You're the rare breed of individual who truly understands engineering AND mechanics to the practical limit. This is an incredible Video, please keep up the good work.
Lab coat Paul is an amazing patient knowledgeathe bowl and? And Bunny at times One number behind mechanical. I appreciate and love his videos. Keep up keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work. Lab coat paul You're very informative and I turned to your videos quite frequently because they're helpful.Thank you and thank you for everything you do.
The first Honda scooter I rode was a rental in Tahoe back in like '92. Reliable enough to make a business. 10 years later I got a 2 stroke Zuma which lasted 12 years totally bulletproof including a flood in '06 and it fired up after a couple weeks just sitting. Imagine my total disappointment when I went through 3 Chinese scoots between 2014 and 2018. The Jonway lasted the longest at 2 years (and 3 belts) but the Tao Taos simply disintegrated. If you're going to actually NEED your scoot, it pays to buy better.
I'm the 3rd owner of a 2008 Roketa. It sat in the barn of the guy I got it from for 2 or 3 years. New battery,fuel and fuel lines got it going. That was 4 or 5 years ago. Just put new tires and a belt on it last weekend, runs great.
Wierd, because my 2012 TaoTao 50 bought new never gave me any real problems at all, I had it for 10 years, even riding it in the winter here in Iowa as long as there wasnt ice on the pavement. You DO have to immediately on getting any of these- replace all the cheap rubber hoses, the crappy torch plug and the sealed carb. I replaced all of those and rejetted a new carb to run best. I also bought Kenda tires and replaced the belt with a quality kevlar belt. I FREQUENTLY changed the oil, the key is keeping that oil changed and clean and using premium gas which was all I ever used due to the high compression engines. I had about 8k on the odometer when I decided to get a new TaoTao 50 18 months ago My ONLY two complaints are; The ABS plastics break down in the sun/weather rapidly and become very brittle, when you have to change something like the headlight bulb and remove the plastic covers to do it, it almost always breaks, and after trying "these will fit your scooter" replacements from 2 scooter outfits and neither one fitting at all, I went to TaoTao's OEM parts site and got the exact perfect fit replacements. You really HAVE to go back to Tao Tao's site to get the OEM parts that FIT, you go elsewhere like I did for the plastic and the broken brake handles you NEVER get the right one that fits the first try or 2nd, and its a PITA. The seat cover likewise gets destroyed in the sun, replaced that twice, wind knocked the bike over twice breaking a brake handle which was a pain to get replacements- the front one has the master cyl on it. So I took the center stand off and heated it with a torch and bent both legs out an inch each to get better stability, no more wind blown issues after that. The other thing I hate is the crappy design of the kick starter mechanism behind the pedal, there's a strong spring and a thin little C clip and washer that holds it together, invariably even on replacement cover assy- the C clip pops off and the half gear gets off track. You DO have to adjust the valves, which is another cause of no-starts on hit days. This week I had a no spark condition at random, I replaced the CDI and it immediately started right up at the touch of the button, so you need to keep one on hand just in case! My 2012 TT's CDI lasted the entire time I had the bike, this time it lasted 18 months
@♬ HовЬу Ояgaиїšт ♬ regarding the valves, I will be working on those tomorrow as I'm having issues with it dieing when I come to a stop, usually when there's a line of traffic behind me.
Paul, you have the most patience in the world! I bet to put this video together with all the description and the filming and the fixing was sooooooo much labour. You are awesome! I like how precise you describe everything and even when is 1.5 hours long I watched it all! Cheers from Canada :)
Thanks for watching! I was wondering if anyone would actually sit there watch all of it. It takes me about an hour to make each minute of video, so this video was about 98 hours of work.
@@LabCoatPaul I watched it all!! And now I’m even more impressed 🤘🏼so much dedication! and the small jokes perfectly timed are the cherry on the top. 👍🏼
@@LabCoatPaul This was a pleasant couple of hours early on a Saturday morning. The extra 1/2 hour was used to brew up a nice mug of caffeine and wash up a few dishes to save Beautiful Bride some time when she wakes up. Why did you make my day? You convinced me that our original decision was correct. If ever we decide to purchase anything with two wheels for use as an "urban assault vehicle", We will 1. purchase a new machine. 2. do my regular super-maintenance schedule to make it last, and 3. purchase the best quality machine we can find. Watching you from our secret retirement location in Bulacan province, on Luzon Island in the Republic of the Philippine Islands.
Normally, there is no way on Earth I would watch an hour and a half long video about repairing a Chinese scooter. But your unbelievable patience in pushing through to the end kept me watching. My very first vehicle was a 49cc Honda Scooter. I don't remember what it was called (this was early to mid eighties) but it never gave me any trouble whatsoever even though I drove it to school and back for 3 years. Top speed was a cool 28mph (unless you were driving down hill), so other drivers hated me. But, it was really good on gas* and was super reliable. * So good, in fact, that on more than one occasion I ran out of gas because the gas gauge was under the seat and I would just totally forget about it. I estimated I was getting about 110 mpg back in the day.
@LaneAWD_OwO Yes, I believe it was! Bright red with a kick-start on the left side (in case the electric start didn't work or the battery was low) and a long black seat so you could actually carry two (which slowed you down even more!) But I still have good memories of that thing.
It's absolutely **crazy** to me that it's only been driven for half a year. It looks much, much older. I thoroughly enjoyed your slow descend into madness. 10/10 will watch more of your videos.
@@LabCoatPaul That makes a heck of a lot more sense. I'm 2m30s in and came to the comments because I was confused as heck as to how the previous owner managed to do all that wear and tear in such a short amount of time. 😂
I'm here to say - at 40:32 - "if it is hard to start, check the valves" - and that was exactly the case for me. (free to me) '09 Znen 150cc, crossed over 4,000 miles and it became really really hard to start up. Went through the checklist of fuel (yes), air (yes), spark (yes), but once I adjusted the (exhaust) valve to spec, scooter started up like a champ. Thank you for this video, Lab Coat Paul
This is by FAR the best rebuild video I've ever seen. This must have take forever to make! Nice touch to show fatigue and getting tired of it all. Graphics and everything. Waaauuuuuu ! You rock !
This popped up on my feed, watched the whole thing and just subbed. I used to work on cars and small engines. Seeing your diagnoses, explaining, repairing, cost/time breakdowns and being totally honest is just awesome. Great video 💯 You're up there with my favorite channels: Mustie1, Torque Test Channel, Vice Grip Garage, Project Farm, Junkyard Digs and others etc.
Thanks for the awesome compliment! I also love torque test, vice grip garage, project farm, and junkyard digs. I try to make sense of everything as much as I can. :)
I wish I had seen this video a couple of years ago when I owned and ran my own scooter rental business {GoGo Scooter Rental} in Cape Town . I bought only new scooters for peace of mind and reputability. Unfortunately I closed the business when Bike thefts killed the business. I had great insurance but replacement costs escalated. It was a fantastic business model. Fun fact; I delivered and collected the rentals using a 250cc Chinese bike with a sidecar. What a hoot. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Watching this from Japan, just to let you know your discoverability spread - my daily two-wheels is a 50cc Honda Julio, built in 1995 and ridden gently until I bought her for the amazing price of ¥40,000, which is well south of the price you got your fixer-upper GY6 ride. I do most of my own maintenance and upgrades, and since I'm aware how clueless I am, consume content likekthis video voraciously. Thank you for your hard work!
Thanks! My goal was to share the whole Chinese scooter experience. It's hard to fix something that doesn't want to be fixed. I wonder if they ever got that unobtainium?
@@LabCoatPaul thats actually really interesting, im learning on mechanics and scooters simply from this, if you fix other scooters/ vehicles feel free to upload them
Absolutely amazing video on scooter repair! Major help for amateur scooter owners and what to look for / troubleshooting and repairs! Only one rule of thumb in the mechanic world: If a problem is frustrating you, it's better to give up on it. Walk away, have a soda and a Snickers bar. Take a breath of fresh air outside in a chair with a view. Take your mind off the repairs. Makes tackling the problem with a fresh mind and body much better and easier to think of a solution to complete the repairs. Otherwise, you burn yourself out and become discouraged with fixing things.
Dude, even though it has only been 4 weeks, this video should have more than 2400 views - anyone with a GY6 scooter should be looking at it. My favorite quote, when looking at the variator rollers "it looks like these rollers have been totally destoroyed" - that's impressive" I just became a subscriber. Thanks.
to get rid of the yellowing on the gauge lense, use peroxide and a uv lamp. submerge the plastic cover in in the peroxide and let it sit under the uv lamp, sunlight works as well. the process is commonly called retro briting. most commonly use to deyellow old electronic cases such as consoles or pc towers.
So many videos out here and this is the only one that’s actually breaking down the parts of a Chinese scooter. Thanks! Now, can you come over and see the mess I have in my backyard? Because my whole scooter is stripped and I still can’t get it to run! 😂🎉
LOL!!! Rage-o-meter! "kicking the scooter did not align the plastic, but it DID make me feel better" 😂😂😂 I've been there man. I love to see that a professional like yourself gets rage like an average guy like me! Dude, seriously, this is one of the most useful videos on scooter repair in existence! I hope it gains millions of views, because it deserves to!
Hi , I am from Bangladesh, you really put effort into ensuring that your work was easy to understand. You do have the qualities of an excellent teacher. Thanks for a good time!
The title should read, "Cheap Chinese scooter shown more love than it's ever had in it's life. More than it deserves." All that work just to ride it to the scrap yard. Loved it though.
Just bought a 2012 Saga, a cheap Chinese scooter. It was low mileage, 300km (500ish miles) so far I have changed oil air filter, and cleaned carburetor. It runs great. It is the 150cc gy6. I am planning a bigger cooling fan and a 11 pole stater because I will be towing a small trailer. Great video, lots of info that I needed.
This video is amazing! I definitely learned a thing or two. I can't image the amount of work that went into not only fixing the scooter but also editing a +1hr long video. Looking forward to more!
Dude, I have learned so much thanks to you. I can now literally disassemble my scooter and identify the purpose of every single piece in it. ''There's a place in this world for chiniese scooters... the junkgarden!''
Paul, this is the best mechanic video ever. Thank you! Side comment: you are right on the “value” of the Chinese scooter, however I must say: I bought a used one (700 miles) for my kids they used it through high school and college daily. Other than spark plug/oil/valves/tires (normal wear and tear) they had reliable transportation for many years (and 7000k miles)
I have learned more not just about scooters but about how to teach others, how to explain things with a patient tone and how much more I understand and actually pay 100% attention to the teacher when they don't sound like you don't understand what they are saying So thank you for the video and the way you presented it. Very well done!!!!
I'm 66. I've ridden motorcycles since I was 14. I've owned all sorts of 2 and four wheel vehicles. I'm good at repairs but learned through experience that buying a non-working vehicle that "only needs" this or that (as the person who is selling it will tell you) almost always is like buying a boat with "just a small leak". It's great if you are buying your scooter to work on, but I prefer riding to wrenching. Good video though
You're a mechanical wizard. This is my Go To" video for scooter repairs. I bought a cheap chinese 'Rage'o'Meter" so yours goes a lot higher than mine. Well done...cheers from the Southern Hemisphere!
I worked at a Taiwan scooter shop and generally most far Eastern produced CDI's that don't use 12volts DC, run the CDI coil at about 45 to 70 volts at starting and operating rpm. Most times, when you have a problem with starting being intermittent and in your case your center stand was removed. The extra connector you couldn't figure out is the CDI kill switch interlock on the the side stand. Because you want the engine to not run while your sidestand is down. Also you will have to squeeze one or both of the brake levers to close the engine starter interlock. These micro switches can get sticky and not work, making the starter not function.
As an older guy, I sometimes despair at the lack of gumption in the younger generation, but your efforts give me much hope. Excellent dedication Paul. I learned a lot about Chinese scooters and had fun on the way. Thank you
Well, I'm not exactly the younger generation. I'm almost 40 years old. I hope some of those kids get off Tiktok and do real things like go outside and wrench on scooters! Thanks for watching
At 54, I just about count as the next generation then :). Out of interest, would you recommend any Chinese makes over the others? I'm looking at Blurock, Lexmoto and WK for a retro style 125cc
Well I am 28 and I see a lot of younger folks than me that are really lazy and they show complete lack of simple "devices usage" except being masters of social media. Or maybe I am just diffrent as 90's kid though. While I became socially disabled comparing to my counterparts I can solder microscopic things and repair electronic devices which I live off. It's my daily bread, while in the meantime I have finished czechoslovakian CZ 350 472.6 from a single screw and it's riding way better comparing to the time I have bought it when I was a teenager, I have ridden that thing to my home without driver's license and insurance in the winter. Despite being under 30 but working in my field forged a question in my mind. Is it me, or really society as a whole became lazier and dumber with advancement of technology? Maybe it is just me...
Sir, I don't know anything about machines or cars or scooters, but you explained everything so clearly that I could somewhat follow along! You're a masterful speaker!
I love how you went from very professional at the start, explaining and showing everything, to a little insane at the end, just fixing things with a little sarcasm.
i am from india, living in poland working and earning my bread and butter through one GY6, you are absolutely right and genius. i will skip the part of scooter and soon buy a new car as you describe in the END. YOU ARE GENIUS....!
the biggest surprise for me was that the man actually knows what hes getting into trying to fix disposable chinese stuff your nervous system is hard as rock, sir
Thank you. The only way to keep your sanity is to first accept the shittiness of the scooter. Realize it will never be good, and you will have to fix things constantly, including the things you already fixed. This project took me almost a year too, so the anger and insanity was broken up into smaller, more manageable portions.
1:05:23 its the rubber grip. Its always the rubber grip. You can cut the end next to the push start housing or you can pull the grip back a little. Try pulling it back first, it always helps
This video confirmed most things we know or hear about regular chinese scooters, and with great detail, explanations and demonstrations. One and a half hour of pure quality.
This was amazing, for a moment I thought you will really manage to completely rebuild it and make it fully working and reliable. Very informative and in-depth, thank you!
I have nothing at all to do with scooters and/or their repair but your tutorial is so pleasant and humorous that I watched it to the very end. Bon voyage...
your videos have been so damn helpful man. you just dont know. thank you for all the time you put into all of them. I know its alot. gotta admit I did not expect you kicking the scooter over. that made me laugh out loud at 2 am here because just last night I almost did the same thing to three bikes ive been tinkering with for the past 6 months.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you can relate. You have to manage your expectations with Chinese scooters. You can get mad at them for not being good, or just laugh at how junky they are. I ended up selling this scooter for $800 after I fixed everything and lost money on the deal. That's fine. I got a few good videos out of it.
Very very helpful to see how it all goes together before tearing a scooter apart. I will likely have good use of this when fixing the 50cc variant for my son
Wow...I learned so much from this video. You are correct, these cheap scooters would be a pain to maintain. Once would be better off buying a name brand scooter or even a motorcycle. Thank you. This video has been an eye opener. I have subscribed to your channel.
Great video. Thanks for all your work. Also, it's interesting to see the chinese scooter side of things. I never, ever would buy one of those things anyway (mostly because of safety reasons), but you gave me even more reason to stay away. It was fun watching what had to be done to rehab it though.
I just purchased my first scooter( Zuma 150cc Mat Green looks incredible). I wish I would have watched this video first before my purchase. This video is very informative perhaps one of the best videos I have ever seen. I will take everything I learned into consideration. Thank you for teaching and sharing.
Waow, what a job... I didn't think that a scooter could take so much time to be repaired... That said, you illustrate perfectly the principle of 'zero quality' that this kind of construction can be. Great job!
Thank you for this extra informatic video, i have 3 scooters each and every one of them have problems you just shown me so 10/10 will recommend your channel to everyone I know. It's nice to find people like you :) Thanks from Hungary.
Easy way to remove the broken bolt. Put a slightly larger nut over the broken stub and weld the two together. The heat of the weld helps loosen the bolt when the weld cools. Spin the stud out with a normal spanner.
@@twistedyogert $60 US will get a cheap stick welder and RUclips will show you how to use it. Part of a basic tool kit for anyone who wants to do repairs. Along with, Soldering iron, electric drill, drill bits,angle grinder, torch .....
There was a little of the stud still proud, I'd have cut a slot in it for a big screwdriver. Welding a nut on would be second, because I don't have a welder.
you wont have as many problems as he did if you just leave it be, the scooter had obviously been toyed with in the motor before he bought it, and so had the whole electrical system
I'm about halfway through this video. I don't own and never owned a scooter. I plan on watching the whole video, very much enjoy your style sir, well done!
Dude, you are a modern Saint! Yes, watched it to the end, no skipping, no FFWD, normal speed. And yes, I own no damn scooter. But here it is full of practical knowledge !!! Otherwise, the russians are told it much better than anyone: "при покупке новокитая ты обязательно соснёшь по меньшей мере на полшишечки (в худшем случае - с проглотом), а вот при покупке некроджапа можешь как не соснуть вовсе, так и попасть на гэнг-бэнг-БДСМ-копро-зоо-негро-гомо-вечеринку в костюме японской школьницы". Deepl would probably clear at least the main idea here.
I just realized I watched already 45minutes of this video, without owning a scooter, or planning on owning one ever.. This is simply facinating and satisfying.. Carry on sir!
I just watched an hour+ long video of a Chinese scooter teardown and rebuild. I don't own a scooter and I have no plans to buy a scooter... But yet I was surprisingly entertained. Well done! 🏆
This was a really great video. I watched the vid halfway through and was so entertained that I went out into the garage and fired up my Wolf RX-50. It’s also a Chinese Scooter. It’s been sitting 3-4 months unused. It fired right up. I added air to the tires, checked all the lights, and went for a nice ride around the neighborhood. I bought it brand new in 2018. It still looks like brand new, none of the issues this bike in the video had. Last summer I did replace the original battery, carburetor, fuel lines, and fuel filter. Ethanol gas had gummed them up so bad it wouldn’t run. I ran some SeaFoam and ethanol free gas through it, and now run ethanol free gas exclusively. If you ride a scooter or bike definitely switch to ethanol free. The battery, carb, and fuel system upgrades totalled about $60. Money well spent. Being 50cc it gets 100+ mpg, so you don’t even notice the extra 75 cents for the ethanol free gas. I think registration is $18 a year. It never ceases to amaze me just how fun 35-45 mph can be. I get a smile on my face every time I ride it. When I returned from todays ride, I watched the rest of your video, love how you were sitting exhausted on the floor after all the work you put into this scooter! I suspect your conclusion is correct for THIS scooter, however not necessarily for all Chinese scooters. Had you bought one brand new for $795, immediately adjusted/tuned/upgraded it for about $100. Then treated it the same as your Honda, it would likely be like mine, still nearly new and perfectly rideable. The problem with the one you bought is that the previous owner did NONE of those things, let it sit outside in the weather, and took it to an idiot for servicing. You did a fine job polishing a turd though!! Great video!!
how did I watch the whole thing full focus and without skipping a second thanks for this valuable info cuz in my country theres little to no choices in scooters so basically the whole market is chinese and blank brands this is very much appreciated 🙏🏻
Paul, I watched this vlog from beginning to end, & didn't realise just how bad the quality of Chinese scooters were! My friend bought a new one 5 months ago, ( he WAS dropped on his head when an infant), & it's been back to the shop twice since he bought it, as it left him stranded in the middle of nowhere both times!! I sent him the link to this vlog & am awaiting his reply. So a big thank you from me, as I'm currently looking at a Honda. Regards Urban Geeze.
I had one of these chinese scooters with a GY6 engine. Worst purchase in my life, finally the engine destroy itself. Watching you doing all of these repairs on your scooter was reliving all the work I did on mine and all the money I lose. Great job nonetheless.
Because of videos like this I have put 8,000 miles on my Tao Tao pony having replaced many of the components except for the stator. I enjoy riding and wrenching and look forward to your videos for guidance ✌️
I just watched your whole video. I don’t have a Chinese scooter, I do have a Navi, and I could already do most of what you showed but for some strange reason I was drawn, like a moth to the light and had to keep your vid playing… well done, love your dry humour and I did learn a couple of things… keep up the great work, thank you…. 😊
I don't know squat about scooter, and honestly, I do not know why I decided to watch this video all the way through... but I did. Again, not knowing a dang thing about scooters, I found this video incredibly enjoyable, informative, and educational. What I found most likeable about this video was the level of detail of explanation that went into each step along the way. I have never seen another video that went so thoroughly in describing each step as done here. Maybe some viewers with a lot more experience may find some fault with some areas here, but I personally feel that this video provided enough information to be incredibly educationally satisfying. Come on, with the cost of education today, finding cheap education tips on RUclips is a Huge Plus. I'm still unlikely to buy a scooter, but I personally feel that if I ever did, I feel confident to review this video again for great, informative tips. So, I am giving this video two thumbs up 👍👍and five stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I try to include enough information so anyone, even beginners, can simply copy the procedures. The purpose of this video is to teach people all the fixes, and give you a feeling for what it's like to own a Chinese scooter. That includes all the frustrating parts too.
I agree with you entirely. I own Taiwanese scooters, making it worthwhile to repair them even straightening the frame and welding up broken parts after crashes. Why do I riding them even at 73 years of age ? Because the traffic in my country at times is so bad I would probably die from frustration or of old age before getting to where I want to go. Thanks Paul, especially for the 'electrics' of which I know little - mechanically I'm OK. Regards
Excellent!! This video should be on a DVD and included with the purchase of all Chinese scooters. This is a good case study that just reiterates the fact that Chinese scooters are NOT viable transportation. They are motorized tinker toys that are barely road worthy. If you own and ride one long enough you will eventually find out that every single part WILL break on it at least once and it WILL leave you stranded at least once. Always ride with good tool kit, a set of jumper cables and a fully charged cell phone. If you want or need a reliable new or used scooter, Go Japanese. As for the 2-wire "mystery" connector, my ZNEN scooter has it as well in roughly the same location. Low down in the main harness tucked under the floor board. I checked the wiring schematic for my scoot and it doesn't show that connector so I did some continuity checks plus referenced the wire color (green and black/white). Its wired in parallel to the handle bar kill switch so its most likely used for an alarm system module that these scooters can also come with. The module would also need a way to kill the ignition when the alarm gets triggered and shorting that connector does the same has flipping the kill switch. Another thought: I would just attach a switch to it and tuck it away real good. An opportunistic thief will never be able to get the engine started unless they find the switch or rewire the bike on the spot.
Thanks for the excellent comment! I will not be adding a kill switch. Having a Chinese scooter is punishment a plenty for any would - be thief. Their life will be filled with misery and endless repairs, just like mine was.
Good stuff man. Extremely thorough. I bought 2 used tao-toa’s for 600$ to leave at my beach house for fun runs. Rebuilding engines and doing cosmetics this weekend.
Thanks, Paul. I have repaired many scooters, motorbikes and cars, including ones abandoned as junk with major engine problems and almost everything else broken. The thing that was different was they were all good quality when new and, when rebuilt, reliable transport. I appreciate the huge effort filming this must have been and the frustration of putting all the work into what is a great subject for a video but a poor option if reliable transport is needed. The story was entertaining and educational, I would never consider buying one of these now after seeing your epic repair journey. It really makes me wonder how they are kept on the road in China with this level of quality. They must have many more mechanics available there at really low hourly rates to make ownership viable and affordable. I have personally seen some Italian scooters last over 60 years with regular maintenance and occasional rebuilds, but I cannot imagine that Chinese scooter being viable for more than a few years. I really appreciated your honest evaluation at the end of the video, you summed up the problems in a way that hopefully helps others avoid making decisions with expensive and time-consuming consequences.
Enjoyed this buddy. Spent £2,000 about 9 months ago on a new UK registered Chinese GY6 (125cc), and whilst it is nice - you can see all the cheap metal bits that are rusting up and plasticky bits that wobble and clatter. When you look at Hondas, or Suzuki's or Yamahas of the same ilk, you don't see any of those issues. So 100% lack of quality parts and craftsmanship in the Chinese stuff. However, for £2K, I'm having a lot of fun and enjoying cheap miles. Let's hope that lasts for the next couple of years. Great video bud.
I feel like I know a decent bit about motorcycles, having a Honda CG125 for many years, then getting a Suzuki Bandit 650... But this video has taught me a lot. I've done all sorts to the CG but nothing as in depth as what you did for this pile of garbage scooter lol. Like, the stator in my CG is gammy and I can't be bothered to fix it, yet you pulled apart absolutely everything on the scooter. Mad respect. If I had the space to work on my bikes like this, I'd be living the dream bredda
Super cool and in depth video. When drilling on the head for intake or exhaust, I put a piece of rag in the port so shavings, rust, dead frogs etc don't get into the head valves. Well done!
I love this video...your humor, hehehahaha...your pedagogy is spot on man and your (hidden) love for scooters is shining throu 🙂. I'm a 63 year old biker who has 6 different bikes in my stable, but now (coz ofthis video) I'm thinking about getting a scooter. Big thanks for this awesome video!!!
You covered so much information in your video I decided to subscribe to your channel. Much of what you showed in the video applies to other small-engine motorcycles.
I don't like scooters. I have no interest in swapping the big bike for a scooter. For some reason though I watched the entirety of this. Nicely done dude, it's a very well put together video and extremely well explained. Loved the kick you gave it too, that part I can totally understand.
I felt your pain. No comment on why. To fix the low/high beam on the headlight (you did great, no judgment.) Clip the fat ear on the bulb plug. Put the bulb in back wards and the bulb should work. I will let you tell everyone why in a follow up. Do it yourself with your help gives us all confidence to do something new.
This is how you make a "how to" video!. clear, concise, no BS, A refreshing change to all those to " YO! I'm an expert on these and What you want to do is...." kind of vids. Top man! The slow throttle closing is probably due to the cable routing and the fact it is 85" long! A bit of attention from a cable lube device and some GT85 would help this.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
It takes a special kind of person to buy a Chinese scooter when they know _exactly_ what they're doing!! I'm in awe.
Wow, I watched this whole video and I didn't even need to fix a Chinese scooter.
Me too lol
I also did, but because I'm contemplating buying one.
@@WillyEarl098 I also did, now i'm thinking about buying one just to fix it, looks fun
Ha ha 😂 me too!
Lol... I just posted a similar comment. We must be really bored! 😂
You're the rare breed of individual who truly understands engineering AND mechanics to the practical limit. This is an incredible Video, please keep up the good work.
Lab coat Paul is an amazing patient knowledgeathe bowl and?
And Bunny at times
One number behind mechanical. I appreciate and love his videos. Keep up keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work. Lab coat paul You're very informative and I turned to your videos quite frequently because they're helpful.Thank you and thank you for everything you do.
The first Honda scooter I rode was a rental in Tahoe back in like '92. Reliable enough to make a business. 10 years later I got a 2 stroke Zuma which lasted 12 years totally bulletproof including a flood in '06 and it fired up after a couple weeks just sitting. Imagine my total disappointment when I went through 3 Chinese scoots between 2014 and 2018. The Jonway lasted the longest at 2 years (and 3 belts) but the Tao Taos simply disintegrated. If you're going to actually NEED your scoot, it pays to buy better.
The manufacturer (good luck figuring out who that is) simply doesn't care how long it lasts once you receive it in running condition. It's awful.
I'm the 3rd owner of a 2008 Roketa. It sat in the barn of the guy I got it from for 2 or 3 years. New battery,fuel and fuel lines got it going. That was 4 or 5 years ago. Just put new tires and a belt on it last weekend, runs great.
Wierd, because my 2012 TaoTao 50 bought new never gave me any real problems at all, I had it for 10 years, even riding it in the winter here in Iowa as long as there wasnt ice on the pavement.
You DO have to immediately on getting any of these- replace all the cheap rubber hoses, the crappy torch plug and the sealed carb. I replaced all of those and rejetted a new carb to run best. I also bought Kenda tires and replaced the belt with a quality kevlar belt.
I FREQUENTLY changed the oil, the key is keeping that oil changed and clean and using premium gas which was all I ever used due to the high compression engines.
I had about 8k on the odometer when I decided to get a new TaoTao 50 18 months ago
My ONLY two complaints are;
The ABS plastics break down in the sun/weather rapidly and become very brittle, when you have to change something like the headlight bulb and remove the plastic covers to do it, it almost always breaks, and after trying "these will fit your scooter" replacements from 2 scooter outfits and neither one fitting at all, I went to TaoTao's OEM parts site and got the exact perfect fit replacements.
You really HAVE to go back to Tao Tao's site to get the OEM parts that FIT, you go elsewhere like I did for the plastic and the broken brake handles you NEVER get the right one that fits the first try or 2nd, and its a PITA.
The seat cover likewise gets destroyed in the sun, replaced that twice, wind knocked the bike over twice breaking a brake handle which was a pain to get replacements- the front one has the master cyl on it.
So I took the center stand off and heated it with a torch and bent both legs out an inch each to get better stability, no more wind blown issues after that.
The other thing I hate is the crappy design of the kick starter mechanism behind the pedal, there's a strong spring and a thin little C clip and washer that holds it together, invariably even on replacement cover assy- the C clip pops off and the half gear gets off track.
You DO have to adjust the valves, which is another cause of no-starts on hit days.
This week I had a no spark condition at random, I replaced the CDI and it immediately started right up at the touch of the button, so you need to keep one on hand just in case! My 2012 TT's CDI lasted the entire time I had the bike, this time it lasted 18 months
@♬ HовЬу Ояgaиїšт ♬ regarding the valves, I will be working on those tomorrow as I'm having issues with it dieing when I come to a stop, usually when there's a line of traffic behind me.
@@HobbyOrganist it sounds like you have done alot of work that bike, only question is why 50cc? license requirements or personal choice?
Paul, you have the most patience in the world! I bet to put this video together with all the description and the filming and the fixing was sooooooo much labour. You are awesome! I like how precise you describe everything and even when is 1.5 hours long I watched it all! Cheers from Canada :)
Thanks for watching! I was wondering if anyone would actually sit there watch all of it. It takes me about an hour to make each minute of video, so this video was about 98 hours of work.
@@LabCoatPaul I watched it all!! And now I’m even more impressed 🤘🏼so much dedication! and the small jokes perfectly timed are the cherry on the top. 👍🏼
@@LabCoatPaul This was a pleasant couple of hours early on a Saturday morning. The extra 1/2 hour was used to brew up a nice mug of caffeine and wash up a few dishes to save Beautiful Bride some time when she wakes up. Why did you make my day? You convinced me that our original decision was correct. If ever we decide to purchase anything with two wheels for use as an "urban assault vehicle", We will 1. purchase a new machine. 2. do my regular super-maintenance schedule to make it last, and 3. purchase the best quality machine we can find. Watching you from our secret retirement location in Bulacan province, on Luzon Island in the Republic of the Philippine Islands.
@@LabCoatPaul that's crazy man. Such good work. I think the algorithm brought me here by way of fixing my Bayliner dog clutch. Weird.
My god man. This is some wormhole.
Normally, there is no way on Earth I would watch an hour and a half long video about repairing a Chinese scooter. But your unbelievable patience in pushing through to the end kept me watching. My very first vehicle was a 49cc Honda Scooter. I don't remember what it was called (this was early to mid eighties) but it never gave me any trouble whatsoever even though I drove it to school and back for 3 years. Top speed was a cool 28mph (unless you were driving down hill), so other drivers hated me. But, it was really good on gas* and was super reliable.
* So good, in fact, that on more than one occasion I ran out of gas because the gas gauge was under the seat and I would just totally forget about it. I estimated I was getting about 110 mpg back in the day.
@LaneAWD_OwO Yes, I believe it was! Bright red with a kick-start on the left side (in case the electric start didn't work or the battery was low) and a long black seat so you could actually carry two (which slowed you down even more!) But I still have good memories of that thing.
It's absolutely **crazy** to me that it's only been driven for half a year. It looks much, much older.
I thoroughly enjoyed your slow descend into madness. 10/10 will watch more of your videos.
Thanks for watching! The previous owner rode it half a year, but the scooter is 8 years old. Of course it looks like it's 50 years old.
@@LabCoatPaul That makes a heck of a lot more sense. I'm 2m30s in and came to the comments because I was confused as heck as to how the previous owner managed to do all that wear and tear in such a short amount of time. 😂
@@herrpezi was starting to think the speedo/odometer had been swapped for one with lower k's
Its an explanation why you should never buy a chinese Scooter
@@Andy-df6gmmaybe the factory worker took the new Scooter and sent his old one to the buyer
I'm here to say - at 40:32 - "if it is hard to start, check the valves" - and that was exactly the case for me. (free to me) '09 Znen 150cc, crossed over 4,000 miles and it became really really hard to start up. Went through the checklist of fuel (yes), air (yes), spark (yes), but once I adjusted the (exhaust) valve to spec, scooter started up like a champ. Thank you for this video, Lab Coat Paul
This is by FAR the best rebuild video I've ever seen. This must have take forever to make! Nice touch to show fatigue and getting tired of it all. Graphics and everything. Waaauuuuuu ! You rock !
You can't have seen many rebuild videos.
This popped up on my feed, watched the whole thing and just subbed.
I used to work on cars and small engines.
Seeing your diagnoses, explaining, repairing, cost/time breakdowns and being totally honest is just awesome. Great video 💯
You're up there with my favorite channels: Mustie1, Torque Test Channel, Vice Grip Garage, Project Farm, Junkyard Digs and others etc.
Thanks for the awesome compliment! I also love torque test, vice grip garage, project farm, and junkyard digs. I try to make sense of everything as much as I can. :)
I wish I had seen this video a couple of years ago when I owned and ran my own scooter rental business {GoGo Scooter Rental} in Cape Town . I bought only new scooters for peace of mind and reputability. Unfortunately I closed the business when Bike thefts killed the business. I had great insurance but replacement costs escalated. It was a fantastic business model. Fun fact; I delivered and collected the rentals using a 250cc Chinese bike with a sidecar. What a hoot. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
How did you deliver with a sidecar? You put the scooter on top of the sidecar, or connected the rental scooter as a sidecar???
Watching this from Japan, just to let you know your discoverability spread - my daily two-wheels is a 50cc Honda Julio, built in 1995 and ridden gently until I bought her for the amazing price of ¥40,000, which is well south of the price you got your fixer-upper GY6 ride.
I do most of my own maintenance and upgrades, and since I'm aware how clueless I am, consume content likekthis video voraciously. Thank you for your hard work!
Wow, what a video. Was glued to the screen the entire time. Seriously, way better than any Avatar crap Hollywood produces.
Thanks! My goal was to share the whole Chinese scooter experience. It's hard to fix something that doesn't want to be fixed. I wonder if they ever got that unobtainium?
@@LabCoatPaul thats actually really interesting, im learning on mechanics and scooters simply from this, if you fix other scooters/ vehicles feel free to upload them
Absolutely amazing video on scooter repair! Major help for amateur scooter owners and what to look for / troubleshooting and repairs!
Only one rule of thumb in the mechanic world: If a problem is frustrating you, it's better to give up on it. Walk away, have a soda and a Snickers bar. Take a breath of fresh air outside in a chair with a view. Take your mind off the repairs.
Makes tackling the problem with a fresh mind and body much better and easier to think of a solution to complete the repairs. Otherwise, you burn yourself out and become discouraged with fixing things.
Dude, even though it has only been 4 weeks, this video should have more than 2400 views - anyone with a GY6 scooter should be looking at it. My favorite quote, when looking at the variator rollers "it looks like these rollers have been totally destoroyed" - that's impressive" I just became a subscriber. Thanks.
to get rid of the yellowing on the gauge lense, use peroxide and a uv lamp. submerge the plastic cover in in the peroxide and let it sit under the uv lamp, sunlight works as well. the process is commonly called retro briting. most commonly use to deyellow old electronic cases such as consoles or pc towers.
This process made my 17 year old keyboard look like it was brand new.
Thanks for this
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@@ErtugrulKwhat about the lettering?
So many videos out here and this is the only one that’s actually breaking down the parts of a Chinese scooter. Thanks! Now, can you come over and see the mess I have in my backyard? Because my whole scooter is stripped and I still can’t get it to run! 😂🎉
LOL!!! Rage-o-meter! "kicking the scooter did not align the plastic, but it DID make me feel better" 😂😂😂 I've been there man. I love to see that a professional like yourself gets rage like an average guy like me! Dude, seriously, this is one of the most useful videos on scooter repair in existence! I hope it gains millions of views, because it deserves to!
Hi , I am from Bangladesh, you really put effort into ensuring that your work was easy to understand. You do have the qualities of an excellent teacher. Thanks for a good time!
The title should read, "Cheap Chinese scooter shown more love than it's ever had in it's life. More than it deserves."
All that work just to ride it to the scrap yard.
Loved it though.
man, what a bloody saga! I admire your patience and the self control to not burn it to ashes!
Just bought a 2012 Saga, a cheap Chinese scooter. It was low mileage, 300km (500ish miles) so far I have changed oil air filter, and cleaned carburetor. It runs great. It is the 150cc gy6. I am planning a bigger cooling fan and a 11 pole stater because I will be towing a small trailer.
Great video, lots of info that I needed.
This video is amazing! I definitely learned a thing or two. I can't image the amount of work that went into not only fixing the scooter but also editing a +1hr long video. Looking forward to more!
Dude, I have learned so much thanks to you. I can now literally disassemble my scooter and identify the purpose of every single piece in it.
''There's a place in this world for chiniese scooters... the junkgarden!''
Paul, this is the best mechanic video ever. Thank you!
Side comment: you are right on the “value” of the Chinese scooter, however I must say: I bought a used one (700 miles) for my kids they used it through high school and college daily. Other than spark plug/oil/valves/tires (normal wear and tear) they had reliable transportation for many years (and 7000k miles)
I have learned more not just about scooters but about how to teach others, how to explain things with a patient tone and how much more I understand and actually pay 100% attention to the teacher when they don't sound like you don't understand what they are saying
So thank you for the video and the way you presented it. Very well done!!!!
I'm 66. I've ridden motorcycles since I was 14. I've owned all sorts of 2 and four wheel vehicles. I'm good at repairs but learned through experience that buying a non-working vehicle that "only needs" this or that (as the person who is selling it will tell you) almost always is like buying a boat with "just a small leak". It's great if you are buying your scooter to work on, but I prefer riding to wrenching. Good video though
Yes, this scooter "only needs the battery charged" It was a complete disaster.
You're a mechanical wizard. This is my Go To" video for scooter repairs. I bought a cheap chinese 'Rage'o'Meter" so yours goes a lot higher than mine.
Well done...cheers from the Southern Hemisphere!
I worked at a Taiwan scooter shop and generally most far Eastern produced CDI's that don't use 12volts DC, run the CDI coil at about 45 to 70 volts at starting and operating rpm. Most times, when you have a problem with starting being intermittent and in your case your center stand was removed. The extra connector you couldn't figure out is the CDI kill switch interlock on the the side stand. Because you want the engine to not run while your sidestand is down. Also you will have to squeeze one or both of the brake levers to close the engine starter interlock. These micro switches can get sticky and not work, making the starter not function.
This 1hr 40 min detailed video is much better than the shorter ones.
As an older guy, I sometimes despair at the lack of gumption in the younger generation, but your efforts give me much hope. Excellent dedication Paul. I learned a lot about Chinese scooters and had fun on the way. Thank you
Well, I'm not exactly the younger generation. I'm almost 40 years old. I hope some of those kids get off Tiktok and do real things like go outside and wrench on scooters! Thanks for watching
At 54, I just about count as the next generation then :). Out of interest, would you recommend any Chinese makes over the others? I'm looking at Blurock, Lexmoto and WK for a retro style 125cc
@@LabCoatPaul Me thinks it's just going to get worse GREAT VID PAL
Well I am 28 and I see a lot of younger folks than me that are really lazy and they show complete lack of simple "devices usage" except being masters of social media. Or maybe I am just diffrent as 90's kid though. While I became socially disabled comparing to my counterparts I can solder microscopic things and repair electronic devices which I live off. It's my daily bread, while in the meantime I have finished czechoslovakian CZ 350 472.6 from a single screw and it's riding way better comparing to the time I have bought it when I was a teenager, I have ridden that thing to my home without driver's license and insurance in the winter. Despite being under 30 but working in my field forged a question in my mind. Is it me, or really society as a whole became lazier and dumber with advancement of technology? Maybe it is just me...
bit both some smart kids out there your just seeing were You look Don't write the off yet haaa
Sir, I don't know anything about machines or cars or scooters, but you explained everything so clearly that I could somewhat follow along! You're a masterful speaker!
An absolute master class on the GY6. I feel so much more confident to work on my baotian after watching this video.
I love how you went from very professional at the start, explaining and showing everything, to a little insane at the end, just fixing things with a little sarcasm.
Thanks! I feel like a lot of people can relate to that when fixing Chinese scooters.
Sometimes, just being able to fix something is its own reward. I'll say, though....., you're a patient man. Great video. I really enjoyed it.
i am from india, living in poland working and earning my bread and butter through one GY6, you are absolutely right and genius. i will skip the part of scooter and soon buy a new car as you describe in the END. YOU ARE GENIUS....!
That was actually quite an interesting video that will help many people to troubleshoot
their own problems on their Chinese equipment. 👍🏼
the biggest surprise for me was that the man actually knows what hes getting into trying to fix disposable chinese stuff
your nervous system is hard as rock, sir
Thank you. The only way to keep your sanity is to first accept the shittiness of the scooter. Realize it will never be good, and you will have to fix things constantly, including the things you already fixed. This project took me almost a year too, so the anger and insanity was broken up into smaller, more manageable portions.
1:05:23 its the rubber grip. Its always the rubber grip. You can cut the end next to the push start housing or you can pull the grip back a little. Try pulling it back first, it always helps
Always cut a ring the size of the grip end out of a milk jug and put it between the grip and throttle housing.
This video confirmed most things we know or hear about regular chinese scooters, and with great detail, explanations and demonstrations. One and a half hour of pure quality.
Thanks!
This was amazing, for a moment I thought you will really manage to completely rebuild it and make it fully working and reliable. Very informative and in-depth, thank you!
I have nothing at all to do with scooters and/or their repair but your tutorial is so pleasant and humorous that I watched it to the very end. Bon voyage...
your videos have been so damn helpful man. you just dont know. thank you for all the time you put into all of them. I know its alot. gotta admit I did not expect you kicking the scooter over. that made me laugh out loud at 2 am here because just last night I almost did the same thing to three bikes ive been tinkering with for the past 6 months.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you can relate. You have to manage your expectations with Chinese scooters. You can get mad at them for not being good, or just laugh at how junky they are.
I ended up selling this scooter for $800 after I fixed everything and lost money on the deal. That's fine. I got a few good videos out of it.
Wow, didn't even see or think that the video is 1:38h, great editing, reasonable reactions, love it.
What a great video ! Your presentation has just the right amount of detail and pictorials and you are a fantastic teacher.
This is absolutely the best video that could ever be made for learning about Chinese mopeds.
I truly appreciate all your hard work. Thank you!
Very very helpful to see how it all goes together before tearing a scooter apart. I will likely have good use of this when fixing the 50cc variant for my son
I am blown away at your patience. This is amazing, I couldn't stop watching
Wow...I learned so much from this video. You are correct, these cheap scooters would be a pain to maintain. Once would be better off buying a name brand scooter or even a motorcycle. Thank you. This video has been an eye opener. I have subscribed to your channel.
I never thought I'd enjoy watching an hour long repair video, but this one 😂 was very nice. The patience and knowledge is totally mind blowing.
Great video. Thanks for all your work. Also, it's interesting to see the chinese scooter side of things. I never, ever would buy one of those things anyway (mostly because of safety reasons), but you gave me even more reason to stay away. It was fun watching what had to be done to rehab it though.
I just purchased my first scooter( Zuma 150cc Mat Green looks incredible). I wish I would have watched this video first before my purchase. This video is very informative perhaps one of the best videos I have ever seen. I will take everything I learned into consideration. Thank you for teaching and sharing.
Waow, what a job... I didn't think that a scooter could take so much time to be repaired... That said, you illustrate perfectly the principle of 'zero quality' that this kind of construction can be. Great job!
Thank you for this extra informatic video, i have 3 scooters each and every one of them have problems you just shown me so 10/10 will recommend your channel to everyone I know. It's nice to find people like you :)
Thanks from Hungary.
Thank you! Remember to check out my Chinese scooter playlist. I have 61 videos that might help you. ruclips.net/p/PL1_JDBt1LSiJQETjZiOFXBKtv-ZzfqEx0
Easy way to remove the broken bolt. Put a slightly larger nut over the broken stub and weld the two together. The heat of the weld helps loosen the bolt when the weld cools. Spin the stud out with a normal spanner.
What if you don't have a welder?
@@twistedyogert $60 US will get a cheap stick welder and RUclips will show you how to use it. Part of a basic tool kit for anyone who wants to do repairs. Along with, Soldering iron, electric drill, drill bits,angle grinder, torch .....
There was a little of the stud still proud, I'd have cut a slot in it for a big screwdriver. Welding a nut on would be second, because I don't have a welder.
I couldnt believe it but i actually set through all 1 1/2 hours off this crappy chinese scooter. I love it, thanks paul
Wow! I have this scooter and use it everyday- never knew how much of a piece of junk it can be of not maintained...
you wont have as many problems as he did if you just leave it be, the scooter had obviously been toyed with in the motor before he bought it, and so had the whole electrical system
I've just lost nearly two hours of my life, but very pleasurably! This was a fantastic video, you should have had way more views. Nice one 👍😁
I'm about halfway through this video. I don't own and never owned a scooter. I plan on watching the whole video, very much enjoy your style sir, well done!
Dude, you are a modern Saint! Yes, watched it to the end, no skipping, no FFWD, normal speed. And yes, I own no damn scooter. But here it is full of practical knowledge !!! Otherwise, the russians are told it much better than anyone: "при покупке новокитая ты обязательно соснёшь по меньшей мере на полшишечки (в худшем случае - с проглотом), а вот при покупке некроджапа можешь как не соснуть вовсе, так и попасть на гэнг-бэнг-БДСМ-копро-зоо-негро-гомо-вечеринку в костюме японской школьницы". Deepl would probably clear at least the main idea here.
I just realized I watched already 45minutes of this video, without owning a scooter, or planning on owning one ever.. This is simply facinating and satisfying.. Carry on sir!
Thanks for watching!
I think making this video hardly took much less time than repairing the scooter. Very good job, thanks for the effort.
I just watched an hour+ long video of a Chinese scooter teardown and rebuild. I don't own a scooter and I have no plans to buy a scooter... But yet I was surprisingly entertained. Well done! 🏆
This was a really great video. I watched the vid halfway through and was so entertained that I went out into the garage and fired up my Wolf RX-50. It’s also a Chinese Scooter. It’s been sitting 3-4 months unused. It fired right up. I added air to the tires, checked all the lights, and went for a nice ride around the neighborhood. I bought it brand new in 2018. It still looks like brand new, none of the issues this bike in the video had. Last summer I did replace the original battery, carburetor, fuel lines, and fuel filter. Ethanol gas had gummed them up so bad it wouldn’t run. I ran some SeaFoam and ethanol free gas through it, and now run ethanol free gas exclusively. If you ride a scooter or bike definitely switch to ethanol free. The battery, carb, and fuel system upgrades totalled about $60. Money well spent. Being 50cc it gets 100+ mpg, so you don’t even notice the extra 75 cents for the ethanol free gas. I think registration is $18 a year. It never ceases to amaze me just how fun 35-45 mph can be. I get a smile on my face every time I ride it. When I returned from todays ride, I watched the rest of your video, love how you were sitting exhausted on the floor after all the work you put into this scooter! I suspect your conclusion is correct for THIS scooter, however not necessarily for all Chinese scooters. Had you bought one brand new for $795, immediately adjusted/tuned/upgraded it for about $100. Then treated it the same as your Honda, it would likely be like mine, still nearly new and perfectly rideable. The problem with the one you bought is that the previous owner did NONE of those things, let it sit outside in the weather, and took it to an idiot for servicing. You did a fine job polishing a turd though!! Great video!!
This has to be one of the best produced and complete videos I've ever seen ! Really really well done!
how did I watch the whole thing full focus and without skipping a second
thanks for this valuable info cuz in my country theres little to no choices in scooters so basically the whole market is chinese and blank brands
this is very much appreciated 🙏🏻
Pure excellence! You're the 'Sherlock Holmes' of scooters. Thanks.
This is "by far" the most concise & "well thought out" GY6 scooter repair/maintenance video I've yet to see. .
Thank you!
This is probably the most detailed, step by step video I've seen on RUclips. So well done!
Thank you! It took forever to make this video.
i am so glad im not the only one who loses his patience like that when working on these kind of projects
Sometimes it's just maddening! I'm glad you could relate. :)
Paul, I watched this vlog from beginning to end, & didn't realise just how bad the quality of Chinese scooters were! My friend bought a new one 5 months ago, ( he WAS dropped on his head when an infant), & it's been back to the shop twice since he bought it, as it left him stranded in the middle of nowhere both times!! I sent him the link to this vlog & am awaiting his reply. So a big thank you from me, as I'm currently looking at a Honda. Regards Urban Geeze.
wow. Thanks pal, this is one of the best rebuild vids ive watched over the years, your caveats and tips are PRO.
I had one of these chinese scooters with a GY6 engine. Worst purchase in my life, finally the engine destroy itself. Watching you doing all of these repairs on your scooter was reliving all the work I did on mine and all the money I lose. Great job nonetheless.
Thanks for cementing my decision to get a honda scooter over another cheap Chinese scooter. Loved the video and be safe out there riding!
This was one of those "no way I'm watching all of it" then being riveted to the video for the whole thing. Love your voiceover delivery, great content
Glad you enjoyed it!
I didn,t even know i was interested in chinese scooters but i am interested in informative sensible home mechanics. Great video, thanks for sharing.
I can't believe I watched from start to end. You're a special breed Paul, thank you for the video and the great attitude throughout!
Because of videos like this I have put 8,000 miles on my Tao Tao pony having replaced many of the components except for the stator. I enjoy riding and wrenching and look forward to your videos for guidance ✌️
Thanks for watching, and remember to check out my Chinese scooter playlist! ruclips.net/p/PL1_JDBt1LSiJQETjZiOFXBKtv-ZzfqEx0
I just watched your whole video. I don’t have a Chinese scooter, I do have a Navi, and I could already do most of what you showed but for some strange reason I was drawn, like a moth to the light and had to keep your vid playing… well done, love your dry humour and I did learn a couple of things… keep up the great work, thank you…. 😊
I don’t own a scooter and I am not interested in buying one. I don’t even know why I watched THE WHOLE VIDEO but it was fun. Thanks !
This is the most detailed and all you need video out there! The best in my opinion.
Also shows the live of a fixer. You fix, and the it brakes down.
I don't know squat about scooter, and honestly, I do not know why I decided to watch this video all the way through... but I did. Again, not knowing a dang thing about scooters, I found this video incredibly enjoyable, informative, and educational. What I found most likeable about this video was the level of detail of explanation that went into each step along the way. I have never seen another video that went so thoroughly in describing each step as done here. Maybe some viewers with a lot more experience may find some fault with some areas here, but I personally feel that this video provided enough information to be incredibly educationally satisfying. Come on, with the cost of education today, finding cheap education tips on RUclips is a Huge Plus. I'm still unlikely to buy a scooter, but I personally feel that if I ever did, I feel confident to review this video again for great, informative tips. So, I am giving this video two thumbs up 👍👍and five stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I try to include enough information so anyone, even beginners, can simply copy the procedures. The purpose of this video is to teach people all the fixes, and give you a feeling for what it's like to own a Chinese scooter. That includes all the frustrating parts too.
I agree with you entirely.
I own Taiwanese scooters, making it worthwhile to repair them even straightening the frame and welding up broken parts after crashes.
Why do I riding them even at 73 years of age ?
Because the traffic in my country at times is so bad I would probably die from frustration or of old age before getting to where I want to go.
Thanks Paul, especially for the 'electrics' of which I know little - mechanically I'm OK.
Regards
The best video about scooter repair/maintenance on youtube. You provide so much information and it is not boring
Excellent!!
This video should be on a DVD and included with the purchase of all Chinese scooters. This is a good case study that just reiterates the fact that Chinese scooters are NOT viable transportation. They are motorized tinker toys that are barely road worthy. If you own and ride one long enough you will eventually find out that every single part WILL break on it at least once and it WILL leave you stranded at least once. Always ride with good tool kit, a set of jumper cables and a fully charged cell phone. If you want or need a reliable new or used scooter, Go Japanese.
As for the 2-wire "mystery" connector, my ZNEN scooter has it as well in roughly the same location. Low down in the main harness tucked under the floor board. I checked the wiring schematic for my scoot and it doesn't show that connector so I did some continuity checks plus referenced the wire color (green and black/white). Its wired in parallel to the handle bar kill switch so its most likely used for an alarm system module that these scooters can also come with. The module would also need a way to kill the ignition when the alarm gets triggered and shorting that connector does the same has flipping the kill switch.
Another thought: I would just attach a switch to it and tuck it away real good. An opportunistic thief will never be able to get the engine started unless they find the switch or rewire the bike on the spot.
Thanks for the excellent comment! I will not be adding a kill switch. Having a Chinese scooter is punishment a plenty for any would - be thief. Their life will be filled with misery and endless repairs, just like mine was.
Good stuff man. Extremely thorough. I bought 2 used tao-toa’s for 600$ to leave at my beach house for fun runs. Rebuilding engines and doing cosmetics this weekend.
Thanks, Paul. I have repaired many scooters, motorbikes and cars, including ones abandoned as junk with major engine problems and almost everything else broken. The thing that was different was they were all good quality when new and, when rebuilt, reliable transport. I appreciate the huge effort filming this must have been and the frustration of putting all the work into what is a great subject for a video but a poor option if reliable transport is needed. The story was entertaining and educational, I would never consider buying one of these now after seeing your epic repair journey. It really makes me wonder how they are kept on the road in China with this level of quality. They must have many more mechanics available there at really low hourly rates to make ownership viable and affordable. I have personally seen some Italian scooters last over 60 years with regular maintenance and occasional rebuilds, but I cannot imagine that Chinese scooter being viable for more than a few years. I really appreciated your honest evaluation at the end of the video, you summed up the problems in a way that hopefully helps others avoid making decisions with expensive and time-consuming consequences.
wanted to go to sleep about an hour ago but was enjoying learning some novice automotive skills; great work on this video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Enjoyed this buddy. Spent £2,000 about 9 months ago on a new UK registered Chinese GY6 (125cc), and whilst it is nice - you can see all the cheap metal bits that are rusting up and plasticky bits that wobble and clatter.
When you look at Hondas, or Suzuki's or Yamahas of the same ilk, you don't see any of those issues. So 100% lack of quality parts and craftsmanship in the Chinese stuff. However, for £2K, I'm having a lot of fun and enjoying cheap miles. Let's hope that lasts for the next couple of years.
Great video bud.
I feel like I know a decent bit about motorcycles, having a Honda CG125 for many years, then getting a Suzuki Bandit 650... But this video has taught me a lot. I've done all sorts to the CG but nothing as in depth as what you did for this pile of garbage scooter lol. Like, the stator in my CG is gammy and I can't be bothered to fix it, yet you pulled apart absolutely everything on the scooter. Mad respect. If I had the space to work on my bikes like this, I'd be living the dream bredda
I own a GY6 at present. I have owned 2 others. They are good transportation when they work. Excellent video thank you.
Super cool and in depth video. When drilling on the head for intake or exhaust, I put a piece of rag in the port so shavings, rust, dead frogs etc don't get into the head valves. Well done!
My Utah fellow scooter friend :) I just bought the same scooter and I was thrilled to find you lol.... This is my go-to video now.. thanks.
The best instructive video so far, found it on youtube, talking about chinese scooter. Good work!
Your detailed explanations, professionalism, video composition and edition are a pleasure to watch!
I love this video...your humor, hehehahaha...your pedagogy is spot on man and your (hidden) love for scooters is shining throu 🙂. I'm a 63 year old biker who has 6 different bikes in my stable, but now (coz ofthis video) I'm thinking about getting a scooter. Big thanks for this awesome video!!!
You covered so much information in your video I decided to subscribe to your channel. Much of what you showed in the video applies to other small-engine motorcycles.
I don't like scooters. I have no interest in swapping the big bike for a scooter. For some reason though I watched the entirety of this. Nicely done dude, it's a very well put together video and extremely well explained. Loved the kick you gave it too, that part I can totally understand.
I felt your pain. No comment on why. To fix the low/high beam on the headlight (you did great, no judgment.) Clip the fat ear on the bulb plug. Put the bulb in back wards and the bulb should work. I will let you tell everyone why in a follow up. Do it yourself with your help gives us all confidence to do something new.
I learned everything about these scooters in one sitting.
Many thanks.
This is how you make a "how to" video!. clear, concise, no BS, A refreshing change to all those to " YO! I'm an expert on these and What you want to do is...." kind of vids.
Top man!
The slow throttle closing is probably due to the cable routing and the fact it is 85" long! A bit of attention from a cable lube device and some GT85 would help this.