Modifications: Removed 2008 Honda Metropolitan Restrictor Plate

Based on recommendations from Tony and reading some posts online I decided to try and remove the restrictor from my 2008 Honda Metropolitan. It has only been two and a half days but I can definitely tell the difference.

The restrictor plate is a thin piece of metal that cuts down the flow from the intake into the carburetor. In the pictures I have seen of previous model years this restrictor looks like it cuts the size of the intake almost in half. On the 2008 it only seems to cut it down by a quarter to one third.

The plate is a little tricky to get to. Here is how I removed the the restrictor plate:

1. First remove the seat and storage compartment from the scooter. (Don't remove the screws from the seat hinge. They do not hold down the storage unit at all. I found this out the hard way. Luckily I found the "nut" for the bottom of the seat hinge.)
2. Loosen the front screw (closest to intake) that clamps the carb to the intake tube.
3. Slide the carb off the intake tube. (It doesn't have a lot of wiggle room because of all the wires going into it. But you will need that little bit of space to get the tools in to remove the intake tube.)
4. Using a 10mm socket take out the two bolts holding the intake tube. (We had to use 3 different size socket extenders and a universal joint to make this happen. The two bolts are hidden under the cross beam for the frame and wedged so close to other parts of the engine you can barely get the tools in.)
5. Remove the restrictor plate. (Make sure the "O" ring and seal stay in place and are undamaged.)
6. Put everything back together.

After we put the bike back together I went for a short ride. I immediately noticed an increase in speed "off the line". It jumps up to between 25-30 mph much faster than it did before. After riding for a couple days I believe I have also noticed a 1-3 mile increase in overall top speed. I'm about to put a fresh tank of gas in. I will watch to see if there is a significant decrease in miles per gallon over the next week or so.

Recommendation: Corazzo 5.0 Riding Jacket

So, it turns out that having a scooter is going to be my new money pit. You don't just buy a new scooter, you have to buy all the new things to go along with it: insurance, helmet, gloves, bike locks, etc. My most recent purchase was this new Corazzo 5.0 riding jacket (as seen above). Corazzo makes a bunch of really cool jackets but I personally like this one the best. Mostly for the look but also for the functionality and protection it provides.

Here's the list of features as stolen from the Corazzo site:

• Removable CE Rated Knox® Armor in shoulders, elbows & back
• 1000 denier Cordura® abrasion and water resistant shell
• Reflective 3M Scotchlite™ trim for 360° degree nighttime visibility
• Superior venting for warm days
• Two-inch longer tail & arms designed for upright riding
• YKK® high-grade zippers throughout
• Fleece lined collar and cuffs

The jacket comes in sizes S-XXL but check their sizing chart to make sure you get the right size. You want all the pads in the right place. I went for an XL to fight my "modern cut" mid section and that puts the shoulder pads a little low on me. I should be able to fix this by velcroing or sewing the pads into place inside the pouch that holds them.

I suggest ordering the jacket straight from the Corrazo site. They don't charge sales tax outside of Oregon, so I was able to get it for just under $245 shipped. I saw the same jacket in a scooter shop in Oceanside for $285 before tax.

The only bad part about the jacket so far is that the plastic they use for the pads smells really bad after being taped up in a box for 2 weeks. Hopefully, the smell will air out in a couple days.

Check out all the other great Corazzo products on their website:

http://corazzo.net/

or their online shop:

http://corazzo.net/store/

My 2008 Honda Metropolitan

After Tony & Toby got their Ruckuses (Rucki?), I, of course, had to succumb to the scooter peer pressure. Lucky for me, when Tony & Toby want me to buy something I don't have to do any of the work. I just have to fork over the dough. Tony hunted down two Metropolitans at the Honda dealership in Huntington Beach through a Craigslist post. Mine and one other sold in less than four hours. The picture from my iPhone makes it look a little more orange, but it's actually red. I am going to start doing some modifications to it shortly and will post about them as they come up.

For now, I have been commuting to work at least four days a week which is about 18 miles round trip. Plus, we've done a couple of other short rides for fun and I use it for running errands close to home. I've only bought gas for it twice and it's got about 215 miles on it. (It rolled off the lot with only 5.)

So, thanks Tony & Toby for letting me throw away my future financial stability for a Scootin' good time today.

We Have Scoots!

Well, the picture is of Toby and Tony's Honda Ruckuses. It's the start of the end. Soon there will be all sorts of lame half hearted stories/reviews and who could forget, photos. With the advent of the iPhone we can post crappy photos and anecdotes to boot with aplomb. So, sit back and be prepared to be underwhelmed.

Today We Ride.

Well today I rode the ruckus to work in irvine. This is the first time I have actually ridden the scooter to a job site. I have in the past gone to a friends house to carpool. And that was about 20 mi;es each way. This was much shorter but just as fun.

Now, Toby rides his ruckus to work every day. I think his commute is about 10 minuets each way. Come to think about it Jason rides his to work most days as well. I'm sure he could tell you himself the distance.