Lifan X-Pect Valve Clearance

[oincman]

After emailing American Lifan about my new Xpect not having the green rim tape (I know it's trivial, but for $2K it should have been as pictured). They responded with a kinda brush me off attitude. But at least they responded.

So I suggested if they want to compete with Japanese manufacturers, then they need to up their game a bit and send the bikes as pictured and as maintenance free as possible.

I changed the oil at 5 miles and checked the valves cause it didn't sound right.

The intake valve was closed and the exhaust was at .001 or less.

I informed Lifan of this and that I set them to Intake .003 and Exhaust .005 (per manual), also suggested they set these properly during build since a lot of local dealers of Honda etc, won't work on these Chinese bikes and prevents problems for those who are not mechanically inclined.

They responded that the engineers have now changed that spec to be .006 on both Intake and Exhaust. And will suggest this to the factory.

It seems to run fine. Still makes a kinda weird light buzzing sound when riding and changing gears. It may be the fuel pump or some other electronic device since I can't get it to do it when idling and revving. Or it might just need to break in more. And if feels peppier after changing the valves (which I now need to set again).

[2LZ]

I've never had a CG motor that didn't have tight valves, out of the box. This includes Hensims, Zongs, Loncin and a Lifan motor. Unfortunately, it's just expected.
Only Q came with properly set valves (Qingqi motor).

[oincman]

Well one can try. I suggested they set them proper from the factory. Doubt they'll listen, but I put in my .2c worth.

[NzBrakelathes]

6 thou?????????????????????????????

[oincman]

That is what they told me. I haven't changed it yet, still got it a .003 and .005. Gonna see how it runs.

[NzBrakelathes]

That is what they told me. I haven't changed it yet, still got it a .003 and .005. Gonna see how it runs.

I typically do 0.6mm (2 thou) and 0.08mm (3 thou)

What engine is in this bike? might pay to try a few different values etc see what gives the best results

[culcune]

Check out Overland Adventures post and video. American Lifan told him directly different valve lash settings, lol.

[Overland Adventure]

Check out Overland Adventures post and video. American Lifan told him directly different valve lash settings, lol.

Thanks for the props :)

I set intake 0.07mm, exhaust 0.05mm and can confirm I just rode 15 miles upwards of 60 MPH flogging the heck out of it, and she ran great!

https://youtu.be/AJOi66NGtlQ

[oincman]

Not sure of the engine, but I'll check tonight. Reread the email and he said 0.06mm (I read it wrong), which would be .002, but he said both intake and exhaust were to be 0.06mm.

It's been pretty chilly here so I haven't ridden it since. Maybe later today or Saturday I'll get a chance to take it back out.

[oincman]

Installed my saddle bags today. Used flexible cutting board, cut and mounted under the muffler shield, not that the muffler gets that hot. Just in case. Also gave me a place to strap it down to keep from flapping.

[oincman]

Here is the link if anyone is interested in them. They cost $23.50 and robbed the wife's cutting board and painted it black. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079WBRT2H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mtiberio]

Looks like your kick starter is one spline too far forward. It is probably resting on the clutch housing. The only reason I notice is I took mine off and had to figure out which was the best position to put it back on.

[Goob]

Thanks for the props :)

I set intake 0.07mm, exhaust 0.05mm and can confirm I just rode 15 miles upwards of 60 MPH flogging the heck out of it, and she ran great!

https://youtu.be/AJOi66NGtlQ

Tho you may have found TDC by cranking the engine over, I wouldn't recommend that method. At least I wouldn't do it that way.

There must be access to a place for manually turning the engine to a TDC mark viewed thru another access port. This will be marked with a "T". This is pretty common to all bikes.

Hope you got your on-off issue resolved.

[oincman]

It might be. I'll look at it tonight. Hadn't really noticed. Did try to kick start it a couple of times and that was pretty futile.

[Megadan]

Not sure of the engine, but I'll check tonight. Reread the email and he said 0.06mm (I read it wrong), which would be .002, but he said both intake and exhaust were to be 0.06mm.

It's been pretty chilly here so I haven't ridden it since. Maybe later today or Saturday I'll get a chance to take it back out.

.06mm is .0025" (roughly). That is the spec I run on my Hawk's intake. .05mm os .002"

As far as the access to manually turn over the motor. On the left side of the bike there is a plug in the middle of the stator cover that has a big flat head slot in it. That is the point you access to put in a socket to turn the crank. On top of that same cover is another plug you remove to line up the TDC Mark of the flywheel with a notch in the threads where the plug is located.

I cheat with my long arms and use the kick starter to turn the motor over to find TDC.

[oincman]

Checked the kick start lever, it's not rubbing or hitting anything. It's still making a kinda buzzing/vibration sound when riding and accelerating. I cannot get it to make the noise while idling and revving. It sounds like it's coming from the front end or gas tank area.

Anybody else's making a similar noise?

[franque]

There are nearly a million variables that could cause a noise, even with the same model. If I were you, I'd start looking for things that are loose/rubbing/close to contacting. Especially without a video, there's nothing we can really tell you. Did you have the noise before disassembling the bike for the valve clearance? If not, how much did you disassemble? Look at that first.

[oincman]

I heard the noise since the first time I rode it. When I did the valves, I removed the right side plastics. I've already checked those. I'll put it on the stand and spin the wheels and check things out. Like I said, it only does it when in motion. Not idling or revving while standing still.

Not overly concerned with it, just checking.

[oincman]

Replaced front sprocket with a 17 tooth and adjusted the chain. Not making the sound now. So problem solved.

[landshark]

It seems to run fine. Still makes a kinda weird light buzzing sound when riding and changing gears. It may be the fuel pump or some other electronic device since I can't get it to do it when idling and revving. Or it might just need to break in more. And if feels peppier after changing the valves (which I now need to set again).[/QUOTE]


My Expect also had the mysterious buzzing sound. Finally figured out what it was, on mine anyway. Not sure what you call it, but the straw thingy inside the gas tank was vibrating against the inside wall of the tank. I took a long screw driver, reached it into the tank through the gas cap, and ever so slighty bent the tube away from the tank wall. No more buzzing for me. Hope this helps in your case Bro!

[landshark]

Just realized you figured yours out. I should have read your last post!

[RussellTA]

After emailing American Lifan about my new Xpect not having the green rim tape (I know it's trivial, but for $2K it should have been as pictured). They responded with a kinda brush me off attitude. But at least they responded.

So I suggested if they want to compete with Japanese manufacturers, then they need to up their game a bit and send the bikes as pictured and as maintenance free as possible.

I changed the oil at 5 miles and checked the valves cause it didn't sound right.

The intake valve was closed and the exhaust was at .001 or less.

I informed Lifan of this and that I set them to Intake .003 and Exhaust .005 (per manual), also suggested they set these properly during build since a lot of local dealers of Honda etc, won't work on these Chinese bikes and prevents problems for those who are not mechanically inclined.

They responded that the engineers have now changed that spec to be .006 on both Intake and Exhaust. And will suggest this to the factory.

It seems to run fine. Still makes a kinda weird light buzzing sound when riding and changing gears. It may be the fuel pump or some other electronic device since I can't get it to do it when idling and revving. Or it might just need to break in more. And if feels peppier after changing the valves (which I now need to set again).

They must have listened and adapted. I just checked my new XPect and they were at .06+mm intake and .08+mm on exhaust. I left them alone and will check again at 600 miles or so.

I kinda expected them to be tight as I am getting what sounds like marbles on hard acceleration, assuming it was detonation due to exhaust valve but no luck. May try a cooler plug and see what happens.

TR

[mototech77]

.06mm is .0025" (roughly). That is the spec I run on my Hawk's intake. .05mm os .002"

As far as the access to manually turn over the motor. On the left side of the bike there is a plug in the middle of the stator cover that has a big flat head slot in it. That is the point you access to put in a socket to turn the crank. On top of that same cover is another plug you remove to line up the TDC Mark of the flywheel with a notch in the threads where the plug is located.

I cheat with my long arms and use the kick starter to turn the motor over to find TDC.

Can I ask what lash value you use for your exhaust valve?

[stewbrash]

Good idea with the cutting boards. I used some leftover fiberglass for mine:

[mototech77]

It seems to run fine. Still makes a kinda weird light buzzing sound when riding and changing gears. It may be the fuel pump or some other electronic device since I can't get it to do it when idling and revving. Or it might just need to break in more. And if feels peppier after changing the valves (which I now need to set again).

My Expect also had the mysterious buzzing sound. Finally figured out what it was, on mine anyway. Not sure what you call it, but the straw thingy inside the gas tank was vibrating against the inside wall of the tank. I took a long screw driver, reached it into the tank through the gas cap, and ever so slighty bent the tube away from the tank wall. No more buzzing for me. Hope this helps in your case Bro!

Thank you so much for posting this. Mine makes the buzzing sound at certain frequencies from the fuel tank area and drives me nuts. I have the tank off now for valve lash adjustment, so I will look for this, too.