New mount, ideas/suggestions? Jialing?

[wanglong]

Thank you very much, all this info is very helpful! Currently, I have to wait till the repair guys get back from the holiday to get the bike into a shop... What I do know is that the Carb is new as I replaced that shortly after I took possession of the thing, but unfortunately, the repairs here are much more expensive... replacing the carb for example cost nearly 300... but I have put about a 700 RMB cap on what I will be willing to spend considering that is what a mechanic told me that's what it's worth.

Perhaps this will be motivation to work really hard this semester/year, and that is the reward I will get for myself ;0). In terms of registration however, I know some other people who have bikes here, and they say that they go to hebei to register them for about a 10th of the price. Most of the time, the cops don't really care around here. Hell, the plate I did have ended up braking off about 6 months ago, and I have not had any problems yet!

The info regarding the dealers is especially helpful, as I sometimes find it difficult to know what is and is not expected in China. Since I know now, it can help to protect myself, and reduce some of the headaches China likes to bestow upon ya!

Thanks again!

[CrazyCarl]

If you're paying 300rmb to have a Chinese carb installed in China you're paying WAY too much. I'd recommend contacting some riders in your area... there are more than a few on MCM from Beijing that could point you in the right direction of a good wrench.

If you're looking for new bikes, check out the QingQi 200cc enduro. That's probably one of the best bikes to tour China at the moment since it can be bought for less than 8k RMB, had good components and a very strong luggage rack.

Also, I had a Jialing JH150 GY-2 which, while not bad, did require A LOT of maintenence. Something or another was always breaking of falling off every few hundred kilometers but she's made some pretty long trips! Buying second hand bikes in China a risky proposition unless you know you'll have to put at least a couple hundred kuai into it. Even still... 300rmb for a carb is too much....sounds like you're getting the special laowai discount.

CC

[wanglong]

Awesome! This is even better information, especially considering how compared to what it would cost in America, that still seems cheap! I actually found a new guy right down the street from home... haven't had a chance to do any MAJOR work with him, but he seems decent enough so far.... we shall see as soon as I start repairing the above problems! Just so I know, what is some good price ranges that I should try to shoot for concerning basic maintenance. This like oil changes, chain lubes, new tires/tube repair?

[ZMC888]

Generally in most places in China most mechanics work just to make the markup on parts, this is because labor is so cheap. However on big jobs such as gearbox rebuilds they will charge minimally for their time. Obviously Beijing would differ from other places, and probably charge more.

Oil change with reasonable quality mineral oil. (One liter foreign brand, but made in China (ELF, Castrol, Shell 30RMB)).
New battery (reasonable quality) 90RMB
New Chain (reasonable quality) 50RMB
Chain lube is free, but its usually just old engine oil, so shop around for imported dry chain oil. Or use left over new engine oil or gearbox oil/grease. I normally just buy a new chain instead!

Don't get your tubes fixed, buy tubeless tires!

Shop around for a friendly good mechanic, but occasionally go elsewhere to keep him honest!

There is no reason in China why you can't keep an old (clutch type not scooter) 125 going for ages, as parts and labor are so cheap. Old 125s hang around at a 1,000-1,500RMB level for years, as long as they run OK.

[wanglong]

That all sounds fairly reasonable. I was an avid cyclist before I started righting motorcycles and the chain thing was really killing me.... The only Mechanics I was able to find were some hole in the wall kind of guys, and that old engine oil idea they used never sat well with me.... but I had never been able to do any thing different. Perhaps I will try to get by some dealers to see if they have it... Like CC was saying, I am constantly having to repair something, and it just makes me feel better, keeping the chain lubed up, just so that doesn't cause any problems later...

The only real downside in the situation I am currently in is dependability.... I can't know if it will crap out right as I am leaving for work

Can you get tubeless tires from the small mechanic shops around or do you usually have to go to a dealer?

[ZMC888]

Tubeless tires are available even at small mechanics shops, but usually need to be ordered. The brands Sakura, Cheng Shin (sometimes badged CST) and Duro are mostly OK.

[CrazyCarl]

Getting a tubeless tire also requires you have a cast alloy rim which means most, if not all, enduros with spoked wheels will not accept tubeless tires.

I second not patching tubes unless you really have to. Buy a couple good new ones like chengshin. Install one and keep one handy.

CC