Pages: 1
Posted by: SEADAWG
Sir,
I too went through this. My VX-80 battery is a piece of crap, but hasn't fell off yet. Now I'm worried. We kick start it all the time...I got a new battery. I'm just wondering how to reinforce that box so I don't have the same problem. I don't have problems with ours bogging down, but those carbs are very touchy. Keep me posted. SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
Sir,
Wow...this all came true to me. When I tested it on hills...couldn't hang. Battery...broke, box ugly. Footrest plastics gone. Let me ask you what you did since I'm now in that boat.
*Where is your battery box now?
*What did you do on plastics footrest?
*Aftermarket parts??...not I can only guess
Please update me if possible...I got a lot of work ahead of me SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
Sir,
Wow...I just shocked you're racing it. Is it competitive? I guess we have had the exact same problems...I should have listened to you earlier I got some work to do and I am looking at getting rid of the footpeg/middle plastics. The only problem I have had to the floppy look is other kids wanting to lean on it SEADAWG
Posted by: SwervingKirby
First of all, I like the way SEADAWG thinks about these "knockoff" brands. I agree with the old saying, you get what you pay for.
I purchased two Redcats, a 50 and an 80, for my kids at Christmas not knowing whether they would ride them very long or not due to interest in the sport. Both bikes had issues from the get go. Primarily the VX 80. After 2 hours of riding time and 20 hours of work on time, we figured it out. The VX 80 would not run well. From changing plugs, air filters, fuel filters, coils, etc. I figured out the problem; it was the ICM box that was bad. The bike runs fine now, but on the track it bogs at the top of hills, so the remedy would be to gear the bike down. Well good luck on finding smaller gears. I think the closest gear (rear) I could find were on the Yamotos and the front you can forget because they welded a collar on them to connect to the splines of the drive shaft, the proprietary Redcat SOB's, haha. I think we need an aftermarket website for these Chinese wonders...
Also, the battery box broke and fell off, with some welding, we reconnected the box to the frame. A few days later, the box broke 1 inch below the recent weld and fell off again, but it really didnt matter because it was carrying 5 pounds of dead battery anyway. Needless to say, my 6 year old son is familiar with how to kick start it.
Well if anyone has any info on the VX 80 and aftermarket research or findings, let me know.
By the way, the 50 had problems with Carburetion and fouling plugs until I had the carb worked on, now it only fouls them every now and then. The key ignition fell out as well. No other real problems. And yes the plastic foot rests on the 80 suck- would like to add real nerf bars.
Redcat, for a few months there, you better be glad your offices were not in or close to West Virginia because I was really hot. But I am better now, I just wish you would offer parts to change the performance of the bikes geared toward racing. It may make you some more money...hint hint.
Why do you not see many VX 80's? Did the 90 replace it?
Posted by: SwervingKirby
What I did....
Parked it for a few days, chewed nails, spit tacks......
Since my son races the VX-80, we left the batt box off, losing 20 pounds, and zip stripped the wires to the frame. He barely has enough butt to kick start it- but figured it out. The batt box is currently on a shelf.
The plastic foot rests are made of very brittle plastic. I believe all the screws that connect the plastic foot area to the fenders are broke. So now it kind of has a cool floppy look when races or rides it. Have dreamed of buying, or more than likely, fabricating a set of Nerf Bars for it, as this would be safer for him.
So far the only aftermarket part I have installed have been the air filter and rear gear.
Air filter is a UNI air filter..I will post the model number when I get home tomorrow.
The rear gear when I purchased it from a local mcycle shop was labeled Suzuki Jr 50. Which if you get into and look at the way Redcat does there gears, you will see 3 bolts that screw into a plate to secure it. When I bought the new gear everything matched up but the center hole for the axle. It had to be secured to a drill press and using a hole saw drill bit, drilled out to fit diameter of axle. The VX-80 now is a little spunkier and accelerates quicker. It is a 32 tooth gear I believe. I wanted to go smaller on the front, but if you examine that, you will see it is proprietary the way they did their gears. He will be racing the track tonight that has the hills on it, I will post the uphill results later.
Hope this helps you out, and if you come up with any mods, let me know.
P.S. He rolled it the other day, so it looks like we will try new bars which shouldnt be too bad. Whats up with those hard plastic handle grips????
