SkyTeam Ace 125

jarradschmarrad

jarradschmarrad

New Member
Hi All,

1st post, so be kind.

Ive had my SkyTeam Ace 125 for just under 12 months now, but only recently have i found DTT and a couple of threads about some other members SkyTeam Ace builds.
I thought it might be time i start documenting what I'm up to, and converse with other STA lovers.

Like i say, about 12 months ago i saw the Ace out the front of a Cafe/Bike Shop in Newcastle (Wickham Cycles)
I was instantly drawn to it, and once i saw the price tag i was hooked. I had been wanting to get a motorbike licence for ever, but this sealed the deal.
Straight away i got rid of the mirrors in place of some lower rectangle jobs.
Next i replaced the std indictors, again in favour of a more sleek rectangle look.
Then i shelled out for the OORacing upgrade kit (new jets, pod filter & rear sprocket)
I also bought a reverse megaphone muffler.
Then i didn't do much. Life and not having much room in our apartment got in the road.
Fast fwd to now and i now have a garage to play in.

So, off came the original muffler just after the cat.
Next the new jets went in the original carb and i disconnected the choke cable to completely release the butter-fly valve to horizontal position.
What a difference. No more waiting for it to start and running terribly for the 1st 5 minutes.
A little bit of choke as it kicked over, then wham, ready to run, solid as.
Next i butchered the std air-box to make room for the pod filter whilst still mounting the battery to the back face of it.
Only about a fortnight after the new jets were put in, i decided to just get a Mikuni VM22, swapped it in and that was that.

I'm loving the new life these few little mods have given the bike. I also like that thanks to the new muffler, i can actually be heard in traffic (loud pipes something something)
This weekend i gave it a bath, only its 2nd ever (the apartment meant there was no space to wash), and after dry i was lamenting over the condition of some of the metal/chrome parts. I had just figured it was the less then quality Chinese parts, BUT, i dug out some "Autosol" Metal Polish i had stashed away, and gave it a try on the spedo housing that i was close to stripping and re-painting. Bought it back to just as good as new. I then to proceeded to try it out on anything that shined. Excellent result. Highly recommended.

TO-DO LIST
  • Install rear sprocket
  • Re-Locate battery to under seat hump
  • Drill out the cat
  • Clip-on's
  • Fenderectomy on the front, maybe remove the rear
  • New Headlight
  • Shorten indicator stems a little
  • Maybe ditch the starter
  • Paint racing stripe on remaining fender/s (like CafeEnthusiast's)
  • Veocity Stack w/ filter
  • Mikuni TM-24 Flat Slide carb (can anyone recommend a Flat Slide over a Round? I had read that they're a little more racey and also good for 4 strokes?)
  • Im sure theres plenty more......

Comments/feedbacl/advice appreciated, but be nice.
I promise to post more pics soon.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
Welcome to DTT, I wish these were available in Canada, they would make for a great little back road burner for sure.
 
Welcome aboard Jarrad!

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Crazy
 
Got around to installing the 34 tooth rear sprocket from OORacing.com this weekend.
http://www.ooracing.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=4213
Some external cir-clip pliers were very handy for getting the old sprocket off and the new one installed.
Also 1 tip regarding removing a link from the chain. A chain breaker wont get the job done.
Coming from more of a cycling background, i thought a chain breaker would just pop the pin out of the link i needed gone.
Nope. Took the dremmel to the lugs on the pin and it was out.

Cruising in 60kph areas now is more comfortable with the new sprocket. Yet to try any hills, or let it try for a new top speed.

I also installed 92 main and 17.5 pilot jets in the Mikuni carb, but to no noticeable improvement. Im actually contemplating re-installing the stock carb with upgraded jets. Just not feeling the Mikuni.
Im no carb wizard so maybe i just need it looked at by someone who knows what they're doing.
Ive read something about adjusting the actual jet needle as it effects from 1/4 through 3/4 throttle, which is where i'd spend most of my time.

On a side note, i did a search on Instagram for some "Skyteam Ace" hash tags.
This user http://instagram.com/_rexx_ from Singapore has done some really nice mods to his STA125.
Check out the painted tank and the front fender.
7927e9801c5811e3a88722000a1f90d0_7.jpg

e70a2f6a081911e3881c22000a1f9871_7.jpg

Getting rid of that rear fender is a must!!

Next thing is to sort out the Headlight.
Anyone else having any problems with burning out low beam fast? Then the light is flickering. Maybe a suspect bulb fitting.
 
Headlight part no. Phillips S2 12728C1, Hella also make a S2 bulb. On Ebay there 35w/35w Halogen bulbs with an S2 base. Postie bikes blow headlight bulbs all the time as well.
 
Congrats on the Ace, sounds like its coming along. I'm this > < close to getting mine, just got to sell my current bike and away we go...
 
Thanks for the info Just Dan,
I think it may be an issue with the actual bulb socket fitting.
Last night i pulled the lens off and after a bit of a push back into the socket and a twist to the right, the bulb was working, both Hi and Low.
The Pilot also was not working unless the main was in and working. Must compete the circuit when its in or something?
Unfortunately, after leaving the house in the night time, the Low started to flicker, so i went to Hi.
Then it just went out randomly. I was only around the block, so turned back home.
The whole way home the Hi was fine. In the garage, i noticed that with the engine running, Hi would only work, but once off, both Hi and Low will work.
Hmm, looks like ill have something to do over the weekend after all.

Thanks ChrisBNE its a nice starting point.
With the knowledge I've gained through tinkering with it, i wish i had bought it out of the crate for ~$1k less.

Going for my P's in the coming weeks.
Slightly worried about the scrutineering from the testing officials when i get there re: noise.
When i did my L's there was someone there doing their P's who got knocked back for not enough tread on a tire. :-\
 
It probably doesn't have anything to do with your lighting problem, but check that the earth connection near the drive sprocket is clean and tight.
Mine was a bit loose one time and it caused all sorts of misbehaviour from the indicators.

Good luck with the P's!

Crazy
 
SkyTeam Ace 125

Thanks stroker crazy, ill check that too.

Speaking of trouble with the blinkers.
Riding around for a few days after picking up my new bike, I was over all the cars honking at me or overtaking me on regular suburban roads for no reason.
Then, one day at a set of lights I was waiting at a red to turn left. A car in the right lane waiting to turn right wound down the window and complemented me on the bike, a common thing on the Ace. Then as he went to wind up the window, he stopped, wound it back down and said "mate, you've got the wrong blinker on!"

I looked down. The left indicator light was on. The left front blinker was on. I turn around to find the right rear blinker on!!
This explained all the negative feedback from car drivers for the 1st few days of riding my bike.

That's Chinese quality control for you I guess. A small error, and a quick fix, but I can understand why everyone was so peeved at me!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free
 
jarradschmarrad said:
Thanks ChrisBNE its a nice starting point.
With the knowledge I've gained through tinkering with it, i wish i had bought it out of the crate for ~$1k less.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to building it up - I'm no mechanic, but I love to build things so looking forward to it!

Tell me, I am thinking of buying some bar end mirrors at the same time, is it possible to bolt them straight on with the generic grips?
 
So a little update on the STA125

I made it through my P's course recently, so another 12 months and i will have a full licence with no restrictions! ;D
I did my course on a CBR125r (as the STA125 would have been not allowed cause its a wee bit noisy - for some)
Was only the 2nd bike ive ridden other than the SkyTeam. Obviously more go, but no where near as much show!! ;D

Last month for my birthday my fiance' bought me some personalised plates, which look spot on i think.
rj6j.jpg


I thought i would get rid of the Cat this weekend, and started straight at it with a few drill bits of varing sizes.
Soon i was left with a crumpled mess of crap completely blocking the pipe. Great :p
So after a few different attempts with files and a step drill, i managed to work a screw driver around the edges and have the Cat pop out in basically one piece.
Have yet to take it for a ride yet, but it did kick over.
4eaq.jpg
7x8z.jpg


Also, the other day i stupidly parked the bike facing downhill on the drive. There was just enough slope to set the bike off, kickstand went up, and over she went.
Looks like the clutch leaver took the brunt, luckily. :-\
ra45.jpg

A quick trip to the local Honda dealership had a CBR 990 replacement in there in no time. Sorted!!

Anyway, thats all for now.
4eds.jpg
 
The CAT must go!

However, if your megaphone has no baffles you might not have enough back pressure for best performance.

There is a bit of a gathering place for the 'Ace' gang over at http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=43357.0

Glad your fall only damaged the clutch lever - at least we can readily replace a lot of components with Honda parts.

Crazy
 
Thanks stroker crazy.

I've been checking your Ace Resource daily. It's great to see everyones builds, ideas and comments!

Earlier in the piece i read about the exhaust guide you had used.
Sonreir's Exhaust tips http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39814.60
Especially the bit about the length required to make sure there is never zero "pulses" in the length of the pipe. Makes a lot of sense. Id suggest currently mine would barley have 1 pulse making it to the arse of the area of the Cat before fizzling out in the megaphone.
After taking the pipe off, it doesn't look like it would be too hard to have one fab'ed up. A bit longer, and maybe with some larger radii on the bends.
Being a draftsman and having a Dad who is wizard with all things stainless it shouldn't have taken so long.
If i get around to it ill up-load some specs so that others can get something similar fabricated locally.
 
Hi guys,

Been looking feverishly at these bikes over the past few days. My main question is ...will I fit? I'm 6' and 90kg. There's no place to try them in Melbourne.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Hi Sean,

I'm 6'2'' and heading towards 90kg.
I'm fine with the way the bike fits me. It's the only one I've had, so i know no better.

Sure, the bike is low, narrow and small. Sure, i probably look too big for it.
But the amount of fun you'll have with it, and the amount of random people that will come up and chat to you cause they think the bike looks great will have you forgetting all that other stuff.

Out of the box theres no doubt its gutless. A few tweaks here, and some mods there, and it runs very comfortably.

Good luck with the decision making process!!
 
Hey Jarrod thanks for the response.

This will be my first bike too. I'm a bit of a tinkerer so this bike looks perfect in many ways. Save money by wrenching on the bike out of the box! Yes please.

I've spoken to the guys at Ikonik and they've indicated that the bike may be too small for me. I also called the guys at 2 wheel garage (who used to stock it) who told me I wouldn't fit either, so your response is the first good news I've had.

Can I ask how you feel after riding it for extended periods of time? Being your height do you have to tuck your knees right up towards your chest?

Looking for any possible excuse to give this a go. Looks too darn good. The allure of becoming a true ton up boy, but modifying the bike to go over 100 is also undeniable ;)
 
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