Is motorcycling allowed?

[Andymann]

Spent the morning getting the seat sorted.  Have no idea what bike it came off, but it fits pretty well - just a few minor brackets to be made.  Also just checked that all the sprockets are lining up - that can be a real pain if they don't, but all seems perfect!

[Allrounder]

Is motorbike engine brackets universal?

 

What does it entail if I want to do an engine swop?

[Allrounder]

Or should I just sell the motomia for what I can get and buy a little scooter for commuting, until I can my my NC?

[Andymann]

Is motorbike engine brackets universal?

 

What does it entail if I want to do an engine swop?

Unfortunately not - you'll probably have to custom make them which is not that simple. 

 

And swapping an engine (I'm assuming its a completly different engine) unless you have a pretty good idea of which end of a spanner to hold, is tricky. - First thing - will the Engine fit in the frame, and if so, will the carb fit onto the existing airbox, and will the exhaust clear the frame.  If you're happy with that, then check - will you be able to get the chain to line up properly with the rear wheel, and are the sprockets the same pitch.  Once you are happy that is good then you need to design engine brackets, spacers, and hope you can get bolts that all fit.  If that all works then you'll need to look at clutch cables, accelerator cables, and all the electrics.  And once all that is done, good luck trying to get all the paperwork done in order to make it legal!

 

If the engine is from an identical model, its obviously a whole lot easier - but you'll still have an issue with the licencing - there's a whole lot of paperwork involved in building a Code3 which is what your bike will have to be listed as.

[Andymann]

Or should I just sell the motomia for what I can get and buy a little scooter for commuting, until I can my my NC?

Is your Motomia giving you problems? Or is it still just the oil leak?

[Allrounder]

Clutch is starting to slip and the oil leak is back. Rear disk is almost done.

 

Chinese motorcycle spares told me to buy a new set of wheels to get disks that will fit. 

 

I am going to get a quote later today for opening her up and seal the gasket. 

 

The big problem is that most parts do not have part numbers, so you have to go in to all the shops and show them what it is that you want/ need. 

[Andymann]

Clutch will most probably just be a bit of adjustment - those Chinese cables are known to settle down a bit, and the clutch itself will be based on probably some Honda or Yamaha, so can also be adjusted.  Worst case, if it's the plates you could look to these guys:

 

http://www.startline.co.za/

 

 

 

Rear disk you can have one laser or waterjet cut out of SS for probably R300 or so - We used to have fancy wave disks cut for our B-wiz scooters and they worked perfectly.

 

From a Maintenance Managers perspective I would think seriously about that oil leak - if its a proper leak where you need to top up the oil every day, or you run the risk of crashing because it drips on the tyre, I would do it.  But if it's a weep then just leave it - the reason I say this is that you run the risk of creating more problems by opening up that engine - can you get the correct gaskets, for a start, and Chinese bolts are notoriously soft, so there's always a chance one of them strips - then where do you get another.  I've worked on Jonway, BigBoy and Loncin and some of the parts are just pure cheap and nasty.  If your Mechanic is very experienced, and knows his way around a Chinese Motor then go for it - otherwise just leave it.

[Andymann]

Or should I just sell the motomia for what I can get and buy a little scooter for commuting, until I can my my NC?

What I do know about the Chinese bikes is that while parts can be a real pain, they are stubbornly reliable so it probably wont let you down, but, if it's your only transport, and your job depends on it, then maybe look at a Japanese branded bike - and there are some pretty boring but bloody reliable bikes out there - YBR250, CBX250, TW200, SR250, GN250 - all awful looking things, but chosen by AMPATH and the Post Office for a reason....and all available for around R15-20K

 

If it's just a nice to have, then treat the MotoMia for what it is - a disposable asset and ride it until you have enough for the NC and then sell it for whatever you can get.

[Allrounder]

Thanks andy, 

 

Its using about a liter a month. And I am doing a total of 44 km a day, 5 days a week.

 

What is very interesting, the motomia is sold under the loncin brand in Australia....

 

Gaskets will have to custom made. 

 

I know of a place that I can try the disks! retired engineer, who kept some of his machines in his garage as a hobby!! 

[Allrounder]

I do have a car in the garage, so its not my only transport. and luckily just transport to and from work. I do not do any weekend trips or drives, due to not trusting the thing. 

 

But they do keep on going for ever!! 

 

Will have to look into a fork service as well... 

 

Thanks for all the advice andy!

[Andymann]

Thanks andy, 

 

Its using about a liter a month. And I am doing a total of 44 km a day, 5 days a week.

 

What is very interesting, the motomia is sold under the loncin brand in Australia....

 

Gaskets will have to custom made. 

 

I know of a place that I can try the disks! retired engineer, who kept some of his machines in his garage as a hobby!! 

I liter a month is quite a lot hey - sounds like it might be burning a bit of oil - does it blow out any blue smoke at all?

 

Ok, a liter every 880km's in traffic for a Chinese single is probably not so bad!

Edited October 6, 2017 by Andymann

[Allrounder]

You do not see the smoke yet, but the smell is there. 

[Andymann]

Thanks andy, 

 

Its using about a liter a month. And I am doing a total of 44 km a day, 5 days a week.

 

What is very interesting, the motomia is sold under the loncin brand in Australia....

 

Gaskets will have to custom made. 

 

I know of a place that I can try the disks! retired engineer, who kept some of his machines in his garage as a hobby!! 

https://www.waterjetcapetown.com/?gclid=CMqvrIXS29YCFU277Qod-WYEAQ

 

6mm 410, 420 or 431 Stainless steel will be fine

 

To turn and mill a disk from scratch is really tricky - because they are really thin its difficult to grip them in a lathe and to get a 300mm+ piece of round steel bar is hellishly expensive.  Easier to just cut them with a laser or water jet out of plate and then if you really want, have them surface ground.  But that's not that necessary.

Edited October 6, 2017 by Andymann

[Andymann]

I do have a car in the garage, so its not my only transport. and luckily just transport to and from work. I do not do any weekend trips or drives, due to not trusting the thing. 

 

But they do keep on going for ever!! 

 

Will have to look into a fork service as well... 

 

Thanks for all the advice andy!

Fork seals you will be able to get from Bearing Man - the trick might be finding someone who is willing to do the forks!  

[Andymann]

Thanks andy, 

 

Its using about a liter a month. And I am doing a total of 44 km a day, 5 days a week.

 

What is very interesting, the motomia is sold under the loncin brand in Australia....

 

Gaskets will have to custom made. 

 

I know of a place that I can try the disks! retired engineer, who kept some of his machines in his garage as a hobby!! 

Just as a matter of interest - what oil are you using to top it up with?

[Andymann]

What I do know about the Chinese bikes is that while parts can be a real pain, they are stubbornly reliable so it probably wont let you down, but, if it's your only transport, and your job depends on it, then maybe look at a Japanese branded bike - and there are some pretty boring but bloody reliable bikes out there - YBR250, CBX250, TW200, SR250, GN250 - all awful looking things, but chosen by AMPATH and the Post Office for a reason....and all available for around R15-20K

 

If it's just a nice to have, then treat the MotoMia for what it is - a disposable asset and ride it until you have enough for the NC and then sell it for whatever you can get.

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-motorcycles-scooters/tableview/honda-cbx-twister-250/1002120174940910387176209

 

If you wanted something in the interim, this would be perfect