New Rider, New Owner, Not-so-new Guy from VA

Ross · 07-01-2019, 11:18 PM

Hey Folks - just got my course done late last winter, got a bike (Honda Rebel; great look, but too low, too small), sold it and tried out this Apollo RX-whatever with a 233cc (?) engine and a PZ30 "Jing Ke" carb.

It's late and I don't have great pics yet, but will post some later.

For now, i got a question or two that i am hoping the old hands might chime in on.

I love this bike and the feel, and have about 200 miles and an oil change on it, but... it needs a bit of 'love' on the carburetion. The choke cable moves but has zero effect on the engine. (The cable is connected and works...) Worse, the thing can be really hard-starting. I resolved some/most of the hard start by squaring away a kink in the fuel line at the petcock, but it's still a bit finicky.

The real questions --

Is it normal to run at high-ish rpm?
It seems to top out at..55-60 mph on flat road, little/no wind. Re-jet main jet?
Is getting a Mikuni VM-22/24/26 recommended and if so, which one?
Where do folks get their sprocket customizations?

I've been to "jetsrus" and love the site, but I don't know how to map my "PZ30 Jing Ke" to a Mikuni VM-series.

I'd buy a re-jetting kit, but not sure which ranges are best.

And I am up for putting more kick in with with a sprocket tweak, but where is best place to start?

I am very much a 'teach a man to fish' type, so any/all pointers are most welcome.

Thanks for this forum and thanks in advance for any/all advice to a new rider and a new China bike owner....

**JerryHawk250** · 07-02-2019, 07:43 AM

Welcome aboard!

It is not necessary to replace the carb as the stock carb can be re-jetted. Get a set of main jets ranging from 100-125. Pilot jets can be tricking as they are different styles that come in the PZ30 carbs. Best thing to do is open the carb and see what you have in there before you start. Member NZbrakelathe sells jet kits for these carbs and can probably help you out. Hopefully a couple of the Apollo members chime in and can help you out with the sprockets.

dpl096 · 07-02-2019, 08:23 PM

Welcome aboard and congratulations

Weldangrind · 07-03-2019, 11:39 AM

Welcome!

billatloaus · 07-03-2019, 10:18 PM

I am new to this as well. June 2019 I purchased a TaoTao TBR7 250 with similar needs. My first upgrade will be new sprockets. I purchased JTF259.17 from JT Sprockets (Amazon) for the front and JTR269.45 frm JT Sprockets (Amazon) for the rear. This was recommended by Motocheez.com and Motocheez on Facebook.

Megadan · 07-03-2019, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Is it normal to run at high-ish rpm?
It seems to top out at..55-60 mph on flat road, little/no wind. Re-jet main jet?
Is getting a Mikuni VM-22/24/26 recommended and if so, which one?
Where do folks get their sprocket customizations?

I've been to "jetsrus" and love the site, but I don't know how to map my "PZ30 Jing Ke" to a Mikuni VM-series.

I'd buy a re-jetting kit, but not sure which ranges are best.

And I am up for putting more kick in with with a sprocket tweak, but where is best place to start?

I am very much a 'teach a man to fish' type, so any/all pointers are most welcome.

Thanks for this forum and thanks in advance for any/all advice to a new rider and a new China bike owner....

1. Run high ish rpm where? Idle for these motors is 1500rpm. Being so small, and geared more for off road, they will tend to live in the higher RPM range at any given speed compared to a road bike.

2. The jetting could be holding you back. What RPM are you sitting at when at 60mph? Most of these bikes aren't geared to go much beyond 60-65 from the factory.

3. IMHO, the "30mm" VM26 clone is a decent option, but as Jerry stated you can also simply rejet the stock carb. They are more or less identical and there is no performance gain. As far as jetting said Mikuni clone, it wouldn't be too hard to get you close with all of the knowledge here.

My personal opinion, if you are going to actually change carbs, then upgrade to a 30mm smooth bore carb like a PWK or PE. There are actual benefits to doing so in terms of performance. This would require a different intake from the original one, but as to date nobody has done this upgrade yet. There is a member here with your style of bike looking to do so soon though, so hopefully that question will be answered before too long.

4. I do believe your bike comes with a 530 pitch chain, so most of the sprocket stuff you see us Hawk/Bashan/CSC guys talking about will not apply.

That said, if you wanted to step down to a 520 chain, then as far as I have seen the same sprockets that I used for my Hawk should also work on your Apollo. Rear sprocket will have a 90mm bolt spacing, 10.5mm holes, amd a 58mm hub bore Seen here. http://www.jtsprockets.com/fileadmin...rge/JTR279.png
If this is the case, a JTR279 sprocket will work perfectly and range from 30-42 teeth. The JTF328 front sprocket is what I also use and should also suit your engine, but again, some measurements would be a good idea. If it matches these dimensions, then you are good to go. They come in 12 to 15 teeth. http://www.jtsprockets.com/fileadmin...rge/JTF328.png

If you want to stay with a 530 chain, then a bit more searching is in order. I know some guys have had custom rear sprockets made to go up in rear tooth count. I have yet to find any off the shelf part numbers. Personally, a 520 chain is more than adequate for these bikes in my opinion.

Ross · 07-07-2019, 09:21 PM

Hey Megadan, JerryHawk and guys -- thanks for copious advice and welcomes.

Will pursue this NZ fellow for jet kits (JetsRUs couldn't/wouldn't sell me w/o having more detailed information than I already gave) and so I will go the 100-125 "jet kit" route before Mikuni-izing myself. (Sounds kinky, eh?)

The points on RPM and mph are well-taken.

I can't tell you what the idle RPMs are (no tach! I'd like to put analog dials on this bike!) but the RPMs are definitely at/above 1500). I don't think i will get more than the 60 mph i have gotten out of this thang without re-jetting/sprocket/air filter/other tweaks.

I will probably eff around with the idle air flow screw (slowly, slowly catchee chicken) and see what happens.

Meanwhile, off to find this NZbrakelathe fellow in The Shire....

In other news, just got signed up for another 1-1 MSF/MRC course, and reaching out my tentacles (hey it makes throttle control easier, don't judge) about local dirt biking.

I really hope i don't have to join a local youth gang and do wheelies with skull-painted ATVs down the middle of Main Street to build my 'street cred'.

;-)

Thanks again....

Ross · 07-08-2019, 01:36 PM

Minor update, if it's helpful to anyone:

Got in touch w/NZbrakelathe, checked out eBay store. half a dozen emails and two kits ordered later, neither of us are sure what's going to be in that "Jing Ke" PZ30 carb on my Apollo RX250/AGB-36 (from memory) until after I open 'er up.

Will keep folks here posted. For now, it's been good to work with NZbrakelathes, who seems knowledgeable and very eager to help and make all best efforts.

When i get pics in hand, I'll share 'em!

Thanks again to all who chimed in. Great forum....

wedooit · 07-08-2019, 05:48 PM

Welcome, many experts here, and kindness!

07-01-2019, 11:18 PM	#1
Ross Join Date: May 2019 Location: washington, dc Posts: 3	New Rider, New Owner, Not-so-new Guy from VA Hey Folks - just got my course done late last winter, got a bike (Honda Rebel; great look, but too low, too small), sold it and tried out this Apollo RX-whatever with a 233cc (?) engine and a PZ30 "Jing Ke" carb. It's late and I don't have great pics yet, but will post some later. For now, i got a question or two that i am hoping the old hands might chime in on. I love this bike and the feel, and have about 200 miles and an oil change on it, but... it needs a bit of 'love' on the carburetion. The choke cable moves but has zero effect on the engine. (The cable is connected and works...) Worse, the thing can be really hard-starting. I resolved some/most of the hard start by squaring away a kink in the fuel line at the petcock, but it's still a bit finicky. The real questions -- Is it normal to run at high-ish rpm? It seems to top out at..55-60 mph on flat road, little/no wind. Re-jet main jet? Is getting a Mikuni VM-22/24/26 recommended and if so, which one? Where do folks get their sprocket customizations? I've been to "jetsrus" and love the site, but I don't know how to map my "PZ30 Jing Ke" to a Mikuni VM-series. I'd buy a re-jetting kit, but not sure which ranges are best. And I am up for putting more kick in with with a sprocket tweak, but where is best place to start? I am very much a 'teach a man to fish' type, so any/all pointers are most welcome. Thanks for this forum and thanks in advance for any/all advice to a new rider and a new China bike owner....
	2

07-02-2019, 07:43 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,589	Welcome aboard! It is not necessary to replace the carb as the stock carb can be re-jetted. Get a set of main jets ranging from 100-125. Pilot jets can be tricking as they are different styles that come in the PZ30 carbs. Best thing to do is open the carb and see what you have in there before you start. Member NZbrakelathe sells jet kits for these carbs and can probably help you out. Hopefully a couple of the Apollo members chime in and can help you out with the sprockets. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

07-02-2019, 08:23 PM	#3
dpl096 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: East Central Hellinois Posts: 1,344	Welcome aboard and congratulations __________________ ************************************************ * " Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted." - John Lennon “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" ....George Harrison song
	1

07-03-2019, 11:39 AM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! __________________ 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

07-08-2019, 01:36 PM	#8
Ross Join Date: May 2019 Location: washington, dc Posts: 3	Minor update, if it's helpful to anyone: Got in touch w/NZbrakelathe, checked out eBay store. half a dozen emails and two kits ordered later, neither of us are sure what's going to be in that "Jing Ke" PZ30 carb on my Apollo RX250/AGB-36 (from memory) until after I open 'er up. Will keep folks here posted. For now, it's been good to work with NZbrakelathes, who seems knowledgeable and very eager to help and make all best efforts. When i get pics in hand, I'll share 'em! Thanks again to all who chimed in. Great forum.... Last edited by Ross; 07-08-2019 at 01:37 PM. Reason: typos/grammar
	1

07-03-2019, 10:18 PM	#5
billatloaus Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Sneads, FL Posts: 15	I am new to this as well. June 2019 I purchased a TaoTao TBR7 250 with similar needs. My first upgrade will be new sprockets. I purchased JTF259.17 from JT Sprockets (Amazon) for the front and JTR269.45 frm JT Sprockets (Amazon) for the rear. This was recommended by Motocheez.com and Motocheez on Facebook.
	1

07-07-2019, 09:21 PM	#7
Ross Join Date: May 2019 Location: washington, dc Posts: 3	Hey Megadan, JerryHawk and guys -- thanks for copious advice and welcomes. Will pursue this NZ fellow for jet kits (JetsRUs couldn't/wouldn't sell me w/o having more detailed information than I already gave) and so I will go the 100-125 "jet kit" route before Mikuni-izing myself. (Sounds kinky, eh?) The points on RPM and mph are well-taken. I can't tell you what the idle RPMs are (no tach! I'd like to put analog dials on this bike!) but the RPMs are definitely at/above 1500). I don't think i will get more than the 60 mph i have gotten out of this thang without re-jetting/sprocket/air filter/other tweaks. I will probably eff around with the idle air flow screw (slowly, slowly catchee chicken) and see what happens. Meanwhile, off to find this NZbrakelathe fellow in The Shire.... In other news, just got signed up for another 1-1 MSF/MRC course, and reaching out my tentacles (hey it makes throttle control easier, don't judge) about local dirt biking. I really hope i don't have to join a local youth gang and do wheelies with skull-painted ATVs down the middle of Main Street to build my 'street cred'. ;-) Thanks again....
	1

07-08-2019, 05:48 PM	#9
wedooit Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 794	Welcome, many experts here, and kindness! __________________ A family that works together, plays together, shoots and trains together, and sleds together, stays together. Second amendment! SkiDoo sleds, NOW 2 TTR225, and a BMS250. A couple of quotes (we are not farmers) "I don't get off the farm much" "Am too old school" I call the china bikes "the china syndrome".
	1