Woohoo! Just went Over 500 Miles

[MrLarkins]

I built my ride for the sole purpose of transportation to and from work. I have a lot of problems "breaking it in". But I am glad to say that I've been trouble free for the last 150 miles and I'm loving the ride...But now it's getting REAL cold in the mornings! I drive 4 miles to work, doing 30MPH top speed most of the time. There are 5 stop lights I get stuck at sometimes (oh the looks folks give me!) but its just a straight shot down the road, no turning involved. And there is this one hill (big @$$ hill) that makes my speed drop from 32 to 24 by the time I hit the top.

Future upgrades:
chrome muffler (already purchased, just no time to port and polish and mount)
Jackshaft kit
Front fork suspension
seat post shock
dual brakes, hopefully disk
new paint job
and maybe a performance carb (eh, why not right?)

and now how much have I saved?
well, I spent $50 on the bike, $250 on the kit, $50 on extra parts = $350 +/-
my truck gets 17MPG, so 500@17MPG ~ 29.5 gallons, now @ $4.00/gallon, that comes to $118.
my bike get ~160+/-MPG, so 500@160 ~3 gallons, now @$4.00/gallon, that comes to $12

so I saved $106 in gas. grrr, I need to ride for another 6 months to break even...and then I'm in the black!

 

[OSCAR383]

its always a wonderfull feeling watching the odometer turn and not the pedals. unless you pedal backwords while riding my favorite thing to do.

 

[old motorbike]

Great numbers.

 

[apple101]

I am still at 149 miles.

 

[Dan]

You get 160 mpg's? Thats great! 133 here last I did the math on a China girl. I gestamate I save about 2k a year in gas using the bike for quick trips and around town runs.

 

[europorsche914]

I just rolled over 800 miles on mine with 150mpg. I've had it since August and no big problems just loose bolts. But mine is not so stock anymore... I customize everything I own

 

[aj356]

MrLarkins
Where did you get your kit from and what would you advice some of us newbies getting into this.

 

[stude13]

read read read

 

[MrLarkins]

i got my kit from kingsmotorbikes.com but wouldn't recommend them...i've have problems and they haven't really been quick to help or even willing on a few occasions.
my recommendation is patience...and ask for help here.

 

[Goat Herder]

I just rolled over 4000 miles on my first build it Could use a new set of cheapo cast iron rings by now, this thing still runs like new! These ch can last a long while!

 

[aj356]

MrLarkins
Thanks for the info did you do any of the recommended upgrades before installing that are mentioned here for example the spark plug and gaskets? It seems you have a good setup and I am wondering if you should do these upgrades before installing.

 

[Motoschwinn]

i got my kit from kingsmotorbikes.com but wouldn't recommend them...i've have problems and they haven't really been quick to help or even willing on a few occasions.
my recommendation is patience...and ask for help here.

One thing to keep in mind Mr. Larkins, is that Kings motors seem to long lived. I have almost 3300 miles on mine and still running strong. Personally I think it's because it's a bushing style motor. It's all in the break-in. While they maybe lacking in customer service, I think they have a connection to slightly better motors.

Kings will address problems, in their own time.

 

[MrLarkins]

i recommend new mounting bolts, an NKG spark plug, and new plug cap. and maybe a better inline fuel filter, the one from sickbikeparts.com is good

as for kings goes, I sent 4 complaints...2 were replied to, both were going to be replaced, yet only one was, but i had to wait 2 1/2 weeks for the part

when i first received the package the cap was broke, i waited 2 1/2 weeks for the replacement.

next the clutch case broke, they said they send a replacement, but never did...i get asking for 2 weeks, almost every day, leaving messages, emails etc...i never got that replaced. i ended up using jbweld.

the last two problems kings never even returned my phone calls or emails. stopped cold turkey. i followed all the break in procedures. my opinion is their service sucks. but i'm just one person.

 

[Goat Herder]

Sorry to here that this has been a great motor. Say motoschwinn did you shave the piston skirt on yours, know some of these jugs have the carbs mounted lower clearing the skirt.It sure made a diff on mine?I think all these ch are fine, I am leaning tward the bushed right now