Life expectancy of Chinese Bicycle Engines

These things should last almost forever as long as you keep an eye on the wrist pin bushing or don't over rev a roller bearing engine. New rings every couple thousand miles wouldn't hurt either and takes about 20 minutes to replace.

BTW, zero noticeable bushing wear on one of my engines using a castor blended 2 stroke oil at 32:1 ratio.

How do you be nice to your engine. I have heared with other two stroke engines that running it full blast wide open is actualy good for the engine like a chain saw or weed wacker, does not like low RPMs, Could actually mess up the wrist pin by jerking it back and fourth. I know for a fact chugging the engine is bad, but mine seems to like high rpms. Like full blast all the time. I think what hurts them is the chugging it when you try to give full throttle too soon, in other words gradually gain speed

Being nice to engine in my book means using best type and correct type of oil, waiting for engine to warm up before wailing on it, and tightening up loose stuff.

High rpms are ok as long as it is within limits.

In the late 60's a company called Triumph decided to be silly and build their own V8 out of two of their slant 4 motors. Given that they were basing this V8 on the first ever production car 16v engine which was well accepted by customers you would think the car it was put in would be a success...

It was. The Stag V8, bodywork penned by Michelotti, was a great sucess at first. Then engines started to cook...

It turned out that the radiator was marginal for cooling - and given the average driver doesnt maintain the cooling system - problems developed and expensive ones at that...

If a Stag is looked after and the handbook followed the motors are bombproof but there are some people who wont learn even after one detonation...

The morale of the story is - look after your kit and it will look after you.

The Chengines are of their nature fairly fragile because of their location of manufacture and that they are built to a price, and a low one. They will be more sensitive than the commecial based kits such as GEBE etc but its their pricepoint that is the prime advantage.

With something sensitive you have to be more careful - mix fuel properly and keep it agitated - check the engine mixture regularly and importantly run it in properly (important for the chengines) - make sure brakes and fittings are not binding and bearings are free so the engine isnt fighting friction all the time.

With care these engines should be fine for years out of the box assuming you dont get a duff one but that depends on the owner and rider treating the machine properly and maintaining it between times...


Jemma xx

Do this and be happy- Bicycle Motor Preperation And Care

__________________
If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.