kevlar belts now I'm not sure which scoots they
fit other than the Met and Ruckus. Kelvar will last longer
but isn't as important on a 4stroke(because of the 4strokes
low launch RPM)

Did you guys lower your seats yet? Pics?

[chanito]

Wow! today i took the seat and floor board out so i could take some measurements to do my air intake, but when i was putting everything together i decided to rig a frame for the seat so it could be mounted lower and further back as gavin and todd sugested, the riding position is great and the speed definetivelly went up, but, sitting that far back made me use the full travel of the spring, so in order to use this sitting position we need to install a longer spring and shock or relocate the top ancher point for the shock about 1 and a half inch back wich will be the best solution but the shock would hit the rear mudguard
so some trial and error seems necesary. Any imput?

[Ruckass]

How about just getting a better/stiffer/taller shock? The one I got of Battlescooter is WAY better than the stock one. A little more travel/clearance and a smoother ride all around.

Can we see what you've done to your seat? We are still choosing the best system for seat lowering.

Ruckass

[Duster]

I had the same problem after I changed my seat too. I got the tractor seat shown on the TECH page. I installed the chrome shock from the Battlescooter Store. Solved my problem. I highly recommend it. Scooter Safe

[chanito]

Yes i think i will go for the stiffer shock, seems the easiest solution, after i came back from vacation i will make an air intake and post that on this forum, i was going to post my drawings for the seat frame but foxed (the picture host) went down, now is running so i should have them post right after new year, thanks for the input on the shock ;D

[CTRukus]

zoomerman said:

The boys at www.nightryders.tk/ have their seats dropped completely; I don't know if they're bolted on or not, but have a look, it's an interesting site...

Do we know where this website went?

[abe]

I don't know I don't hear from them anymore.