Dong Fang DF 250 RTB Bobber Information

[barnone]

One thing worries me a bit is the chain tension. It is really tight. Even with the adjusters maxed in it is taut, as in no slack, none. Maybe it'll loosen up a little during a gentle break in, or if I switch to a smaller sprocket. Is this typical or do I need to worry?
Another question: did y'all change the oil right away, or run some break-in miles first? Oil seems ok to me, I was thinking putting 150 miles on it then change.
I put some pics up on my profile. Hope you can get to them. If not, let me know and Ill try to post them out here.

Yep, the manual sucks on the 2012 where if I remember right the one for the 2010 was much better.
Would one of the 2010 owner agree that their manual is better and if so scan the important parts in and post them here?

I was able to adjust my chain on my 2012 for a little slack but don't worry, it will "stretch" out quick.

I changed the oil before I started my DF up. Didn't seem like there was much oil in it. Did you check it?

[Bobthebobber]

Hey guys. I have some jets left over from a 150ccgy6 project I was working on. They are Hoca main jets size 8mm long, 5mm thread, 6mm heads. I know it has been said to use Keihin jets.. but since these appear to be the same measurements do you think they would fit? I have a 114, 115, and 120 left. I was thinking id try the 114 and combine with the air ram setup. Any thoughts?

[Bobthebobber]

A few observations on my new df250rtb_b bobber. First, that lift gate delivery they advertise didn't amount to much. The driver wouldn't come into my neighborhood (twisty, hilly gravel roads), so we met out on the side of the state hwy where he put it in the back of my pick-up. Wasnt easy getting it off by myself but I wasn't about to wait for help to show up with a new motorcycle sitting there!
Bike is in good shape, only a few scuffs & scrapes. Have to get a little flat black touch up paint. The plastic canister that holds the electronics is bent off center but its the bracket inside so I'd have to remove everything to get at it. I think I'll just live with it. Another small complaint is the manual. Its title is "Dong Fang 250 cc" so I suppose its generalized for all bikes with that engine but the pics & some of the write-up seems geared towards a rebel type cruiser. And it is one of the worst English translations I have ever seen. Some of it is completely unintelligible. Ah well, who needs a stinking manual?
Anyway, put it together, made a few adjustments (all the adjusting nuts were loose) set up the battery, gassed it up & took it for a short spin down the road & back. I like it a lot! Handles real good, lots of response with that hard tail frame and springer front. The sprung seat works very well, seems about right for my 165 lbs. Have to watch for potholes though!.
Didn't have any problems with DMV. Paperwork was all in order (and arrived on time). Got more questions and took more time at the ins. agent than at the license bureau!
One thing worries me a bit is the chain tension. It is really tight. Even with the adjusters maxed in it is taut, as in no slack, none. Maybe it'll loosen up a little during a gentle break in, or if I switch to a smaller sprocket. Is this typical or do I need to worry?
Another question: did y'all change the oil right away, or run some break-in miles first? Oil seems ok to me, I was thinking putting 150 miles on it then change.
I put some pics up on my profile. Hope you can get to them. If not, let me know and Ill try to post them out here.

My chain was disgustingly tight when i got my bike. I could not move it at all and it was rock solid. I put about 25 miles on it and it had no change. I ended up just changing to a 35 tooth rear. It may break in as you ride but just keep an eye on your sprockets for any sign of premature wear. You will most likely change the rear sprocket and need to make the chain shorter anyway (:

[Bob form NV]

After you change the sprocket or adjust the chain on the 2012 check the clearance of the rear fender and the tail light wiring from the tire, as the further you move the tire back the less clearance you will have that may result in destroyed wiring.

[Bobthebobber]

After you change the sprocket or adjust the chain on the 2012 check the clearance of the rear fender and the tail light wiring from the tire, as the further you move the tire back the less clearance you will have that may result in destroyed wiring.

This is very important! I am now the current owner of a make shift rear fender because I did not check fender clearance... I would encourage you to follow this advise (:

[DanDaMan]

yes I have a diff bike , except for engine and lights/electronics just pics 054.jpg I run a 17 front and a 35 rear tooth set up with a 428HD ? chain , smaller chain allows bigger front sprocket , and my rear CAR tire is smaller than yours by a great deal making me have to use much lower ratio 2.05 sprocket set up

and change oil right away its just packing oil that its delivered with

we have same jetting problems , battery box issues , electronics and lighting , and motor , srry if I offend by being here but threads helped me a lot and me being here can help some having nearly all the same problems and letting know performance u can expect once dialed in

and that filter looks tight axa

[barnone]

Hey guys. I have some jets left over from a 150ccgy6 project I was working on. They are Hoca main jets size 8mm long, 5mm thread, 6mm heads. I know it has been said to use Keihin jets.. but since these appear to be the same measurements do you think they would fit? I have a 114, 115, and 120 left. I was thinking id try the 114 and combine with the air ram setup. Any thoughts?

Easy enough to try. Drain the fuel after shutting off the petcock. You can just unbolt the carb (two 10mm nuts) and rotate it to remove the float bowl. You can leave all cables and hose in place.

[axa]

yes I have a diff bike , except for engine and lights/electronics I run a 17 front and a 35 rear tooth set up with a 428HD ? chain , smaller chain allows bigger front sprocket , and my rear CAR tire is smaller than yours by a great deal making me have to use much lower ratio 2.05 sprocket set up

and change oil right away its just packing oil that its delivered with

we have same jetting problems , battery box issues , electronics and lighting , and motor , srry if I offend by being here but threads helped me a lot and me being here can help some having nearly all the same problems and letting know performance u can expect once dialed in

and that filter looks tight axa

you have every right to play here too, but really it's worth noting what is different.
Especially since you apparently can reach 80 while the rest of us are lucky to run 55 indicated...

So, on my way to work each day, I have this half mile or so incline that cant be more than a 6 or 7 grade could likely be less, and by the end im lucky to indicate 45... which on a road where the limit is 45 is just too slow...

Therefore Im really cheering you guys on to find the optimal jetting for these 2012 bikes, and then of course letting me know what to get! as i really dont have enough time to toy around myself...

As well, Im going to do an air ram as dan suggests it does help...

[Nick Papageorgio]

HOT DAMN!! Thought i'd give you a quick update. I checked in almost two weeks ago. If you remember, the DF arrived with broken shift linkage, missing foot peg, and no power to the starter. Had been pretty bummed out, and was thinking about taking it somewhere to have the electrical issue checked out. Ordered and installed shift linkage/peg. Finally got around to removing the tank tonight to look for loose electrical connections, and there staring me in the face was the two big plastic connections coming from the handlebars!!! Not only were they disconnected, they were a good TWO INCHES APART!!! Plugged them in, put the tank back on (being carefull not to tighten the bolts down to hard) flipped the choke and it STARTED RIGHT UP!!!!

Holy smokes, what a relief. It does seem to idle very high, but I'm happy tonight just to get it running. Will adjust the idle some other time.

[Bobthebobber]

HOT DAMN!! Thought i'd give you a quick update. I checked in almost two weeks ago. If you remember, the DF arrived with broken shift linkage, missing foot peg, and no power to the starter. Had been pretty bummed out, and was thinking about taking it somewhere to have the electrical issue checked out. Ordered and installed shift linkage/peg. Finally got around to removing the tank tonight to look for loose electrical connections, and there staring me in the face was the two big plastic connections coming from the handlebars!!! Not only were they disconnected, they were a good TWO INCHES APART!!! Plugged them in, put the tank back on (being carefull not to tighten the bolts down to hard) flipped the choke and it STARTED RIGHT UP!!!!

Holy smokes, what a relief. It does seem to idle very high, but I'm happy tonight just to get it running. Will adjust the idle some other time.

Just something for you to check. My bike was idling half throttle the first time i started it. No matter how much I changed the idle screw nothing would change. It ended up being the adjustment on the throttle itself up on the handle bars. If you changed the throttle adjustment on the bars (maybe to shorten the twist needed to throttle) make sure you check that. I had to loosen mine all the way in order to make the engine calm down. good luck!