Bad News, Good News
 

For the last year the CF Moto was making bad noises from the starter. I just figured I would let it run its course and see what happens. It finally gave up a week ago and I ordered a new one from Parts For Scooters. As always it came a few days later and I picked a day to install it. It was a chore as the Japanese designed the Helix so the engine was buried inside the engine compartment and getting the starter out required nerve, guile and luck. It all fell together and the scooter is ready to rock again.

First the bad news was the starter blowing after a scant 12,000 miles and six years since it was built. I may have proved Cheapto's point about cheap bearings as that was what gave up in the starter. The noise it made out of the scooter was pretty convincing of bearing noise. Now the good news. Parts for Scooters had the part in stock for a scant $59 plus $12 shipping. The better news? Out of curiosity I priced the "Real" Honda starter motor for a Helix. Ready for a shock? $435 from many sources online. I saw used Helix on Craigslist for $500. Guess what I would buy first?

True on the good news. While the China scooter parts are cheaper, they are also $cheaper$ and usually more readily available..