BGF Hongdu/Solex

[wayne z]

The flywheel on one of mine was loose from the factory, and it sheared the cast in key.
I alined the sheared key with the keyway, tightened the flywheel nut, removed the nut and drilled, and installed a pin in the keyway, then put the nut back on. No probs since.

 

[camlifter]

pulled the flywheel and the key is sheared off. the nut was loose too. one more thing to add to the check list for new buyers.

 

[cannonball2]

If you havent already fixed it, lap the wheel to the crank with fine valve compound then line it up and tighten it down well it will stay where its put.

 

[Umaxen]

Hello all for the first time. I was looking at the Chinese Solex model of engine on ebay and was considering it due to both price as well as ease of installation. How is the quality of this item? Hopefully it can last a few years, right? Since the engine has a front light, I think I could easilly install a rear LED light/brake light using power off the electrical. I assume it has a small electrical wiring box in it somewhere? Can I purchase a larger roller for the engine from the importer, supplier or retailer? With 50cc's, 25 mph would seem reasonable. With the rear brake light and a crappy $15 bike speedo, I think I could even get it legally registered as a moped. Have always loved the Solex bikes for their simplicity. I think the engine would look even better on a standard bike!

 

[cannonball2]

My best advice is to spend the time to atleast scan this thread, about all the info you need is here. There is a terminal to run a rear light under the cover. There are/were 2 sizes of rollers, but speeds around 20 are about it. What is nice is they are smooth and fairly quiet, and if gone through, durable, There are several pics of them installed on bikes starting with the first page. They are unique and in a sense endearing.

 

[u2seek42]

Those of you who have bought China Solex did you get them from BGF or?

I asked the Canadian fellow as to their inspections etc. Telling him of the problems of the BGF ones. They claim to check each and add extra packing. He said they'd not survive as they were packed.

Me I'm old and cynical, but he may be real.
I hope so I still want one.

The damn things should just come as a box of loose parts, an oily jigsaw puzzle.

Thanks to all, for the info and great kindness I've been shown since popping in.

 

[Mike B]

Mine came (from the Canadian guy) with the tilt knob sticking through the box.

Still dunno if it runs. It's next on the list though, so keep tuned.

I don't believe anything these purveyors of Chinese crap say.

It's all cheap crap. You have to know and accept that going in.

 

[wayne z]

If you are serious about getting the most out of your purchase and engine, you need to read this entire thread. If you don't you will be be like psssting in the wind. Wealth of info on these fine lil engines here.

 

[camlifter]

got my flywheel laped in and back on, it runs now but not well, runs like it did when i first got it and had to rejet. i pulled it off and plan to just sell it at a swap meet or something. to much trouble trying to keep it running. i have a 1969 solex and compared to it this thing hasn't got a leg to stand on.

 

[Willy79]

I first ran into the Solex motor in 1954 while serving in the Military in France. Thanks to ebay I was able to purchase a solex motor. It came from Isaacsales in Canada for $239.98 including shipping. Arrived one week after order. As with others, a few things were damaged. The plastic fly wheel cover was cracked. I repaired inside with plastic weld using ABS scrap and soldering iron. Looks good now. The fuel filter under the air filter housing was broken, I machined a new one. I replaced the spark plug with Champion L92YC, drilled the small hole in bottom of muffler and used silicone heater hose to bridge the gap where the muffler connects. The silicone can take the heat without any problem. I purchased a 26" Cruiser bike from Walmart. It has a step through frame of aluminum, alloy wheel rims and good seat, all for $99.99 (great buy). I first used the 26 x 2.125 tire, but could not keep it centered. I switch to my mountain bike wheel which has a 26 x 1.5 tire and it works well. I made two mounting plates of aluminum to connect from the fork clamps to the motor mounting plates. These were required to position the motor drive wheel (Carborundum) correctly from the bike fork. Used a rope tied to handle bar covered in poly tubing to lock motor in up position, works well. Took a couple of day to get it ready to roll.

From the start it has run well, very smooth and quiet. I love to ride it and the top speed of 20 mph is perfect for an old fart (retired mechanical engineer) like me. The more I ride it the more power and speed it gets. The clutch has also worked well from the start. Hope that my attached pictures will work.
Thanks to everybody that has contributed to this forum. It has all really helped.

 

[rustycase]

How much would you be asking for that hongdu, Camlifter?
Or would shipping cost wipe out the value of buying a used one long distance???
tnx
rc

 

[cannonball2]

I first ran into the Solex motor in 1954 while serving in the Military in France. Thanks to ebay I was able to purchase a solex motor. It came from Isaacsales in Canada for $239.98 including shipping. Arrived one week after order. As with others, a few things were damaged. The plastic fly wheel cover was cracked. I repaired inside with plastic weld using ABS scrap and soldering iron. Looks good now. The fuel filter under the air filter housing was broken, I machined a new one. I replaced the spark plug with Champion L92YC, drilled the small hole in bottom of muffler and used silicone heater hose to bridge the gap where the muffler connects. The silicone can take the heat without any problem. I purchased a 26" Cruiser bike from Walmart. It has a step through frame of aluminum, alloy wheel rims and good seat, all for $99.99 (great buy). I first used the 26 x 2.125 tire, but could not keep it centered. I switch to my mountain bike wheel which has a 26 x 1.5 tire and it works well. I made two mounting plates of aluminum to connect from the fork clamps to the motor mounting plates. These were required to position the motor drive wheel (Carborundum) correctly from the bike fork. Used a rope tied to handle bar covered in poly tubing to lock motor in up position, works well. Took a couple of day to get it ready to roll.

From the start it has run well, very smooth and quiet. I love to ride it and the top speed of 20 mph is perfect for an old fart (retired mechanical engineer) like me. The more I ride it the more power and speed it gets. The clutch has also worked well from the start. Hope that my attached pictures will work.
Thanks to everybody that has contributed to this forum. It has all really helped.

Nice combo. If you run out of something to do this winter, paint her black and the H/Solex will really look at home. Glad its running well!

 

[u2seek42]

Hi Willy,
Nice lookin ride, I looked at that bike and the leg over, 99 is not bad.
This is the first time I've gotten a good look at the kit, thanks!

I still want one of these, but will wait and see what the final word is.
Willy should buy 10 of these and rebuild them right, the extra $ would be worth it for the of mind.

I have wonderful roller kit passed on to me, from our own Cannonball2
He and it have been a dream, not having to die in getting somewhere is a... plus!
It has been interesting trying different ways of using it, findings it's happiest settings.

Thank you Cannonball2 !

 

[camlifter]

How much would you be asking for that hongdu, Camlifter?
Or would shipping cost wipe out the value of buying a used one long distance???
tnx
rc

i would take $100+ shiping. should be able to ship out west for around $40. keep in mind it does run but i'm selling it as parts, the flywheel key sheared so it's lapped in and tightened down. i have every thing but the 4 clamps that go to the fork, i didn't use them on mine and can no longer find where i put them. there pretty much generic clamps and should be easy to find if you need them.

 

[rustycase]

Tnx Cam,
As you said earlier, probably best if you were to put it on a bike and sell it at a swapmeet.
Best
rc

 

[Mannhouse51]

I just bought my wife a nice velosolex 4600. I seem to be riding it more than my own motorbike. Maybe I should pick up one of these kits and convert my bike to front wheel drive. Anyway , cool thread , lots of good reading!

 

[Willy79]

This is a continuation of my great Solex adventure. See post #471

I have been riding my Solex powered bike for several weeks now and I absolutely love the bike and how it operates. It is very smooth, quiet and fun to ride. Family members who have tried it say that it is addictive and want to ride it more. It was so much fun I decided to buy another Solex motor and build a second unit this winter when I have more time. The first problem that I ran into was that the vendor in Canada would not sell and ship just one motor to the US any longer. He is now just selling the three motor package to ship to the US. Not knowing how much longer the Solex motors would be available, I decided to order the three motors. DUCATICVCC on ebay sells the three motor package for $554.99 plus $79.99 shipping. I got a surprise when they arrived and UPS wanted $90.00 COD for what they said was a Brokerage Fee. I later found out that this was an import duty that UPS had paid to the US government. This made my cost $241.66 delivered. Since I now have two extra motors, I will sell them to anyone interested for my cost $241.66.

All three motors arrived in better condition that my first motor. All three appear to be new and in good condition. The packaging was much better and there was only slight damage with a small dent in one fuel tank and one small crack in the plastic flywheel cover. The fuel tanks have no rust, but a gritty feel inside. I am going remove each tank and flush out thoroughly. The flywheel retainer nut was only finger tight on each motor (try to figure that one out). The "head light and faring assembly" is a rather Mickey Mouse design. All have loose headlight, inoperative light switches and in all a rather ugly fit on the motor. I have not used this assembly on my bike. There is a sticker on the outside of each box which reads "SOLEX 4800 BEST QUALITY". This leads me to believe that they may be grading the quality of the motors.

Since this post is getting rather long, I will do another post later with more comments.

 

[u2seek42]

I have to wonder about a guy who buys bulk engine kits, and fails to check them as they come in, for his own benefit. Then having one more check as they go out.

Ebay is funny about folks receiving broken goods, bad ratings can't be a good thing for anyone.

Now to force you to buy 3 of them... what? so that out of them you might build one that is right.

This fellow, boygofast, bikebug and a host of others make motor biking, a risky and expensive venture.

I was blessed to have 31cc roller kit I have now, simple, clean and fun.

 

[cannonball2]

Glad the little 31cc is working well for you U2S42!

Willy79, the headlight faring will fit well(mine did anyway) if you align the fuel tank and maybe trim the borders a little. The head light is actually ok, it is adjusted by pressing it into ratchet type grooves, looks like when they assemble them they dont even snap them in the first groove, which accounts for some of them falling out underway. I ditched the light switch and just run the light all the time, no problems to date. It also has the capacity to run a tail light. Looks like I have enough parts to build another engine. Have been considering a Schwinn Loop folding bike, is $$$ but might make a good traveling(vacation) MB.

 

[Willy79]

Thanks cannonball2 for the suggestion on trimming the edge of the headlight faring for a better fit. It now fits better. I haven't done anything with the light since I haven't plan to ride at night. However, having it on all the time would make for a safer ride even in the daylight hours. I will work on connecting it up. I purchased a wireless bike computer on ebay for $7.00. It was easy to mount and I did not need to run wires up that busy front fork. It is nice to know my speed. I weigh almost 200# and the Solex moves me along on a level road at 20 mph. It would be interesting to see the Solex on that folding Schwinn. Has anybody ever considered mounting the Solex on the rear tire. I would like to have a shock absorbing fork on the front for a smother ride. Any thoughts?