Rebuild or Lifan 125

Hello All, First post here, I have been utilizing a lot of the tech information for my CT70.

I have two 70's, one is a July 71 build (red), and the other is September 71(red). The July build is complete, weak compression and after today a broken crank. I was replacing the points, hit the impact gun and the nut and threads came with it. It appears to be previously repaired.

The September bike needs quite a bit more, and the engine looks like it lived as a botor anchor for a considerable amount of time. Also, both bikes have what I assume are their original engines according to the numbers.

I want to complete both, I was hoping to restore one as an original and the other as slightly modded. Which after my long winded introduction leads me to my question; it appears that the Lifan 125 kits online are the way to go, the price is hard to beat, rebuilding the original would at the present time be cost prohibitive for me, and I am not sure of any trustworthy builders in the Charlotte, NC area. Is the reliability there on the Lifan products, or should I just sit on the project until funds are available to rebuild the original engine. My total mileage on the bike would be around 100 miles a year.

Thank You

At the rate of 100 miles per year, an L125 should last decades. However, that low mileage implies that you don't need 50mph+ power. Why does it matter? The bigger (110cc & up) engines require additional modifications...they aren't "plug & play".

A 72 or 90cc Lifan would be closer to a direct interchange. You'd have some wiring mods to do but the lump would be physically the same as your original Honda motor.

A complete rebuild of the original engine will likely require ~$500 in parts & machining with a crankshaft, head rebuild, shift forks, etc...to do right. If you are capable of the teardown & reassembly, there won't be much of a cost gap.

I would feel somewhat confident on the reassembly. These (70's) bikes are the first ones that I have done any considerable mechanical work to, I am comfortable working on cars (camshafts, heads, timing belts) but bikes are new to me.

Are the Pirhana engines as reliable as the Lifan, do people prefer one over the other?

Thanks for the help.

I decided to rebuild the stock engine, any rebuilders that are recommended?

I have a rebuilt CT70 engine # 222251 with a 88 kit 3 speed semi auto that I completely rebuilt a couple years ago, that I may consider selling. I am not doing anymore rebuilds as I do not have the spare time like I used to anymore.

OLD CT said:

I have a rebuilt CT70 engine # 222251 with a 88 kit 3 speed semi auto that I completely rebuilt a couple years ago, that I may consider selling. I am not doing anymore rebuilds as I do not have the spare time like I used to anymore.

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I would be interested, let me know how much you want for the engine. Thank you.

PM sent.

Hello,

I am checking in, I checked the crankshaft clearance on my spare engine, it measures .013. Let me know when you need me to send a check.

Randy
412-596-0552

RandyP63 said:

Hello,

I am checking in, I checked the crankshaft clearance on my spare engine, it measures .013. Let me know when you need me to send a check.

Randy
412-596-0552

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0.013" is excellent. Anything under 0.014" is virtually like-new. NOS can vary between ~0.009" - 0.014".