New Peace Sports 808 (150cc Scooter) Top Speed & Max RPM Concerns

[slowhand]

Hi, new to the forum & new to cycling & I have a new scooter.:clap:

Sorry if this thread is in the wrong forum but I didn't see a forum specifically for scooters.

The scooter is a Peace Sports 808. Also known as a Zhejiang Riya 150T. 150 cc GY6 engine.

So after struggling with the speed of the machine I finally realized that the speedo & odo are in kilometers NOT miles. (When I bought it the dealer told me they were in miles. WRONG!)

Now that I'm riding the REAL speed limit I'm stumped. I can't get the bike to go faster than 40 mph. It runs fine, no skips or surges, no bucking or strange noises. But 40 mph is all it has. The tach claims 6000 rpm at 40 mph on a flat road.

The sales ad for the scooter claims top speed of 55 mph+. The owner's manual claims top speed of 85 kph (51 mph) but I can't get anywhere close to 50.

The scooter has 175 km (105 miles) on it currently. The owner's manual warns to keep the speed under 40 for the first 300 km. (The dealer says for the first 300 miles.) Either way 45 mph isn't a problem since I can't get it over 40. But I need it to go at least 50 to keep up with traffic on the main drag through town. I plan on sticking to the residential roads until I get to 300 km but a few that I need to travel on have 45 mph speed limits. And at only 40 I get a lot of grief from other drivers. I only weight 140 lbs so my weight shouldn't be the culprit.

Is this a matter of a speed restriction somewhere in the engine or trans? The little info I can find on the web regarding the 150cc scooters doesn't clear up the issue regarding restrictors. Some webpages claim the 150cc scooters don't have any restrictors, some claim the opposite.

Or is there a REAL problem somewhere that requires a trip back to the dealer? I'm trying to prevent a 300 mile trip back to the dealer with the scooter on my utility trailer.

Thanks for the help.

[Bruces]

What did Peace say ?

[JerryHawk250]

Check out some of oneleggedriders threads. He has done some transmission tuning that really helped out his trike. He hasn't been active on the forum in a while but I'm sure he will respond if you send him a private message. http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=26819

[slowhand]

What did Peace say ?


Haven't attempted to contact Peace. I'm sure they'll just suggest I trailer the bike back to the dealer. I'm trying to avoid that.

I don't think whatever's wrong can be complicated. These machines aren't complicated.

I've read that the OEM CDIs have rev limiters (limited to 6000 RPM). I've also read that they don't. I've also found that the CDIs for the 50cc, 125cc, & 150cc gy6 engines are the same part. Since my bike seems to top out at 6000 RPM I'm guessing that the CDI is rev limited. But, if so, is this the likely culprit? It seems like the engine is working A-OK but I'm just not getting anywhere near the top speed of the machine. The red line on the tach is 7500 RPM. Should I expect a new CDI that allows the engine to rev to 7500 to give me another 10 - 15 mph? I tend to doubt it but I've no experience with these machines so ... who knows? That's why I posted.

I've also read that some Chinese scooters have restrictor "collars" in the variator. But I've also read that this is mostly true only for the 50cc versions. If my bike is 15 mph below its advertised top speed (and the top speed that seems common for 150cc bikes) it sure seems like the variator is limited. Or that whatever is limiting the speed is likely trans related. Again, since I've no experience with these machines I'm hoping someone else on the forum has gone through something similar on their new 150cc scooter.

Thanks again.

[OneLeggedRider]

Slow hand, look for Ice Bear Terifecta Trike in this forum, I thoroughly covered what you need for the transmission. It'll be about $300 but it'll make a big difference.

[JerryHawk250]

See slowhand, I told you you could revive him from the dead. :lmao: oneleggedrider, really appreciate you helping out a new member. I knew If anyone knew anything about these bike, you will be the man. :tup:

[Bruces]

Nice to see you around onelegged ,I have been wondering where you got to .

[slowhand]

Thanks all. Glad to get a little love.

OneLeggedRider believes the problem lies in the trans. Given that the engine is working A-OK up to 6000 rpm this seems reasonable. Not sure if the engine maxing out at 6000 rpm is a coincidence or not but I don't think another 1000 rpms is going to give me another 10 mph. It's also possible that as the engine 'breaks in' the rpms may go up a little. Here's hoping anyway.

So now I need to understand the trans operation. I think I have a handle on how the front variable pulley assembly (aka 'variator') works but I'm clueless on the rear variable pulley assembly (aka 'clutch'). Are there any sources for how this assembly varies the pulley halves? And how the energy from the variable pulley is transmitted through the friction 'shoes' to the 'bell' & the rear gear(s) & the axle? Apparently there are springs as well as friction 'shoes' and a 'bell' but I don't see how the energy is transferred through the assembly just from an image of a clutch assembly.

Thanks all.

Thanks again.

[wheelbender6]

You may not be getting on the main jet.
Take the top off the carb and check the diaphragm.
Use some gasoline resistant grease or vaseline to help seal the diaphragm to the carb.
My scoot had similar symptoms and sealing the diaphragm fixed it.

[slowhand]

You may not be getting on the main jet.
Take the top off the carb and check the diaphragm.
Use some gasoline resistant grease or vaseline to help seal the diaphragm to the carb.
My scoot had similar symptoms and sealing the diaphragm fixed it.

Thanks Wheelbender. I'll give it try.

[slowhand]

Yesterday I pulled the seat/storage compartment & took the top off of the carb. I didn't seen any restrictor/governor device in the slider section. I didn't see any air restrictor in the carb end of the snorkel. I opened the carb butterfly and I don't see any obvious restrictor in the intake below the carb.

I tried Wheelbender's suggestion regarding Vaseline around the slider diaphragm and put everything back together. The diaphragm looked new. I didn't find any holes or tears in the rubber anywhere. Then I took the bike for a spin. No improvement.

Now it's on to opening up the CVT case and see if I can find any obvious problems...

[slowhand]

I finally opened up the trans case. Took a look around for a while to orient myself and to try to understand how things work. Still a little puzzled by the clutch & power transfer to the rear wheel. I think I understand some of how it works but not entirely.

Anyway... Found no obvious problems. The belt looks OK as far as I can tell. Couldn't find any glazing or tears or anything obvious. I don't see any 'high water' marks on the pulley plates on either variator. I tried to look in between the front variator plates for a restrictor but its hard to see the drive shaft with the belt in the way. I stuck my fingers down in between the plates and tried to feel for a restriction collar but didn't detect any. So I don't think there's a restrictor down in there.

There isn't a ton of dust from a slipping clutch. The inside of the case and entire trans area seems new and clean. Just like I expected. So if the clutch is slipping any it's not generating a lot of dust yet.

Since the rear wheel was off the ground I gave it a few spins forward and backwards to see if it was binding. It seems to rotate freely. Not as free as a bicycle wheel but I expected a little resistance and it seems to have just a bit. I don't think it's anything unusual.

While I was at it I put the front wheel off the ground and gave it a few spins as well. It also spins as I expected it to. A little resistance but nothing unusual.

So I think I've gone as far as I can without taking things apart and replacing items randomly. Not so much a plans as the lack of one. Not even sure where to start. So at this point I think the best option is to trailer the bike back to where I bought it and let their service team take a crack at it. Not thrilled with the idea of trailering the bike again but it seems the least risky solution.

[slowhand]

Back to square 1. I've had the bike back to the dealer several times over the last several months to work out the top speed problem. The carb was replaced a few months ago and that improved the top speed to ~45 mph. He's had the bike the last 5 weeks and accomplished nothing. He claims he checked lots of things but can't find anything wrong. It just goes as fast as it goes. Right now it's top speed is only 45 mph, according to the speedo on the bike. He claims he used some app and it reported that the bike was really only going 40 mph. Not sure which is less accurate. So I'm still stumped.

Without any other ideas I guess I'll have to try the trans mods from oneleggedrider. Given that the engine does seem to be working a-ok the trans seems like the most obvious problem to attack. The poor fuel mileage could be either engine or trans or both. I suspect that whatever the problem is the mileage should also improve a bunch if I can figure out the top speed problem. The average MPG is now at 59. This seems horrible for a 150cc engine.

[Mudflap]

Have you checked the spark plug color to see if it's running rich or lean? If you're only getting 6000 RPM there is a problem.

[Oldenslow]

One question I must ask, no offense intended, but -- how much do you weigh? I ask because not long ago a neighbor bought a Chinese scooter alleged to have a top speed of 55. He could only get it to 40 or so and asked me to try it. I had no problem getting it up to 50+ -- but then, I only weigh 210. My neighbor outweighs me by a good 100 lbs., and there's only so much maybe 8 HP can do...

[slowhand]

Have you checked the spark plug color to see if it's running rich or lean? If you're only getting 6000 RPM there is a problem.

Checked the plug and it seemed fine. Replaced it anyway at 300K since this was part of the "break-in" service recommended by the dealer. I don't think it's a plug problem.

During one of the trips to the dealer for "service" he replaced the carb. I don't think it made any difference but while trying some max speed runs at on the little side road at the shop I still couldn't get it to go above 40. The dealer claimed that the road wasn't long enough to get the scooter to max speed. After I got it home and rode it some I tried some max speed runs with a longer runway. When I gave the scooter a mile or so I finally got it to go 45 mph. The tach tops out at 6750 at 45. But 45 is as fast as I can get the scooter to go, no matter how much road I give it. The tach still shows 6K while accelerating and doesn't reach 6750 until the scooter has covered at least a mile at WOT.

I agree that 6K indicates some kind of problem. But I don't think its with the engine. I think its somewhere in the trans. Something in the trans is limiting the engine to max out at 6K during acceleration. Just a feeling, no way to prove it.

[slowhand]

One question I must ask, no offense intended, but -- how much do you weigh? I ask because not long ago a neighbor bought a Chinese scooter alleged to have a top speed of 55. He could only get it to 40 or so and asked me to try it. I had no problem getting it up to 50+ -- but then, I only weigh 210. My neighbor outweighs me by a good 100 lbs., and there's only so much maybe 8 HP can do...

Oldnslow. I'm just old...

Anyway in the OP you see I outed myself as a porker weighing 140 lbs soaking wet. Given the claims I've read on the web regarding the 150cc GY6 this worthless bike should easily carry me to 60 mph on a flat road with no wind. But low 40s is the best it can do.>:(

[culcune]

Have you contacted Peace? Jeff, who runs things there, used to be very active on these forums when the Brozz dual-sport bikes were all the rage, and he was very attentive and responded to most any issues. I would definitely search here on Chinariders for his direct email and link this thread. I would hope that Jeff, and/or Peace, still back up their products.

[Mudflap]

Three things come to mind, restricted exhaust, ignition timing, valve timing.


I've seen some poorly welded exhaust pipes where the weld blocked much of the flow.


Flywheel key sheared or missing.


Cam chain off by 1 tooth.

[slowhand]

Have you contacted Peace? Jeff, who runs things there, used to be very active on these forums when the Brozz dual-sport bikes were all the rage, and he was very attentive and responded to most any issues. I would definitely search here on Chinariders for his direct email and link this thread. I would hope that Jeff, and/or Peace, still back up their products.

Thanks. I sent Peace an email and a snail mail letter several months ago. No response to either. The dealer where I bought the bike claimed that Peace was "less than responsive" to their customer base.

The dealer has a 1 year written warranty. One of the reasons I bought the d!$n thing. But I was told "Tough Sh!t" regarding the poor performance.>:(

[slowhand]

Three things come to mind, restricted exhaust, ignition timing, valve timing.


I've seen some poorly welded exhaust pipes where the weld blocked much of the flow.


Flywheel key sheared or missing.


Cam chain off by 1 tooth.


I'm starting to tear into things now. I pulled body panels to make engine access easier. I'm waiting on a valve tool to check the clearance. I pulled the CVT cover again and used indelible marker to put radial lines on the engine variator pulley. I'll pull the cover again after riding it a few miles and check the marker lines to see how far up the variator the belt is riding.

I started looking for an exhaust. I don't like most of what I find. I'm looking for a low restriction exhaust that will bolt up without mods at a reasonable price point. Most affordable pipes claim the pipe may need to be "bent" or welded in order to fit. The others are just way too expensive.

I haven't examined the timing yet. Do I need to use my light? Or do I just need to rotate the crank until the cam gear "holes" line up with the head and see where the "F" (or is it the "T") mark is on the flywheel?

Would the timing chain being off by a tooth allow the engine to run A-OK? Or would it result in poor idle as well as rough operation through the entire RPM range? The engine runs fine, idles smooth, starts easily. It does get lousy mileage though. Upper 50s for mpg. Dealer sales literature claims 75+ MPG. For whatever that's worth.

I'm also looking for a "blue" CDI with the revised timing curve. Haven't found one yet.

Thanks Mudflap.

[culcune]

I just thought--no one suggested to join the forum group https://49ccscoot.proboards.com/ Don't let the name fool you, there are discussions on ALL scooter sizes and all brands, including Chinese. I have not bothered with my scooter for a few years, so have not been on the forum, so did not think about suggesting it for you until now. There are a LOT of performance mods that members have done with the Chinese scooters, so I am quite sure that if you couldn't find answers there, you are out of luck.

Edit: OK, just saw you are posting there about your problems. I still think you will get an answer there.