Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Honda NC50 Express Owner's Manual | Official Owner's Manual 1978 UK Model


1978 Honda NC50 Express Owner's Manual Official

Here is the official 1978 Honda NC50 express owner's manual (UK Model)! I can't believe it has taken me this long to find it. This is different from the Honda express shop manual that can be found on this website as well. Here is a few small excerpts from the document:

This booklet is your guide to the basic operation and maintenance of your new motorcycle.

Please take the time to read the Owner's Manual carefully. As with any fine machine, proper care and maintenance are essential for trouble-free operation and optimum performance.

Your authorized Honda dealer will be glad to provide further information or assistance and is fully equipped to handle your future service needs.

Thank you for selecting a Honda. We wish you many miles of continued riding pleasure in the years ahead.
PRE-RIDING INSPECTION:

At the start of each riding day, perform a general inspection to be certain the motorcycle is in good, safe operating condition.


Gasoline Level - Check gasoline level and fill tank if low.
Capacity: 2 liters (0.53 U.S. gal., 0.44 Imp. gal.)

NOTE:

* Use low-lead or regular gasoline with a Research Octane number of 91 or higher, or a Pump Octane number of 86 or higher.
For Australia and New Zealand models; Use unleaded gasoline only. The use of leaded gasoline will cause spark plug fouling.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Moped Auxilary Fuel Tank | Carry Extra Gas on Moped Scooter


How to carry extra fuel on your Honda Express moped:


It WORKS!!! One of my previous posts I talked about the best (cheapest) way to carry extra fuel on my honda scooter express. Here it is! Visit your local camping store (Dicks, Eastern Mountain Sports, etc.) and pickup TWO 30 oz MSR fuel bottles for about $40 total (made to carry fuel and virtually indestructible). They you visit your local hardware store (or chain) like Lowes or Home Depot. I visited Lowes and the supplies cost between $5-$10 total to make the harness for the fuel cells. Using a Drummel and some ingenuity... walla!

Moped Battery Exploded | Honda Moped Battery Blew Up


Honda express scooter battery exploded! What the heck!?!


I have been riding my Honda Express for 3-4 months with a new moped battery I purchased online. There was nothing wrong with the battery. I followed the directions when initially filling the moped battery with acid and charging it. It worked great and purchased the scooter batter at perfect price!


Since that time I have done several honda express performance modifications to it. I did a muffler modification (video to come soon) and a engine kit mod (video to come soon). Both worked great! I have been in the "break-in" period of my new engine kit and was about 250 miles in. I want to wait until 300 before I really start to open the ped up and see what she can do. Well, I was pushing things a little. I was doing 35mph with the ped and gaining on 40mph... when I heard a LOUD "POP." At that point, I quickly backed off the throttle and decelerated. At first, I thought it was the sound of the engine back-firing. It wasn't until I returned home from my ride that I noticed my headlight low beam and high/low indicator lights were burned out. I have read a simple tip on many different forums:

"If you have a bad, low, or no honda nc50 battery than you will BLOW your headlight bulb."

Yes, that is true.

I checked my battery's condition after noticing the headlight was out. When I popped off my seat, I could see one of the battery caps was missing and sides of the battery were broken and busted out. Even the over flow tube that connects to the battery was disconnected. I quickly got some baking soda and sprinkled it over all the wires and Styrofoam holder around the scooter battery to prevent corrosion from the acid.

I don't know 100% what happened. Here are some theories:

  • I let the battery acid level get too low and the heat from electricity flowing through the battery damaged the plates and it exploded. (have read about motorcycle batteries doing the same thing)
  • The new kitted engine is generating TOO much current, flowing through the battery, damaged plates, and it exploded
  • Battery was faulty and current caused explosion
  • Moped battery was inhabited by daemons that became unhappy and blew up in protest (ha!)
What do you think? Please post your ideas and suggestions!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Moped Scooter Extra Gas Tank | Auxiliary Fuel Tank | Carry More Fuel | Ideas


Auxiliary Fuel Tank might be a good idea if you plan to take long/touring trips with your Express Moped. The 1978 Honda Express nc50 moped has a fuel (gasoline) capacity of 2 liters or .53 US gallons. If you get approximately 80 miles to 1 US gallon for fuel consumption... that means you can get approximately 42.4 miles on one tank. Granted, you will probably have used your reserve (which is 0.2 liters or .053 US gallons). The reserve (again using a 80mil/gal estimate) will get you 4.24 miles if you're lucky.


You also need to take into account that any honda moped performance modifications you might have made, could increase your fuel consumption to 50-60 miles/gallon. That is a generalization because I haven't done a before and after comparison on moped gasoline consumption. If you engine "kitted" your moped (ie. you replaced the stock 49cc with 60cc, 70cc, or higher) then you will obviously be using more fuel because there is a large area of displacement and you're going faster (faster = more fuel... in a tuned honda moped bike).

I NEED MORE FUEL!!!

I hear you. Don't worry, we can't all assume there will be gas stations along our moped scooter route. I have done some extensive research and there are solutions! Here are just a few:

  • MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap - ($19.95 + shipping - can be found for less $$$ on internet) With various fuel capacities (ex: 11, 20, and 30 fl. oz.), this aluminum bottle stores and transports your fuel.

  • ROTOPAX - ($49.95 1 Gal - plus shipping) Our 1 Gallon packs are the perfect size to attach to your motorcycle for your all day outdoor rides. We have a lot of different mounting options available. Whether you are a farmer or rancher, outdoors enthusiast, winter sports advocate or whatever your needs, we have a mounting option for you.

  • Motion Pro Auxiliary Fuel Tank - ($49.95) Includes 4 ft. of 1/4 inch fuel line and an 1/4 inch in-line fuel barb. Holds up to 2000cc or 1/2 gallon of fluid.

  • MAIER ENDURO — ATV JUGS - 1 QUART - ($6.50 + shipping) Jugs constructed of polypropylene and designed to fit 3/8’’ to 1/2’’ dia. crossbars or mount to flat surfaces on ATV fenders. Nylon strap with quick release Velcro® holds jug to a bracket that won't rotate.

  • Blitz Gas Can - ($6 found at most stores) Standard plastic jug you could get at Walmart in 1 gallon size. Just strap to your back express moped rack, above gas tank.


  • Tour Tank - ($159 + shipping) - Cool, but WAY too expensive. 1.5 Gallon Tour Tank, (6-inches x 16-inches), Aluminum Tank comes with:, Black Steel Brackets, Non -Vented Cap, Vent Tube in Filler Neck, 1/4NPT Threaded Outlet Centered.

At this point, the MAIER ENDURO — ATV JUGS - 1 QUART looks like the best choice to carry more gas on moped. Unfortunately, I can't find anywhere to purchase them!!! I have been scouring the internet with no results! If anyone knows where to get them, please post comment.

The runner-up choice is a MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap. You can find these all over the internet and local camping stores. I really liked the Maier Enduro because it came with strap and was constructed to fit on a cross-bar. Ah well... can't win them all.

Whatever you decide to purchase and use... please make sure you attach it safely to honda moped parts and use all safety precautions.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Moped Clothing for Sale | Honda Express Books, Clothing, Lifestyle




Moped clothing for sale, you ask? You have finally finished restoring your vintage honda express moped, and put your heart, sweat, and time into making this noped look better than new... no what? Of course you're going to ride it around town, around campus, to work, to amaze the neighbors, and for pleasure. But, now you have to look cool doing it. Well, honestly you can only look so cool riding a honda moped with performance parts. You will still get "thumbs-up" but those you pass on busy streets who know what it means to own and ride a classic scooter or moped. You know what? You need some sweet duds! That's right, you need some honda express moped clothing, books, lifestyle gear but where do you go? The sites you are looking for are right here. Check out the following links for "tight" moped swag:

DK Scooters - DKScooters.com provides aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel to consumers who own and service Japanese-made gas powered scooters.







Scooterworks USA - Scooterworks USA began in 1990, when a couple of Vespa scooter owners found that parts, accessories, and service were both expensive and hard to find. We thought, as did others, that we could help bring the Vespa scooter back to life after a long absence from the USA by providing good customer service, helpful advice, quality parts and accessories, and a professional attitude. Over the years we have grown by leaps and bounds!

• Motorcycle Super Store - Buy motorcycle gear, moped apparel and accessories at Motorcycle Superstore. Largest online motorcycle accessory store selling motorcycle helmets, motocross gear, motorcycle accessories, motorcycle apparel, motorcycle tires and motorcycle parts.

Powersports Max - Your online source for quality motor sports vehicles and clothing. We carry ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Go Karts, Mopeds, Scooters, Pocket Bikes and Utility Vehicles at PowersportsMax.com!