That's it! I'm done! HT's are junk :-)

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Well it looks like the first engine I bought has blown up. After only 1500 hundred miles of pure fun. This was a Bikeberry engine and if I remember right I paid about 150 for it in 09. This engine didn't have an easy life, not that I ride fast but rather slow, allot of hill climbing and many miles off road. Being long and low made the off road trips very rough but I pushed it to see what these little engines could do.
It had developed a "knock" last Summer but only at higher revs so I just putted with it around town but yesterday it made a new sound and slowly lost power, slowed and locked up just as I stopped. I had to use those things you put your feet on to get it home
After pulling it backward, it turned over and ran for about 50 feet and did the same thing.
Oh well, maybe I'll just ride one of the other bikes while I wait on a new engine......

 

[Fabian]

A good part of the problem with Happy Time engines is the incorrect ignition curve of the standard CDI and lean jetting of the standard carburettor.

I am now on my 8th engine in 2 years and all previous 5 engines failed from large end connecting rod failure, largely due to detonation caused by incorrect ignition timing and jetting with the standard kit; previous 5 engines each failing at almost exactly 700 kilometers.

Having installed the Jaguar CDI and fixed jetting issues, my current Happy Time engine is 8,000 kilometers old with only a set of replacement piston rings at 4,000 kilometers.

Not bad for a cheap as dirt engine, although i don't rev past 4,500 in normal use.

 

[BAM]

Ive got almost 4000 miles on mine beat to death bought it 2008 still going! I better find some wood to knock on. I do try not to over rev it though want a new kit for anouther bike but dont like the new carbs good luck!

 

[Lunardog]

1500 miles for $150, I get 10cents a mile outta that plus the fun ya had doin it. Even at the low miles in my book its a win win...lol.

 

[motorpsycho]

of corse they're junk...they're made from recycled pop cans and coat hangers.
they aren't made to last, and that's why they're so cheap.
they are throw away engines, and are made just to have fun with.
If you push them too hard or too far, they will fail eventually.
just like everything else, they wear out...but the h.t. engines wear out sooner because of the low quality materials used to make them.
In my opinion, if you plan on a h.t. powered bike being your sole means of transportation, and you expect it to be reliable....you're better off walking.

 

[Fabian]

That's a "partially" true statement motorpsycho.

The Happy Time engines as a power unit are surprisingly reliable once the ignition and jetting are optimised which is a quick fix.
When a 2-stroke engine is forced to endure a 4-stroke ignition curve; hammering out the bearings, longevity will be sacrificed.
When a 2-stroke engine is forced to endure lean jetting; with detonation being part of it's everyday life, longevity will be sacrificed.

 

[wbuttry]

i dont know what that means fabian but i got a 49cc ht i got over 3000 mile on it and still running good it calls for like 6 ounces of oil i put in 7 never had to replace a plug either and got it from boy go fast....

 

[2stroker]

Well it looks like the first engine I bought has blown up. After only 1500 hundred miles of pure fun. This was a Bikeberry engine and if I remember right I paid about 150 for it in 09. This engine didn't have an easy life, not that I ride fast but rather slow, allot of hill climbing and many miles off road. Being long and low made the off road trips very rough but I pushed it to see what these little engines could do.
It had developed a "knock" last Summer but only at higher revs so I just putted with it around town but yesterday it made a new sound and slowly lost power, slowed and locked up just as I stopped. I had to use those things you put your feet on to get it home
After pulling it backward, it turned over and ran for about 50 feet and did the same thing.
Oh well, maybe I'll just ride one of the other bikes while I wait on a new engine......

Bummer. Only 1500 miles thats it. I have 4,000miles on my bumblebeebolton and i haven't done anything but replace a worn down drive wheel. how much is a new ht engine? I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Thanks for the input guys!
Like I said, this being my first engine I didn't treat it right for a good part of it's life and I think it did very well.
I would like to know more about the Jaguar cdi. If you could Fabian, let me know where I can find one.
I just have to ask......2stroker....Do you have stock in that company??
Seems like every post has....Well MY Bumblebeebolton.........
I understand you like it and that's great but for me it's all about the look and function.
I just don't like the engine up high, behind me. I like it in the frame, it just looks right. Heck, I would love to do a 4-stroke but even they look like an old lawn mower engine stuck on a bike, not a "Motor Bike". The second thing, friction drive will not work for me. Hills, trails, creeks, mud......not that my antiques go off road much but I do take them to the 4 wheel club and ride them from our camp to the club house. That's about 3/4 mile of dirt (spell that mud) road. Come on up to the mountains of Pa. and give it a try. You'll find that friction drive isn't for everyone.

 

[geebt48cc]

Yeah, it's called CHINA!!!!!!~ We'll, great idea, but uno, just not quite there . ****, great fun, but really just really not something that you can always have faith in...............

Glen