New KPX250 experience

[bradbusa]

Hello all! I recently took delivery of my new KPX250. It showed up over the weekend and I got it all put together on Sunday. The bike looks really nice and I am excited to get some seat time in with it in the coming months.

I think there is an issue with my model and I'm hoping other owners can chime in and make some comparisons. I assembled my bike on a stand, so it was upright, and not leaning over on the kickstand. When standing behind the bike, my rear tire seems to be off center with the bike. It appears to shifted over to the right - brake caliper side. Of course mine does suffer from the muffler clearance issue, but I believe the tire being off centered is the main cause and was hoping other owners could compare their bikes (whether the muffler rubs on theirs or not) and let me know if yours are the same. It is clearly noticeable that the tire is kicked to the right of the fender/mudflap.
I also took some measurements of the distance between the front of the rear wheel and swingarm on both sides, and the wheel hub and swingarm on both sides and it is even more obvious that my wheel is not centered with the swingarm. It looks like it's about half an inch closer to the right.
This has nothing to do with the chain adjusters, I checked those and all is correct there.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lf-aZDu_cZvpmaoP5anpiA-NkbL9NQoE/view?usp=share_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1doR6EfaReTdrsWFqmj2khUij-CFev1JF/view?usp=share_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17KQSlg-zPQvVIoCGsz7HIHvLbUAzJJEG/view?usp=share_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHlv5PVlXSKQ2gQyvf0uDE04vqNxXoYj/view?usp=share_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VR8XTwIYDOqjPitkaPjY2rO6lYJ6XpMM/view?usp=share_link

More pictures here in my drive folder
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qAny9erM7EZhm9ew0hQo3cKXJvhpRo7U?usp=sharing

[bradbusa]

Finally figured out how to attach photos!

[bradbusa]

last photo

[IdahoRider]

@Jay93 had this same issue last October and Venom.

Hey guys just wanted to give you all an update on the rear wheel/muffler clearance issue.
1. I talked to venom and they contacted lifan on my behalf and I was sent a new tire and spacer kit free of charge. (Venom rocks!)
2. I suggested to venom they include the spacer kit on future kpx’s sent out, and they agreed so hopefully this problem is a thing of the past!

https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=31083&page=25

[bradbusa]

I was able to get a few more pictures to better illustrate what I’m trying to say.
I set up a laser level and lined it up with the center line of the tail. Or at least pretty damn close to the center. It should be pretty obvious now that the tire/wheel is not on center. The problem is not the muffler being positioned incorrectly or needing to be spaced out a little.
I have been in contact with venom and they are working with American Lifan to find a solution.
I’m wondering if this is the real root cause of some people reporting their tires are rubbing on the muffler

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fEo1ilUIvsFFCbEK_tVT_SIzFWHc-HFE/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DaZ1loxLVLBQ9Up3yuJ0YKIUK8pin5te/view?usp=drivesdk

[JerryHawk250]

Those pictures really show the issue.

[JerryHawk250]

Looking at the pictures again. It looks like the swing arm itself is kicked over to the right. Could be a fabrication issue on the swing arm. I would request another swing arm. The assembly of the rear wheel all looks the same as mine.

[TominMO]

Question. When you say the chain adjusters are correct, how are you measuring this? Recommend not using the marks on the swingarm, if that is what you are relying on. Instead measure the middle of the swingarm pivot to the middle of the rear axle. You should have the exact same number on both sides.

[JerryHawk250]

Question. When you say the chain adjusters are correct, how are you measuring this? Recommend not using the marks on the swingarm, if that is what you are relying on. Instead measure the middle of the swingarm pivot to the middle of the rear axle. You should have the exact same number on both sides.

That's not his issue. We went over that already. It's in the swingarm itself.

[joefj1200]

I'd suggest checking / setting the chain adjusters as described, and then check to see how far offset the rear wheel is from the front wheel. You can use a straightedge or string method. Maybe the rear wheel spacers are swapped? I don't have my bike in front of me so I don't know how likely that is...


Question. When you say the chain adjusters are correct, how are you measuring this? Recommend not using the marks on the swingarm, if that is what you are relying on. Instead measure the middle of the swingarm pivot to the middle of the rear axle. You should have the exact same number on both sides.

[bradbusa]

Looking at the pictures again. It looks like the swing arm itself is kicked over to the right. Could be a fabrication issue on the swing arm. I would request another swing arm. The assembly of the rear wheel all looks the same as mine.

i'm really hoping that's all it is. Would you mind taking a few quick measurements when you're able to? I'm still waiting to hear from Venom, who is waiting to hear from American Lifan, but I have a feeling you're right.
If possible could you take similar measurements as the ones in these photos?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1doR6EfaReTdrsWFqmj2khUij-CFev1JF/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17KQSlg-zPQvVIoCGsz7HIHvLbUAzJJEG/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHlv5PVlXSKQ2gQyvf0uDE04vqNxXoYj/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VR8XTwIYDOqjPitkaPjY2rO6lYJ6XpMM/view?usp=share_link

[TominMO]

i'm really hoping that's all it is. Would you mind taking a few quick measurements when you're able to? I'm still waiting to hear from Venom, who is waiting to hear from American Lifan, but I have a feeling you're right.
Can you tell just by visual inspection? If you have a short spacer on the left and a long one on the right, swap 'em.

EDIT: Went and looked at my KPX rear axle. No right side spacer, just the brake mount. Left side spacer only. Your axle pics look the same, so yeah, maybe Lifan let a tweaked swingarm out into the wild. Surprising.

[JerryHawk250]

Can you tell just by visual inspection? If you have a short spacer on the left and a long one on the right, swap 'em.

There is no spacer on the right side. It's built into the brake caliper bracket. All the right side has is a small bushing which i can se in the pictures.

[JerryHawk250]

i'm really hoping that's all it is. Would you mind taking a few quick measurements when you're able to? I'm still waiting to hear from Venom, who is waiting to hear from American Lifan, but I have a feeling you're right.
If possible could you take similar measurements as the ones in these photos?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1doR6EfaReTdrsWFqmj2khUij-CFev1JF/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17KQSlg-zPQvVIoCGsz7HIHvLbUAzJJEG/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHlv5PVlXSKQ2gQyvf0uDE04vqNxXoYj/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VR8XTwIYDOqjPitkaPjY2rO6lYJ6XpMM/view?usp=share_link
If it's not pouring down rain by the time i get off work i will. I'll have to pull my bike out the shed. Not enough room in the shed to get a good picture. I really need to sell a bike. lol

[TominMO]

Went back out and measured the same four places you did in the pics in post #11. I got the exact same measurements, and my bike rides fine at 70 mph. I think this is just how they build the wheel, and it is perfectly fine. Recommend you just ride it, first at city speeds; then if that seems fine, try highway speeds.

The offset with respect to the fender probably has to do with the fender not being properly mounted. We have seen this happen before. Pull the seat and check the bolts mounting the fender.

[Thumper]

The swingarm is very unlikely to be the problem. The issue is more likely spacers on the rear axel.

Look at the distance between the wheel and swingarm. If the swingarm was off, but the spacers were proper, then the measured distances to swingarm would be fine. But they are not. Therefore, it is the spacers on the rear axel that are not right. You need more space between the swingarm and right side of the wheel, and less space between the left hub and left swingarm.

As I said, if the spacers were correct (or correctly installed, they could be in the kit, but installed on the wrong side of the hub), the spacing would not have the wheel off to the right.

[JerryHawk250]

Spacers are not the problem. There is one large spacer/bushing on the left side and one small bushing on the right. No way to mix them up. Here's a picture of my bike from the rear and the rear wheel assembly.

[Thumper]

Maybe the rear wheel spacers are swapped?

This! Spacers reversed. If the spacers were installed correctly the distances to the swingarm would be similar. It is probably a spacer thing.

Regarding rear axel alignment...Aren't there vertical lines in the rear axel slot?

On the Storm, there are lines in the swingarm (first pic)
On the Templar, the swingarm has cast-in spacers (second pic
I am sorry if you already know this (pretty obvious, I know).
But just trying to help!

Place the axel at the same setting wrt these markings to align the rear axel (I think you already did!).

28538

28539

[JerryHawk250]

Here's a picture of brake side.

[Thumper]

If the spacers are installed correctly, then it is a rear axel alignment issue. But it would have to be WAY off. Hard to imagine the axel is that crooked...

Swingarms are welded on a jig, and there is just no way it could be that far off. It has to be a spacer issue.

I see what you are saying Jerry. But how could the swingarm be that bad? I can't believe it.

[JerryHawk250]

The issue with the muffler hitting can be resolved easily by either installing a spacer or loosen the muffler clamp, rotate the muffler outward then retighten the clamp. Possible bad installation of the muffler or bike took an impact to the muffler side during shipment and bent bracket on the muffler. The rear fender may be out of line. if you look at my picture you will see my fender kind of goes the opposite way.
Again, the way the spacers are made on the KPX makes it impossible to be installed wrong. Wheels would not ever turn if they were.

[Thumper]

Can you tell just by visual inspection? If you have a short spacer on the left and a long one on the right, swap 'em.

EDIT: Went and looked at my KPX rear axle. No right side spacer, just the brake mount. Left side spacer only. Your axle pics look the same, so yeah, maybe Lifan let a tweaked swingarm out into the wild. Surprising.

This is so unlikely. I just cannot imagine it. Swingarms are fabricated using a jig. And they are inspected. It just cannot be!

The rear wheel doesn't look crooked, it just looks offset (spacing issue). How could the wrong axel be installed? Do you think it was welded upside down?? I really just cannot believe the swingarm is the problem.

[JerryHawk250]

If the spacers are installed correctly, then it is a rear axel alignment issue. But it would have to be WAY off. Hard to imagine the axel is that crooked...

Swingarms are welded on a jig, and there is just no way it could be that far off. It has to be a spacer issue.

I see what you are saying Jerry. But how could the swingarm be that bad? I can't believe it.
It's possible even with a jig somebody messed up or somehow got bent during assembly. Who knows. This is only the 3rd time I here about the same issue.

[Thumper]

Oh my gosh. Will Lifan send him a swingarm? Who does OP (Brad) take it to for installation? What a nightmare!

[TominMO]

Oh my gosh. Will Lifan send him a swingarm? Who does OP (Brad) take it to for installation? What a nightmare! Thumper, read my post #15. I think you missed it, as you posted #16 just after me. I don't think he has a problem at all, other than a misaligned fender.

[JerryHawk250]

Oh my gosh. Will Lifan send him a swingarm? Who does OP take it to for installation? What a nightmare! Nigtmare? Wouldn't you have to do the same on your templar or storm? We all know before buying online you will need to do your own work. It's a given.

Lifan will send him what he needs. But If he bought it from a brick and mortar store then they would probably do it since they done the actual assembly. Lifan has already replace one of the members engine because it had a small crack in the cylinder casting and had a small oil leak coming from the crack. They even let him keep the original engine.

I'm not concerned with Lifan honoring there warranty. I had a bad battery after three months and was sent a new replacement.

[Thumper]

A swingarm removal and installation isn't like a battery or starter. A frame/swingarm problem is highly unusual, and lots of work if Brad is up to it. If not, he'll have to negotiate. That is the nightmare, for Brad. And how can he prove or justify the part replacement. What if he does all of the work, and nothing changes!?

I still think it must be something simpler than that.

[severely]

A quick question. Do the front and rear wheels point in the same direction? A laser pointer or a long, straight board can tell you. Is the drive chain in proper alignment? If the wheels and drive chain are properly aligned you can then deduce the problem. Good luck

[Thumper]

Thumper, read my post #15. I think you missed it, as you posted #16 just after me. I don't think he has a problem at all, other than a misaligned fender.

This is a problem that needs in person inspection. Remember, the muffler is contacting as well. So this doesn't seem to be a fender misalignment. There should be similar distance to the swingarm on both sides. The offset matches the muffler contact problem. It is consistent.

Brad will have to wait to hear from American Lifan.

[TominMO]

This is a problem that needs in person inspection. Remember, the muffler is contacting as well. So this doesn't seem to be a fender misalignment. There should be similar distance to the swingarm on both sides. The offset matches the muffler contact problem. It is consistent.

Brad will have to wait to hear from American Lifan.
The muffler issue is separate. Missing spacer during assembly. Mine was the same way. Got a SS one at Ace Hardware, problem solved.

[bradbusa]

Just wanted to give a quick update. I appreciate all the ideas and suggestions. So today i had some time to tinker around in the garage. I took the rear axle out and examined the spacers and there’s absolutely no way to reverse them. The large one goes on the left side to give clearance for the sprocket. If you try to put the little spacer on the left side, the bolts for the sprocket will touch the swingarm. That would’ve given me the adjustment i needed though. So i put that back together properly and adjusted the chain tension. Next i loosened some of the bolts for the tail. I thought maybe the subframe or bodywork has some minor adjustment and maybe it was an illusion making it look like the tire was off center. We’ll i was wrong there too. The frame is all one piece, unlike some other bikes where the pillion is adjustable somewhat, and the plastic body work only fits one way correctly. So I’m kinda out of ideas until i hear back from Venom/American Lifan. As far as i can tell, nothing has been installed incorrectly or is visibly manufactured improperly.

[TominMO]

I think you are GTG. Just ride it.

[TominMO]

A quick question. Do the front and rear wheels point in the same direction? A laser pointer or a long, straight board can tell you. Is the drive chain in proper alignment? If the wheels and drive chain are properly aligned you can then deduce the problem. Good luckThis is all that matters!

If the chain is aligned straight on its sprockets, and the wheels are aligned with each other, who cares about the offset within the swingarm, left to right? It just does not matter. This is how they designed it, for whatever good engineering reasons they had.

All the swingarm does to the rear wheel is attach it to the bike, and allow it to travel up and down (more precisely, in a limited arc). If the important things are aligned, it does not matter if the wheel "looks" offset or wrong via various measurements.

As long as it tracks straight and stable at highway speeds, it is good, by practical definition. To repeat, I got the exact same measurements as he did and my bike performs fine at 70 mph.

[bradbusa]

Does your rear tire appear to be out of line with the rest of the bike like mine does? I am concerned because this can affect handling if the bike is dog tracking down the road. That is a serious safety issue

[TominMO]

Does your rear tire appear to be out of line with the rest of the bike like mine does? I am concerned because this can affect handling if the bike is dog tracking down the road. That is a serious safety issueIt handles very well. No issues. Haven't looked at whether it is out of line. Since the rear tire is wider, eyeballing alignment can be tricky.

[severely]

It handles very well. No issues. Haven't looked at whether it is out of line. Since the rear tire is wider, eyeballing alignment can be tricky.
If you don't have a laser pointer then a ball of string will suffice. Tie on back of rear wheel and string to the front of the front wheel TAUGHTLY on both sides about 6 inches above the ground/surface. Then measure the string and front tire side to side on the back side of the front tire. When it's right you'll have an equal distance on both sides. Yes, you will have to center the front wheel. Also helps to see if your triple clamps are twisted; i.e. if the wheels are straight and your handlebars don't seem to be straight you now know why.