DerrickTam.ca Photography & Other Stuff

My Ruckus

This is my 2007 White/Camo Honda Ruckus Scooter. It’s 49cc and pretty slow… but a blast to ride around town in.

I will try to keep this page as my build journal. I’ve already thought of what I want, but my wallet disagrees with me.

For now all I have done to it is the lowered seat frame. It makes riding much more comfortable for me. I’m not especially short, but being closer to the ground is comforting.

August 11th, 2009

Over the last week I have done the following to my Ruckus.

- Changed the air filter with an OEM Honda.
- Changed the oil with Castrol 10w40 for 4 stroke motorcycle engines.
- Changed the gear oil with Castrol Hypoy C 80w90.
- Topped off the coolant with Prestone Xtreme Motorcycle Coolant.
- Removed the rear fender.
- Removed the radiator cover.

Today I did the following:

- Installed 6g Malossi rollers.
- Removed the front fender.
- Removed the tail lights (for modification).

I am going to make some custom LED panels for the tail lights and try to mount them differently I don’t like how the license plate is connected and how far it sticks up now.

I’m not sure if I want to go synthetic with any of the fluids, especially since it is so easy to change I could just do it more often.

The Malossi 6g roller weights on the stock variator did help with acceleration getting me up to 55km/h more easily, but it took me longer to get up to 65km/h (top speed). With the variator disassembled I noticed it isn’t being worn all the way to the outside edge. I tried to get another stock boss from Honda Centre but they were on back order for at least a few months. Was going to try to shave it down to bring the variator face closer, pushing the belt higher, possibly increasing top speed!

Ah, we’ll see…

Autust 4th, 2009

Worked on the Ruck a little bit today. I think it needs a name. I will have to think this through.

I removed the rear fender today. Came out easily only held on by 3 bolts. I hated that stupid thing. It was UGLY. I want to take the front fender off too, but it is more difficult. I think I need to take the forks off to do remove the fenders.

I took off the air box cover and discovered lots of oil sitting inside. It started dripping oil as I was loosening screws. The previous owner had let me know it had been dropped, not while riding, and the leak was probably caused by that. The air filter is partially soaked and will have to be replaced. I am thinking maybe I should just go to cone filters now, but that would require ghetto rigging (blocking the intake to prevent the engine from running too lean) or re-jetting, which means more money.

4,728km – Rode out to check my tire pressures. Pumped them up to 30PSI since I had ridden around to find a gas station with free air as they’re supposed to be 25PSI cold. I like having my tires pumped a bit higher to help with gas milage and top speed anyway.