How long can you run these engines?

[fetor56]

Start by getting a good(not cheap) kit and continue with that "good" theme....good install,good run-in,good oil,good maintenance routine,good general treatment.....it's all good from there.

 

[cooltoy]

That comment about going for two hours before having to fix them really gets to me. I"ve gone out for at least 100 three hour drives down dusty country roads and snowmobile trails and have never had to walk home. On hot days I do notice that it can get very hot and I will slow down. With the right care, these things will go for as long as we want them to.

 

[Hollywood]

Treat it right and it will treat you right for a long time.

 

[srdavo]

Here's a blast from the past!!

 

[MotorbikeMike]

Motorbicycle trip

Hi, IF I had the notion, I'm sure my manual-clutch Whizzer would make a 500 mile trip easily (certainly better than My Backside!!!), that's about how many miles we got to consider our engines fully "broken in".

I'm guessing that an NE5 will run 10,000 miles (PLUS) without teardown IF you keep the oil clean and full, and that you have the copper headgasket torqued down correctly.

You should never overheat any engine, and I would not want a 500 miler thru Death Valley, or the Sahara Desert, but logical, normal places should be ok.

Mike

 

[Dean]

As a former mechanic, I have to say Dockspa1's answer made the best sense to me.
The engine is air-cooled and its not going to see a whole more air than how its positioned now!
Augi's bit about taking a little time to check the engine, every so often during a long trip, is a very good idea (these small engines are called "Buzz Bombs" for nothing!), but a rebuild every 2 hrs.?
If that were the case, you'd probably never see an air-cooled motor anywhere, PERIOD.
Do you have to rebuild you lawn mower engine every two hours?
Do small aircraft have to land and have their motors rebuilt every two hours?

Its a bunch of hooey. Ride your bike and enjoy it. As Augi mentioned, YOU are the one who's probably going to need a rest before the engine will.



Dean

 

[mean lean]

cooked?

I ride my 47cc chinese 2 stroke motor up decent hills in hotish weather, giving her a hand on the paddals. Noticed tonight when checking my leakey head gasket that the spark plug has that look of extreme temparature exposure, turning funny colours on the main bolt body. have i been cooking this little beast or is it the cheap metal in the cheap stock plug? Or do these motors burn bright and short like rock stars?

 

[kenspice]

I cannot speak for all engines or kits but here is my story. I have an R/S .035 and GEBE kit on a 26" Schwinn full suspension all aluminum frame bike. No special wheels or spokes or other add-ons other than a good headlight, taillight and better than stock seat. I weigh over 200 lbs. In about 4 months I have put over 1500 miles on it at different speeds and distances. At each tank of gas I do a cursory check for problems. So far, I have done absolutely NOTHING to it but change oil, add gas, tighten/adjust things and ride. Follow the rules for installation, break-in, maintenance and safety. Lemons are made by people. I believe that any of these kits, if operated according to the owner's and maintenance manuals will operate many thousands of miles and many years. As Dockspa and Dean said, YOU need a rest. The engine does not. Stop for YOUR sake and Maintenance only. If the engine is heating up, find out why and fix the problem. Otherwise just ride, be alert and enjoy.

 

[Dean]

If excessive heat seems to be a problem, check your mixture (oil/gas) and also the carb mixture setting (too lean = high temps).


Dean

 

[mean lean]

If excessive heat seems to be a problem, check your mixture (oil/gas) and also the carb mixture setting (too lean = high temps).


Dean

gday dean,
running 20/1 for fuel shes done 600km. when you say carb mixture setting, i own a 48cc ht engine stock carb, is there settings on these?