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Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:34 am
by twowheelsgood
Long time motorcyclist, new scooter rider.

Age and long term health issues have made motorcycling increasingly difficult and I thought I would have to give up.

My current bike, a GS500 is not exactly a heavyweight but even that was becoming uncomfortable and tiring to ride. My main problems, even on relatively short trips being arm and shoulder fatigue just from general handling. Problems with left hand cramp due to clutch use and coming to a halt to find my knees locked and unable to put them down quick enough to support the bike. Very embarrassing!

It became more pain than pleasure to go for a ride.

The only scooters I have ridden before where old Lambrettas and Vespas we used to scrounge or buy for a couple of quid a thrash around slag heaps back in the 60's.

Totally unplanned, a very low milage Yamaha Giggle became available for what seemed to me an unmissable price. I unenthusiastically bought it thinking it might be handy for niping down the shops.

It has been a revelation though. I absolutely love it.

Needed derestricting and I will be fitting a Malossi multivar and a few other bits to reach what I consider acceptable performance. It did 29mph as stock, (totally unacceptable) 36 with the restrictor removed and I would like to reach 42-45 with the Multivar. (all via the clock which is obviously going to read fast.)

I have joined a US based forum for the model. It's called the C3 over there and the Vox in Japan. Link for anyone interested :-

http://c3riders.freeforums.org/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some very good model specific advice there from some experienced users. I was also looking for a UK based forum though for more local based info on parts, news, dealers and events, etc.

I was initially disappointed looking for a UK based forum. No offence whatsoever intended to those involved but most seemed a little to youth orientated to be of much interest to me. Only found this place via a link on one of them so not all bad.

The bike itself. Well... I think the looks are definitely love it or hate it. It's the rugged and retro styling that made me even give it a second glance so I absolutely love it. Most reactions from others is very positive too. Not many people seem to even know of it. According to http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; there are only 175 of them currently registered in the UK.

The motor is a little jewel. 50cc 3 valve ohc liquid cooled fuel injected.

Image

An 08 model with only 650 ml on the clock. I have had it less than 2 weeks and just turned over 1,000.

It shouldn't be called Giggle, it should be called Big Daft Grin because thats what it makes me do every time I ride it. The most satisfying and rewarding vehicle I have ever bought in a long and varied history. The low down light weigh, no clutch and ability to shift my legs during a ride overcoming most of my physical difficulties.

One of those decisions sometimes forced on us which for a change turned out to be a good one.

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:07 am
by kayz1
welcome to the site ,,,,twowheelsgood....seen the name some where before on another sit!!!
Lyn.

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:28 am
by twowheelsgood
Thanks Lyn,

Picked the name on a whim a few years back. Since noticed shops and other users of it.

Could only have been me at C3riders above or http://www.gs500e.co.uk/forums/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I think.

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:37 am
by johnp
Hi and welcome aboard.

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:45 am
by JohnR93
Hi and Welcome to the Maxi-Muppets where it doesn't matter what you ride as long as you're a Muppet at heart... :D

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:54 am
by gn2
Hi and welcome.
You see a lot more of the scenery at 30 mph :)

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:16 pm
by neilab28
Welcome to the forum icon_thumbs_up.gif

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:18 pm
by michaelphillips
hi welcome lad, the giggle is a cool scoot, not sure how you derestricted the scoot, if its the variator washer, they say moving the position of the washer also lowers revs,
In Europe the Giggle Primary sheave variator (Part No 15PE76200000 ) is different from its US C3 version (Part No 3XYE7620010). This limits the Giggle to 31 MPH, even down hill. However the US version is freely available in the UK, NL & Germany. With no further modification it will allow the Giggle to get to 38MPH on level roads and >40 mph down hill. The effect of removing the tiny washer that sits between the two 'cones' is a gain of 1-2 mph however research has shown that moving the washer behind the primary Sheave has the same effect and improves the geometry of the V-belt. These modifications may contravene the law in certain EU states and void insurance !

The Giggle also has a slightly lower rev limit. Just a thought, dont think buying the Malossi multivar will be that significant, i would go for dr pulley rollers in the original variator, do you know the size of the original rollers and original roller weight :?: the dr pulleys will open the variator pulleys more and allow the belt to travel to the outer edge of the variator allowing more engine power as the rear pulley on the clutch gets deeper onto the clutch pulley, just my oppinion :D
if your rollers are the same as the yamaha neo`s which i think they are then they are sr15x12 and there are six rollers at 6.5gms each
6gm dr pulleys http://www.drpulley.info/shop/product_i ... cts_id=459" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or go for 5.5 gms http://www.drpulley.info/shop/product_i ... cts_id=458" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
cheaper and better option than the Malossi route, the weight of the rollers depends on what you are trying to achieve, if its just a bit extra top speed and the same speed to top speed then go for 6.5gm dr pulleys, have fun and be safe :D

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 7:05 pm
by Waldorf
Quite by chance I saw one this afternoon - now I know what it is!

I think the rider was doing some training or CBT as he was in close company with a chap on a very big motorcycle and they were wearing riding-school HiViz tabards.

Re: Hello, glad to find you.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 7:39 pm
by Phil
Hi there and welcome to the forum, phil