Zongshen 200GY-2: 21-inch Front Wheel Conversion

[SpudRider]

Doing some research to help another forum member, I discovered a 21-inch, front wheel that fits my Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 motorcycle! Looking at close-up photographs on the Roketa website, it appeared to me the Roketa DB-07A motorcycle used the exact same hub as my Zongshen motorcycle.

http://www.roketa.com/product/7/0/2038.shtml

Roketa also sells motorcycle parts on their website! Therefore, I called Roketa, and I ordered a complete front wheel assembly for the DB-07A motorcycle, part # DB-07A-200-05-65. The Roketa front wheel costs $90, and the shipping charge is $25.

http://www.roketa.com/product/parts_detail.jsp?partId=11634&partName=STEERING%20 ASSEMBLY(5)

After the wheel arrived, I verified the Roketa DB-07A front hub is perfectly compatible with my Zongshen 200GY-2 front hub! However, I also made another, unexpected discovery; the Roketa 21-inch wheel is laced with Lifan 200GY-5 spokes!

I had previously purchased a complete set of 21-inch, Lifan spokes. I had also purchased an extra Zongshen front hub, and a 21-inch, Warp 9 alloy rim. Therefore, I laced the new Warp 9 rim to my Zongshen hub with the Lifan spokes. I then trued the new wheel, and mounted a size 2.75-21, Cheng Shin C858 tire.

Today the temperatures climbed above freezing, so I mounted my new 21-inch tire. Everything fits perfectly, and I am very pleased with the results. However, I plan to wait until the snow melts from the roads before I take my new front wheel for a test ride.









The following photograph shows the 18-inch, Zongshen wheel I removed, juxtaposed with the new, 21-inch wheel. I plan to keep the 18-inch, front wheel so I can switch back and forth from dual sport, to supermoto configurations.



Spud

[phil]

now for the big question is the rear the same as the viva :roll:

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by phil

now for the big question is the rear the same as the viva :roll:

No, the rear wheels are different. If you want an 18-inch, rear wheel on the Zong, you have two choices.

1) You can perform a Yamaha XT225 swingarm conversion.
2) You can lace an 18-inch rim to the Zongshen 200GY-2 rear hub.

Spud

[FastDoc]

Wonderful news, Spud. I'd like to think Zongshen is taking advise from you for their next model. Looks great, and I bet it will perform better off road too. I bet the handling will be different due to geometry changes.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Wonderful news, Spud. I'd like to think Zongshen is taking advise from you for their next model. Looks great, and I bet it will perform better off road too. I bet the handling will be different due to geometry changes.

Thank you, Doc! I am back to the original wheel geometry, so I expect the Zong will handle well. The Zong handles very well with 18-inch wheels in both front, and rear. However, I expect the lighter, taller, narrower front tire will lighten the Zong's handling even more. I am now also very pleased to have a much wider choice of front tires. The Shinko 244 is a very good, 50/50 dual sport tire; however, I want a more aggressive tread. I selected the Cheng Shin C858 as my first 21-inch tire, because I think it is a good tire, with a great price. I purchased the Cheng Shin C858 tire for $21, delivered to my front door.

Spud

[Frog]

This looks great Spud!

I think C858s are very good - they feel a little 'squirrely' on tarmac at first but once worn in they are good on and off-road. I've used them on my 200 and also on a 500 Armstrong.

The 21 front will make a surprisingly large difference off-raod - they just seem to roll over stuff you really notice with an 18.

To me your bike now looks like it should have looked all along - really good work!

Real shame we can not get these in the UK but I have never seen one!

Still I'm enjoying slowly modding my lifan Gy5!

Frog

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Frog

...I think C858s are very good - they feel a little 'squirrely' on tarmac at first but once worn in they are good on and off-road. I've used them on my 200 and also on a 500 Armstrong.

The 21 front will make a surprisingly large difference off-raod - they just seem to roll over stuff you really notice with an 18...

I was considering a number of different tires, but all of them cost two, or even three times as much as the C858! 8O I have read many good reports on the C858 tire, so I could not resist getting a few of them at a cost of $21, delivered.

Originally Posted by Frog

...To me your bike now looks like it should have looked all along - really good work!...

Thank you, Frog! I am very pleased with the final results; I can't wait to give the new front wheel a good workout! I am very fortunate to have received a lot of excellent advice from many members of this forum.

Spud

[katoranger]

Its as close to an xt225 at half the cost now.

Looks like the kickstand is alittle short. Also does the speed read correctly with the new wheel?

Allen

[FastDoc]

Good point on the kickstand. Looks like Andy's got some welding to do!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Good point on the kickstand. Looks like Andy's got some welding to do!

Yes, that might be true, Doc!

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

Its as close to an xt225 at half the cost now…

Yes, I think that’s about right, Allen. However, my YamaZong XT200GY-2 has a few features lacking on the stock, Yamaha XT225: Inverted Forks; LED Turn Signals and Indicator Lights; 4.1 Gallon (Advertised) Clarke Fuel Tank; Fiamm 125 dB Horn; Wide, soft, comfortable touring saddle; FMF Turbine Core 2 Spark Arrestor/Silencer; Extra-Wide Foot Pegs; Heavy-Duty Luggage Rack; and DRC Edge 2, LED Tail Light Assembly. I can also switch front wheels to achieve a supermoto configuration with my Zong. In addition, the Zong is less expensive to repair, and it is not hampered by all the EPA emissions add-ons that make the Yamaha XT225 so cold-blooded. To be fair, however, the Yamaha XT225 is much lighter, has a larger engine, et cetera. Nevertheless, with all factors considered, I prefer my YamaZong XT200GY-2.

Originally Posted by katoranger

…Looks like the kickstand is alittle short…

Yes, as someone warned me, I think the kickstand might now be a little too short. Since it is winter, I have a few months to modify the kickstand before the trails upon up in the spring. I need to do some research, but I think I can install a used, or new Yamaha XT225 kickstand. As Doc predicted, I can also ask my Christian brother Andy to weld an extension onto the Zong kickstand, as shown in the following thread.

http://tw200forum.com/forums/76844/ShowPost.aspx

Originally Posted by katoranger

…Also does the speed read correctly with the new wheel?…

I did a rough calculation, and I figured the new front wheel is about ten percent larger in circumference than the stock front wheel. Since the speedometer was previously ten percent “optimistic,” I predict it should be more accurate after this conversion.

Spud

[katoranger]

The speedo was probably originally designed for the 21" wheel.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Good point on the kickstand. Looks like Andy's got some welding to do!

The following threads contain some more kickstand ideas, Doc.

http://tw200forum.com/forums/74778/ShowPost.aspx
http://tw200forum.com/forums/61530/ShowPost.aspx
http://tw200forum.com/forums/73393/ShowPost.aspx
http://tw200forum.com/forums/84027/ShowPost.aspx

Spud

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The following threads contain some more kickstand ideas, Doc.

http://tw200forum.com/forums/74778/ShowPost.aspx
http://tw200forum.com/forums/61530/ShowPost.aspx
http://tw200forum.com/forums/73393/ShowPost.aspx
http://tw200forum.com/forums/84027/ShowPost.aspx

Spud

I got a kick out of the baby booty one!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

I got a kick out of the baby booty one!

Isn't that cute! I don't think it's my style, however.

Spud