Mini or Die 125 to 250 build

[Moto1204]

Well, here we go! I have a 1977 Honda CT125. Purchased it last year for $100 in a hoarders front yard. Freshly rebuilt it and rebuilt the motor and ripped on it for a bit. Well, after about 8 months of hard riding the transmission went out. I’ve been wanting to get better lights and more power and stumbled across the whole Chinese swap thing. All the Lifans seemed to be sold out so found a different motor on eBay for $430. Pulled the trigger on eBay to I thought was the motor pictured below. Turns out, it’s not and I’m actually happy about this. I received a non branded Lifan 164FML 250cc! Best part is, it lottery DROPPED RIGHT IN! Same mount wholes and everything. And my custom exhaust works perfectly still. Now let’s hope the PZ30 carb fits. I now need to fab a battery and electrical box which won’t be too bad. I’ll be keeping this updated. I need to figure this picture thing out

[Moto1204]

Link to my motor and it’s engine code:

https://ibb.co/QdTFxDV
https://ibb.co/nRdSMFS

[Moto1204]

Link to my bike how it sits currently with new motor in place!!

https://ibb.co/ZmKh0Y7
https://ibb.co/hMdjdCs
https://ibb.co/xjSDJx7

[franque]

Interesting transformation! Just out of curiosity, did you need to fabricate a top mount? Also, what are the forks off of?

[PhildoScaggins]

That thing looks sick!

[Moto1204]

Originally Posted by franque

Interesting transformation! Just out of curiosity, did you need to fabricate a top mount? Also, what are the forks off of?

I will need to. The original top mounts will not work. The forks are Ebay 735mm fork kit. I had to lathe up a new steering stem to fit with the stock head tube and the ability to run tapered bearings instead of loose ball bearings.

[XLsior]

Looking at the room around the engine and frame I think you'd might even be able to squeeze in a 6speed RE250 counterbalanced engine...

The engine block serial number has no Lettering to denote manufacturer origin and the 164 expected 64mm piston is unusual. 63/65/67 typical offerings..

The rocker cover is the same as the replacement cg125 i used to allow me valve adjustment access on my xl185 frame clearance.

But the case looks like a 250 bottom end...So could a 67-70mm jug fit? well it's a fresh motor so I wouldn't concern myself until the original is worn out.

Neat project.

[Moto1204]

Originally Posted by XLsior

Looking at the room around the engine and frame I think you'd might even be able to squeeze in a 6speed RE250 counterbalanced engine...

The engine block serial number has no Lettering to denote manufacturer origin and the 164 expected 64mm piston is unusual. 63/65/67 typical offerings..

The rocker cover is the same as the replacement cg125 i used to allow me valve adjustment access on my xl185 frame clearance.

But the case looks like a 250 bottom end...So could a 67-70mm jug fit? well it's a fresh motor so I wouldn't concern myself until the original is worn out.

Neat project.

Thanks man, yeah I really can't find anything regarding it! I think it does have the wonky shift pattern unfortunately. I can continue to keep shifting through the gears up or down. It never hits a stopping point like a standard shift drum. So I think it is N-1-2-3-4-5 in the down pattern. I'll have to wait till its running to see what's up, may just take some getting used to.

I am going to need to trim the top of the frame down a bit to clear the rocker cover out for valve checks and may need to shave some fins down from the head.

[XLsior]

I believe the rotational shift pattern is Asian market design, probably to allow gear shifting with flip flops.

There should be as gear shift indicator sender wires that you can use which will probably help a lot...down side more wiring.

an example...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32851279040.html

[Moto1204]

Originally Posted by XLsior

I believe the rotational shift pattern is Asian market design, probably to allow gear shifting with flip flops.

There should be as gear shift indicator sender wires that you can use which will probably help a lot...down side more wiring.

an example...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32851279040.html

Right on makes sense! Man, Ive never ordered from AliX. I just always read how long things take haha. Maybe in AUS you're able to get things a bit quicker. They have AUS warehouses right? Thanks for the info! I think I will take your lead and swap out the small battery/starter leads as I have some thicker 8 gauge wire in the shop already.

[XLsior]

Should be available on amazon/ebay and arrive sooner. But AliX is more of a direct source lower cost. (cut out the middle man) situation.

However most of the Chinese bike/engine parts options on AliX are far more plentiful.

Just keep an eye out on the shipping fees when using it.

However when an order goes bad or is dodgy on AliX the chances of a quick resolution or buyer protection though available can be hit or miss.

[Moto1204]

Right on, I recall reading a lot of that as well. I almost made my 125 electric with a QS 138 70H 3000w mid drive kit. They are all over AliX for a good price but pulled the trigger on this instead. I have another bike I plan to convert to electric so still may use it eventually. Till then, I stick with amazon and Ebay

[Moto1204]

So I’m starting to wonder if this motor maybe just a 200 and not a 250. Stamped on the left side of the cylinder is 250cm3 indicating it is a 250cc but then below it says the engine code of 164FML. Which appears to mainly be the 200cc’s.

Asked the seller and of course they have no idea what I’m asking lol any thoughts?

[XLsior]

Going by how the CG125 rocker cover sits flush with the head and the suspect 64mm piston i'd be inclined to believe its a 200cc displacement. however if the jug is stamped 250 and the bottom end/case looks like a 250 to me then I think you have a some sort of conglomeration of both.

if you scroll down here you'll see how a CG250 cylinder head tapers out.
https://www.chinariders.net/showthre...t=27213&page=3

You could send it back as it is not technically a 167fml 250cc engine (which is technically a 229cc anyway). Whether the seller will be obliged is unknown to me...

you could go down the partial compensation route too???

But as said earlier the 164* is weird and the shift pattern is not western market...

Parts down the line might be an issue.

[Moto1204]

Right on, that’s what I assumed is that I’ve got some cobbled together thing 🙄 I’ll run it till I have issues then go from there.

Started wiring today. What a pain literally nothing is working haha already fried a wire so that’s good 🤪