48cc vs. 69cc.

Hi everyone. I'm currently running a 69cc engine kit. Gives me nothing but problems. Plus I'm pretty sure it's not legal here. (Ontario) So my question is, should I buy a 48cc kit? What will I notice as differences, with build and ride? How reliable is a 48cc compared to a 69cc? Mine is not reliable at all. I break down almost every day. Literally. I need help in my decision, I love the engine and all, but I'm thinkin I should get a 48cc. What do you think? Will I end up with just as many problems? Thanks. You can see my bike here... Pictures by ADDICTED-BICYCLE-CUSTOMS - Photobucket

What kind of problems are you having?

If they are little things, you can be sure that you'll get that from any of them................remember, these things are made in China..........not exactly the kind of quality we (the U.S.A.) would produce.

I had to fiddle with something that wasn't right, it seemed, almost everyday for a month and a half. Now, it's only once in a great while, that I actually have to fix something on it.

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Don't feed the bears....

I've had little and big problems. From stripped hardware, to broken bottom bearings, to blown mag, to snapped frame, everything. Clutch lock pin popped out while riding. Snapped two chains, air leak, (can't find it) fender failure, (wrapped around tire) chain this, chain that, you name it, it's happened.

Yeah, you shouldn't have bearing problems, but the rest of it seems common enough.

Fenders have to be beefed up with stronger supports and elbow brackets. The chains can be rid of the master links and put together without them for a stronger hold (that's what I did).

Stripped hardware is common because it's made with American scrap metal filtered through Chinese noodles so yeah, it strips easy.

The clutch lock pin.....you mean on the clutch handle? Those clutch handles are junk. Expect them to brake or crack, and give you a headache.

Basically, any of these engines should be upgraded with better parts.

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Don't feed the bears....

Don't go smaller unless you positively have to. Remember the saying "There's no replacement for displacement"

All of the problems you're stating can happen with any size china girl motor.

Biggest thing is make sure your sprocket is straight and upgrade to the #41 chain, once I did that to mine almost all of my problems disappeared.

it's like spinal tap says " but these ones go to 11..."

In defence of the 48cc, both i have do not vibrate at all so bolts dont vibrate loose, make your own idler out of a skate wheel get a good chain get it straight and true and you can forget about it.
Get new studs spring washer and loctite em, the motor wont move.
No leaks! Make youself new intake and exhaust gaskets.
Touch wood i have not done anything to my bike for 3 weeks maybe more just fuel.

ive never realy had a problem...like these guys said make sure your chainS are tentionsed correctly...dont worry about loctite...use nylock nuts or swish nuts...niether will loosen cause of vibration...and by the way... any motor mounting problems that you might have on either the seat tube or the forward tube can be caused by the cheap china made bracket that comes with the motor....replace these with electrical conduit straps...

what are electrical conduit straps? Where would I get those? How do they work? You've got my attention. Lol, I'm about to rebuild on another bike, was gonna drill frame, if I don't need to, please inform me! Thanks

I think he means plumbers tape, steel tape with holes in it for hanging pipe. Old school its called plumbers tape but it might have a fancy name now.