Monkey Bike 212cc Project

[zoot]

The image provided isn't mine
I have a 50cc Road Legal Registered Monkey Bike (It's a Honda z50)
I am wondering if you've done much with these in the states? I am interested in picking up a 212 predator and messing around with it for daily use (no more than 5 miles). Would one fit? I can't find dimensions any where.
I know that you can replace with a bigger engine that comes in them from factory on some models however it's a lot more expensive and engines are harder to come by where as the 212 is cheap enough to throw out when it goes bang

 

[KartFab]

there are chinese bolt on versions of that engine that will require zero modifications and dont even think about putting a predator 212 on there in my opinion.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Those minibike motors hang in the frame, rather than sitting on top like an industrial engine. Not worth considering IMO. As KartFab suggests, scale up to a 110cc or 125cc motor.

 

[zoot]

Has anyone got any specific engines and costings? Would like something with a good after market scene as can't live with standard. Everyone loves a good old tinkle on an engine

EDIT:
lifan 140 is a straight swap out apparently, anyone had any experience with one? Heard Lifan are cheap and unreliable

 

[Texan]

Save a little more money and get a direct replacement. I have a Z50, and a couple of CT70's, and I would NEVER think about putting in a industrial engine. It would be a step backwards in my opinion. Plus the value of your bike would drop.

 

[zoot]

Save a little more money and get a direct replacement. I have a Z50, and a couple of CT70's, and I would NEVER think about putting in a industrial engine. It would be a step backwards in my opinion. Plus the value of your bike would drop.

Would you ever consider the 140 lifan or even a 170? seen some with 200's in but no idea on how sketchy this would be at speeds

 

[Texan]

I would consider the Lifan 125 on my CT70s. I see good reviews on them. One Ct70 has a Lifan 70cc and the other has the stock Honda 70cc. My Z50r is so small, I'm not sure how comfortable I would be on it with a 125cc. Other, more experienced people do it no problem, but I like to ease my way into things. What is wrong with your engine?

 

[mckutzy]

Howabout posting a pic of what you actually have....

 

[KartFab]

Has anyone got any specific engines and costings? Would like something with a good after market scene as can't live with standard. Everyone loves a good old tinkle on an engine

EDIT:
lifan 140 is a straight swap out apparently, anyone had any experience with one? Heard Lifan are cheap and unreliable

lifans are inexpensive AND reliable. One of the best of the inexpesive copies of the real hondas.

 

[zoot]

I would consider the Lifan 125 on my CT70s. I see good reviews on them. One Ct70 has a Lifan 70cc and the other has the stock Honda 70cc. My Z50r is so small, I'm not sure how comfortable I would be on it with a 125cc. Other, more experienced people do it no problem, but I like to ease my way into things. What is wrong with your engine?

The engine has done over 20k miles and need something with more poke, it's probably been sat for 3 years now. Want to stop using my car for daily commuting and something to give a good bashing around some b roads (some amazing quiet country roads in my area). A few mates have msx125's with big bore kits on. I'd want to keep up when we go for a blast. I would like to be able to cruise at 50-60mph

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Everyone loves a good old tinkle on an engine

Only if it's running too hot.

Planet Minis is another site to look at. Seems to deal mostly with small Hondas and their copies.

 

[Texan]

Lilhonda.com is another good site with plenty of engine swap info. For example https://lilhonda.com/index.php?threads/lifan-125cc-on-honda-z50-k3-1972.9825/

 

[bob58o]

https://tboltusa.com/store/engines-all-horizontal-pit-bike-engines-c-114_1034.html

 

[bob58o]

I still want one of these 125cc Black Ape Mini's
http://www.joyridemotors.com/city/motorcycles/joy-ride-black-ape-125cc-mini-bike.html

 

[LawnCrawler]

A 60 mph Monkey is a handful. That said, a 60 mph cruising speed will cost you.

IMO the Piranha 140 is kind of the benchmark for big block Chinese performance and reliability. It doesn't spin that fast but has tons of torque. Once running with an aftermarket exhaust it should do about 60 mph but it has no lighting or charging coil so you'll need to change out the stator, add a CDI harness and a wider footrest assy. If you add a VM26, hot cam, cam sprocket and valve springs and you'll probably hit 70 and cruise at 60. Cost: $700-900 all in.

If you put 20k miles on a Monkey, you must have friends who are into this stuff so if you're clever, patient and a fair negotiator you can save a lot of money here and there.

You can also touch 60mph on a well built original Honda motor with a $400 88cc big bore kit but the bike would prefer cruising at 45-50. That is my go-to motor for commuting.

Not fast enough? Build a 106 or 117cc stroker for ~$1000-1200 and you can cruise at 60 and loft the front wheel in 3rd gear but don't expect longevity.

If you want longevity and 60+ cruising you can do a stock Honda Nice motor. it was a Thai built model for SE Asia and you should be able to get a rebuilt motor for about $1000 that may last for >10k miles.
if you really ride thousands of miles a year, I would consider that the smartest way to go. as someone else mentioned, check out lilhonda and planetminis or ask Vince at T-bolt if you're in the US.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

I have a similar bike like yours zoot.
I have a 125 loncin 4 speed in it.
With 8” tires and 17/29 gearing I can top out at 65mph in perfect conditions and tucking.
I think the 17/29 is too much gearing as 4th gear doesn’t pull much, more like over drive.
Lifan is a pretty reliable engine over all.

 

[Quinc]

Go with the lifan 125 (can be had for under 300$ shipped) or if you really want to get crazy the Pirahana or GPX140. More then that I would recommend upgrading suspension, longer swing arm, and running 10" tires. After rebuilding the top end and cleaning up the ports etc I am able to top out at 36mph with the stock 49cc engine. I weigh 220lbs.

 

[Mammoth]

Aftermarket motors have there issues, but they seem to work.

 

[Ronin8451]

I have a Z50 with 10" aluminum CT70 wheels and street tires with a manual 4-speed Lifan 125cc with the 6.75mm lift Dr. ATV cam and a 22mm carb. I can get to 55 mph in a block and a half if I hold my whole 245lbs. over the bars as I fan the clutch. I have quite a few of these motors and the newer ones are much more reliable than the ones from 10 years ago.

 

[Quinc]

I have a Z50 with 10" aluminum CT70 wheels and street tires with a manual 4-speed Lifan 125cc with the 6.75mm lift Dr. ATV cam and a 22mm carb. I can get to 55 mph in a block and a half if I hold my whole 245lbs. over the bars as I fan the clutch. I have quite a few of these motors and the newer ones are much more reliable than the ones from 10 years ago.

How do you like the cam? I have a lifan 110cc I am putting in my atc70 and could always use more power.