Dong Fang DF 250 RTB Bobber Information

pakema,
The engine is 229ccs not 250cc like a lot of the sellers including CCW with the Heist advertise.

other one,
I agree that if you can't live with 229cc power then you need to look for used Japanese bike or a Harley Sportster.

However I disagree with your statement ("I feel if you get the DF or buy a used one, you are going to have to be able to do some work on it (or find a good mechanic))". after having owned a DF for six months. The DF is no different than any other bike. The only required work that I think you need to do is increase the size of the main jet to correct the EPA lean which is common to every current carb bike. I also decreased the size of the rear sprocket to lower cruise RPM which is a mod I have done to all my chain drive bike.

Don't confuse user mods with "have to do" mods. I don't think the DF requires any more maintenance or modifications than the other five bikes I have or the 50 plus bikes I have owned in the past.

Barnone,
I was just following your earlier advice that I should not buy this bike unless I was experienced working on bikes. It seems that your oppinion has changed since you have owned this bike for a while. (I am not trying to argue. I know sometimes it sounds like that on a forum). I am glad this bike is holding up so well.

I will stand by that with a used bike, it is good to have a little mechanical skill. Little things go wrong and I suppose this could happen with a new bike too. There have been plenty of little minor things I have done to my bike in the short time I have owned it that I can't even remember because they were so minor. But, if I did not have some mechanical skills, I would have not been able to ride for days instead of the few minutes it has taken for these minor repairs.

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Originally Posted by The Other One

Barnone,
I was just following your earlier advice that I should not buy this bike unless I was experienced working on bikes. It seems that your oppinion has changed since you have owned this bike for a while. (I am not trying to argue. I know sometimes it sounds like that on a forum). I am glad this bike is holding up so well.

I will stand by that with a used bike, it is good to have a little mechanical skill. Little things go wrong and I suppose this could happen with a new bike too. There have been plenty of little minor things I have done to my bike in the short time I have owned it that I can't even remember because they were so minor. But, if I did not have some mechanical skills, I would have not been able to ride for days instead of the few minutes it has taken for these minor repairs.

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I think Barnone is referring to the lack of dealer support for china bikes.Most MC dealerships will not touch a china bike and few others know enough about them to be able to properly repair one.Therefore,it is left up to the owner to be able to complete repairs and do maintenance to a china bike.

To: The Other One

Considered that. Not exactly my style. Nice pics though!

To Barnone:

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The engine is 229ccs not 250cc like a lot of the sellers including CCW with the Heist advertise.

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I know. Like I said, I've done a lot of research on those bikes.

I think I gonna get DF and see what I can do to it to satisfy myslef. Love the lines, can't resist. In one of my prevoius lives I used to be a mechanical engineer. I tinker with things a lot. I've built an ultralight airplane and a boat from scratch, rebuilt a few cars. Let's see what I can do with a bike. Taking a vacation this coming Thursday for a couple weeks, and then will start with DF. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

pakema,
With your background you won't have any problem wrenching on the DF.

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Originally Posted by The Other One

Barnone,
I was just following your earlier advice that I should not buy this bike unless I was experienced working on bikes. It seems that your oppinion has changed since you have owned this bike for a while.

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Other,
You need to be able to do simple wrenching on a Chinese bike like the DF since it comes in a crate and not assembled from a dealer. Therefore you need the ability to install handlebars, controls, prepare and install the battery,etc. I said in the past that someone without some experience doing tasks like I mentioned should not buy the bike without either an experienced acquaintance or a willing independent shop. I still stand by that statement.

I have had a few PMs about the rear sprocket. The info is buried in this thread but I am repeating it here. I think that we have decided that the 35 tooth is the way to go.
http://www.oldbikebarn.com/core/medi...db9b40ed2b9530
JT Rear Sprocket JTR279.35T 35 Tooth


http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Motorcycl...?search=JTR279
Be sure and look at the existing sprocket on the DF so you put the new sprocket with the right side out.

There will be less less cussing if you have these
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch...set-97406.html

You will need this tool to remove some links in the chain.
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-d...ker-66488.html

Barnone you have been a bucket ofinformation.I cannot wait to order my bike..i am just about there with the cash..and should be placing my order very soon. I am going to follow the advise given here as it has been a a workshop of knowledge. Thanks also to everyone else who has been putting in their ideas and tricks. very much apprecieated.

bowtiewagon,
Thanks. Just go slowly on the mods and you willbe fine.

There is another Houston guy on here that you ought to get together with. He has ordered his DF and is awaiting delivery.

I grew up in Houston on Memorial Drive just west of Shepard Drive but moved to Fort Myers,Florida in 1974.

My shift linkage broke this morning, I bought some 6mm threaded rod to make a new one but then realized that the linkage has right hand threads and left hand threads. Any ideas how to make one with that setup? With how long Chad takes to send replacement parts I figured making my own would make more sense. Does anyone have a customer service # to check on warranty parts? Chad keeps sending me copies of his emails to scooterdepot, but I've yet to see any parts! The linkage broke because it was getting very hard to shift, any ideas what would cause the shifting to get very stiff?

cool.I live off chimney Rock and I-10..just a little west of where you were. i know where you are talking about. Place is alot diffenerent from when you here I bet..

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Originally Posted by Babyswiss

The linkage broke because it was getting very hard to shift, any ideas what would cause the shifting to get very stiff?

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Is the clutch cable adjusted with a small amount of free play? The clutch needs to completely disengage.
Is the chain properly adjusted with a small amount of slack ( .5-.75")? Check the slack in several places.
Try a different brand of oil just in case (how ever remote) the oil cold be causing the problem. Doubtful but possible.
Bent shift forks can cause hard shifting. Hope that is not the problem because that is a tear down.
Google " motorcycle hard shifting " for ideas.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to preload the seat. I have adjusted to the point where I can just slip the bolt back in but I feel it will ride better for me if I can get more preload on it.

whats up guys just wanted to say thanks to Barnone for answering my questions, i am the guy who is waiting on my DF for delivery. Bowtiewagon if you want i you can PM me your info and you can come by once mine comes in

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Originally Posted by lanzen114

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to preload the seat. I have adjusted to the point where I can just slip the bolt back in but I feel it will ride better for me if I can get more preload on it.

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What are you weighting in at to need more preload?

You might add some 7" overload seat springs like BellaCorse did at
http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...50RTB-build-up

I am at max preload plus a gel pad under my sheepskin which is fine for my 215lbs.

The springs made a world of difference for my 300lb+++ arse. It also gave me the 'flat' stance of the seat I was wanting without collapsing under my substantial heft.

/Mike

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Originally Posted by BellaCorse

The springs made a world of difference for my 300lb+++ arse. It also gave me the 'flat' stance of the seat I was wanting without collapsing under my substantial heft.

/Mike

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Mike,
Good to know. I think I will try a set of them thar overload springs..

So this will be the 1st air cooled motor bike i own, and i dont know how it will handle stop n go traffic. Should i be concerned about over heating? Any solutions like a mini fan rigged somewhere? temp gauge?

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Originally Posted by evokid8

So this will be the 1st air cooled motor bike i own, and i dont know how it will handle stop n go traffic. Should i be concerned about over heating? Any solutions like a mini fan rigged somewhere? temp gauge?

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evokid8,
No problem with over heating on any of my air cooled bikes in traffic including the DF. I had one of those dip stick thermometers in one of my dirt bikes and the max temp was reached at high rpm not idling. That thing would peg the meter on a long steep uphill climb but the heat never hurt the engine.

The NGK spark plug called for in the DF's Owner's Manual and the one I use is a D8EA.

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Originally Posted by evokid8

So this will be the 1st air cooled motor bike i own, and i dont know how it will handle stop n go traffic. Should i be concerned about over heating? Any solutions like a mini fan rigged somewhere? temp gauge?

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All of the bikes I have owned have either been air cooled or air oil cooled.I have never had and issue with any of them.Maintenance is the key to the engine living a long and happy life.Only use quality oil,filters,and other fluids and the bike should last a long time.Regearing as Barnone has, will take some strain off the engine and will give better over all performance.


Barnone,I am waiting for parts for my car, and I will be in contact, if you still have the Q for sale.

Headlight dimming issue resolved!!! After checking everything out with a friend who has a good knowledge of electrics it is confirmed as reported by Reporon that there is a blue wire with white stripe underneath the left side of the gas tank that connects to a dark green wire. It is the only single wire to single wire connection underneath the tank. For some reason as you rev the engine the voltage actually drops from the dark green wire. SOLUTION: Disconnect the wires, cap the green wire and connect the blue wire with white stripe to one of the black wires which are usually a constant 12V (backwards from the black ground we are used to). Now the headlight comes on with the ignition switch and the headlight gets brighter with the engine RPM's and maintains a constant brightness. Also happy to report that there has been no battery problems wiring the headlight that way.

Babyswiss.
Great info.

I was digging around in that area under the tank and my blue/white wire was not connected to anything so maybe that was the reason my headlight was not dimming. I did see the green wire (ground ?) but it was not connected to anything.

I'll check for the black wire which like you say should be a hot wire and try that.

Again thanks for passing on the detailed information.

Barnone: I'm pretty sure the green dark green wire was a live wire coming off the rectifier which was the cause of the voltage drop. We disconnected that wire and connected the black in its place. We also found that half of the wires in our electric diagram were mismarked. We were thinking that changes have been made but they didn't update the diagram. Alot of our colors were different than they showed.

Babyswiss,
Yeah, the wiring diagram seems to be a generic one with features such as an alarm that the DF does not have. Next time I pull the tank off I'll check the green wire which I though was a ground with the a meter. You must be right that it is off the rectifier.

I'd still like to get the illuminater(sp) switch working but don't want to push my luck. Something to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" saying.

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Originally Posted by grrr...

Sounds good. I am also looking at the CCW tha heist. I know it's 1k more, but I can physically see it at a dealer in Apex NC and I will be able to ride out with tags installed. What would you recommend? Risking it with the DF or going for the CCW? Thanks in advance!

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I will break protocol here, who in apex, NC, has it, with title, tags, et al... I am still moving through this thread, and, would like to confirm the veracity of your statement, grrrrr... with all do respect... and, I am an old fart, retired, and will do an introduction soonest... thanks for your consideration... cheers, -jim

Jim,
Welcome to the site. What are you asking?

The Heist lists for $3195 plus dealer fees and the Dong Fang can be bought for $2199.99 delivered to your house in a crate so the difference is greater than $1000. ( http://www.extremescooters.biz/250cc...r-chopper.aspx )

As far as I know the only states where the DF cannot be registered are CA,NJ or PA . If in doubt, check with your state's DMV,

BTW, I am also a retired old fart that likes to ride and fool with motorcycles. So far so good with my DF.:wheelchair:

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Originally Posted by barnone

Jim,
Welcome to the site. What are you asking?...
...BTW, I am also a retired old fart that likes to ride and fool with motorcycles. So far so good with my DF.:wheelchair:

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Hi Barnone, thanks for the welcome, I do know I need to do a proper introduction... found this thread while researching the DF229cc bike... and have read every post over the last week+ as time has permitted... I broke "protocol" on posting because "grrr" mentions a dealer in apex, north carolina... did some searching and suspect it may be JT's small engine & cycle... have yet to call, only found an oblique reference to them on the interwebs, I have enjoyed your posts and experiences, still leaning to pulling the trigger on the DF, have not seen one up close and personal, and, haven't seen a heist either, hence my question to "grrrr"... cheers, -jim (and, it's a good time to be in western nc, i'm heading the other way to oriental thursday)

I had absolutely no problems registering my DF in Michigan. Totally street legal. I have yet to insure the bike, so I can not comment specifically, but I assume the process and rates are similar to insuring a large scooter.

If you are buying your DF from www.scooterdepot.us, then I'd call them and ask them if they have sold any RTB's in your state and if they know of any issues. They may even refer you to a stocking dealer.

/Mike

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Originally Posted by BellaCorse

I had absolutely no problems registering my DF...

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Yes Mike, and I doubt I would have any problems here... I will just asking "grrr" from (get this) post #666 (bad omen) about the apex north carolina dealer statement for ccw... cheers, and thanks to all in this thread for all the detailed information and aftermarket links... that is why it took more than a week to read all the posts and cross-references, again thanks Mike and Barnone, cheers, -jim