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Old 06-16-2008, 09:18 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

I thought about swapping out my engine for a Lifan or whatever else sells for $300 on ebay, I'm now having second thoughts. I work for a bike shop so I can get some decent parts through Tucker Rocky, PU, WPS, etc. I plan on using the bike mainly for riding around Atlanta at 35-50 mph and also as a pitbike at the roadraces. I don;t want to break the bank although one the other hand, not cheap out. Manual clutch, larger cabr and a decent pipe are a must while doing the bore kit. Oil pump seems like a good one too. Any brands to stay away from? IS 88cc the safest max for a the street? I have a CT110 engine lying around, pretty sure I can't use much from that.
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Old 06-16-2008, 11:00 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

I'd say a Jialing or Lifan 125 is good enough for what you'd want.
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Old 06-16-2008, 11:12 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

I'd get one of the new Lifan 150s and be 80% of the way to performance of a high dollar JDM motor for 20% of the cost. And they look cool too.
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Old 06-16-2008, 11:45 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

^ what he said. This setup worked well for me even with stock pipe. I had really good luck with the Lifan 150.
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Old 06-17-2008, 12:01 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

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Originally Posted by toecutter View Post
I thought about swapping out my engine for a Lifan or whatever else sells for $300 on ebay, I'm now having second thoughts.
2nd thoughts about what? a jug and piston will run you close to 300, then you still need a carb and assembly, way more than $300 even at dealer cost and you still only have a 88. 300 bucks and you triple the displacement with a bolt in deal.
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Old 06-17-2008, 12:28 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

I would consider your lighting coil as well. With the some of the motors you can use your stock stator plate, others you can not. To my knowledge, any of the LIfans and you are OK.
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Old 06-17-2008, 03:50 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

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^ what he said. This setup worked well for me even with stock pipe. I had really good luck with the Lifan 150.
gstegman,
Did you have any issues fitting the Lifan 150 into the ZB frame , with the Carb clearance , or any probs with the mountings ?

I don't suppose you have any photos do you ?

Thanks Rich
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Old 06-17-2008, 09:47 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

I ran an OKO carb with a 12 way adapter for the intake manifold. The adapter was necessary because the intake was offset to one side. It just bolted right up. I can dig up some pics of the motor and I have posted a few in this forum.

I purchased everything I needed from Vince at TBOLTUSA and with Paunchy's help, we had the old motor out and the new one in a couple hours.
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Old 06-17-2008, 10:00 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

You need to decide if you want a ringer or a tractor.

i'm betting on a zb50 a ringer would be a lot of fun but they get very expensive.

I have to agree with some of the other people. A Lifan 150 and a 26mm oko or moltk carb is going to come in around 500, look good, and give you more power than you will be able to make with a reasonable budget.

The good news, is that you can sell the zb50 motor, if in good running condition for at least $200-250 to offset your new motor.
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Old 06-17-2008, 10:36 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

... and then sell the Inner Rotor ignition that comes with the Lifan to recoup another hundred or so (although you might consider keeping the stock motor to keep your resale potential to a collector).
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Old 06-17-2008, 06:08 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

Thanks for all the info guys. I also have a Xtreme 107 that my son rides, it has a kitaco inner rotor ignition and a few other upgrades. I also have a 72 Mini trail that had the CT110 engine wedged in, the ZB motor may end up in there. I already have a new 20mm mikuni and can get the 82mm BBR kit and cam for $160, the oil pump is $40. I still need an intake and maybe an adapter. Maybe I'll build the ZB up a bit anyway, would make the MiniTrail run good

Last edited by toecutter; 06-17-2008 at 06:23 PM.
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Old 06-17-2008, 07:33 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

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I also have a 72 Mini trail that had the CT110 engine wedged in

What did you do for the motor mount and footpegs? Did fabricate some motor mounts, or did you find an adaptor kit?
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Old 06-17-2008, 08:50 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

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What did you do for the motor mount and footpegs? Did fabricate some motor mounts, or did you find an adaptor kit?
Well, when I say WEDGED in, I mean WEDGED in. It looks like the engine plates were just spread out 1/2" or whatever to me. It was given to me by my tattoo artist, I didn't want it but he insisted. He knows I am a mini bike freak and he also did a tattoo of seven circus monkeys piled on a monkey bike for me a few years ago. I'm not even sure where he got it. It has insanely long shocks on the back and the cylinder head comes pretty close to the 8" front tire. I was thinking about doing a Z1000 Madmax type bike with it at some point. It already has some kind of minitrail type footpeg/sidestand bracket bolted to the bottom of the engine, similar (or maybe the same) as stock.
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Old 06-18-2008, 03:17 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

Cool.

I'd love to see a pick of that tat!!
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Old 06-18-2008, 06:18 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

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Old 06-18-2008, 06:18 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

Sorry about the hairy legs BTW!
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Old 06-19-2008, 07:07 AM   #17 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

That is a funny, yet cool tat!! Have you named all the monkeys?

If there was a contest for most dedicated to the cause of monkeybike-dom, I think you'd win.
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Old 06-19-2008, 05:33 PM   #18 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

Haven't named them but they do represent major countries. My artist came up with that idea, not me. I just give him the concept and he does the rest. I've known him for years, he used to race an R6 in WERA and AMA also. I know there is a drunk monkey for Ireland, a stern German monkey and one on top with a stick. I also have a zombie gorilla head in a 3/4 vintage helmet on my forearm. Tattoos are immature and stupid so I thought why not get immature and stupid tattoos
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Old 06-21-2008, 06:44 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Re: Best mods for a ZB50 engine?

I'f got a brand new honda trail bikes top end kit. 95cc, race head, cam, gaskets. Head has the ports cleaned up. Brand new, never mounted. Would make a nice lil ripper out of your stock motor.
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