JerryHawk250's Lifan KPX250

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by cartel250cc

Hey guys,

I recently purchased the Lifan KPX 250. While riding my clutch stopped engaging. I went ahead and took the cover off and noticed the top push rod was missing? I purchased a new one from CSC Motors for the TT250, It appeared to be the right part. However once putting the rod in my clutch cover will not close and the clutch cable is so tight im unable to adjust it at all. Im not sure if im doing the wrong repairs or not. I have a video showing the part and clutch plate issue.

Venom Motorsports hasnt been able to help me mutch. I would really love to get back up and riding again. Any advise?

That should be under warranty. Have to tried contacting American Lifan? I would reach out the Venom again. It's not like them to not take care of an issue right away.

[cartel250cc]

Hey Jerry,

I am on the phone with them now. I followed the service guide you had listed and requested if they could find me a new top rod. but they have no really been helpful. Said they would get back to me but its been weeks now. Had the bike for less than 2 weeks and i cant ride it due to a top rod missing now.

its been really tough here in Georgia to even find a mechanic willing to look at the bike so im having to figure everything out by myself.

I love the bike, but repairs and guidance for it has been so tough. definitely disappointing.

Is it possible I could pay you for virtual advisement so i can outline the issue?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by cartel250cc

Hey Jerry,

I am on the phone with them now. I followed the service guide you had listed and requested if they could find me a new top rod. but they have no really been helpful. Said they would get back to me but its been weeks now. Had the bike for less than 2 weeks and i cant ride it due to a top rod missing now.

its been really tough here in Georgia to even find a mechanic willing to look at the bike so im having to figure everything out by myself.

I love the bike, but repairs and guidance for it has been so tough. definitely disappointing.

Is it possible I could pay you for virtual advisement so i can outline the issue?

Which rod are you talking about? The rod in the center of the clutch? It has to be the correct rod to work like it supposed to.

My concern is where did the rod go to?

I'm sure Venom is probably trying to locate parts from American Lifan. Here's a link to the service manual that might help. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C-W...usp=drive_link

[cartel250cc]

@jerryhawk yeah the top rod is what i need. i actually sent venom a photo of the service manual and they still can not find that piece. I went and purchased one from TT250 but it was too large.

I literally had the 250cc for 10 days. was riding one day and when i tried to throttle the gas the bike would not move. did some digging and took the clutch cover off. oiled up the plates so they werent sticking. thats when i noticed the top rod was not there? I am not sure if I lost upon reassembly or not. either or Venom hasnt been much help and no mechanics here in Georgia are willing to service chinese bikes due to getting the parts troubles?

needless to say my bike has been sitting now for almost a month. very frustrating to say the least

[PeanutRG]

Originally Posted by cartel250cc

@jerryhawk yeah the top rod is what i need. i actually sent venom a photo of the service manual and they still can not find that piece. I went and purchased one from TT250 but it was too large.

I literally had the 250cc for 10 days. was riding one day and when i tried to throttle the gas the bike would not move. did some digging and took the clutch cover off. oiled up the plates so they werent sticking. thats when i noticed the top rod was not there? I am not sure if I lost upon reassembly or not. either or Venom hasnt been much help and no mechanics here in Georgia are willing to service chinese bikes due to getting the parts troubles?

needless to say my bike has been sitting now for almost a month. very frustrating to say the least

I'd be concerned about where the other rod went. If it was engaging before... something was there. You don't want to put it back together then have something worse happen...

[bigapple]

Originally Posted by cartel250cc

I literally had the 250cc for 10 days.

needless to say my bike has been sitting now for almost a month. very frustrating to say the least

Did VENOM or Lifan help you fix the issue with your motorcycle?
I'm seriously considering getting one, but hearing about your bike sitting for a month makes me think about opting for a used Japanese brand instead

[SlowMotion]

After 2,800 miles, I replaced the stock chain with the RK Racing o-ring chain listed on kpx250.com. I lost 4 mph of top speed and my mpg has also decreased from all the drag of the o-ring chain. I had no idea it was that big of a drag.

[TominMO]

Are you sure the chain isn't too tight?

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by SlowMotion

After 2,800 miles, I replaced the stock chain with the RK Racing o-ring chain listed on kpx250.com. I lost 4 mph of top speed and my mpg has also decreased from all the drag of the o-ring chain. I had no idea it was that big of a drag.

Wow! Never heard of that! As mentioned, the tension and alignment of the wheels is right on???

[SlowMotion]

Regarding the two questions about the drag from the o-ring chain:

i thought it was this forum in which I read that there would be some drag with an o-ring chain compared to a non-o-ring chain, but maybe I am mistaken about which forum I read it on. In any case, I gather that it is well known that o-ring chains have more drag from the friction of the o-rings. I read that small displacement motocross racers will often use standard chains to avoid the slight performance decrease of o-ring chains. You can feel the stiffness in the o-ring chain right out of the package as you install it. It holds its shape, whereas the standard chain is as bendy as a wet noodle.

I can confirm that chain slack is spot on and wheels are as aligned as I can get them. The main reason that I got the o-ring chain was that the original chain seemed to wear/stretch faster than I would like so I was having to adjust the slack often. Rumor has it that the o-ring chain will wear slower and require less frequent slack adjustment. We will see!

Funny side effect: I have seen this on another motorcycle once. The KPX250 exhaust points right at the red side reflector on the license plate holder. The reflector plastic melted slightly over the course of 2,800 miles. When I put the o-ring chain on, it completely melted the reflector in less than 100 miles. I theorize this is because at highway speed with the o-ring chain, I am running WOT but getting lower RPMs. This combination somehow results in extra heat on the reflector. Maybe less cooling from a few mph lost with the o-ring chain.

[Thumper]

Yup. X-ring too. They just soak up power. The 172FMM engine in the KPR makes about 20 hp. My KTM motocross bike came with a standard chain, and it makes 50hp. No compromise.

I buy standard chains now (usually Takasago RK). They are much less expensive, but good chains. I want every bit of power these little engines can deliver! The cost savings with a standard chain may even outweight the more frequent replacement in the long run. If you are more than 50% highway, a standard chain should do. Riding in mud can do real damage. Keep it clean and lubed.