XR200 transplant

Feetup · 05-12-2020, 12:51 AM

Does anyone know if there is a 230cc China engine that bolts into XR200 frame?

culcune · 05-12-2020, 12:53 AM

I believe they all do, but there are probably some minor modifications required.

Feetup · 05-12-2020, 01:14 AM

I have an old 1983 XR200r that had the engine abused to destruction, hence need a cheap replacement. I know they look similar and everyone says they Should fit, but has anyone actually done it?? Any pitfalls to be aware of?

franque · 05-12-2020, 02:25 AM

I did with a CG200, it went in just fine. The only difference is the width of the mount on the head, it's a bit wider, so I spaced the mount out with washers. A 230 should fit the same, as long as it's a CB/CG clone without a counterbalancer. It's actually an easier swap than a later XR200 (post '86) motor, as they spaced out the countershaft. Go for it, as long as it isn't counterbalanced. If it is, you'd have to make a new front mount.

Megadan · 05-12-2020, 02:31 AM

The only way to really know would be to compare measurements of the mount points on the XR motor with those of the one you would like to use. I would suspect that the rear case mounts to the frame would be no issue, and the cylinder head mount would be easy to fab if needed as it would be a couple of flat plates. The only real unknown would be the front two mount points, and again, the upper mount point to the frame is a pair of plates, easy to fab. The lower front would be the only potential spot where some welding may or may not be needed.

EDIT, nevermind Franque coming in with the good answers lol.

Bruces · 05-12-2020, 06:08 AM

Weldangrind has done it before .

Hancadam · 05-12-2020, 06:41 AM

I put one on a 1983 200x three wheeler, which shared the same motor as the xr200. It bolted right up with no modifications. This was almost 15 years ago. For me, the hardest part was installing and connecting the new wiring harness, and figuring out how to mount a battery since electric start was a must. The kickstart was useless with the fenders on (three wheeler kicked forward).

I also put a manual 125cc Lifan engine on a atc70 , that was really fun. Again, bolted right up.

2LZ · 05-12-2020, 12:10 PM

Fastdoc dropped an OHC (CB) motor in an XR200 frame. Worked great. I can't remember the exact year frame tho.

EDIT: Dug through the forums and found when Doc sold his Dirt Rat (XR200/Lifan). For those who remember, reading the last two lines of the first post was the start of a very long nightmare for Doc! LOL!

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...highlight=dirt

OneLeggedRider · 05-12-2020, 12:31 PM

I'd say it would be really simple. I've put alot of different motors in different frames, but I'm also very handy with a welder and torch lol. Usually the most challenging part is reshaping the bottom of a plastic gas tank to make room for a bigger cylinder head and ensuring you've got enough room for the carb.

franque · 05-12-2020, 01:30 PM

Mine is an 81-83 XR200R, so everything should be the same. I might have had to ream out one of the holes for the rear mounts, but I can't remember for sure.

Feetup · 05-13-2020, 12:32 AM

Thanks guys, I will go Lifan hunting. I guess all the 230 China motors have the same mounts?

franque · 05-13-2020, 02:38 AM

As long as it's a clone of a Honda CB (OHC) or CG (pushrod), it'll work fine. I think that's what's mostly available on the market.

Weldangrind · 05-20-2020, 10:13 PM

Doc and I both installed a CG200 into an '83 XR200R. I didn't have any challenges that I recall.

pistolclass · 05-21-2020, 09:06 AM

Ahh yes I remember that. I miss FastDoc. hope all is well with him.

Rokoneer · 05-21-2020, 07:37 PM

Just dropped a Loncin into a Honda 200x frame. all mounts except the upper rear fell into place. I had to modify that engine mount by taking about 1/2" off the left side of it.

05-12-2020, 12:51 AM	#1
Feetup Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 3	XR200 transplant Does anyone know if there is a 230cc China engine that bolts into XR200 frame?
	1

05-12-2020, 12:53 AM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	I believe they all do, but there are probably some minor modifications required. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

05-12-2020, 02:31 AM	#5
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,902	The only way to really know would be to compare measurements of the mount points on the XR motor with those of the one you would like to use. I would suspect that the rear case mounts to the frame would be no issue, and the cylinder head mount would be easy to fab if needed as it would be a couple of flat plates. The only real unknown would be the front two mount points, and again, the upper mount point to the frame is a pair of plates, easy to fab. The lower front would be the only potential spot where some welding may or may not be needed. EDIT, nevermind Franque coming in with the good answers lol. __________________ 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2010 VFR1200F - http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20708
	0

05-12-2020, 12:10 PM	#8
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,064	Fastdoc dropped an OHC (CB) motor in an XR200 frame. Worked great. I can't remember the exact year frame tho. EDIT: Dug through the forums and found when Doc sold his Dirt Rat (XR200/Lifan). For those who remember, reading the last two lines of the first post was the start of a very long nightmare for Doc! LOL! http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...highlight=dirt __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	2

05-12-2020, 12:31 PM	#9
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	I'd say it would be really simple. I've put alot of different motors in different frames, but I'm also very handy with a welder and torch lol. Usually the most challenging part is reshaping the bottom of a plastic gas tank to make room for a bigger cylinder head and ensuring you've got enough room for the carb. __________________ ~ Don't poke the bear ~ M.M.I. Dean's List graduate class of '95 and Specialty welder 2020 Ice Bear Terifecta 150cc Trike 2011 Honda Foreman 500ES 4x4 2001 Polaris Scrambler 400
	0

05-12-2020, 01:14 AM	#3
Feetup Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 3	I have an old 1983 XR200r that had the engine abused to destruction, hence need a cheap replacement. I know they look similar and everyone says they Should fit, but has anyone actually done it?? Any pitfalls to be aware of?
	0

05-12-2020, 02:25 AM	#4
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	I did with a CG200, it went in just fine. The only difference is the width of the mount on the head, it's a bit wider, so I spaced the mount out with washers. A 230 should fit the same, as long as it's a CB/CG clone without a counterbalancer. It's actually an easier swap than a later XR200 (post '86) motor, as they spaced out the countershaft. Go for it, as long as it isn't counterbalanced. If it is, you'd have to make a new front mount.
	1

05-12-2020, 06:08 AM	#6
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,566	Weldangrind has done it before .
	1

05-12-2020, 06:41 AM	#7
Hancadam Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 201	I put one on a 1983 200x three wheeler, which shared the same motor as the xr200. It bolted right up with no modifications. This was almost 15 years ago. For me, the hardest part was installing and connecting the new wiring harness, and figuring out how to mount a battery since electric start was a must. The kickstart was useless with the fenders on (three wheeler kicked forward). I also put a manual 125cc Lifan engine on a atc70 , that was really fun. Again, bolted right up.
	1

05-12-2020, 01:30 PM	#10
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Mine is an 81-83 XR200R, so everything should be the same. I might have had to ream out one of the holes for the rear mounts, but I can't remember for sure.
	0

05-13-2020, 12:32 AM	#11
Feetup Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 3	Thanks guys, I will go Lifan hunting. I guess all the 230 China motors have the same mounts?
	0

05-13-2020, 02:38 AM	#12
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	As long as it's a clone of a Honda CB (OHC) or CG (pushrod), it'll work fine. I think that's what's mostly available on the market.
	0

05-20-2020, 10:13 PM	#13
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Doc and I both installed a CG200 into an '83 XR200R. I didn't have any challenges that I recall. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	1

05-21-2020, 09:06 AM	#14
pistolclass Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: connecticut Posts: 978	Ahh yes I remember that. I miss FastDoc. hope all is well with him.
	1

05-21-2020, 07:37 PM	#15
Rokoneer Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 11	Just dropped a Loncin into a Honda 200x frame. all mounts except the upper rear fell into place. I had to modify that engine mount by taking about 1/2" off the left side of it.
	1