New 4 stroke Kits

[Chitty]

Are the new 4 stroke China kits any better quality than the 2 strokes? I saw a 4 stroke kit on ebay from Boy Go Fast, that has a centrifical clutch. It looks like it could be rack mounted without too much trouble. I have been doing a bunch of repairs to my 49cc China to keep it on the road lately, and just getting a bit fed up. Between chain tensioner troubles, broken stud bolts, and a rear tire that is just a bit too wide and wants to rub on the chain a bit. I am going to try and get the spring loaded chain tensioner, and a thinner tire and give that a go for now, but the 4 stoke is looking good.

[Bikeguy Joe]

Can't comment on them, anyone else?

[Dave31]

I have no experience with the Chinese 4-stroke....sorry

[tylerlough]

That engine looks good, but everything else in the kit looks to be of the same low quality stuff the happy times have.
I believe Daune said Chinese 4-strokes are good quality, but the fit and finish isn't as good as Japanese made 4-strokes.

[azbill]

I have never heard anyone say good things about the 'JL HOOT" gearbox, only bad things, the grubee gearbox is supposed to be good, but hard to find anywhere...they seem to go out of stock quickly

[HoughMade]

That is exactly right. The Hoot is the one that looks like a figure "8" on its side. The Grubee is roughly oval in shape and does not look like an "8".

The Hoot does not disengage- the Grubee has a manual disengage. The Hoot seems to have issues with the shaft keys (not a big deal), the clutch bell coming apart (pretty big deal), and the greats sometimes breaking (a really big deal). That being said, some people have had good luck with them, but those reports seem pretty rare.

However, the engine itself is sound.

I have the Grubee (bought last August) and it works well, but like a 2 stroke, it takes some work to get everything lines up and adjusted. However, once that is done- it works well.

[shiloh0]

i have one. it was purchased from bikekitsdirect.com for $269. shipping included. there were a couple of issues with the kit but the seller compensated me for them and was polite. this kit requires a square-drive bottom bracket. the bike i put it one had the one-piece crank so i had to order a sealed bottom bracket from bike nashbar for 14.99. also i had to buy a usa to euro adapter for 18.99 (ebay). still it was the cheapest kit i found even with the bracket upgrade. i rode it without the pedals with a 44Tsprocket instead of the 50T they supply. you can;'t really do this cause the clutch clangs too much without pedal assist on take off. it ran really good tho once it took off. felt smoother and more like a motorcycle than my 2 stroke. looks like i have the crappy hooter gearbox.

[ricland]

Originally Posted by shiloh0

i have one. it was purchased from bikekitsdirect.com for $269. shipping included. there were a couple of issues with the kit but the seller compensated me for them and was polite. this kit requires a square-drive bottom bracket. the bike i put it one had the one-piece crank so i had to order a sealed bottom bracket from bike nashbar for 14.99. also i had to buy a usa to euro adapter for 18.99 (ebay). still it was the cheapest kit i found even with the bracket upgrade. i rode it without the pedals with a 44Tsprocket instead of the 50T they supply. you can;'t really do this cause the clutch clangs too much without pedal assist on take off. it ran really good tho once it took off. felt smoother and more like a motorcycle than my 2 stroke. looks like i have the crappy hooter gearbox.

Boy, Shiloh, I had my credit card in my hand until you mentioned "crappy hooter gearbox.

How important is that, fellows?

ricland

[Saddletramp1200]

A good motor with a bad gear box is like a submarine with a screen door.
It's there but it won't work.

[ricland]

Originally Posted by Saddletramp1200

A good motor with a bad gear box is like a submarine with a screen door.
It's there but it won't work.

But how bad is gear box?

Is there any consensus on this?

ricland