A Warning to those looking in getting a Chinese engine kit

[Cr9ck]

All I have had is problems with my bike.

Here is a list of all of the issues I have had or am still having

3 striped studs (2 exhaust and 1 head bolt)
Clinking engine
head gasket getting hit by the piston
Multiple Air leaks (carb to intake still not fixed)
leaking fuel valve
Gas leak
Broken clutch grip
Misaligned rear sprocket (need to fix - original donuts too big)
Chain Tensioner sucks (misaligned)


Do not buy one of these kits unless you are really into engines and want a "fun" hobby of tinkering with them. I have spent probably over $350 trying to get this dang thing working. Its driving me insane. If its not one thing it is another. Either buy a pre-built working bike (which you will still have to tinker with) or get a Titan engine. My main form of transport is currently unusable because the dang engine isn't working.

So anyone thinking about buying one... Its not going to be a joy ride for awhile....

None the less when it was running it was fun....

[stude13]

hi; they can be a pain and a great hobby. why not enter your home town? you might have someone close by for hints. all of your problems have been answered here. keep at it and use search function. good luck mitch

[xPosTech]

Did you do the installation on your bike? Or have a shop install it?

The reason I ask is most of the problems you cite are known problem areas. You say you have spent $350 "trying to get this dang thing working", which leads me to believe you were not the installer. If you did install it, some questions.

3 striped studs (2 exhaust and 1 head bolt)
Do you have and did you use a torque wrench?

Clinking engine
Not sure to what this refers.

head gasket getting hit by the piston
Was this before or after you tore into the engine?

Multiple Air leaks (carb to intake still not fixed)
Easy fix. Did you use gaskets or O rings? I know they weren't included in the kit but . . .

leaking fuel valve
Known issue. Cheap valve. Did you look at it closely before you installed it?

Gas leak
Same leak? Or the tank? Did you try sealer? The crummy fuel line?

Broken clutch grip
Known low quality issue. The clutch grip was upgraded on higher quality kits a while back and this needs upgrading as well. Lots of riders modify a grip shifter or brake grip.

Misaligned rear sprocket (need to fix - original donuts too big)
Donuts too big? Thin outside the spokes, thick inside. Or are you saying they are too big radially? Are you referring to chain line misalignment? Alignment is part of installation and maintenance.

Chain Tensioner sucks (misaligned)
Known problem area. Lots of riders don't use it. Agreed, it sucks. I use a scooter chain tensioner. Some use none at all.

Last question. Are you doing your own maintenance? If not you are being taken advantage of. Find another mechanic.

These engine kits are for the hobbyist and tinkerer. Some builds will never be finished because the rider is constantly upgrading what he considers needing upgrading.

They should not be a primary mode of transportation. (They can be, but they are definitely not "turnkey" stick the engine in and go.) Most of the "fun" is installing it and getting all the bugs worked out. When that happens, most of us are looking for another build.

Advertisers take great liberties when describing their products. That's why they sell millions of those magnetic fuel line gas mileage enhancement devices. Or the stain removers that lift India ink from white carpet. Most of the stuff Billy Wills pushes. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

If you post questions about how to fix any part of your bike or engine, you will get the help. Lots of us are just waiting for someone looking for an answer that we know something about or have had the same problem. Don't give up the ship.

Ted

[Creative Engineering]

Warning! Warning!, Warning! WILL ROBINSON!

A Chinese engine kit "may" require a proper installation in order to work!!!

Maybe I will actually have to "think" about how I'm going to install this kit on my bike!

(I want my instant gratification...I want my MTV)

Instead of criticizing what comes with the kit...Have the patience to look at the glass half full instead of half empty. I'm in awe of how they can provide this much, (hardware), fun for the money...

These kits do not offer the instant gratification that most are used too.

These kits require a bit of work to make them work! For most this is part of the fun of DOING it!!!

Jim

[Creative Engineering]

I didn't consider the fact that you may not have installed your kit.

Jim

[Pablo]

That's it?

Wow you got a good one! Just kidding. That's actually pretty standard stuff, just take patience....trying I know.

[Technocyclist]

Yup, these chengines can be a really headache sometimes...but that's what makes it fun... It's the challenge. Despite all the hardships, you can feel some satisfaction that you accomplished something that does not work right, to make it right. It does takes a lot of patience and research. All the problems you mentioned have their solutions...You gotta have a little "McGyver" in you... Just improvise...That's what most of us do here...Nothing is perfect, even the most luxurious cars has it flaws... just take 2 apsirins and call me in the morning...

BTW, my MB is my primary mode of transportation... and I do plan to build another one.

[Bikesthatgo]

Been there done all that well most of it, being a marine engineer I replaced a lot of the nuts and bolts anyway, then stripped the motor and put it all back together. Made some rubber engine mounts, and a spring chain tensioner, put lead lining in places, a good inline filter, and now I'm very happy well over 2,000 klm, and she still has plenty of go, usually sit on about 30 mph.
But I'm always aware its a pushbike, ans as such needs alot of respect in just how much it can take, and the brakes can be an issue, I installed a Sturmy Archer front drum brake, and will soon install a back pedal brake on the rear.
But most of all I look at it as a great hobby, can think of a few more that cost lots more

[deacon]

When I had my bike I loved it but it did require a lot of checking for loose nuts and bolts and yes I had all those problems. It's part of the fun. If you had done some research before you bought it. IE read here you would have expected all that to happen and been mentally prepared for it. That said, you can spend as much or as little as you want on these engine kits.

I am not sure the amount you spend has any correlation to the amount of fun you get back.

[Bikeguy Joe]

I like the fact that they are sooooo funky and hit or miss quality sometimes you LIKE hacking up the mufflers and doing different things to "modify" them. You wouldn't do that with a Ferrari, know what I'm sayin'?