This is BEFORE. I have cleaned and polished the wheels. Boy, they look so much better. Not perfect, but awesome for 24 year old wheels. I'd like to say that after cleaning the wheels completely, I realized that the paint job in the "recessed" areas is actually a silver paint job that kind of sparkles when light hits it in the dark. The "yellowish color" I saw before, was old grime coating the paint. It's definitely a factory paint job, and all of it is intact. I'm thrilled. We can establish that Yamaha sold two different wheel colors (Silver and Gold) for the Riva 200. I'm curious if they did other colors such as black.




And the After: They look far better than my original wheels with the gold paint in the recessed areas. I elected to polish it, but not 100%, to give it that polished, yet antique and used look. It doesn't show, but the drum in the inside of the rim on the back has more than double metal left on it than the ones on my scooter does. (Parts scooter was a 3,000 mile scooter. My running scooter is now a 9,000 mile scooter.) This means I'll have more braking power and the drums will cool off faster.




I have decided rather than "guess" what was used for mounting the new windshield, I would just order the original rivets that came from the factory. They were around $6 for 4 rivets shipped to my door. Kinda unreasonably priced, but not too bad, considering the availability. I think they're plastic, but I'll find out soon. They're coming in the mail. That way, I can know that everything on my scooter is definitely factory. (Except the "accessories", and eventually the seat.)

Sometime this week, I'm bringing those polished wheels and the new tires to the shop and have them replace the tires. As soon as that's done, will mount them on my scooter. Pics of that as well as the completed windshield coming soon.



I also ordered SMD LED bulbs for the brake lights and turn signal lights... They burn brighter, whiter, cooler, and faster (They turn on a few split seconds faster than original filament bulbs- good to let people behind me know asap that I'm braking). The energy savings will allow more juice to go back to the battery and make the battery last longer. It also will put less load on my charging system- allowing me to add more lighting in the future. Here is a picture of the SMD LED bulb:



I also ordered a new regular LED rear lamp that will be attached to the bottom of the trunk- so that I am clearly visible to anyone and everyone that's behind me. Especially tall vehicles. Pictures of that coming soon. But for now, this is the ebay stock picture of the lamp:





As for those here that are curious about regular LED's and SMD LED's. SMD simply means surface mounted LED's. The LEDS are much smaller on SMD's, arranged on a flat circuit board, and is somewhat brighter than regular LED's. But the difference is really in the light distribution. SMD LED's are usually compared to flood lights- the light is bright and goes in all directions. Regular LED's are usually compared to spot lights- the light is in a beam direction and lights up in a conical fashion.

So, I'm thinking- SMD flood lights inside the stock brake lamp to send out a bright burst of red light. LED beam under the trunk to spotlight directly to the driver behind me. It should do the trick very nicely.

I would like to share the following resources for Yamaha Riva 200 owners:

DGY Motorsports
http://www.dgy.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=8880&category=Scooters&make=YAMAHA&year=1987&fveh=236

Cheap Cycle Parts.com
http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/model_years/6610-yamaha-1989-riva-200-XC200W/assemblies/219167#

Bike Bandit.com
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1987-yamaha-xc200t/o/m8183


You should check the prices between the 3 shops. They vary greatly in price. Some of the parts are cheaper on one site, yet other parts are more expensive but cheaper on another. So, check them out first. I have ordered parts from all 3 shops online. Bike Bandit is always fast. Cheap Cycle parts is reasonably fast. Will mention how fast DGY ships as soon as I get the part, but they have already provided me with a tracking number. So far, so good.




Jack's Scooter shop is a wonderful source for used parts. Jack Stanley, the owner will provide you with a very reasonable price for the part and shipping. He's fast and takes paypal too. I've had the opportunity to correspond with Jack via email, and he's always courteous and a pleasure to work with.
http://www.jacksscootershop.com/


This is from Jack's Scooter Shop website, but figured a quick link to these would be appreciated:

Maintenance chart for the Yamaha Riva 200
http://www.jacksscootershop.com/maintenance/Yamaha_XC200.html

Maintenance tips for the Yamaha Riva 200 (Really for Riva 180, but applicable to Riva 200's)
http://www.jacksscootershop.com/maintenance_Riva180.html

I decided to mock up the windshield and see how it looks. It really does make it look more complete. I'm wondering if the wind deflection on this windshield will help at all. I'm really curious. Will post the results of test drive once the rivets arrive in the mail, and the windshield is installed.



The instrument panel really does look more "full" with the new windshield. I'll bet it'll make it easier to read the instrument cluster in full sun.



On that topic of wind deflection, I have noticed that my scooter has more "side to side play", now that the trunk is installed on the rear. Meaning, it seems to be a little bit easier to tip the scooter over (either side) while parked, and while stopped at a traffic light. (Scooter feels more heavy when you tip it to the side, too) The trunk messed with the center of gravity of the scooter. (Higher center of gravity now)

While it makes it a little bit harder to keep the scooter straight, the trunk actually helps with cornering. Odd. With no surprise, it does help keep the scooter more stable at high speeds. (50+) With the latest changes, I am no longer comfortable letting an inexperienced friend try the scooter out. Too much money and time invested.

Investment so far:

Scooter: $400
3.5x10 tires mounting, oil change, & Carb clean: $180
ETC MISC cleaners, chemicals, paint, steel wool, sand paper, polishing disc, etc... $70
Parts Scooter: Free
Windshield: $30
Mirrors: $20
Bike cover: $25
Teflon Scooter lock: $17
Air filter/plugs/oil filter: $40
Title/Registration/Inspection: $60
1 year insurance: $115
1st glovebox from Jack: $20
Trunk: $50
Grips: $14
1st flat seat that was a dud: $45
Manuals: $45
License frame and reflectors: $11
SMD lights for brake and turn signals: $44
Rear brake light to be mounted under trunk: $19
New 4.00x10 tires mounted on 2nd set rims- Tires plus dismounting/mounting service: $95
"Scooter tie"- a strap designed to go over handlebars for transport: $12
Trickle charger- $35
Battery: $45
Clear scooter wraparound eyewear: $17
Helmet (that I don't use) $34
35 gallon Rubbermaid bin that I use to store my parts scooter in: $8
Misc fasteners $15
What else am I forgetting??? ....$$$$

Not yet done: Tranny fluid change, flat seat installed.

Total: $1,466 invested that I can remember. I expect to recoup around $350 when I sell off all my parts that I don't need. But, it was very much worth it. I have a scooter that's probably the fastest in Austin, or close to it. But, how many can say they have a sweet 1980's scooter that is in perfect running order?

I probably saved around $700 doing most of the labor myself.

Just want to say thanks for that great report. I read and savored every word and picture. I learned a lot from it, especially your restoration techniques. I just got a Riva online at auction and will be picking it up today I think. It is an '85 or later 180 and the only things I think it needs are a throttle cable and a battery. I learned on this site to try and get a bigger than stock battery so that is my plan. I always loved scooters especially ones styled like the old Vespas but this is my first one and I was forced to do because I just can not afford to use my car for all the short trips anymore. I hope I am not making a mistake getting my Riva. I am also anxious just to ride it for fun around here in Boston. Ciao!

Vcam,

It's a total pleasure. I've posted on several other forums for other things... Garden Tractor hobby, moped hobby, scooter hobby, and etc... I've always appreciated when someone did a good write up. So, I figured that this site really needed it... To get going and get more people to post things like this to help others like you...

The Riva 180 is a nice scooter.. Same scooter as my 200, but, yours has some flaws that the 200 doesn't have. Like, for example, the front fork is one sided. These bend very easily if you hit a large pothole or hit something. The 200's has 2 sides, so it's more stronger.

The other flaw the 180 has is the carb has some extra hoses, and it makes it harder to start. But you can bypass the bystarter on the 180 and that should help a lot. I can tell you that my 200 has been extremely reliable. Starts up the first try every single time.. (This is with all original hoses and bystarter intact.) When it's parked for more than a week, it starts up the 2nd try. The idle never wavers- it's a wonderfully built scooter. But, as you can see above, the cost to rebuild a scooter to running condition can end up being comparable to buying a small old used car. The only savings there really is, is in the gas itself and in insurance. But that's perfect for your situation.

It'll be fun riding around Boston. I've visited there. Very interesting city. I'd put on some extra brake lights if I was driving in a city like Boston.

Geo

I didn't post anything lately, because things got busy, and because I started to type a good post, only to have lost it to cyberspace... Anyhow... Here's the latest update:

I still haven't received my rivets for the windshield. I'm wondering what's taking them so long. It's been 3 weeks now since I've ordered them. I also still haven't received the LED stand alone brake lamp unit, that was supposed to bolt to the bottom of my trunk... Waiting on that now.

I did receive the LED brake bulbs and the SMD turn signal lights. The brake light worked wonderfully, and you can see that the color and brightness is different. More brighter and a deeper red is reflected onto the person behind me. Also, when I step on the brakes, NONE of the lights, including the head light, dims or flickers. So, the LED brake lights were a big success and I recommend converting the brake light to LED's to everyone here. I'm thinking of trying to convert all the lighting inside the instrument cluster into LED as well... Here's the brake light. See the difference. LED's on the left and regular filament bulb is on the right:



I'd like to warn everyone here that the SMD bulbs didn't work for the turn signals. They light up, but they don't blink. This is clearly because the turn signal module is designed to light still if a bulb is broken. (Due to low power consumption) So, if I wanted to change the turn signals to LED, I'd have to change the turn signal module. I don't know where to begin with this- since I'd have to find something that can handle LED bulbs and work with the wiring in the Riva 200. So, that will be on hold until I've done everything else. (I don't want to do a half ass job. So, that's why I'd rather wait and do it right the first time. I want it to look like it was made "that way" out of the factory.)


On another topic, I've installed the new 4.00x10 tires onto the scooter- They are really good tires. I've gone faster on corners, because I feel more safer with these tires, and the bike handles better. With the old 3.50x10 tires, I'd feel every hole and bump in the road. The turns would be too sharp for comfort. But, with these new 4.00 meats, they just do its job. Now, I'm beginning to understand how important it is to leave everything as close to stock as possible, unless it's a performance part. These people at Yamaha didn't spend countless hours designing, modifying, and testing the scooter before they went on sale, all for nothing. The scooter performs better with the 4.00 tires. But, the scooter is faster with the 3.5 tires. I've lost about 2 mph going with the 4.00 tires. I think it's simply because they are almost twice heavier than the 3.5 tires, and the circumference gives it a weaker torque. I'm a heavy rider, so that does make a difference for me. For all the Riva 200 owners- I highly recommend the tires I got. See older posts for the brand and info.
These are the new meats mounted on the polished wheels:



Just a reminder of what the old ones looked like:



It was $52.38 for me to have a scooter shop change the rubber on both wheels and repack the bearings, and install new valves. Not bad deal. (Valves are usually around $14 each. Repacking was $6.00, so the rest was simply labor) I also had the gear oil in the transmission changed over to synthetic. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of making my scooter a vintage scooter with some little modern upgrades to make it safer and run better than ever.


Will post pics of the rivets for everyone's benefit here. Whenever they arrive. Does anybody here know of a low power upgrade for the headlight? Something that would shine just as brightly as regular headlight bulb, but uses half the power? I'm thinking this would make my battery and stator very happy. (As well as for allowing me to add more accessories in the future. I'm thinking more LED lighting. I mean, imagine lighting inside the trunk and inside the glove compartment.

Nice work on the restoration. I too have used that roll bar and chassis paint with great results. Its a good look for frame parts and I used it for the rims on my ch80. Nice finish to it.

An older gentlemen I was speaking to this afternoon has an 87 Riva 200 and he is looking for an exhaust for it. He is rocking some sort of modified straight pipe and since he isn't internet savy at sourcing out parts, I told him I'd check around for him. Any chance you have a spare exhaust or know of comparable exhausts for this model that fit?

b1Jackson,

Thank you. I do have a muffler for the Riva 200 that I can sell. (I also have some parts that I might be willing to sell as well) I PM'd you.

Geo

As some of you may have already noticed, I put my Riva 200 and entire collection up for sale for dirt cheap (1k) in the classified section. I am trying to raise the money towards my down payment for my new house. Closing is on August 19th, so I am feeling some pressure. I also advertised it on Craigslist. Hoping to sell it tomorrow.

No worries- I will be getting myself a scooter again in the future. By then, I probably will want to upgrade to a Honda Silverwing or something like that. I'm just honored to have had some Riva 200 quality time. Time for the house (It's my first house, and I am a divorced dad. Bought it for the kids to play in the huge backyard) and the next scooter after the house is all settled with.

If I am unable to sell the scooter by the time I need the cash, I'll install the LED brake light whenever it arrives in the mail as well as the windshield and I'll post pictures and continue the write up. (After all, I do love my Riva 200!)

Cheers,
Geo

The scooter has been sold. I'm sad to see it go, but I'm thrilled that I am now covered for my new house.

As the terminator said, "I'll be back"...

Congrats on the quick sale. You'll look back on this experience with the Riva 200 as a really fun time. You'll definately get the itch again sometime soon. If you do get a Silverwing though you might miss the fun of working on a old scooter. The ups and downs of wrenching can be really rewarding. You could go with something a bit bigger like an Elite 250 or Helix and get both a bigger scooter and one that you can wrench on....or maybe it will be 10 years until you get a scooter and then Silverwings will be old by then. I guess the silverwing was introduced in 2002 so that's almost 10 years old if you buy one of the early ones.

DandyDan,

Thanks. Definitely. I've always wanted a Helix. Those are really nice to have. I know a lady at work that drives one. Hers looks like it has been ridden through World War III, but she says it is extremely dependable. I wouldn't mind having a Helix and a Silverwing.

I'm on the same page on wanting to wrench on something. I'm thinking, if I upgrade to the Silverwing, I can easily restore one to perfection, since not much wrong with them anyway, being newish.


I love the idea of storage on the bike, and at the same time, having something with enough power to just go somewhere a long way without worrying about anything. I'll definitely miss wrenching on the scooter. But no worries. I've always come back to the scene. Always. And I know where there's a good forum with good people.. (Here)

I did steer the new owner towards this site. Maybe you'll see him around? Who knows!

Chat soon!
Geo

Right on. Best of luck with the new house.

I have enjoyed your account of your Riva restoration. I drive an old scooter that has a lot in common with the Riva, and have always been on the lookout for a 180 or 200. Thanks for all the explanations and details. I have been going through the tire thing, and prefer larger tires when possible. I have gone from 4.00 x 10 to 120/90-10, not much of a leap, but helpful for rough roads.

Great stuffs, am just looking for this, thanks