New from Northern California
 

(Nor-Cal for locals)
Hi,
Glad a forum for Chinese bikes exists. I bought a used 2006 Zongshen 250 cruiser in May, my first bike after completing a basic rider course. IMHO it's a perfect beginner bike and while I may upgrade in the near future, I intend to keep it so my kids can learn to ride with it too.
My only complaint is there's no user manual, I'm completely ignorant I don't even know where the oil drain bolt is, debating between the one on the left side near the kickstand and the one underneath the bike. :doh:
Please don't hurt me with your response ;)

Motorcycles are easy and satisfying to work on because they are easy to access so it's quick results in most repairs. May I suggest this:

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

And this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ift-60536.html

Some tools and hand soap.

So us your zong !

BlackBike, thank you for the links and the encouragement.
Here are a few pics of the Zongshen 250cc (the Storm model?)
Before
http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pszrjl0ozo.jpg

After - I spilled a few drops of gas on the tank after my first fill-up which ruined the material that's wrapped around it and some other parts. I decided to remove them and now it shows the original color.
http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6izojgn.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pskuw8asxa.jpg

Welcome to the forum. Beautiful motorcycle. I see an American flag and a shooting target, so I see that you must be in a good place in Northern California. Where are you at? That's my home :-)

Thank you for the welcome and kind words. I live and work in Sac county under Sheriff Jones' jurisdiction. Great local PD too so yes, I live in a good place although all my shooting is indoors :)

V-twin? Ref to XV250 materials http://www.pdfmotomanual.com/index.p...=1752&lang=ENG
===
Color code: http://fanyi.baidu.com/transpage?que...to=en&render=1
From CDI maker
http://www.sanxin.com.cn/exhibit/upl...3132864140.jpg
DZC: side stand s/w

Welcome Tonyson. You found a great place for advice and direction. I am a quad guy but there are more bike members than anything on these forums.

I am a fellow Nor-Cal Sac resident and live in the Pocket area. Like the Batman caution tape........

tonyson, let me add my ' voice' to the good looking bike comments:)

You will find there is a rather suprising lack of acrimony (especially for the Inet) on this board and a remarkable degree of sophistication and depth of knowledge amongst its denizens, not the least of which is humanbeing whom you see above. he consistently amazes with his ability to find 'the impossible'.
Welcome to the asylum:)

Right on, more Nor Cal. Welcome!

How the heck did you get that bike registered here!? I almost bought one about 8 or so years ago and no way back then..........

I work Sac. North Natomas by the Old Arco Arena. Long commute.........

Well put sir ! Always stay humble and kind.

the zong, kinda along these lines

that bike reminds me of :

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/cr...els/v-star-250

and older styles:
http://www.cycleworld.com/2011/11/30...est-used-bikes

Welcome Tonyson!


You're not likely to get flamed here; this is a welcoming place. I'd love to see more pics of your bike; may we see the side of the motor? I suspect this is the Virago clone I've read about.

SeerAtlas, I like this asylum, I mean forum already! I visited a few threads and I agree with your observation.

Swampy and 2LZ, I live a few miles from Lodi's vineyards. The Zong was sold by someone who lives less than mile from me. He was the first registered owner but not sure how he got it. The pink slip shows he acquired it in 2014.

Humanbeing, thanks for the link, hope to download some helpful resources.

Weldangrind, I only saw a Virago in photos but the closest I can compare this Zongshen is to a Honda Rebel, same 250cc.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pspl6tzt70.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pshz3en52m.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pscpcofsv0.jpg

That's a cool cruiser! Do you plan to ride it as is or modify it?

You say it's a 2007? Looks like it's lived a good life. Clean, how many miles/km indicated? Is it running good?

More:

http://www.about-china-atvs.com/zongshen-v-storm.html

http://www.alternativecruisers.com/i...p?topic=2015.0

http://www.alternativecruisers.com/i...7&topic=1928.0

Looks like this cbxman establishment on the banner in the photos died in 2009 near Wilkes-Barre PA

Blackbike, yes that's the one and as noted comparable to a Rebel which incidentally I checked out at a dealership less than a week before I saw the Zong ad on CL.
Mine's a 2006 model with only 1,650 miles when I bought it. It's clean and runs good, no leaks until I dropped it going up my driveway. I was just a newbie who simply panicked. The leak is near the oil drain bolt.

Wedangrind, I'm not into mods so I plan to ride it as is. The only thing I might change is the exhaust pipe which came wrapped when I bought the bike.