Help! My VIVA VX200SN almost killed me!

vivaneil · 03-14-2007, 11:16 PM

Sorry for being abrupt on my first post 8O
After coming back from a 10 mile ride yesterday, I did a quick check of the bike. I noticed the swing arm shaft was broken and sticking out of the left side of the bike about 4 inches!

Is this a threaded shaft? How did it stay in place? I cant tell anymore b/c the other half is missing.

Anyone know where I can buy this part? I have contacted several companies the sell china bike parts, and no one has got back to me.

I am anxious to ride again, but admit I am a little scared to find out what will break next.

Help! 8O

thx

neil

liverchip · 03-14-2007, 11:21 PM

The swingarm on my bike is a threaded bolt. Did your bolt shear off or did you just lose the nut. Perhaps a photo would be more descriptive.

ambassador · 03-15-2007, 12:00 AM

Need a photo...

msRandi · 03-15-2007, 03:26 AM

yea it is a long bolt with a nut and washer. and there is no gress on it new. it needed to be taken out and gressed, alon with the shock bolts too.

RookieBiker · 03-15-2007, 02:58 PM

My Maxfine did the same thing. No one at a regular MC shop would even talk to me without a make or model for a japanese bike. I finally found a small independant mechanic who told me he had shelves of them but that I would have to come look through them myself. I did and it took about a half hour as the guy had literally hundreds of them. But I found it and he charged me $13. I did have most of my bolt though, and just measured the through length. I was most concerned about the diameter and took the broken one with me with the nut, as it was the bolt head that sheared off mine. Check your yellow pages or ask a regular dealer if they know any independants they could recommend.

Good Luck

liverchip · 03-15-2007, 03:08 PM

Yeah finding a mechanic to work on one of these I guess can be a challenge, as for me, if it requires a mechanic, it ain't worth doing. Actually, I just do all my own wrenching.

mdsuave13 · 03-15-2007, 03:42 PM

yep, im the same way.... these bikes are so easy to work on tho. i changed the oil, adjusted the chain, adjusted the clutch, changed the plug, and bled the brakes in a matter of 45 mins.. not bad!

vivaneil · 03-16-2007, 12:13 PM

I think I answered my own question. It appears to be a bolt and not a shaft. Looks like the head of the bolt broke clean off.

There was a black plastic cover on the right side, I took it off and there was a nut sitting there, flopping around.

I have emailed about 6 different popular china bike dealers, and NO response from any of them yet. I even emailed the people I bought it from ("Best Hobby Shop" from eBay), and no response.

Should I just go to a local fastener store and try to get a replacement?

The other incredible part was the nut was NOT a locking nut.

fatboy250 · 03-16-2007, 02:36 PM

Looks like it was over-torqued from the factory, unless you did it. I would be getting a warranty replacement. Don't forget to grease the fitting for this when you do get the new one.

Jason

RookieBiker · 03-16-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaneil

Should I just go to a local fastener store and try to get a replacement?

The other incredible part was the nut was NOT a locking nut.

I tried that both locally and online and had no luck in a bolt that length and diameter. That is why I finally searched out a mechanic who had a bunch of misc. ones.

ob1 · 03-16-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaneil

I think I answered my own question. It appears to be a bolt and not a shaft. Looks like the head of the bolt broke clean off.

There was a black plastic cover on the right side, I took it off and there was a nut sitting there, flopping around.

I have emailed about 6 different popular china bike dealers, and NO response from any of them yet. I even emailed the people I bought it from ("Best Hobby Shop" from eBay), and no response.

Should I just go to a local fastener store and try to get a replacement?

The other incredible part was the nut was NOT a locking nut.

So you're saying that the nut came loose AND the head of the bolt broke off?

Those are really long odds.

Maybe someone will pull their swingarm bolt and post some measurements. I will be happy to compare them to an XR200 bolt.

liverchip · 03-16-2007, 09:35 PM

I agree it was clearly metal failure. More than likely over torqued.

vivaneil · 03-16-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ob1

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaneil

I think I answered my own question. It appears to be a bolt and not a shaft. Looks like the head of the bolt broke clean off.

There was a black plastic cover on the right side, I took it off and there was a nut sitting there, flopping around.

I have emailed about 6 different popular china bike dealers, and NO response from any of them yet. I even emailed the people I bought it from ("Best Hobby Shop" from eBay), and no response.

Should I just go to a local fastener store and try to get a replacement?

The other incredible part was the nut was NOT a locking nut.

So you're saying that the nut came loose AND the head of the bolt broke off?

Those are really long odds.

Maybe someone will pull their swingarm bolt and post some measurements. I will be happy to compare them to an XR200 bolt.

Yep. How you see it in that picture is how it looked when I got off the bike. If the nut didnt come off, it wouldnt be able to make it's way out like it did. It would have come out on the side of the nut.

I finally made time to get the "bolt" out and measure it. The shaft is .545 OD (I dont have a metric mic). The closest I can find is a 14mm bolt. I found one at Menards (of all places). But it isnt long enough.I am estimating the length of my bolt at ~9" including 1" of threads.

We have a fastener place in my town, I am gonna try tomorrow.

I will let everyone know what I find. Thanks for all the responses.

FYI: This part was already assembled, I only had to hook up the shock in the back.

neil

vivaneil · 03-17-2007, 01:23 PM

UPDATE: Went to my local HONDA dealership. Apparently, they dont know the dimensions of their swing arm bolts, just a part number/model number.

Sooo, the search continues.

FYI: I emailed "Best Hobby Shop" for a second time. Turns out they have the "Worst Customer Service".... No response, Beware.

morespl · 03-17-2007, 01:56 PM

Hello,
Damn I just purchased a Viva 200 (still in crate) from them with extended warranty. Have you left feed back on eBay yet? I would call them and explain in the nicest way that you have not but will. I picked up my bike from the warehouse where they had allot of broken bikes in the back, maybe the warehouse would be willing to help you. Here is the phone number for Viva motors
(323) 588 2000

Hope this helps
-Ray

03-14-2007, 11:16 PM	#1
vivaneil Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8	Help! My VIVA VX200SN almost killed me! Sorry for being abrupt on my first post 8O After coming back from a 10 mile ride yesterday, I did a quick check of the bike. I noticed the swing arm shaft was broken and sticking out of the left side of the bike about 4 inches! Is this a threaded shaft? How did it stay in place? I cant tell anymore b/c the other half is missing. Anyone know where I can buy this part? I have contacted several companies the sell china bike parts, and no one has got back to me. I am anxious to ride again, but admit I am a little scared to find out what will break next. Help! 8O thx neil
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03-14-2007, 11:21 PM	#2
liverchip Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mystery Spot Posts: 1,223	The swingarm on my bike is a threaded bolt. Did your bolt shear off or did you just lose the nut. Perhaps a photo would be more descriptive. __________________ 2009 XR650L Big Red Pig Tusk bar risers 2007 X-Moto(Jetmoto) GY250 --mods--- 15/40 sprockets UNI Pod Filter 2007 Shineray TMS 200XYi--Betsy Betsy Mods:______________________ Acerbis DHH headlight FMF Powercore pipe Uni Pod Filter
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03-15-2007, 12:00 AM	#3
ambassador Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 1,200	Need a photo... __________________ 06 Lifan 200 GY-5
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03-15-2007, 03:26 AM	#4
msRandi Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Douglas, AZ Posts: 220	viva swing arm yea it is a long bolt with a nut and washer. and there is no gress on it new. it needed to be taken out and gressed, alon with the shock bolts too. __________________ Love from the Arizona High Desert
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03-15-2007, 03:08 PM	#6
liverchip Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mystery Spot Posts: 1,223	Yeah finding a mechanic to work on one of these I guess can be a challenge, as for me, if it requires a mechanic, it ain't worth doing. Actually, I just do all my own wrenching. __________________ 2009 XR650L Big Red Pig Tusk bar risers 2007 X-Moto(Jetmoto) GY250 --mods--- 15/40 sprockets UNI Pod Filter 2007 Shineray TMS 200XYi--Betsy Betsy Mods:______________________ Acerbis DHH headlight FMF Powercore pipe Uni Pod Filter
	0

03-15-2007, 02:58 PM	#5
RookieBiker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 61	My Maxfine did the same thing. No one at a regular MC shop would even talk to me without a make or model for a japanese bike. I finally found a small independant mechanic who told me he had shelves of them but that I would have to come look through them myself. I did and it took about a half hour as the guy had literally hundreds of them. But I found it and he charged me $13. I did have most of my bolt though, and just measured the through length. I was most concerned about the diameter and took the broken one with me with the nut, as it was the bolt head that sheared off mine. Check your yellow pages or ask a regular dealer if they know any independants they could recommend. Good Luck
	0

03-15-2007, 03:42 PM	#7
mdsuave13 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ellicott city, Maryland Posts: 857	yep, im the same way.... these bikes are so easy to work on tho. i changed the oil, adjusted the chain, adjusted the clutch, changed the plug, and bled the brakes in a matter of 45 mins.. not bad! __________________ My name is Justin, my friends call me Stix. 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Candy Lime Green ______________________________ I am the official China bike registration Guru For the State of Maryland..... HA.
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03-16-2007, 12:13 PM	#8
vivaneil Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8	here is a photo I think I answered my own question. It appears to be a bolt and not a shaft. Looks like the head of the bolt broke clean off. There was a black plastic cover on the right side, I took it off and there was a nut sitting there, flopping around. I have emailed about 6 different popular china bike dealers, and NO response from any of them yet. I even emailed the people I bought it from ("Best Hobby Shop" from eBay), and no response. Should I just go to a local fastener store and try to get a replacement? The other incredible part was the nut was NOT a locking nut.
	0

03-16-2007, 02:36 PM	#9
fatboy250 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: COLUMBIA, SC Posts: 973	Looks like it was over-torqued from the factory, unless you did it. I would be getting a warranty replacement. Don't forget to grease the fitting for this when you do get the new one. Jason __________________ 2008 Jonway MC-70-150 2007 Roketa DB-07B (RSM-200E) 2006 Roketa DB-07A (RSX-200E) 1995 Kawasaki Concours (ZG1000)
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03-16-2007, 09:35 PM	#12
liverchip Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mystery Spot Posts: 1,223	I agree it was clearly metal failure. More than likely over torqued. __________________ 2009 XR650L Big Red Pig Tusk bar risers 2007 X-Moto(Jetmoto) GY250 --mods--- 15/40 sprockets UNI Pod Filter 2007 Shineray TMS 200XYi--Betsy Betsy Mods:______________________ Acerbis DHH headlight FMF Powercore pipe Uni Pod Filter
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03-17-2007, 01:23 PM	#14
vivaneil Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8	UPDATE: Went to my local HONDA dealership. Apparently, they dont know the dimensions of their swing arm bolts, just a part number/model number. Sooo, the search continues. FYI: I emailed "Best Hobby Shop" for a second time. Turns out they have the "Worst Customer Service".... No response, Beware.
	0

03-17-2007, 01:56 PM	#15
morespl Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 24	Hello, Damn I just purchased a Viva 200 (still in crate) from them with extended warranty. Have you left feed back on eBay yet? I would call them and explain in the nicest way that you have not but will. I picked up my bike from the warehouse where they had allot of broken bikes in the back, maybe the warehouse would be willing to help you. Here is the phone number for Viva motors (323) 588 2000 Hope this helps -Ray __________________ RLA Home Theater The Inland Empire THX certified A/V installation company<br /><br />2006 Viva VX200SX (blue) with neon clown blue rims LOL.. Hey at least they aren't pink!<br />
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