Skyteam V-retro (raptor) 250 owner
 

Hi
I'm based in Australia and just purchased a skyteam v-retro 250. The V-retro is known as the v-raptor everywhere else!

I have a bike with the black colouring and call it the black wombat - coz it has a big rear end and doesn't move too fast! Unfortunately, like a wombat it has also been hiding out in the dark a bit too much of late. I've had some trouble getting it started. I ran it for about 15 km's then couldn't start it.

I've checked the spark plug (still throws a spark) I've tightened all connections around the carburettor. I've even taken it to a mechanic to tune. It then ran for about 10 km's, and then wouldn't start again.

Just wondering if anyone has had similar problems or can suggest solutions for what I can do to get the black wombat out of the burrow and onto the road!

Hi,
Welcome. Nice to see you found the way here :) Could you take some close pictures of the engine and carberator on both sides? Then I could compare to see if any of the fuel lines are hooked up the same way on my bike.

Eric

Welcome!
Did you check the spark right as the engine quit, i mean in operating temperature? If not, it could be the ignition coil that fails when it's hot. Did the bike start again when it's cooled down?

if you have a spark, is it fat and blue or orange and weak?

do you have enough petrol in the tank? does it flow into the carbie? that would be the second thing to check if you do get a good spark.

Wow, thanks for all the responses. It is night here and my hope is to take the bike back to the mechanic to have another look, hopefully get it running again. I really have no tools or experience with bikes. I will take all your suggestions with me.

There have been a lot of naysayers here in Australia with regard to Chinese bikes. Of three local mechanics, two would not even look at my bike! I imagine the same thing would of happen with Japanese bikes when they first started production.

I'm interested to hear from members who have had the v-raptor on the road for a while. Is it true one can use Honda CRF230F engine parts?

How would this motor go as a replacement? http://www.crossfiremotorcycles.com/...engine-4t.html

I've had the same thing happen to me here in Germany also. A Kawasaki or Suzuki dealer didn't even want to do an inspection and check the valve clearance. Luckily I found mechanic in my town that is specialized on chinese scooters an bikes.
The Skyteam 250 engine actually has 223cc. Honda has for example the FTR 223.
which is the same engine as far as I know.

http://image.rakuten.co.jp/hatoya/ca...8ftr223dxm.jpg

Has anyone removed the exhaust baffle? When my bike was running, my neighbour came over to check it. He said it "looked like a harley, sounded like a postman's bike!" :shrug:

There is a company in Australia that do a custom version of the v-retro (raptor). They call it the black betty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gqn6SDpj0g

Welcome overlander! :hi:

With the experience I've had with that engine, I'd say one or both of the valves are too tight. Setting valves is quite simple on these engines: http://hondacg125.awardspace.com/valve_clearance.htm Even if the valves aren't the problem, it's good to know how to set them properly.

Trailbikeryder, thanks for telling us about the FTR223; I was unfamiliar with that model, and I didn't realize that Honda produced the CG-style engine beyond 125cc.

Welcome to the forum. :tup: I am subsribed to a guy on Youtube with the same name.

I had the same problem. >: One mechanic even screwed up my stator. If you can find somebody who you can trust (you can always try a Suzuki sticker http://www.chinariders.net/images/icons/gay_gif.gif) or you'll just have to learn how to do it yourself. It's not that hard but it takes patience. I agree with Weld check the valve clearance just to make sure. You will learn a lot in short time, plus you'll save money. :)

I will print that out about the valve clearance and take it to the mechanic.

Yes, I make videos Pliskin, just back in Australia after near two years abroad. last place I went to was Cuba (loved it)

At some stage I hope to start making videos around Melbourne on my bike! Melbourne is represented by 70 different cultural cuisines, I want to try a meal in each countries restaurant, and make a video for each.

The mechanic can't fit the bike in today, had to forfeit the $41 booking fee with vicroads. He reckons if it was the valves he would not have been able to start it previously and it would have coughed and spluttered. The bike will have to sit in the garage now until I find time to get back here and find someone to get it running or buy tools and learn zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance myself :doh:

Welcome! We are glad you joined us. :hi:

You definitely came to the right place. :) We have many knowledgeable, helpful members on these forums. :tup:

Wow nice to chat with you Overlander. :hi:
I love watching your youtube videos, they are very entertaining and educational. :tup: That tale in Cuba getting stuck for 5 days was very interesting. Communism best system in controlling nations, probably invented by freemasons. That's a great story that you are going to make. Hope you are going to get your bike on road soon. Keep us posted and people on this forum will help you. They helped me. ;)

Hey overlander,
We're not so many Skyteam V-Raptor around here. I think only me and Trailbikeryder from Germany "mingle about" (sort of) regularly.

If you want, check out our introductory threads:
http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=12049
http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10274

Now, to your not starting problem. Since you say you have spark, then it must be fuel related. Did you/mechanic check the carburetor?

Try to turn the starter for a few seconds with the spark plug cable unplugged? Then take out the spark plug and see if it's wet. If it is dry, then you have no fuel going into the cylinder, i.e. most probably carburetor is clogged somewhere.

Thanks Pliskin

Yes Cuba was a drag with regard to the government, but the people are wonderful, a really fascinating mix of culture. The music is amazing.
North Korea on the other hand, now although they treated us like royalty, you could tell it was a failed system.

I will try Krasi_BG to see if it is fuel related. I was hoping to avoid having to work on the bike, I have a lot on my plate at the moment, but I can see I'm gunna have to learn some mechanical skills :hmm:

Appreciate your help.

well, mate, did you get onto this forum expecting to be told to use a mechanic? :grr::D

the best in that department, since you don t know one, would be to find someone who works on pitbikes and ATVs. they understand the chinese scene.
OR spend all that money on tools and develop the know-how. that s why many here have several bikes, some to use, others to fix. that reduces the frustration factor and, well, it is fun. but i agree, if you don t have time right now that wont work for you.

Yeah it could be fun Zingshoen
Great to have been told about this forum
Going to do a few checks on the bike myself today:hmm:

Welcome to here, Overlander. The problem with having your bike is that Skyteam has not brought it to N. America yet (although on ST's facebook page, the moderator or host of their official page stated they are getting its certified-yes!). Instead, you will have to rely on a Bulgarian and German who own the same bike in their respective countries, and have already introduced themselves.

Change the spark plug as they seem to foul easily on these Chinese bikes.

Yes, good idea. That was one of the first things I did. And it's very simple.
THe original spark plug has the number D8RTC. Chances are you won't find a spark plug with this number anywhere - I didn't. So I took the time and went through many lists to get the equivalent Plug from other brands. I have the NGK DPR8EA-9 one.
The spark plug gap should be 0.6mm-0.7mm (0.02-0.03in). Normally it's ok with new spark plugs.

NGK DPR8EA-9
Nippon DENSO X24EPR-U9
NGK iridium IXDPR8EIX-9
Champion RA6HC
Bosch XR5DC

Thank's guys... I changed the spark plug and guess what. The Black Wombat is now starting and running!

Most spark plugs aren't very expensive. It's good to change them on a regular basis. :tup:

Some manufacturers recommend changing the plug after the initial break-in. I threw the original one away after the first heat cycle :)

That's good news! I haven't had good luck with China plugs in stuff I've bought new, but two of the (very) used China bikes I have both still had the stock plug! I guess you get a winner occasionally.

Just wondering if anyone has had to adjust their throttle. Mine has been sticking and is quite lose when you turn it. I tried adjusting the adjuster nut, but it appears to be lose where the cable enters the part on the handlebars (see photo) Has anyone had to pull this part apart. Any suggestions?



Also does this weld on the bottom of the rear shock look ok? It doesn't appear to solid (see photo)

I'll defer to someone who has that type of bike to chime in on the throttle.

That weld looks like it has good penetration. If you were to try and weld it fully, you'd risk destroying the bushing. I'd leave it.

great looking bike!

the throttle cable will need to come off to be greased and perhaps rerouted. it is likely to be sticky because it is too tight somewhere under the tank. reroute it and use a couple of zip ties, make sure there s no kinks and squeezes. it will come unstuck and perform. use some additional nuts on top of carbie if possible as spacers to reduce cable slack. bit of cable slack is fine. if you want less throttle turn, you ll need another setup, more like an dirt bike. take a look at my nifty zongifications thread in the DS/Enduro section, it shows you a halfturn throttle

Interesting; there's a place for another throttle cable yet you don't have one. Please post more pictures of your carb and motor from both sides. That will give us a better clue as to what your bike is based on. That will help part replacement if you need them. So far, the general layout looks to be based on a Yamaha TW200 what with the big back tire. Your motor looks Suzuki-ish with the oil filter on the right side, however. The ones on the website are definetly Honda based. By the way, if Suzuki based, the motor should be 249cc and if Honda based, probably 223cc like Trailbikeryder siggests.

Indeed most probably it's routing of the throttle cable. Last time I had to mount the tank, I had to take it off, and then on twice to unstuck it. It's best not to tuck it in, under the tank and between the frame, but rather let it hang "freely".

Just in Melbourne at the moment, will post more photos when I return to the country. The metal part that goes into the connector on the handlebars appears lose. Might have to pull it apart to see if I can tighten it. Thanks for all comments

undo the bracket and all parts will be revealed. it s not complicated.

hope you re in the northern suburbs (brunswick, coburg, preston):clap:

I'm in Footscray, inner west. I found this article on buying a motorbike in China when searching for info on the biggest shopping mall in the world - http://www.gochengdoo.com/en/blog/it...our_motorcycle The jialing tricycles look pretty cool

the v-retro (raptor) 250's first (legal) day on the road

Be careful. You're riding on the wrong side of the road. :hehe:

Sorry, just kidding. Very nice pics, i like your bike! :tup:

wrong side of the road and upside down!
in the land downunder :)

I really like that bike. Any mods planned for it?

I may put a new exhaust on it to give it a beefier note and let a bit more flow through. My brother has a spare muffler for his R1, which has had the baffle removed.

great bike, looks good in black, too. i used to live in brunswick, and spent much time on sydney road. williamstown rings a few pleasant bells, though. safe riding!

took the bike for an extensive ride around Ararat (country town) today. Took it out on the highway but only to around 80kms. It is great fun around town, only weights 125 kg's so easy to throw around. Get's a few looks and comments, people don't know what it is. I've been looking at some mods on the original suzuki van van, they look great stripped back, nice looking flat tracker appearance.

If I was to get it lookin spec I would :

remove white fenders

jack up the rear end

put a meatier exhaust on it

maybe a fat 180' front tire like the rear

thinner seat