Which engine

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

40 stock CT70's is a VERY impressive collection! I didn't know.

So to your list I'm thinkin you need to add a air filter. And I don't know if the stock throttle cable will work with the carb in the picture.


You must have to relocate the rear muffler mount to use the stock exhaust since the cylinder/engine is longer.

I don't think the trailbuddy wire harness is quite plug and play with ALL of the original controls...speedo lights...brake light switches, ignition switch, etc. So a little bit of cutting and crimping and a few new wire ends..?

$10 in bulbs might do it for a K0. But you'd have to buy a different headlight to replace any of the sealed beam HLs. K1up would need a $40 aftermarket HL unit.

If the stock bike has a lever perch on the right side bar... that would interfere with the new, aftermarket, throttle. So...you either let the new throttle stick out a extra inch or so, widening one side of the bars, and keep the right side lever perch. Or, you cut the perch off and buy a throttle that includes a lever.

I didn't think the stock footbar would work at all, really. But I believe you that it does. Spacing it down might put the brake pedal at a...less than good position...but still ok. And I think the right side peg, or both, will no longer fold up. And the right peg won't stick out very far, putting your ankle bone against the engine, or you foot half off of the peg.


Rebuilding a stock engine is plug and play...it bolts right up, and plugs right in. Done.

I'd like to be able to recommend a $500 option for folks...but if I were to recommend that to someone, I'd feel obligated to follow it all thru with them...outlining all of these things, AND guiding them thru the work, and parts searches. Then they may be back when they're ready to make the bike more comfortable, and get to those last 5 or 10 mph.

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

40 stock CT70's is a VERY impressive collection! I didn't know.

So to your list I'm thinkin you need to add a air filter. And I don't know if the stock throttle cable will work with the carb in the picture.


You must have to relocate the rear muffler mount to use the stock exhaust since the cylinder/engine is longer.

I don't think the trailbuddy wire harness is quite plug and play with ALL of the original controls...speedo lights...brake light switches, ignition switch, etc. So a little bit of cutting and crimping and a few new wire ends..?

$10 in bulbs might do it for a K0. But you'd have to buy a different headlight to replace any of the sealed beam HLs. K1up would need a $40 aftermarket HL unit.

If the stock bike has a lever perch on the right side bar... that would interfere with the new, aftermarket, throttle. So...you either let the new throttle stick out a extra inch or so, widening one side of the bars, and keep the right side lever perch. Or, you cut the perch off and buy a throttle that includes a lever.

I didn't think the stock footbar would work at all, really. But I believe you that it does. Spacing it down might put the brake pedal at a...less than good position...but still ok. And I think the right side peg, or both, will no longer fold up. And the right peg won't stick out very far, putting your ankle bone against the engine, or you foot half off of the peg.


Rebuilding a stock engine is plug and play...it bolts right up, and plugs right in. Done.

I'd like to be able to recommend a $500 option for folks...but if I were to recommend that to someone, I'd feel obligated to follow it all thru with them...outlining all of these things, AND guiding them thru the work, and parts searches. Then they may be back when they're ready to make the bike more comfortable, and get to those last 5 or 10 mph.

I’ve been collecting CT70’s since 1992. At my height, I had nearly 200 of them. I sold 51 of them in 2018 and used the funds to purchase an old gas station in my town. I use the building as my bike shop. I’ve sold a few other here and there, but still have somewhere around 100 of them.

Yes, I do add a cheap pod filter. I never use the stock throttle or cable.

Almost every stock exhaust I seem to have is rotted at the fiber mount. I cut, lengthen and repair the exhaust at that spot. Works great.

A couple years ago, Trail Buddy reached out to me for help in designing a truly plug n play harness for K0 bikes with a Lifan. They got tired of watching my videos and seeing me tear apart their universal harness. Their part number TB515 is plug n play and will work with all original controls.

Most of the bikes I build are K0’s, so just the bulb is needed. You are correct, if you are building a newer bike, you’ll need signal bulbs, etc.

Nope, perch works just fine with the aftermarket throttle…..done it 40+ times.

Again, nope. Pegs work great and operate as they should. These engines aren’t really that much wider than an H engine. Same for brake pedal, works great. I have had a few pedals that were bent from previous accidents and I had to pull them out a tad, they were pushed under the cylinder.

The Lifan bolt directly in and if using the TB harness, is just as plug n play as stock.

This is a hobby for me and not a job, I don’t feel obligated to do anything. I throw ideas out there. If they’re truly interested, they’ll contact me for more info…..which they do.

I do apologize. I mentioned earlier that you had seen my videos, but I’m obviously mistaken. Everything we have discussed here has been covered in a video at some point.

Mike

 

[Old Guy Too Many Bikes]

Obviously you need to know how to weld well. I've done it both ways, adding a piece and cutting the original welds on the "U" mounts and welding in a new custom bent bar. One additional advantage in going with a Chinese Motor is that you get to covert to 12 volts and go all LED bulbs with all new and modern electronics.

 

[kirrbby]

I’ve been collecting CT70’s since 1992. At my height, I had nearly 200 of them. I sold 51 of them in 2018 and used the funds to purchase an old gas station in my town. I use the building as my bike shop. I’ve sold a few other here and there, but still have somewhere around 100 of them.

Yes, I do add a cheap pod filter. I never use the stock throttle or cable.

Almost every stock exhaust I seem to have is rotted at the fiber mount. I cut, lengthen and repair the exhaust at that spot. Works great.

A couple years ago, Trail Buddy reached out to me for help in designing a truly plug n play harness for K0 bikes with a Lifan. They got tired of watching my videos and seeing me tear apart their universal harness. Their part number TB515 is plug n play and will work with all original controls.

Most of the bikes I build are K0’s, so just the bulb is needed. You are correct, if you are building a newer bike, you’ll need signal bulbs, etc.

Nope, perch works just fine with the aftermarket throttle…..done it 40+ times.

Again, nope. Pegs work great and operate as they should. These engines aren’t really that much wider than an H engine. Same for brake pedal, works great. I have had a few pedals that were bent from previous accidents and I had to pull them out a tad, they were pushed under the cylinder.

The Lifan bolt directly in and if using the TB harness, is just as plug n play as stock.

This is a hobby for me and not a job, I don’t feel obligated to do anything. I throw ideas out there. If they’re truly interested, they’ll contact me for more info…..which they do.

I do apologize. I mentioned earlier that you had seen my videos, but I’m obviously mistaken. Everything we have discussed here has been covered in a video at some point.

Mike

That's all excellent info.
I always think of you when folks ask about installing lifans. But I figure you're probably already stretched trying to keep up with your YouTube questions. But I could certainly link them to your channel.
I've seen your videos hit and miss...old and new channels. But I can see I'm way behind. I'm going to try to go thru them though.
I'll also go back thru what I've learned in this thread. I'd like to just have a...kinda list of what's necessary for a Lifan swap...at least the one that we've discussed. Pretty much what you have in post #33.

If that Trailbuddy harness is plug and play for a Lifan...it must be really close for a 6 to 12v swap with most ANY engine. I think it would be a bargain at that price, considering how long it takes ME to build one...if I try to do it nice. I'll be buying one of those...or one of each maybe...I think they have a turn signal version, and a non...

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

That's all excellent info.
I always think of you when folks ask about installing lifans. But I figure you're probably already stretched trying to keep up with your YouTube questions. But I could certainly link them to your channel.
I've seen your videos hit and miss...old and new channels. But I can see I'm way behind. I'm going to try to go thru them though.
I'll also go back thru what I've learned in this thread. I'd like to just have a...kinda list of what's necessary for a Lifan swap...at least the one that we've discussed. Pretty much what you have in post #33.

If that Trailbuddy harness is plug and play for a Lifan...it must be really close for a 6 to 12v swap with most ANY engine. I think it would be a bargain at that price, considering how long it takes ME to build one...if I try to do it nice. I'll be buying one of those...or one of each maybe...I think they have a turn signal version, and a non...

You’ve inspired me. I’ll start gathering parts today and will put together a video that walks thru every detail and every part used to make the swap from stock to aftermarket engine. I’ll make sure to include links to every part I use. I’ve got a K1 that I’ve been meaning to swap, this is an excellent opportunity to get that done and show the steps to do it.

Mike

 

[kirrbby]

I think I counted about 28 videos on your new channel. Soo...I think you must have been pretty inspired already

But I look forward to that video. You do a excellent job with them BTW.

I was looking around the Trail Buddy website. That harness is currently out of stock. Looks like they're having trouble getting a lot of things right now.
I also seen that they are no longer going to have CT70 clone bikes, least not from their regular...icebear I think it was, supplier. Hope they're able to find a new source, for new bikes.

 

[Paul7060]

With a rebuild wouldn’t general traffic speed be lacking. And Won’t it still be
on the slow side for realistic road riding .

 

[Paul7060]

Bought a T-Bolt Piranha 140 . I am going build my own exhaust pipe and reverse cone muffler In stainless and head pipe . I built this exhaust for a GSXR Street Fighter style bike. Sorry about fuzzy picture

 

[Old Guy Too Many Bikes]

Bought a T-Bolt Piranha 140 . I am going build my own exhaust pipe and reverse cone muffler In stainless and head pipe . I built this exhaust for a GSXR Street Fighter style bike. Sorry about fuzzy picture

Good choice. I just turned over 900 miles on my 140 powered CL90 and have over 800 miles on my 140 powered CT70. Both still running great. Make sure you check the valve clearances on the engine out of the box. Both of mine were way off.