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Whitetrashrocker

Inmate #952016
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Hey guys, been a while since I've logged on here. Still have my 2 dingos I flog when I can.
My uncle picked me up a surprise the other day. A TaoTao 250cc quad. There's no plastics, seat or gas tank. All the frame and suspension and tires are there.
Just what I've been looking for to build a shifter suspension kart. It's gonna be a long slow build.
I'm debating on how to set it up. Mid engine or rear engine. I'm leaning for a mid engine mount and widening the track a little.
I was just wondering who's still here from years ago it seems.
Anyways, motor on
WTR
 

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Whitetrashrocker

Inmate #952016
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So I know nothing about these Chinese engines. Any body wanna chime in with some experience? I see the frames are light weight and they have starter issues. Engine has a 171FMM build code. Single cyl, 71 bore, motorcycle.....I believe it might have been called a "rhino". Haven't found a vin# or placard yet.

I just drug it home and haven't got to poke with a stick yet.

It fit in the back of my WJ. Had to take the bars off and collapse the front suspension.

Oh. I paid $40 for it.
 

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Whitetrashrocker

Inmate #952016
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Those are 38s in the background ...
 

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Whitetrashrocker

Inmate #952016
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I think it's a clone of the Honda cb250. 4 speed w/reverse.
Rear hydraulic disc and drums up front.
Hopefully I have enough good stuff I can keep this a cheep build.
 

Denny

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I seem to recall that style engine as being a Yamaha style design at least the Lifan’s were. Under the LH cover is the ignition and mag. RH should be the clutch assembly. Now I’ll freely admit I could be wrong. My old memory banks from over 10 years ago may be wrong. Have you tried to start it yet? That looks like the great start to a suspension type buggy.
 

Whitetrashrocker

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Well I don't want this to my build thread. But here's an update so far.

The engine is a cg250. I futzed with the wiring a few days and un loomed it to see what the heck was going on in there. Came to the conclusion it was either a bad CDI box or a bad coil. I get it to crank but no sparks

I found that just about any Chinese atv is basically the same. A complete wiring harness with all the magic boxes is a like 50 bux.
I don't get how it can be so cheap for the stator, CDI, voltage regulator, coil, plug, ignition switch,and wire loom.
A few days later I got the parts and for experimental purposes I swapped out the parts one at a time. New parts on old harness. No sparks. So then I put all the old parts on new harness. Still no spark. Changed CDI and what do ya know. Little lightnings. It seems there was 2 things wrong. Bad CDI and a bad wire somewhere.
Could have been the cause for abandonment? I'm all about the forensics.

Well I have to back track a little, the main harness from the stator was wired wrong from the get go, I had to un pin the plug and make heads and tails of the wires. I think I had it right.

So now with the plug sparking, and shot of carb cleaner, I hit the button and it lights off the fumes and kinda sputters. It will run, right on.
I give it a bigger dose of spray and hit the button. Fire every where! Lol. The timing is way off. It was getting late and I came in for the night.

I have issues sleeping and do alot of midnight pondering. Let's revisit the stator.
5 wires. Ground, pulser, and 3 AC wires.
Had a revelation.

So next time in the garage, Hmm. There's something funny.
Wires are coded different.
I thought the pulser was the odd colored. But no it's the white w/stripe. The other AC wires are solid white.
So anyways I flip it around and try again. Hit the button with a shot and it runs perfectly. I give a few sprays and it keeps running.
Victory!

I was sending the pulse a high frequency signal. It was almost a constant spark. Lol. Hind sights always fun ain't it?
 

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Whitetrashrocker

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Some more pics.
 

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Whitetrashrocker

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Glad to hear you got it going!
Only half way there. Still gotta get this carb cleaned up and see if it will work. It looks like a mikuni but says TaoTao imbossed on it. And I still have to check the clutch/ trans.
I ran across a few people saying something about reverse being toast. I don't think there's a reverse interlock. So a full speed downshift could easily turn that reverse gear into metal filings. I even saw a guy modify the shifter pawl to not have reverse but keep all the internals for proper spacing.
Finger crossed
 

Whitetrashrocker

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I got side tracked and getting back on this project.
I'm working on the rear axle now. The quad had a 14/39 sprocket mix. Im gonna start with that for now cause the quad scooted pretty good.
The sprockets and hubs I have don't interchange.
I need to get a 39T sprocket and a 1" axle hub. I'm not familiar with if the bolt patterns are universal. The ones I'm seeing don't seem to work together. The larger 60T sprockets will but not the 39T.
What am I missing here.

Pic just because.
 

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Whitetrashrocker

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Here's a few quick vids.

This the the brake caliper bracket I made on my new cnc plasma table. Not sure if my linkage at the master cylinder will work. Working on the shifter linkage.
Mock up

And here's a start up and demo.
Blue gas is 100LL I get from the airport.
Start up.

I've got it now put together enough to make some test runs around the yard. Whoah Nelly. I can tell right now I need a better seat. One with some hip bolsters. Gotta work on the brakes a little more. They don't stop very well.
This engine I think was rated in the 15-20 HP range.
It's doesn't feel any more powerful than my built 301, but the gears sure make it more responsive. It didn't break on the first slow lap so I kept adding the beans. Yup need brakes. And a seat. And some suspension.
I have some single A arms and hubs I'm gonna graft on next. Stay tuned.
 

bob58o

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Brakes or steering. You only need one. Having both is considered unnecessary luxury in the world of DIY backyard karting. Lol

thanks for sending me those push rods way back when!
 
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