Been An Adventure With China.

I got a motor kit about three months ago.
I just got it out of the box.
I've been trying to put it on a cruiser for about three days.

One part after another seems to either come apart or break.

First off the metal bolts were soft and two were threaded wrong.
I went to the hardware store and picked up some hardware (About $20.00 in bolts/nuts/ washers etc..)

The throttle handle was stuck.

When I took it apart, a piece of plastic was broken off inside.

It looks like it is made out of some kind of 'bakelite' or brittle plastic.

The tubing for the gas line looked like 'surgical tubing'..no clamps.

Another $7.00

The motor mounts did'nt fit so I fabricated one from 1/4" steel and a muffler clamp.

While adjusting the tensioner, the bolt stripped.
The tensioner wheel is made out of some kind of nylon..
The kit as a whole looks like it needs a complete rebuild or replacement of parts before it would work.

I have to be honest, it does'nt seem worth the effort and after looking at the metal and how this kit is put togther, I would'nt take it out any distance.
From my experience and seeing how it is made, I'm frankly more concerned now of a failure while on the road like a throttle, chain tension. or metal failure that could cause an accident.

Is this 'normal' from all the kits from China or did I get a lemon?

I put the thing in the barn and am not sure what to do with it.

scooterhoot said:

Josh,
I'm still a noob to the MB world, but I worked on MC for 14 yrs before my body told me to stop. I've had some proplem with my kit, carb was junk slide sticking in the bore, tried to lap the carb body, no good, replaced w/ spooky tooth nt carb. Chain tensioner moved to the outside,(better than inside, no spoke damage) & bent the kits cheep a** chain, replaced w/ #41 chain from tractor supply and a self tapping screw to hold it in place. And at just ove 350 mi the chain tensioner wheel gave up, replaced w/ a lawn boy idler wheel from a local lawn mower repair shop. I ride to work everyday I can (don't get wet on purpose) and have over 400 mi on mine, and that is in less then a mounth.
You will have some small problems but keep the faith and keep it the rubber side down!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips scooter.

The original chain tensioner wheel has to go.

I'll look at the lawn boy idler wheel idea you gave.
In the perfect world, I'd just like to run the chain direct without the tensioner (less parts to break or wear) but I'm not sure of the alignment and if the chain would stay on the sprocket without it.

I have'nt had a chance to run the engine so I can't say anything about the carb or how the engine performs yet.

The kit is on a brand new cruiser with Bendix brake.

Another thing I had to do is open up the center of the sprocket on the lathe.
I only took off a few thousanths to have it slip over the grease cap on the axel.
That's dead center.

I also have to buy a front hand brake for the bike.

Thanks for the tips.

(This started out as a project..now..it's a career!)

It's headed for the dump.

After calling the dealer to order a new chain tensioner ($19.00 and some change.) after I posted and did some work around the house.

I went in to put the gas tank on.

I twisted the throttle and the freakin' thing came off in my hand.
It was broken in two where the cable turns inside.

I then removed th engine and tossed the SOB into the junk pile.

No way am I riding this piece of crap on a road.

And I'm not sinking another dime into this.

End of story with China.