Newbie.. just finished first install

[ziosi]

View attachment 32015He all,
Glad to see this site exists. I just installed my first engine. Grubee skyhawk. went pretty well. i hope. will try and fire it up tomorrow. i live in new orleans and hope to use this as my main mode of transportation.
i am having one issue. the clutch is really difficult to disengage. when i pull the handle it barley disengages and wont remain disengaged in the locked position. i am hoping running it will loosen it up. any help would be appreciated.

thanks for being here and i look forward to using this great resource to help maintain my new toy.

 

[olow]

as for the cluch on the right take the screws out on the cover inside u will see 2 gears look at the big gear in the middle u see what is called aflower nut in one of the little holes u see a small screw take screw out move the big flower nut counter clock ways 2 notches and insert the small screw again if this dont work go back again and loosen again 1 or 2 more turns let us know

 

[ziosi]

thanks for the help. i moved the flower nut three notches and the clutch seems to be disengaged now when in the locked position. still rolls a little rough but the clutch is definitely disengaged. i may try and mount the roller for the clutch cable as i saw in a different thread as it is still tough to manipulate the clutch handle. also, what is the best tool for loosening the flower nut. i manage to use some needle nose pliers but i got to believe there is a better tool.
thanks for the help and will let you know how the bike the runs.

 

[ziosi]

well it seems the clutch will disengage now but, but it is extremely tough to pedal with the clutch disengaged. i am trying to start the motor with out the bask tire on the ground before i actually ride it. any suggestions?

 

[rustycase]

Might as well take 'er for a spin... needs a breeze for cooling.

Don't head off downhill!

Best
rc

 

[ziosi]

Might as well take 'er for a spin... needs a breeze for cooling.

Don't head off downhill!

Best
rc

im nervous to start it while riding as it was my first build. i rebuilt a goped once and started it up and didn't the realize the throttle was stuck wide open and it took off and attacked me. i would just prefer to to have it started so i can check out all the moving parts without putting my self at risk.
i may just take it for a pedal ride with the spark plug disconnected and just see if i can get things moving

 

[rustycase]

Don't do that, Z...
It really does need the fuel in there for lube, and it needs that fuel to burn so it doesn't get all loaded up.

If you are nervous, verify your kill switch first thing.

This is why brakes are so important... well, among the reasons!
You can overpower a china motor with good brakes, and dragging your feet, if necessary. All else fails, put down yer feet and let go of the handlebars if yer not going too fast! They make em by the gazillions, but there's only one you.

I've made most the less than fatal mistakes over the years...
a stuck open throttle discovered at the very first stop sign on a brand new scratch build of a 74cu in mc was a thrill

Still proud of my new scooter, the next day I made a zippy exit from where I was parked at the curb... well, I tried to... back wheel slipped out in a grease spot on the pavement, the mc fell on top of my right leg and revved while the pipe heated up. It was a minute or so before the other guy came back to get that machine off me!

I got a proper spring and fixed that throttle!

Whew!
rc

Fact of the matter is, you can't fix stupid.
I'm still working on that.

.

 

[ziosi]

ha... thats the stuff i want to avoid...

i put some fuel in and got it started. ran for a minute but the chain became super loose. i adjusted the chain tensioner and started up again. let it idle for a minute with clutch disengaged. suspended the back tire and let the clutch out. again the chain became super loose and before i could stop it the chain snapped. went through all the motions again started it up and again... chain became super loose. i cant get the tensioner to stay in place. i tried mounting it over a piece of old bicycle tube and it still keeps getting pulled towards the inside of the bike. if i can get this chain tensioner to work i think ill be in good shape.

been trying to search the forum but cant seem to find the right search terms. looks like it might be time for me to move into one of the "real" forums!
: ?

 

[Big Red]

First install

Hey siosi,
First, get rid of the rubber. It is almost impossible to get it tight enough to keep it in place on rubber.
It sounds like your lower tube it a little smaller than most. They make these things to fit "most" bikes, not "all" bikes.
I've coverd this question before, I can't remember where.
Throw the short rounded peice in your junk box. Then take a flat peice of GOOD steel, cut to size, drill holes acordingly and bolt on TIGHT.
As it bolts on the steel will bend some around the lower tube, just keep on untill it's TIGHT. You really don't want the tensioner jumping into your spokes at 30mph.
I've tried the rubber thing and it NEVER really works right. One day the factory people might come up with a better solution, untill they do I've found this works best for me.
Thanks.
Big Red.

 

[rustycase]

Z, Welcome to the land of unanimous dislike for that chain tensioner!
As Red said, there's some good posts on improvement when you learn how to search button...

Well, "avoid" is not something in my vocabulary, Z.
I might be THE poster boy why it's impossible to build a foolproof system... fools are very ingenious!

What kind of tools have you got on hand, Z ?
Have you got tin snips to cut some shim stock from maybe a tin can for a temp fix? A couple wraps might do it.
Soda cans are too thin for this application.
All kinds of little metal thangs are available at thrift stores for 99 cents.

Glad you're having fun
rc