I Got My Bike!!! SWEEET!!!!

[mjs91882]

Hey guys i finally picked up a bike. I got a Zongshen Sierra. It has 3500 miles on it and is in excellent condition. The only thing that need to be replaced are the tires eventually but i plan on getting some off road tires like the SPUD WHEEL. I plan on getting some pictures up soon too. Also i purchased the bike for $900. Tried to get the guy to go down but he wouldnt budge. lol Anyway thank you all for the feedback. Anyone know what some common things i should keep an eye on with this bike? Like for mantienence and oil changes every 3k??? Thanks again guys!!!

[JTCAndrew]

Congrats on your NEW Purchase - Your excitement is shown in your Post. :lol: Definately share some Pictures with us - We all Love Pictures.
Unfortunatley - i can offer no advise on this bike but there are alot of great people here who can. Congrats, now grab your helmet and go for a ride!

Andrew 8)

[MICRider]

Indeed, congrats on the new wheels from me as well :D. Be sure to check out Spud's stickied thread on the Zong Sierra's if you haven't already... It's very comprehensive! Enjoy the ride!

http://chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=8673

Cheers,
Stew

[Weldangrind]

X2 on Spud's sticky threads.

X3 on congrats! :D

[FastDoc]

Change the oil, lube and adjust the chain, check the valves, maybe check the airfilter and the tire pressure and ride baby ride.

And pictures. Post pictures. :P

[mjs91882]

Change the oil, lube and adjust the chain, check the valves, maybe check the airfilter and the tire pressure and ride baby ride.

And pictures. Post pictures. :P. I'm going to get some pics posted soon! I plan on chaning the oil today in a bit. I have never changed oil in a bike. I'm sure its prob similar to a car. Where is the air filter located? And when u say adjust the chain what do u mean? I know u guys said they get loose? Like how many times do I oil my chain? Once a month? And how many miles are reccomended until u should change the oil? Sorry for the questions.

[mjs91882]

Do u guys know what type of oil the zong takes and what size oil filter I should get?

[FastDoc]

Email Spud for an owners and service manual. Both are cheap.

Any good (NOT ENERGY CONSERVING) 10W-40 (or 20-50) oil will do. I use motorcycle oil. Dinosaur or synthetic is fine. I recommend dinosaur.

The oil filter is a stainless steel unit that you do not replace, but rather clean. IIRC a Zong's airfilter is under the seat.

[mjs91882]

Thanks doc! :D

[mjs91882]

I couldn't find out how many quarts it takes for oil on the stickys?

[Weldangrind]

Probably less than one quart. I use Maxima Chain Wax for chains and cables. You can find it at your local bike shop.

[katoranger]

I would change oil about every 1000 miles.

[FastDoc]

Probably less than one quart. I use Maxima Chain Wax for chains and cables. You can find it at your local bike shop.

+1 on the Maxima Chain Wax :D . I've been using it for years. Something to know however, they recently came out with a synthetic formula that IMHO is not nearly as good as the original. The synthetic flings all over the place and makes a mess :evil: . I plan to use the rest of the can only on The Dirt Rat and after that only buy the old style Chain Wax in the black and gold can.

[Weldangrind]

I buy the conventional Chain Wax because it's cheaper (I'm a China Rider after all), but the synthetic stuff doesn't smell nearly as foul. The conventional stuff isn't burned gear oil foul, but it's stinks.

[FastDoc]

It may stink but at least it sticks. The synthetic make a mess of my KLX's swingarm and rear wheel. A little mineral spirits cleaned it up though. I need to get a can of the regular Chain Wax. That stuff really sets up once the solvent evaporates and it stays put.

[katoranger]

I buy the conventional Chain Wax because it's cheaper (I'm a China Rider after all), but the synthetic stuff doesn't smell nearly as foul. The conventional stuff isn't burned gear oil foul, but it's stinks.

There is nothing like burnt gear oil smell.

[SpudRider]

Congratulations, fellow Zongite! If you have time, please do post photographs of your recently acquired Zong. :)

I encourage you to change the engine oil immediately. ;) Any good engine oil will work well, but avoid the "energy-conserving" engine oils; the latter oils won't work with your wet clutch. ;) I like the 15W-40, diesel engine oils. I also like Rotella, 5W-40 Synthetic.

I usually change the engine oil every 1,000 miles, or so. As FastDoc stated, the oil filter is reusable; you can clean it with some WD-40. The oil filter is the same one employed by the Yamaha, TW200 motorcycle.

I would also check the valve lash immediately. You should then check the valve lash every other oil change.

The foam air filter element is under the left plastic. Clean the foam with solvent, or soapy water.

Make sure the drive chain is adjusted properly. A slightly loose drive chain is better than a slightly tight drive chain. ;)

I agree with MICRider (Stew); I encourage you to read the threads in the "Zong Sticky" located at the top of the Dual Sport Forum. :)

Spud :)

[mjs91882]

I ended up putting 10w 40 oil in my bike. The walmart brand for right now. Prob not the best stuff. Just knew the stuff that was in there before was mad dirty. Is the walmart or super tech brand crap? I just to make sure I'm not putting junk in it. My neighbor said I should put gastrol gtx in it.

[mjs91882]

Spud I notice after I did that oil change the clutch seems to kinda stick when trying to go in first gear. You reve up the bike to go and it all the sudden then jumps cuz the clutch seems to stick. I'm wondering if maybe this is what you meant. Its something that could become dangerous.

[FastDoc]

The Walmart oil is fine. For these purposes, especially changing it every 1,000 miles, oil is oil. I bet Walmart oil is made by Shell anyway.

The oil change could not have adversely affected your clutch. I bet the adjustment is a little loose. Do you know how to check and sdjust the clutch cable?

[FastDoc]

A quick Google indicated Walmart oil is made by Shell.

[mjs91882]

Doc I looked at my clutch cable and it looks alittle loose like u suggested. I'm not really sure how to adjust the clutch cable. I mean I could try and see what happens but it prob better off to hear your advice lol:-)

[FastDoc]

Loosten the locknut on the adjuster. Back off on the adjuster barrel until there is just a bit of freeplay in the cable. The end of the lever should move maybe 1/4 inch until it starts to pull on the clutch. Just make sure there is at least a bit of freeplay or the clutch may slip and wear prematurely. Then retighten the locknut. :D

[mjs91882]

That makes total sense :D thank you. Ur really good.

[SpudRider]

I ended up putting 10w 40 oil in my bike. The walmart brand for right now. Prob not the best stuff. Just knew the stuff that was in there before was mad dirty. Is the walmart or super tech brand crap? I just to make sure I'm not putting junk in it. My neighbor said I should put gastrol gtx in it.
I agree with Doc; I'm sure the Super Tech, 10W-40, motor oil is fine. ;) I also encourage you to clean the oil filter every time you change the engine oil. If you didn't clean the oil filter with this last oil change, you can do it now; you won't lose any oil, since the filter sits very high above the crankcase. :)

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

Spud I notice after I did that oil change the clutch seems to kinda stick when trying to go in first gear. You reve up the bike to go and it all the sudden then jumps cuz the clutch seems to stick. I'm wondering if maybe this is what you meant. Its something that could become dangerous.
Indeed, a sticky clutch is definitely a safety issue. ;) I strongly encourage you to fix this problem before you go riding. 8O FastDoc gave you excellent directions for adjusting the clutch lever. :) I also encourage you to lubricate the clutch cable. ;)

Spud :)

[Weldangrind]

To bring Spud's comment back to the surface, make sure the WalMart oil is not the energy conserving type. Check the label.

X2 on lubricating the clutch cable. I use a cable luber for that purpose.

[SpudRider]

To bring Spud's comment back to the surface, make sure the WalMart oil is not the energy conserving type. Check the label.

X2 on lubricating the clutch cable. I use a cable luber for that purpose.
I might be wrong, but I don't think any 10W-40 motor oil is energy conserving. ;) According to the following thread, "0w-20, 5w-30, and 10w-30 oils are energy conserving and should not be used in your bike." :)

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html

Spud :)

[Weldangrind]

You're quite likely correct Spud, but I still wouldn't pour any oil into a wet clutch engine without checking the label.

[SpudRider]

You're quite likely correct Spud, but I still wouldn't pour any oil into a wet clutch engine without checking the label.
Amen; neither would I. Always read the label. ;) However, if one is considering 10W-40 motor oils, he is very likely to be safe. Conversely, if one is considering 0w-20, 5w-30, and 10w-30 motor oils, he is likely to get an "energy conserving" motor oil. ;)

Spud :)