Apollo DB-36 and the case of the missing engine

McQueen216 · 07-08-2023, 08:11 PM

There’san Apollo DB-36 not too far from me that’s for sale. It’s absolutely crazy expensive, and as I explain to my wife every week, there’s no way I’m buying another motorcycle - especially one that is a pure-dirt bike… and in this case, one that doesn’t even have an engine.

Right?

But let’s say that YOU were to somehow… ahem… end up with something like this… What would you do here?

[————————————————� �]
Safest Risky
Easiest Difficult

And where on the scale of things would you see your plan?
Buy a replacement Zongshen ZS165FMM engine from a major U.S. distributor, whatever the cost, whatever the delivery time? Buy a CG250 online and roll the dice a little bit? Get one off eBay? AliExpress? Would you swap out the for a different motor altogether? Another 250? Pull a McCheezy and drop in… an 1100cc?

Because I would never end up with a rolling stock project like this and do something dumb with it. Nooooooo…

XLsior · 07-08-2023, 10:38 PM

I'm usually the guy that buys clapped out bikes with potential running engines still in them. Not the other way round.

but other than counter balanced engine any CG/CB will bolt straight in...

though when you use the term "crazy expensive" my wallet would say 'no'

McQueen216 · 07-08-2023, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLsior

…though when you use the term "crazy expensive" my wallet would say 'no'

Well… it’s actually not… I mean, it’s potentially more than a burger and fries and a cold beer would cost, but… not by much.

XLsior · 07-09-2023, 07:24 AM

Not familiar with the used bikes market in USD terms. But I believe given the state of the economy the used motorcycle market is going to get oversupplied and prices will come down a lot lower than they currently are...mainly due to cost of living and debt repayments so 'toys' will get liquidated.

McQueen216 · 07-09-2023, 11:06 AM

In the US, it’s been my observation - and this in anecdotal - that there are a whole lot of folks who buy bikes and either quickly, or after some time and no / low miles of use, conclude they made a mistake and should sell their bike… for what they paid, or really close to it, or even what they paid plus the cost of the doohickies they added on to the bike.

I don’t think most of these fine, outstanding citizens realize that there isn’t a cadre of rich motorcycle saviors standing by to rescue them from their poor life choice. That no one is waiting in the wings to purchase the same exact bike they purchased, with the same exact accessories, and waiting to pay… out-the-door costs for it.

You have a rolling frame with no engine, but everything else? Well… that sucks for you. What’s our lowest common denominator here?

krat · 07-09-2023, 01:03 PM

Everyone has ignored it but I am going to jump in and ask,,,,

What's in the tub?

07-08-2023, 08:11 PM	#1
McQueen216 Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 216	Apollo DB-36 and the case of the missing engine There’san Apollo DB-36 not too far from me that’s for sale. It’s absolutely crazy expensive, and as I explain to my wife every week, there’s no way I’m buying another motorcycle - especially one that is a pure-dirt bike… and in this case, one that doesn’t even have an engine. Right? But let’s say that YOU were to somehow… ahem… end up with something like this… What would you do here? [————————————————� �] Safest Risky Easiest Difficult And where on the scale of things would you see your plan? Buy a replacement Zongshen ZS165FMM engine from a major U.S. distributor, whatever the cost, whatever the delivery time? Buy a CG250 online and roll the dice a little bit? Get one off eBay? AliExpress? Would you swap out the for a different motor altogether? Another 250? Pull a McCheezy and drop in… an 1100cc? Because I would never end up with a rolling stock project like this and do something dumb with it. Nooooooo… Attached Thumbnails __________________ SYM Wolf Classic 150 - SOLD Triumph T100 SE RE Scram411 Honda CB350 Honda CL450 Tyrion the Pit Bike Last edited by McQueen216; 07-08-2023 at 11:24 PM.
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07-09-2023, 11:06 AM	#5
McQueen216 Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 216	In the US, it’s been my observation - and this in anecdotal - that there are a whole lot of folks who buy bikes and either quickly, or after some time and no / low miles of use, conclude they made a mistake and should sell their bike… for what they paid, or really close to it, or even what they paid plus the cost of the doohickies they added on to the bike. I don’t think most of these fine, outstanding citizens realize that there isn’t a cadre of rich motorcycle saviors standing by to rescue them from their poor life choice. That no one is waiting in the wings to purchase the same exact bike they purchased, with the same exact accessories, and waiting to pay… out-the-door costs for it. You have a rolling frame with no engine, but everything else? Well… that sucks for you. What’s our lowest common denominator here? __________________ SYM Wolf Classic 150 - SOLD Triumph T100 SE RE Scram411 Honda CB350 Honda CL450 Tyrion the Pit Bike
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07-09-2023, 01:03 PM	#6
krat Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: KY Posts: 257	Everyone has ignored it but I am going to jump in and ask,,,, What's in the tub? __________________ %90 of the Chinese motorbikes ever made are still on the road. The other %10 made it back home.
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07-08-2023, 10:38 PM	#2
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,278	I'm usually the guy that buys clapped out bikes with potential running engines still in them. Not the other way round. but other than counter balanced engine any CG/CB will bolt straight in... though when you use the term "crazy expensive" my wallet would say 'no'
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07-09-2023, 07:24 AM	#4
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,278	Not familiar with the used bikes market in USD terms. But I believe given the state of the economy the used motorcycle market is going to get oversupplied and prices will come down a lot lower than they currently are...mainly due to cost of living and debt repayments so 'toys' will get liquidated.
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