If the motor was one of those ebay bombs it would have detonated long ago. There are varying quality levels with the PRC stuff, just like anything else. With so many different brand monikers on the market, it's difficult for most newbs to know what to expect with their machine. Your dad's usage averages-out to 300 miles per riding season, not exactly high mileage. Limited use will extend the number of years something lasts and if that's how much (and how) you ride, then perhaps you have your ideal setups. It does tend to give a different perspective than riding 2000-3000 miles annually. "Minor" becomes a relative term. A broken clutch cable is minor, unless you're 40 miles from home when it lets go. A swingarm pivot bolt is a small part that can have big consequences if it breaks at speed. A hub failure, well, that's just unacceptable now matter how you look at it. The best approach is pragmatic: identify the weak items ASAP and replace them. Once that's been done, you should have a mechanically stable machine.
Rear hub Issues and other Problems with clones.
- Thread starter dsrt4
- Start date
If the motor was one of those ebay bombs it would have detonated long ago. There are varying quality levels with the PRC stuff, just like anything else. With so many different brand monikers on the market, it's difficult for most newbs to know what to expect with their machine. Your dad's usage averages-out to 300 miles per riding season, not exactly high mileage. Limited use will extend the number of years something lasts and if that's how much (and how) you ride, then perhaps you have your ideal setups. It does tend to give a different perspective than riding 2000-3000 miles annually. "Minor" becomes a relative term. A broken clutch cable is minor, unless you're 40 miles from home when it lets go. A swingarm pivot bolt is a small part that can have big consequences if it breaks at speed. A hub failure, well, that's just unacceptable now matter how you look at it. The best approach is pragmatic: identify the weak items ASAP and replace them. Once that's been done, you should have a mechanically stable machine.
The Bolt From Honda is still available.
Its $7 on Bike Bandit. Its On Order....
I found a NOS hub for $100 lined up but I never heard back from the guy. So I Put a Simple ad on craigslist and received a ton of replies and I Found a Perfect hub for $30.
So For less than $40, the two major Safety concerns are taken care of.
Also Today After work, on nice stretch of lonely flood plain road, My bike hit 65mph with me in partial tuck.
This wont happen again without these parts on my machine.
My 2008 Lifan has a all aluminum hub with a thin Ring Land area for the Sprocket snap ring. My 20 years Machining and Manufacturing background Calls this Suspect no matter what.
And with having almost Double the power the bike originally had its only time before the land area separates from the hub and causes issues with the sprocket and chain.
I have not found any More causes for concern on my bike other than these items. Welds look Great, Cables and paint are very nice and Both lifan Engines were sweet running reliable machines.
Keep in mind this is a 08 LIFAN so there may be other issues associated with Other makers clones that aren't found on mine or Vise Versa.
Believe me, If there is any issues. I will find them and post them. I Plan on riding this bike a lot!
Its $7 on Bike Bandit. Its On Order....
I found a NOS hub for $100 lined up but I never heard back from the guy. So I Put a Simple ad on craigslist and received a ton of replies and I Found a Perfect hub for $30.
So For less than $40, the two major Safety concerns are taken care of.
Also Today After work, on nice stretch of lonely flood plain road, My bike hit 65mph with me in partial tuck.
This wont happen again without these parts on my machine.
My 2008 Lifan has a all aluminum hub with a thin Ring Land area for the Sprocket snap ring. My 20 years Machining and Manufacturing background Calls this Suspect no matter what.
And with having almost Double the power the bike originally had its only time before the land area separates from the hub and causes issues with the sprocket and chain.
I have not found any More causes for concern on my bike other than these items. Welds look Great, Cables and paint are very nice and Both lifan Engines were sweet running reliable machines.
Keep in mind this is a 08 LIFAN so there may be other issues associated with Other makers clones that aren't found on mine or Vise Versa.
Believe me, If there is any issues. I will find them and post them. I Plan on riding this bike a lot!
That's the point...exactly. Take a good, close, objective look, make any necessary corrections and you're down the road with little-to-no-drama, not much more cash, either. Pointing out and dealing with issues like these is the best thing for the whole small bike scene; it leads to improvements. Who knows, some enterprising vendor dealing in these bikes might just decide to use OEM rear hubs & swingarm pivot bolts because it's a cost-efficient solution.
makotosun
Member
It is also good advice for purchasers of these bikes, and it is usually in the instructions from the vendor, to go over the ENTIRE bike and tighten all nuts and bolts. Install good lock washers or locknuts if any are missing. That simple step can eliminate a whole slew of potential issues.
In the OEM world, that step is usually performed by the dealer when the bike is assembled in their shop before delivery. Many of the clones are shipped directly in their crate, with the end user providing final assembly.
The hub issue is something I have heard a lot about, though never seen in person. (I don't have a CT clone but have seen several in person). I have planned for some time to get a couple for keeping at our cabin, but will be doing numerous safety checks and upgrades when I do that. Any safety tips anyone comes up with on these bikes should be posted so the vendors can hear of the issues as well as end users.
In the OEM world, that step is usually performed by the dealer when the bike is assembled in their shop before delivery. Many of the clones are shipped directly in their crate, with the end user providing final assembly.
The hub issue is something I have heard a lot about, though never seen in person. (I don't have a CT clone but have seen several in person). I have planned for some time to get a couple for keeping at our cabin, but will be doing numerous safety checks and upgrades when I do that. Any safety tips anyone comes up with on these bikes should be posted so the vendors can hear of the issues as well as end users.
PigIron
Member
Those SkyTeam rims are garbage. I put a set on and they rusted after the first ride. Another member had rust on his before his bike even left the shop.
Chroming would prob be $200 for 4 halves and they'll still look shoddy.
Take a look at the CHP chrome rims for $99. They aren't stamped with that giant SkyTeam logo and were properly finished before chrome was applied.
Chroming would prob be $200 for 4 halves and they'll still look shoddy.
Take a look at the CHP chrome rims for $99. They aren't stamped with that giant SkyTeam logo and were properly finished before chrome was applied.
bradthreee
New Member
Thanks to all the contributors of this thread, it's been very useful to me! I am currently thinking of upgrading my wheels and seems that it would be ideal to get Honda hubs to replace the ones on my 2006 Lifan.
-Brad
-Brad
Grant's trail
Member
Hey Old CT I've got a set of Skyteam rims, and had a rust problem with them too. I just had Kevin Ayers powder coat them in a chrome pc, and they turned out great. They also have an odd offset to them maybe to fit a RPC Bike or something One half is wider then the other. I run both wide halfs on the rear and the two narrow half's on the front.
I sent copy's of this post to Skyteam to let them know about the quality of the rims.. We are currently sourcing another manufacturer.. We will not have stock until after the first of the year but be assured they will be the best quality we can get.. I will review any replacements on an individual basis but be assured we stand behind the products we sell and will make it right if you purchased them from me...