Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Thread approved.

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Until now we had some ugly looking escooters that were a little faster over a snail & sometimes having a need to push them when riding over a bridge (forget the mountains). Compared to them, Ather is undisputed king of escooters, with e-Chetak, we took it as a warning that the game is not going to be the same, it could soon change into a playground if not a war zone.

Which got us thinking...

If a regular petrol vehicle gets outdated in about 3 years time frame, for namesake, then what about these escooters? Especially Ather has brought so many changes in past year since their launch in Bangalore. Yes, their changes are OTR, but, what about missing features like ABS, a better mirror or engineering? How can those be accomplished OTR? So outright buying is certainly, considering that it's way too expensive, not really worth

Loan? Sheer stupidity to opt for a loan atleast during these times (unless we're the privileged business class)

So the best balance we found was Lease
- A down payment of Rs 60K can give you a pride ownership.
- You got to pay Rs 2999 a month for next 36 months
- End of 36 months, you pay, 10K more & buy it or simply surrender the vehicle for 60K

Sounds like a sweet deal, you get to own it as well as doesn't empty your wallet. That was until we once again took out another worksheet in XL you end up paying atleast 30K more than OTR.

Thus back to square 1!!

The only two scooters that we liked were Activa 125 (BS6 & nothing else) and NTorq. NTorq is great, no doubt, very less cost of ownership, but no Fi & not ready for BS6. Activa... whew!! less said better!! Honda attitude of take it or leave it!! They even had guts to charge a restocking fee of Rs 100 for a booking amount of Rs 2000. I just recall in 2011, the booking amount was Rs 5000 but they promptly handed over the money if you cancelled, no undercuts. They're badly in need of a super strong competitor!! All the ones like Vespa, Aprilia were ruled out because of extremely expensive + none of them were BS6.

Then one day, as I woke up, I got this idea - why not an used scooter? (no, I was not in shower or restroom). Say a 2-3 year old model, probably half the price; even at the half the price of Ather, I could get a fantastic Vespa or Aprilia. Sounds like a win-win deal, well quite not, read on...

First things to come on mind was Olx, Quikr & Google.

Ruled out Quikr as choices were less, with good old eBay gone, other useless sites that Google showed were not even worth checking, thus finally zeroing in with Olx. Armed with 2-3 months of time frame (as Jan 2020 was due for FC for my Silver Activa) I was confident I could find a decent one, even if it were another 125cc Activa, if not Aprilia.

The reality was hard to digest

The folks were selling Pep, Wego, Gusto, Streak or they were pre 2015 model of Activa, Access or Yamaha or the photo itself were horrendous. Clearly had to rule out out all of them.

The next set were what we were interested, Aprilia, Vespa, Activa 125, NTorq, Access 125, Ray, Fascino, but something didn't quite look right; the posted English language didn't quite sound well, if not all, most of them. And then came an interesting observation, most of these vehicles were from Chepauk Police Quarters, Old Washermanpet, KK Nagar localities. And prices they quoted were all ridiculous; and then after a week or so I was enlightened that these are actually used vehicle dealers.

As a last resort, before actually walking into any used vehicle dealer, I was talking to a FNG & got to know the truth & this is how the story went...

So there is this Dio that comes to his garage often & the scooter required some major work including changing the valve seating. The typical owner kept ignoring the suggestion. And this scooter was not to be seen for several months. And all of a sudden this scooter was bought in by a new guy for servicing. Even before servicing, the mechanic asked this new owner about the vehicle & he says this was bought at a used bike shop for 8.5K & he was quite happy that he got a discount of Rs 500 after quoting the Dio originally for 9K. After a prompt service, he calls up the old owner & talks to him casually & turns the attention to bring his Dio for service. The old owner says he sold the Dio happily for 4K because of the engine work being involved & 4K is good money for him.

After hearing this ordeal, my attempt on used scooter goes all in for drain & finally decide to fix the scooter, after all why a step motherly treatment to Activa when my Rx rose like a Phoenix from my home garage?

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Thus a new saga of Activa restoration begins.


And this is quite balance between fantasy vs reality, cost vs quality job. This does not mean, we're replacing every part or we're replacing only the necessary ones. For instance, I've outrightly rejected a whopping 11K for a complete paint job at the same time, the painting will not be done without dismantling the scooter either. All the necessary parts will be painted to perfection even if it means to applying metal putty.


Some parts like, self starter assembly, engine, brakes (including the cables) are all exceptionally good; FE is awesome (Wife excels at 47+ Kmpl & once even at unbelievable 54 Kmpl, while I could barely cross 45 Kmpl). Parts like handle bar grips, lights (that are painfully pathetic, side covers, front panels, front fenner, all the plastic parts, switches, floor board, rubber mat, rear grab will all be repainted or replaced depending on the cost.


All other details like who's the mechanic, where's the garage located, what is the cost, how many days it takes will all be put up in the forthcoming days at the conclusion of this restoration work in the end. Until then...

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Your thread is perfect timing for me. This is my Bro's Activa, 349xx on odometer and with us from 10/2006. Yet to finalize whether to scrap it or make it run-able for grocery duties.

A lady owning that M800 in the background pressed the gas pedal instead of brake while reversing and there are a few dents due to that!

Not used for the last 4 years. It was a miracle that I was able to push her to my apartment nearby.

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Our 2003 activa is still running perfectly without much problems, got the engine work done around 3-4 months back, total expenses was around 8k but after that it is running perfectly, when you compare it with a price of a new activa that's only 1/10th. So my advice is get it serviced, get engine work done if needed, renew the rc whenever the time comes and keep using it

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Exactly what I thought too. I hope to get the spares without any hassle. HH Pleasure shares a lot of parts with this one. Do you recommend me changing the rims to support tubeless tires or will tube type do? I have nil experience with tubeless.
[MENTION=26407]aargee[/MENTION] You changed the wiring harness ?

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Let it be tube type only, why to spend extra unless the roads are bad near you and punctures are common. You will find parts at Honda as well

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

It's a good idea, I haven't thought about it until now. If it isn't going to cost too much overall, I'll certainly change it.

I agree. We changes to Michelin tube type less than ~2000 Km & would like to continue that way. The front wheel hub was changed after observing a poor braking 6 months ago. It started off with changing the cable, then brake shoes, then hub & landed up changing entire assembly

Absolutely

Regarding the 1/10th cost, I'm not sure because...
1. 6 months ago we changed entire front wheel hub, costed ~2500
2. 2-3 months ago, entire engine checked (just the head bolt was changed + valve seating), front suspension, costed ~4600
3. Then add the tire changes, ~2200
4. Now the entire vehicle, I was told the paint job alone was ~10K, then clutch work (assuming it should cost ~2K), rear suspension change, switches etc

So the net cost would be like ~ 25K to 30K, which is like 1/3rd, not 1/10th of the cost. But yes, this spend will ensure the vehicle will run hassle free for next 2-3 years atleast

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Well in our case the expenses were around 7k for the engine work, that's why i mentioned 1/7th price. I think you should skip painting, that would drastically bring the expenditure down and if you sell your scooter after some years the paint job wouldn't be of much value due to the old age of the scooter.
My advice is stick to engine repairs or repairs which are necessary for proper functioning instead of cosmetic upgrades

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

A few days back, I made an estimate out of curiosity based on the prices displayed on Hero's website. Works out to ~25k. I didn't add new tyres or crankshaft, also think have underestimated the painting price. If I add those, will come to approx 30-32k. Still better than buying a new one.

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

No, painting is absolutely necessary; even though it appears mint for a 15 year old vehicle, no matter how much detailing is done, the vehicle never shines. Probably a heavy cutting compound might've helped, but then, the detailers wouldn't touch it because the vehicle had fallen down & there're rust formation on the sides.

Haha, forget selling the scooter!! If I should've done, I should be doing it now than later

Engine is near damn perfect. Imagine the valve being slightly bent in ~15 years with one clutch replacement some 5-6 years ago & 2 tire changes until now

I thought the same, but then there're so many other factors to consider like...
1. BS6
2. FI
3. Disc brakes
4. Telescopic suspension
6. Power
7. 12" tires
8. FE

Even if lights can be upgraded, the above things are something that cannot be changed. We were too damn confused as what should we be doing. Finally when we accounted for money vs the usage, some sense prevailed (I guess)

Coming up next set of pics...

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

To keep the costs low, we decided to paint only on one side where the damage is really really visible, however after looking at the outcome of the painting versus the other side of the scooter having OE paint, we thought it's better to opt to paint. Why?

OE Paint


Painted side


Perspective of both


Engine cover painted


With exhaust powder coated


I've asked the rear grab handle also to be powder coated, not sure what excuses they're going to give or will they oblige

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

Yesterday almost all the painted parts have come. It's difficult finding OE turn lights, surprisingly OE reflector & headlamps were found, while the parts are being awaited to be put in, here's something for viewing pleasure - The transformation of ugly caterpillar to butterfly...

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

my Mom's 2004 december activa is done 1.6 Lakh km with only cylinder and piston changed at 1.2L km at Svc itself( some 5k then). been running absolutely brilliant
my wifey's 2006 activa is done 60k plus and running. i did spend some 8k on it in last 12 months for suspension, bearings etc etc however it just runs fine.

10K for paint is lil too much bhai. if the metal is in good shape just get it wrapped for 1500 bucks at any vinyl shop. usual charge for scooter wrap is around that.
unless re registration is an issue or its in real bad shape it will keep running fine.

39xxx on ODO is hardly anything.

Re: 2005 Honda Activa - Refurbish it? Sell it? Dump it? Another Tale of Heart vs Brain Conflict

They finally did for 8K for...
1. Front panel
2. Front LHS & RHS panels
3. Floor
4. RHS & LHS sides
5. Rear wheel
6. Rear grab, side & main stand (matte finish)
7. Front fenner

Yes it was kind of bad on entire RHS as it had fallen bad once with several times hit in the front fenner. Also the lights were damn bad as well. The entire reflector was black in color, lost focus.

True, the scooter was 90% perfect & right now there're some more things to be fixed on the casing that will make it 100%