New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

Nicely done Spud - I see you did have to shrink your levers to fit inside the guards too.

I look forward to seeing your installation thread, though I fear this might be a bit much for me to tackle with no other experience under my belt at least I have something to aspire to

Thank you. One of the things I like best about the RX3 is how well it is equipped in stock configuration. I don't like spending the time, let alone the money, to add all of the necessary equipment to a new bike. I never enjoy adding handguards to any motorcycle; I would rather be riding. Because of the new master cylinder, windshield clearance, et cetera, this job on the RX3 was a little more tedious than most. Fortunately, I only need to add heated grips, and my farkling of the RX3 is complete.

[woodlandsprite]

just a question on that handguard install - (I'm still holding out hope Barkbusters makes something work with CSC - I know they've been talking to each other) - is it always necessary to chop the end of the throttle grip off? I ask because I looked at the Barkbuster install on our other bike and the end of the grip seems intact and untouched.

[G19Tony]

Not because I'm racking up big miles. It was because I noticed the crankcase was COMPLETELY FULL! I'm very disappointed in myself for not noticing before I did my first ride. I checked it, and it looked like it was at the top of the line. I looked again today, and there was oil clear to the top of the sight glass.

I'm confident no damage was done. I'm leaving it overnight to drain. When I pulled out the filters, it made quite a mess on the skid plate. I would recommend skid plate removal prior to oil drainage.

There was some fuzz on the magnetic drain plug, as expected. I'm going to cut the old filter open tomorrow and see what's going on.

[fishman10]

Yes spud,that looks like the electrical box that came with the dash. Where does it go? And also if any one knows how the revamped center stand spring mounts,let me know. Thx.

[detours]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yesterday I went for a ride to test my suspension settings and handguards. Here are a few photos from that ride.

[URL=http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3336_zpsdbby5ef1.jpg.html]

Looking good, spud! But you are in serious need of a Shinko on the front. Are you getting the 19" wheel?

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Fortunately, I only need to add heated grips, and my farkling of the RX3 is complete.

Ha! I hereby challenge that notion.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

just a question on that handguard install - (I'm still holding out hope Barkbusters makes something work with CSC - I know they've been talking to each other) - is it always necessary to chop the end of the throttle grip off? I ask because I looked at the Barkbuster install on our other bike and the end of the grip seems intact and untouched.

If the handguard attaches to the end of the handlebar, you must cut away the end of the throttle tube.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by G19Tony

Not because I'm racking up big miles. It was because I noticed the crankcase was COMPLETELY FULL! I'm very disappointed in myself for not noticing before I did my first ride. I checked it, and it looked like it was at the top of the line. I looked again today, and there was oil clear to the top of the sight glass.

I'm confident no damage was done. I'm leaving it overnight to drain. When I pulled out the filters, it made quite a mess on the skid plate. I would recommend skid plate removal prior to oil drainage.

There was some fuzz on the magnetic drain plug, as expected. I'm going to cut the old filter open tomorrow and see what's going on.

Indeed, it is wise to remove the skid plate before changing the oil. You only need to remove three, 8mm bolts, and they are easily accessible.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by fishman10

Yes spud,that looks like the electrical box that came with the dash. Where does it go? And also if any one knows how the revamped center stand spring mounts,let me know. Thx.

I'm guessing along the same lines as Huck. I think you insert the 'converter' into the plug, then you connect the USB port into the 'converter.' If you have time, please post photos of the different components for the two power ports.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Ha! I hereby challenge that notion.

As usual, you are undoubtedly correct.

[oldqwerty]

Originally Posted by pete

How dose going to a smaller crank pin diameter increass the stroke ?
Stoke is the centre line of the crank pin & main journal X2
the Dia of either has no bearing on the stoke..
to increass the stroke you have to move the centre line of them
ferther apart...

Cutting the throttle tube is not always necessary. Cut the end off the grip with a razor knife. Loosen the throttle/switch housing screws and slid it and the throttle tube to the triple tree a couple millimeters.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by detours

Looking good, spud! But you are in serious need of a Shinko on the front. Are you getting the 19" wheel?

Thank you. I agree. You and Qwerty are undoubtedly correct about the front tire.

I took a ride off road today, but before I left, I mounted a Kenda, K270 front tire in size 3.50-18. I decided to mount the Kenda K270 in front instead of a Shinko 244 for the following reasons. Both tires are the same width, but the Kenda K270 is a little taller, and the K270 has a slightly more aggressive tread pattern.

I expected some ruts, and some talcum powder dust. Therefore, I knew it was time to mount the K270 front tire before my ride. Little did I know the conditions I would face in April.

Riding across the Snake River Plain toward Big Southern Butte, I encountered mile after mile of ruts covered with inches of talcum powder dust. The trucks like to tear up this road when it is wet, leaving large ruts. Then, when the weather turns dry, the ruts fill with dust the consistency of talcum powder.





I was feathering the clutch in first gear a lot of the time during this ride. This was not a good place to go riding the RX3, but I didn't anticipate encountering these conditions in April.

I like this bike a lot, and it did a good job under nasty conditions. However, I think this bike would be superb, and capable of handling even nastier conditions if it had a better suspension, with more suspension travel. I hope either Zongshen, CSC, or one of us finds a way to improve the forks, and the shock absorber.

I didn't find any stretches of road without ruts and dust until I reached the butte.













Both tires did a good job, as did the RX3. However, my back got a good workout bouncing over the hidden ruts on the slippery talcum powder. After reaching town, I stopped to eat at a restaurant. In the setting sun I captured a photograph of the trusty, dusty RX3, and both of its tires.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by oldqwerty

Cutting the throttle tube is not always necessary. Cut the end off the grip with a razor knife. Loosen the throttle/switch housing screws and slid it and the throttle tube to the triple tree a couple millimeters.

Yes, that will work if the throttle tube is not closed on the end, and the throttle/switch housing is not pinned to a hole in the handlebars.

However, I have discovered the throttle tubes on all my motorcycles, including the RX3, are closed at the end. Also, the throttle/switch housing of the RX3 is pinned to the handlebars.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by detours

Looking good, spud! But you are in serious need of a Shinko on the front. Are you getting the 19" wheel?

No, I am not getting a 19-inch front wheel. There are a number of good choices for 18-inch front tires, and most of them weigh less than the 19-inch front tires. If I switch at all, I will be switching to a 21-inch front wheel.

[woodlandsprite]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Yes, that will work if the throttle tube is not closed on the end, and the throttle/switch housing is not pinned to a hole in the handlebars.

However, I have discovered the throttle tubes on all my motorcycles, including the RX3, are closed at the end. Also, the throttle/switch housing of the RX3 is pinned to the handlebars.

*sigh* I guess I better make sure I have a hacksaw around these parts then...