First China Bike, Storm 250

[phager76]

Well, on 2/11, after months of lurking here, I decided to order my first Chinese bike. I gave a lot of thought between the Storm, TT250 and Hawk. While the dealer support of the TT250 made it my first choice, I just couldn't justify the price difference, especially when we needed to get a new car this year.

So I looked at both the Hawk and Storm through APSC USA, and after emailing them, the told me that people were having less issues in PA registering the Storm. So on the 11th I went ahead and ordered it. I was very impressed with the responsiveness of APSC, I had a couple of questions after submitting the order, and my salesman, Don. Was quick in responding.

They recently changed the way they handle home delivery, now the contract with a local towing company, so when the bike arrives at the terminal, the tow company loads it on a flatbed and takes it to your house. This ended up very convenient for me, since I live off a dead end street down a quarter mile gravel driveway.

So the towing company called this afternoon to arrange delivery, I asked if there was any chance it could be delivered today since I have today and tomorrow off. They said they'd try but probably would be tomorrow. Lo and behold, at 7 o'clock this evening I think I hear a diesel truck in the driveway. I look out and there's a flatbed with my new toy.

They get it unloaded and it's in great shape, the cardboard box and shrink wrap is not even damaged. I was like a kid on Christmas Eve, as soon as the truck left I went out with a flashlight, and tore open the box just to get a look at it. I'll make sure to get pics tomorrow as I get it assembled, since we all know that it didn't happen without pictures!

[BlackBike]

set mine up last week. you will be amazed at how quiet and smooth that lifan 229cc is. good luck

[2LZ]

Congrats! Lots of pics please!

[Weldangrind]

Welcome!


X2 on pics!

[SpudRider]

Welcome; we are glad you joined us. :hi:

X3 on the photographs; we love photos. ;)

[Tranberg]

:thanks:Pics or it didn't happen

[culcune]

Congrats on the bike. You made a good choice for PA as we have read from a few PA members who NEVER got their Hawk registered there.

[dossbag]

Congrats man.. I too live down a long gravel drive (mud right now lol) and I had my trailer attached so I could go meet the driver (Huge Semi) but he actually backed down and delivered it. I was amazed. Anyway, cant wait to see some pictures. What color is it??

[BARLOW]

i got sick of seeing that mine was getting shipped past my house, so i went for an hour drive (one way) to pick it up ... after getting it built, i like it a lot, hope you do too ... so far i have only found a few things i do not like about it ... no grease zerk in the swingarm ... looks like the motor will need to be taken off for valve adjustment, key is hard to get out with the fob on it (bars get in the way) ... those are the worst things i have found, so overall it is a super deal so far, imo

[phager76]

Well, I got it out of the crate, and found some damage to the left front panel. I've emailed APSC and we'll see how they handle it. I'm about half way done with the assembly, got the bars, instruments and headlight on after much trial and error. After my son goes to preschool I'm enlisting my wife to help with the rear shock and front wheel.

Any ways, on to the photos. First a few of the crate.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_091634_zpsjnsss98w.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_091640_zps9icnrfhj.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_091646_zpsvjs93aw3.jpg

As you can see in the background this isn't my first bike :D

And now one of the damage :(

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_091801_zpsjksbfb96.jpg

And I just realized that it's listed as a "Blaze" on the APSC, but it sure looks like a Storm to me.

I'll get some more pics up a little later.

Pat

[Azhule]

The "Blaze" or "DB-07" I think it's called on other websites, should have a Front Disk with Rear Drum Braking system, and a slightly different exhaust and cluster layout from the pics and descriptions I have read.

The "Storm" or "DB-08" will have Front and Rear Disk Braking system ;)

Those are the main differences I have seen/read, but might have plenty more (plastics not included lol)

Great looking bike other than the broken plastic part and scuffed engine casing from the factory/shipping, can't wait to see how many (s)miles it gives you.

Oh check what spark plug is on it. You might need to get a better/more reliable one in there.

Let me know and I can find a good NGK or Denso Iridium replacement for you (just post up the Name and Part Numbers on the plug). If it has a TORCH, you will want to swap it out soon before it gives you "random issues" mainly hard to start and dies wile running (only off my experience with any and all TORCH spark plugs)

[phager76]

Yeah, it is front disc, rear drum. The styling is pretty similar to the Storm, which is why I thought it was another version. I'll be picking up a new plug for it at work tomorrow.I already have 2 quarts of Rotella 15w40 non synthetic, I'll be changing the oil out before I fire her up and then change it out again after 50 miles or so.

APSC already wrote back and they are sending out a replacement for me. So far I'm pretty impressed with the before during and after sale treatment I received!

[Sport Rider]

if you plan to title and license it, go ahead and ask them for the MCO.....assuming you haven't already...

[phager76]

Already did, Sport Rider:tup:.

I've got it about 95% assembled now, but not without some hiccups. The front wheel was a complete witch, and unfortunately, my wife lost her grip while putting it on and down it went. So now I have a matching broken piece of plastic on the other side of the tank. The bright side to this, the tank cover is one piece, so both sides will be good as new when the replacement comes in.

When that bike hit the ground, my wife looked like she was going to cry. She calmed down some when I told her that both sides will be replaced. At least no one got hurt!

So at this point all I have left to do is put on the side panels, hand guards and mirrors. First the battery has to finish charging. Then I need to change the oil and flush the brake lines. I probably will have a few other minor tweaks and adjustments to do before she hits the streets.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_133133_zpsuuvguzv3.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_133141_zpscjyzujbp.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_133151_zpswzxd5qdf.jpghttp://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Pat_Hager/IMG_20160223_133158_zpsgcoznuqd.jpg

As I said this isn't my first bike, and as you can see I've got three now. It's kind of a funny story. I haven't ridden in around 20 years, and last fall I got a wild hair up my behind, and decided I wanted to get back on a bike. So I put my old rusted out Cherokee up on Craigslist to trade for a bike. I had a fellow call me about a straight across trade for a 2000 Shadow Ace 750.

The bike was in perfect shape, so I said yes. I got the bike half way down my driveway and dropped it. I did this a couple of more times and realized that at my skill level a 500# bike is way to much weight for me. I parked the Shadow, put stabil in the tank and let it sit, while I look for something easier (and uglier) for me to learn on.

So a month later I get the black Suzuki you see next to "Ruby" (My daughter named the new bike), I picked it up for $200 with no title, fixed the exhaust did some other work, and figured out that I don't have the knees for kick starting a 400cc bike! I worked as a mechanic for many years, and it's rendered my knees damn near useless.

So after feeling dejected over two bikes and about $800 going to waste, I realized I could have had a Chinese Dual Sport, brand new for not much more then I already paid. So that's when my search began, finally leading me here.

I'm planning on building my skills on Ruby, and then using it as a bike I can bring with me when we go camping, after I put a front hitch on my Excursion. Also my wife is on again off again about getting back on a bike, so she can play with this too. I'm still waiting for PA to open up the MSF course so I can get my full license, but I've got my permit now.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting all the great photos. :)

You have the China Riders spirit, and we are glad you joined us. ;) You are very wise to take the MSF Rider Safety Course; it is some of the best money you will ever spend. :tup:

[phager76]

Thanks Spud! Well, just slapped the mirrors on and one side panel. Tried putting the hand guards on, but they seemed to interfere with the levers, so I'm not going to worry about that. The truth is this bike's going to see far more street duty then anything else. Hopefully the battery will be charged up before it gets dark and I can give it a test fire.

I also changed the oil. WTF do they put in these things??? It....Was....BLUE! Seriously, I've been in the auto industry since I was sixteen, I've seen tons of motor oil, gear oil, trans fluid and I've never seen a lubricant this color in my life!:crazy:

So I decided to play it safe and run half a quart of Rotella through with the drain plug off to play it safe. Topped it off after it finished draining, so we should be good to go.

[Azhule]

And most insurance companies give you a nice 5 to 10% off a year after you complete the course :)

Glad no one got hurt when it fell, you or the Mrs. could have a bad evening with 270lbs falling on you. I have to remind the Mrs. every now and then that plastic and metal parts can always be replaced, fingers and toes are a little harder the way the human body is designed :) ... one reason one of my car projects is still sitting almost a 1.5 years later... the flywheel/clutch assembly tried to take one of my fingers as a "thank you for fixing me" lol... and it just sits in the garage to this day, I like my fingers and toes after all lol

[Azhule]

The Blue is probably assembly grease/lube of some kind, usually high in moly? But I really have no clue what it really is without seeing it myself and sending it off for testing... could send a sample to Polaris or Blackstone to test the oil :) ... might not find out much about it and will also be out $25 for the test kit/shipping fees too lol

[phager76]

Yeah, I don't think I'm going to blow $25 to find out what it is, probably best to just take it in for recycling with the other 12 quarts in my drain pan.

Well, the battery charged up, and after a few fits where it wouldn't even kick the starter over, it started up with half choke and a bit of throttle. The idle seems to be set way to low, as it would stall out with no throttle, but that's a simple adjustment.

Whoever designed the battery box must have been high as a kite. The cables can't be installed with the box open, but with it closed the negative terminal is half covered by the box. Nothing that a little clearancing with a razor knife couldn't fix, but I definitely need to get another set of permanent mount leads for my battery tender, because I sure don't want to pull the battery again until replacement time!

[phager76]

Well, I got the idle set (may need to tweak it a bit more) and had it idling long enough to burn off the excess coating on the exhaust and engine. Unfortunately I pretty much ran out of daylight without getting any seat time in. And to add insult to injury, it's supposed to rain and snow the rest of the week! Oh well there'll be plenty of time to ride in the coming weeks.

[BARLOW]

i had some troubles with my hand guards too, i just had to slide the levers in a little to get them clear of the guards

[BlackBike]

THANKS AZHULE for the db 07 / db 08 difference. i have the 07 and was wondering.

PHAGER , RUBY LOOKS SUPER !! The sales photo did not do the red justice. I like it better than my black.

I couldn't figure out the hand guards either! Seems like parts are missing. does anyone have close up pictures of their installed hand guards.

[2LZ]

Very nice! Seems the Blaze has the balanced motor like the Storm but the 21/18 and more dirt tires as the Hawk! Nice setup! Love the color!

[phager76]

Well, weekend before last, I took half of my BRC. It was an interesting experience. After doing some basic exercises like power walking the bikes and riding them back and forth, we moved on to riding in second gear in a big oval. I was in the groove and things were really starting to click for me, but the person two bikes ahead of me was feeling far more tentative, the three of us were bunched together a bit. As she was entering the corner she panicked and grabbed the front break. She goes down with the bike, and the bike spins 180 and lands on her leg. She ends up in reasonable shape other then some road rash and broken glasses but has to go to the hospital.

After the accident I was off my game even though I nailed all the exercises with the exception of the offset cone weave and the quick stop. By the end of the day between how sore I was (need moree time in the saddle), and the fact that we were on a camping trip, and I wanted to spend some time with the family, I decided to skip the second day and retake the course later in the year. I did pick up a ton or useful information and skills from the 5 hours of seat time, far more then all the riding in my teen years. I also regained the confidence I was missing.

On to Ruby. I happy to report that I've finally gotten some miles on her. Since the BRC, I've put about 10 miles on her, most of those have been in my driveway and yard, but a little bit on the street as well. I'm really impressed with how tractable this little bike is. Even at low speeds it's a blast to ride. There are a few niggles but nothing serious, the idle speed as set from the factory is way off, took a lot of screwing it in to get a stable idle speed. The battery it comes with is kind of garbage if it sits for a week off the tender it's pretty hard to start. These are pretty small bits to pick given the low cost of entry.

I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks to build my confidence enough to go out on the neighborhood streets and maybe get her into third gear:lmao: . I still need to get her titled and plated, but there is no police presence around my remote neighborhood, so I have a bit of time to save up funds for that.

[phager76]

Well, I took her out around the neighborhood, and she did pretty good. I'm having one issue, and that is that she's bogging out when I go over half throttle under load. Any Ideas? I'm hesitant to swap the carb, even though it's a popular mod. I prefer to get to know the bike as she sits from the factory before I go hog wild on the upgrades and farkles.

I did get her up to 3rd, and around 35 and she's pretty stable and comfy. I just need to isolate this bogging issue.

[Sport Rider]

Well, I took her out around the neighborhood, and she did pretty good. I'm having one issue, and that is that she's bogging out when I go over half throttle under load. Any Ideas? I'm hesitant to swap the carb, even though it's a popular mod. I prefer to get to know the bike as she sits from the factory before I go hog wild on the upgrades and farkles.

I did get her up to 3rd, and around 35 and she's pretty stable and comfy. I just need to isolate this bogging issue.

check the float level. clear tube connected to the carb drain with the screw open. loop the tube up beside and above the carb and see where the level is. should be close to the top of the float. second thought is the main jet not big enough, which was my problem. I'd get to a point on the throttle that if I twisted more, it would bog down. the 115/30 jetting solved that.

[phager76]

OK, it looks like the issue was the nut connecting the handlebars to the seat :crazy:. After posting my last update, I went out to look over the bike, and noticed it was at half choke.

So this today, I went out to retry the same ride (I'm a little under the weather, so I didn't really want to go on a new route with my head not in it 100%, plus it's easier to verify repairs under identical circumstances). I made sure the bike was fully warmed up and choke was full off, kept shift points approximately the same and tried both rolling on to 3/4 throttle, and snapping to 3/4. Shocker there was no bog. Lesson learned always verify choke position!

I really think it's kind of stupid having the choke lever buried under plastic right next to the carb. My Shadow has a cable mounted to the cylinder so it's clear the position, and I've seen a number of bikes with it mounted to the handlebars. I might have to see if I can run a cable to the lever and remote mount it so it's more clear what the position is. Another minor nitpick, but I'm still loving this bike. My wife is even getting in to it, she's ridden it around the driveway a few times now and is talking about us getting a bike for her next year!

[SeerAtlas]

love that red:) SHARP!!!!

[BlackBike]

OK, it looks like the issue was the nut connecting the handlebars to the seat :crazy:. After posting my last update, I went out to look over the bike, and noticed it was at half choke.

So this today, I went out to retry the same ride (I'm a little under the weather, so I didn't really want to go on a new route with my head not in it 100%, plus it's easier to verify repairs under identical circumstances). I made sure the bike was fully warmed up and choke was full off, kept shift points approximately the same and tried both rolling on to 3/4 throttle, and snapping to 3/4. Shocker there was no bog. Lesson learned always verify choke position!

I really think it's kind of stupid having the choke lever buried under plastic right next to the carb. My Shadow has a cable mounted to the cylinder so it's clear the position, and I've seen a number of bikes with it mounted to the handlebars. I might have to see if I can run a cable to the lever and remote mount it so it's more clear what the position is. Another minor nitpick, but I'm still loving this bike. My wife is even getting in to it, she's ridden it around the driveway a few times now and is talking about us getting a bike for her next year!

Wise decision on your part if less than 100%

I believe you will get used to the choke routine. Would be nice with a remote choke however, there are better things to spend your money on.

We have the same bike

[BARLOW]

i put 40/115 jets in my storm 250, have not touched the choke one time after that ... pilot is 1 1/2 turns out

[ripcuda]

Nice bike! Your DB-07 looks very much like my Kinroad/GY... only newer with a few more cc's.

Cheers!

[phager76]

So, new problem with the Blaze. Went out to take it for a ride, turned the key and nothing, no lights no clicking nada. After a half hour of searching, I finally found my multimeter, and check open circuit voltage at the battery and I'm sitting at 8.2 volts.

I take it down to Advance, and test it out, and it's got a shorted cell. So $71 dollars later I have a new sealed AGM battery, get everything put back together and hooked up, and now the dash indicators stay on constantly. Basically it's like the ignition switch is bypassed, the bike will crank in any switch position. Clearly there's something wonky in the wiring between the ignition switch and the battery. I'm not sure if this is what ended up shorting the cell in the battery, or if it's new since install of the battery. I'm fairly certain it's new since I leave the lights in the on position, and the lights weren't on when I parked it last time.

Any one know of a wiring diagram for these bikes, to narrow down where to trouble shoot, or is it a matter of tearing it down and tracing every last bit of wiring to find the issue. for now I'm leaving the negative cable disconnected so I don't kill the new battery but that isn't really a good long term solution in my book.

Thanks!

[Sport Rider]

i put 40/115 jets in my storm 250, have not touched the choke one time after that ... pilot is 1 1/2 turns out

have you checked the plugs? I'd think you gotta be running rich with a 40 in it. i'm only at 700 feet and thinking the 30 is too much. I'm going to give a 25 a try one of these days.

[phager76]

Well, I have no idea what it was. I pulled the seat and side plastics of and fiddled with all the connections in that area. Hooked the battery back up, and the ignition switch is functioning normally again.

Went on a couple mile ride to verify all was functioning. I wanted to do more, but we got some mean clouds rolling in. So parked it and hooked it up to the tender until next time.

[BARLOW]

have you checked the plugs? I'd think you gotta be running rich with a 40 in it. i'm only at 700 feet and thinking the 30 is too much. I'm going to give a 25 a try one of these days.
it i just a tiny bit rich, but not so bad that you smell it standing behind it running ... i think it is going to be right where it needs when i get my pipe and filter ... and is the pilot screw not a fuel adjustment if it is fuel and not an air adjustment, cant you just turn the pilot screw in until it is not so rich ... i love the way mine runs though and it starts really easy

[BlackBike]

Well, I have no idea what it was. I pulled the seat and side plastics of and fiddled with all the connections in that area. Hooked the battery back up, and the ignition switch is functioning normally again.

Went on a couple mile ride to verify all was functioning. I wanted to do more, but we got some mean clouds rolling in. So parked it and hooked it up to the tender until next time.

I think you should pull the light Cowel and inspect the wires. I'm thinking you have pinched a wire where sometime it shorts and other times it won't according to the handlebar position.