Official update;

Installed new RK chain...check.
Removed and discarded "dummy plug", installed real NGK...check.
Finished repairing broken starter/power switch...check.
Adjusted mixture on pot...check.
Installed missing cotter pin on brake clevis pin...check.

Success! Will start sometimes on the first kick!
Even fake factory battery will start it now.

Squirt is having trouble learning the clutch, but that will come in time.

Thanks for the advice Weld (and all others who chimed in)!

I was a little iffy if I was going to be able to pull this off or not. Reading some of the horror stories had made be nervous, but things are looking OK so far!

:)

Awesome! I hope you guys have many happy miles with it.

Thanks Weld!

It's looking like it will be a kick in the pants! Yes, more maintenance, but for us stoic, seasoned, battle weary gear-heads...it shouldn't be so bad (hope-hope).
:lol:

Glad to hear it's up and going!

I'd still like to try a China dirt bike just for fun. My kids little mini quads just aren't up to snuff for me. :)

Clutches with the hands always a strange thing at first. I stalled my bike quite a bit at first, was so worried it was going to flip over on me!

TT,

Yeah, they can be neat little scoots after some "set up" and tuning.
Keep us posted if you acquire a steed.

Yikes! Been over 3 months since I was last posting.

Squirt has enjoyed the bike so far. Oddly, the rear tire went 100% flat and wouldn't hold air.
Pulled it yesterday and found the valve stem completely torn off!
I noticed the wheel doesn't have rim locks. Yup, tire spun on wheel and tore off stem.
When buying the new tube, the guy said it will happen again so he suggested doing the old drag racer stunt of drilling the wheels and installing screws.

I picked up a package of hex headed 1/2" metal screws and drilled/installed (4) on each side for a total of eight.

Seems to be working so far. Sheesh! The amount of tinkering just keeps going.

:wink:

I turned my son's previous 125 Pit Bike into a tractor, it was geared so low. It actually spun the tire inside the rim. 8O I installed a rim lock from an RM80 (from the wrecker) and it never gave me any more trouble.

Cool Wg.
Yeah, I thought about a rim lock also. I tried the screw stunt due to drag racing experience.

Roketa 200cc Update
 

Brought the squirt up for a labor day run. Bike ran well all day. The chain popping off wasn't fun, but we reinstalled it one notch tighter and continued on.

It's still holding together. Oh, and installing a good battery made start ups a breeze!

There was a lot of bugs to work out, but when once addressed, they make neat little starter bikes.

How is Squirt's clutching coming along?

Weld,

A little trouble finding neutral sometimes, but other than that,...fairly decent.

Have you tried synthetic oil? Maybe neutral will come easier.

Hadn't thought of that. Using mostly 15-40w standard.

Might give it a try on the next change.

Went on a more technically difficult run yesterday. Yikes! Back to the drawing board.

-right hand guard cracked, need to get a "real" one with a metal bar in the middle.
-metal screws in wheels failed to stop the tire from spinning, tore off valve stem again. Will put in a dedicated rim lock.
-end ball of hand brake lever snapped off. Might just pull a J-B Weld stunt for a fix.
-rock broke off tip of foot shift lever. Going to get a "real" spring loaded "flex tip" replacement.
-chain won't stay on. Fake chain guide is ****ing useless, looks more like a disc guard. Will install a "real" pit bike universal guard that actually holds the chain on.

**** me! Oh well, that was our last run for this season, so I have time to tinker in the garage.
:wink:

Sounds like a good time!! 8O

With all that carnage, I'm just glad to hear there are no broken bones.