New GY-5 Owner: 3 problems. can you help?

Natemare13 · 10-21-2008, 08:16 PM

Hi everyone.

I just picked up a brand new GY-5 from a dealer friend of mine. He let me take it home in the crate. I pretty much did everything the dealer would do to set these bikes up (put the wheels on, handle bars, battery, headlight, mirrors..etc).

Here are my three problems I was hoping you guys could help answer.

1) Not So Smooth Throttle
The feel of the throttle is really gritty and not very smooth. it operates fine - I think it may just be my preference for a quick snappy throttle? the carb. side of the cable is snappy and smooth (I.E the issue isnt a bad spring on the carb side)

My questions:
a) how does your throttle feel. Is a gritty, not so smooth throttle normal?
b) If it's not normal - is there anything else I should be looking for?
c) if it is normal - Is there any other throttle cable/assembly that I could buy (maybe a honda?) which will be much smoother and snappier?

2) Not so Smooth Clutch / Clutch Sticks
The clutch also feels a bit gritty and doesnt pull / return smoothly. It's also possible it's not fully engaging (this relates back to it not returning smoothly). There is clutch lever play when the clutch is let out but I almost have to Push it out to get it to go all the way out. The transmission side is snappy and smooth...

My Questions:
a) How does your clutch feel?
do you find yourself sometimes wondering if the bike is fully engaged in gear? (ie the clutch is fully let out eventhoug you've let go of it)?
b) What should I be looking for to solve this if it isnt normal?
c) Is there an aftermarket cable or assembly I could buy that fits perfectly and will render a smoother more "sure" feeling clutch?

3) Brakes don't....Break..
The front brake went on fine - so did the rear brake. The brake lever and rear brake lever feel SOLID and smooth! When I go to stop though, the front break feels really really squishy. I can literally pull the lever all the way to the bar without locking up the front tire. I feel resistance in the lever the moment i begin to apply the brakes but just no real braking power. This cannot be the way Lifan intended...it's unsafe - th ebike just keeps rolling.

My Questions
A) what did I miss here? the front caliper is on right..and the brake fluid is clear.
B) Do I have to bleed the brakes? currently there is a small SMALL bubble in the window of the brake lever - I thought it's standard to have a small bubble in that particular window (where you check it's fluid level)?

I'm an avid motorcycylist. I've been riding for 4 years - mostly brand new mainstream sportbikes and cruisers and i've maintained them all keeping them in show room condition. I've ridin dirtbikes before but never owned a dirtbike or dual sport like the GY-5 (and I've never owned a china made bike). I applied my basic motorcycle knowlade that i've picked up over the past 4 years to putting the bike together and trouble shooting the issues i've listed above. I was successfull with everything else accept the issues listed above.

Can you guys help? Much appreciated and looking forward to contributing to the board as soon as I, myself learn a bit more about these bikes.

10-21-2008, 08:16 PM	#1
Natemare13 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13	New GY-5 Owner: 3 problems. can you help? Hi everyone. I just picked up a brand new GY-5 from a dealer friend of mine. He let me take it home in the crate. I pretty much did everything the dealer would do to set these bikes up (put the wheels on, handle bars, battery, headlight, mirrors..etc). Here are my three problems I was hoping you guys could help answer. 1) Not So Smooth Throttle The feel of the throttle is really gritty and not very smooth. it operates fine - I think it may just be my preference for a quick snappy throttle? the carb. side of the cable is snappy and smooth (I.E the issue isnt a bad spring on the carb side) My questions: a) how does your throttle feel. Is a gritty, not so smooth throttle normal? b) If it's not normal - is there anything else I should be looking for? c) if it is normal - Is there any other throttle cable/assembly that I could buy (maybe a honda?) which will be much smoother and snappier? 2) Not so Smooth Clutch / Clutch Sticks The clutch also feels a bit gritty and doesnt pull / return smoothly. It's also possible it's not fully engaging (this relates back to it not returning smoothly). There is clutch lever play when the clutch is let out but I almost have to Push it out to get it to go all the way out. The transmission side is snappy and smooth... My Questions: a) How does your clutch feel? do you find yourself sometimes wondering if the bike is fully engaged in gear? (ie the clutch is fully let out eventhoug you've let go of it)? b) What should I be looking for to solve this if it isnt normal? c) Is there an aftermarket cable or assembly I could buy that fits perfectly and will render a smoother more "sure" feeling clutch? 3) Brakes don't....Break.. The front brake went on fine - so did the rear brake. The brake lever and rear brake lever feel SOLID and smooth! When I go to stop though, the front break feels really really squishy. I can literally pull the lever all the way to the bar without locking up the front tire. I feel resistance in the lever the moment i begin to apply the brakes but just no real braking power. This cannot be the way Lifan intended...it's unsafe - th ebike just keeps rolling. My Questions A) what did I miss here? the front caliper is on right..and the brake fluid is clear. B) Do I have to bleed the brakes? currently there is a small SMALL bubble in the window of the brake lever - I thought it's standard to have a small bubble in that particular window (where you check it's fluid level)? I'm an avid motorcycylist. I've been riding for 4 years - mostly brand new mainstream sportbikes and cruisers and i've maintained them all keeping them in show room condition. I've ridin dirtbikes before but never owned a dirtbike or dual sport like the GY-5 (and I've never owned a china made bike). I applied my basic motorcycle knowlade that i've picked up over the past 4 years to putting the bike together and trouble shooting the issues i've listed above. I was successfull with everything else accept the issues listed above. Can you guys help? Much appreciated and looking forward to contributing to the board as soon as I, myself learn a bit more about these bikes.
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