Hi-Bird 200 assembly questions

Trebek · 05-28-2008, 08:31 PM

Ok, the bike showed up in great looking condition. GOD THERE'S A BUTT-LOAD OF STUFF TO PUT TOGETHER!! Ok, I got the packaging off, figured out what is what (for the most part). Got the Mono shock up.

I know I'm just an average mechanic but: How did you guys get the kickstand spring in place? There must be a trick.

Also: The assembly instructions are for the previous model with the normal shocks so ALOT of the front wheel instructions do not apply to this bike. For instance: I see no bushings to insert in the front wheel axle hole. Does this model bike not have them? I will assume that the axle is the long bolt holding the front of the bike to the steel crate.

I'm going to slow down, have a couple beers, and take my time so as not to screw anything up. Any body else have this bike please PM me.

I did take some pics of the bike before I started assembling, and will post em' up here later.

Overall, I am very pleased with the quality of the bike. I expected something much cheezier. I had a 2003 Honda xl 650r, compared to that I feel no dissapointment.....Yet. I will withhold judgement till it's running.

Cheers,

Trebek

AZ200cc · 05-28-2008, 08:37 PM

Use a small screwdriver to pry/pull the spring down and around the pin..
Kinda like putting trampoline springs in place.

Congrats

joeyo25 · 05-28-2008, 09:21 PM

We just used some pliers and some elbow grease to get the spring set. Yes, that is the axel holding the bike in the crate. The bushings were already in the wheels...I know it says to put them in, but they are in there already. There was a couple more things that the manual said to do that was already done...you'll see. Good luck!

joeyo25

theENIGMATIC · 05-28-2008, 09:29 PM

Sounds like you have a bit more assembly than I had.at least you got instructions.....when I was hauling my crate into the backyard a bushing rolled out of the crate and onto the sidewalk, it must of been loose in the crate, lucky me I guess, my bike travelled all the way from California into CANADA about 2500 miles and that part stayed in the cardboard box even after being mutilated by customs agents and drug hounds...... 8)

Trebek · 05-28-2008, 09:35 PM

Got the spring on..Thanks!

Does anyone out there have close-up pics on the handle bar hardware? It's quite different than the older model (in the owners manual).

Thanks for the wheel axle tip, I was fighting the manual on that one. I'll get here together.

I really have no idea where/how the ignition switch and the choke knob go.

bulldog260 · 05-28-2008, 09:37 PM

how much you pay for your bike and where from?

theENIGMATIC · 05-28-2008, 09:44 PM

Is this your bike

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other...mZ290233540159

there is a pic of handlebar controls in pics......

Trebek · 05-28-2008, 10:31 PM

Yep, thats the bike, the company I bought it from, and the exact price.

Cool, Now I have an idea how the different switches, and guages go on the bike. Trying to figure out how to attach some of it will be an experience.

One to two hours assembly! HA! Maybe if you put a few of them together first, have an assistant, and the tools to remove 8mm bolts that are torqued to 50 lbs (i.e. the right clutch bolt and the throttle bolt).

Assembling, with the wrong instructions, is a bitch unless you like that sort of thing. My lack of mechanical finesse doesn't help much either!

Overall... Anam motors ships fast, and High-Birds are very nice bikes for the price. I'll call them tomorrow to get advice as to what goes where. Hopefully I'll follow this message up with pics if I get the energy.

Cerviperus · 05-29-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trebek

Assembling, with the wrong instructions, is a bitch unless you like that sort of thing. My lack of mechanical finesse doesn't help much either!

Mine just showed up today from VBike, so I'm in the same boat. My dad is helping put mine together, and so far we're fairing pretty well.

My only problems so far (aside from the manual inconsistencies, and poor picture demonstrations), is the fact that threading for the left mirror on the handlebar is slightly damaged, and the mirror will not screw in without tearing up the threads. Does anyone happen to know the thread/bolt size of the mirrors? I'm going to see if I can find someone with a metric tap that same size so I can re-do the threads on the bar. My other issue, which isn't major, is I'm missing one of the "straps" that hold the metal side cover on the muffler.

All in all though, the rest of it is coming together nicely. I'm sure the headlight assembly isn't going to be fun, with all the wires (some of which aren't currently connected in the harness), and the fact I'm going to have to bend the bracket to get it a little more centered. It looks quite a bit out of whack at the moment.

Also, anyone have any thoughts on the hand-guards? I haven't actually tried bolting mine on yet, but in mockup, it seems like the levers are going to rub the insides of the guards. Is it simply a matter of moving the bars, levers, and guards to get everything to play nice?

One last question... On the front fender, there are three mounting holes, in which you place three rubber grommets. There also three brass spacers, that we assume go in the grommets, but we're not exactly sure if they go between the grommets and the mounts on top of the fender, or between the grommets and the mounting plate on the bottom side of the fender. (Man I wish I had pictures to help explain this one.) Any thoughts?

I'm sure more questions will follow, but that's all for now. Maybe you've come up with some of these already, Trebek, and can help me out.

Cerviperus · 05-30-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerviperus

Does anyone happen to know the thread/bolt size of the mirrors?

Answered my own question on this one. I finally thought to look in the parts sticky and found they're 10mm. I assume that's correct for the Hi-Bird, since it seems to be just another GY clone. Am I right?

lego1970 · 05-30-2008, 12:16 AM

A handy tool to have around is a drum brake spring tool found at most local automotive stores. They are under $15 and can be used for a lot of different spring applications. I used it on my son's trampoline and made putting it together a snap. Anyway just a thought.

Cerviperus · 05-30-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lego1970

A handy tool to have around is a drum brake spring tool found at most local automotive stores. They are under $15 and can be used for a lot of different spring applications. I used it on my son's trampoline and made putting it together a snap. Anyway just a thought.

I had no trouble with the kickstand spring. Simply put it on, and used a pair of vice-grips to stretch it and put it on. Cake.

kczukiman · 05-30-2008, 09:34 AM

It seems like there is a lot more assembly work on the 200cc then there is on the 250cc.

Cerviperus · 05-30-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerviperus

Also, anyone have any thoughts on the hand-guards? I haven't actually tried bolting mine on yet, but in mockup, it seems like the levers are going to rub the insides of the guards. Is it simply a matter of moving the bars, levers, and guards to get everything to play nice?

One last question... On the front fender, there are three mounting holes, in which you place three rubber grommets. There also three brass spacers, that we assume go in the grommets, but we're not exactly sure if they go between the grommets and the mounts on top of the fender, or between the grommets and the mounting plate on the bottom side of the fender. (Man I wish I had pictures to help explain this one.)

Anyone have any thoughts on these two questions?

joeyo25 · 05-30-2008, 03:12 PM

I have trouble with the hand gaurds as well. I had to adjust the brake and clutch levers to "make everything fit". I did hear though, that if you submerse the gaurds in boiling water for a minute, the gaurds become flexible enough to "adjust"

05-28-2008, 08:31 PM	#1
Trebek Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 150	Hi-Bird 200 assembly questions Ok, the bike showed up in great looking condition. GOD THERE'S A BUTT-LOAD OF STUFF TO PUT TOGETHER!! Ok, I got the packaging off, figured out what is what (for the most part). Got the Mono shock up. I know I'm just an average mechanic but: How did you guys get the kickstand spring in place? There must be a trick. Also: The assembly instructions are for the previous model with the normal shocks so ALOT of the front wheel instructions do not apply to this bike. For instance: I see no bushings to insert in the front wheel axle hole. Does this model bike not have them? I will assume that the axle is the long bolt holding the front of the bike to the steel crate. I'm going to slow down, have a couple beers, and take my time so as not to screw anything up. Any body else have this bike please PM me. I did take some pics of the bike before I started assembling, and will post em' up here later. Overall, I am very pleased with the quality of the bike. I expected something much cheezier. I had a 2003 Honda xl 650r, compared to that I feel no dissapointment.....Yet. I will withhold judgement till it's running. Cheers, Trebek
	0

05-28-2008, 08:37 PM	#2
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	Use a small screwdriver to pry/pull the spring down and around the pin.. Kinda like putting trampoline springs in place. Congrats __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
	0

05-28-2008, 09:21 PM	#3
joeyo25 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 121	We just used some pliers and some elbow grease to get the spring set. Yes, that is the axel holding the bike in the crate. The bushings were already in the wheels...I know it says to put them in, but they are in there already. There was a couple more things that the manual said to do that was already done...you'll see. Good luck! joeyo25 __________________ It'll stop hurting when the pain goes away!
	0

05-30-2008, 09:34 AM	#13
kczukiman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Independence,Missouri Posts: 1,049	It seems like there is a lot more assembly work on the 200cc then there is on the 250cc. __________________ Kman 2007 HI-BIRD 250 2007 Vbike V4S 250
	0

05-30-2008, 03:12 PM	#15
joeyo25 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 121	I have trouble with the hand gaurds as well. I had to adjust the brake and clutch levers to "make everything fit". I did hear though, that if you submerse the gaurds in boiling water for a minute, the gaurds become flexible enough to "adjust" __________________ It'll stop hurting when the pain goes away!
	0

05-28-2008, 09:29 PM	#4
theENIGMATIC Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 392	Sounds like you have a bit more assembly than I had.at least you got instructions.....when I was hauling my crate into the backyard a bushing rolled out of the crate and onto the sidewalk, it must of been loose in the crate, lucky me I guess, my bike travelled all the way from California into CANADA about 2500 miles and that part stayed in the cardboard box even after being mutilated by customs agents and drug hounds...... 8)
	0

05-28-2008, 09:35 PM	#5
Trebek Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 150	Got the spring on..Thanks! Does anyone out there have close-up pics on the handle bar hardware? It's quite different than the older model (in the owners manual). Thanks for the wheel axle tip, I was fighting the manual on that one. I'll get here together. I really have no idea where/how the ignition switch and the choke knob go.
	0

05-28-2008, 09:37 PM	#6
bulldog260 Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8	how much you pay for your bike and where from?
	0

05-28-2008, 09:44 PM	#7
theENIGMATIC Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 392	Is this your bike http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other...mZ290233540159 there is a pic of handlebar controls in pics......
	0

05-28-2008, 10:31 PM	#8
Trebek Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 150	Yep, thats the bike, the company I bought it from, and the exact price. Cool, Now I have an idea how the different switches, and guages go on the bike. Trying to figure out how to attach some of it will be an experience. One to two hours assembly! HA! Maybe if you put a few of them together first, have an assistant, and the tools to remove 8mm bolts that are torqued to 50 lbs (i.e. the right clutch bolt and the throttle bolt). Assembling, with the wrong instructions, is a bitch unless you like that sort of thing. My lack of mechanical finesse doesn't help much either! Overall... Anam motors ships fast, and High-Birds are very nice bikes for the price. I'll call them tomorrow to get advice as to what goes where. Hopefully I'll follow this message up with pics if I get the energy.
	0

05-30-2008, 12:16 AM	#11
lego1970 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States Posts: 505	A handy tool to have around is a drum brake spring tool found at most local automotive stores. They are under $15 and can be used for a lot of different spring applications. I used it on my son's trampoline and made putting it together a snap. Anyway just a thought.
	0