|
Chinese knockoff carb
#150417
02/12/21 12:57 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 105
2wheelfun
OP
Member L1
|
OP
Member L1
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 105 |
Anyone ever buy one and use it? Seems they go from $38 all the way to a $100 or so. I'm talking about the xt225 knockoff specifically not a universal one. It says on some sites you can replace the cable pivot on the knockoff so you can use both OEM cables. Wonder how hard it is to replace that cable pivot on the carb. How has the carb worked out for you? I've had good luck in the past w/chinese knockoffs usually on 50/35cc motors. Just wondering if the need ever arises.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: 2wheelfun]
#150419
02/12/21 04:42 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,152
JerryH
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,152 |
I don't recommend them. A couple of people on the scooter forum at advrider.com put Chinese carbs on their late model carbureted Vespas because the oem Keihin carbs are no longer available (I have a 2006 carbureted Vespa GT200) They worked for a while, but then started messing up. They cannot be rebuilt, no parts are available for them. These were based on the Keihin design, but were not exact copies. They had rivets where the real thing has screws.
I noticed you said BOTH cables. I'm assuming you have a 2001 or later model with dual throttle cables. I have a 1994 engine (came with a single cable throttle) and am using a 2001 carburetor on it. It was designed for 2 cables, but works just fine with one. Supposedly the two cable design was for safety, but I feel the single cable is safer. One less cable to get stuck, and even when they are well lubricated there is more friction from 2 cables than one. The throttle snaps back a lot easier with one cable than two. I won't recommend going from 2 cables to one because of that supposed safety thing. For me it was the right thing to do. Everybody can make their own choice. I won't even recommend removing reflectors, though I certainly do. But I wear a reflective vest and a white helmet too.
As for the Chinese carb, since they are so cheap $$$, if you need a carb, you don't have a lot to lose by trying one. But if you have a good Mikuni or even a repairable Mikuni, I'd use that. I've never seen a good quality motor vehicle part come from China. It might work fine, it might leave you stranded.
The above is my opinion. Your mileage may vary. 1994/2001 custom built XT225 with a ton of aftermarket parts.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: 2wheelfun]
#150422
02/12/21 03:33 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,160
peejman
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,160 |
I got a chinese carb for my mower. It works ok on an engine that only had to run at 1 speed, but does weird things sometimes. Not sure I'd trust one on a motorcycle. You might be able to find an OEM carb in a salvage yard that could be rebuilt. Versions of the XT's engine were used in several bikes and ATV's.
This shall pass, be still and know. 2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: peejman]
#150425
02/12/21 04:44 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072
Az4x4
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072 |
..I got a chinese carb for my mower. It works ok on an engine that only had to run at 1 speed, but does weird things sometimes. Not sure I'd trust one on a motorcycle... We've all seen Chinese carbs listed for sale as direct replacements for the XT225 carb. Haven't read much if anything from someone who's actually used one on their bike. As inexpensive as they are I expect we'll hear more about them as time passes and XT225 owners give them a try, ..but for now I'm with Peejman on limiting my Chinese carb purchases to mowers, roto-tillers and rotary brush and weed whackers. In time that may change, but for now...
..I'd rather have questions I can't answer, than answers I can't question.. Dr. Phil
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: 2wheelfun]
#150428
02/12/21 07:04 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 105
2wheelfun
OP
Member L1
|
OP
Member L1
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 105 |
Some day a clone carb might be needed, just was curious. For $40 you wouldn't be out much.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: 2wheelfun]
#150434
02/13/21 12:46 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,152
JerryH
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,152 |
Best thing you can do, IMO, if you have a good oem carb is to take care of it. Carburetors literally last forever. About the only wear part in a carb is the float needle valve. I just replaced that in my 2001 XT carb. While I had the cab off, I went ahead and gave it a cleaning and inspection, didn't find anything else wrong. New oem carbs are available, but the cost is crazy high. However, as expensive as it is, it is peanuts compared to EFI parts.
Out of curiosity, I checked some prices. A brand new oem carb for an XT225 is $600. Yes that's expensive, but part of the reason it is so expensive is that it has been discontinued by Yamaha, so any place that has them in stock has seriously jacked up the price. Before Yamaha discontinued them they were just under $400.
However, the throttle body alone for a new 2020 EFI XT250 is $615. The ECU is $240. The speed sensor is $105. Fuel pump is $240. The air induction system assembly is $185. Those are just the main parts of an EFI system, and already the combined cost is $1400. Add in the sensors, and you're over $1550. And that is for a brand new bike. Imagine what these parts will cost in 15 years, when they are out of production by Yamaha. Several hundred $$$ more, if they are even available. And unlike carburetors, which can be repaired, these parts cannot be.
I spent a total of $21 to repair my carburetor. Needle valve set $17. Float bowl gasket $6. Float bowl drain plug $8. I could have probably gotten by with only the needle valve set. And I believe the needle valve was damaged by ethanol gas, because I left some in the tank and forgot to turn off the petcock a number of times while it sat for weeks at the time. Had I turned off the petcock and drained the carburetor it would probably have been fine.
The metal parts of a carburetor body will last forever. Pretty much all the other parts except for the float needle valve will easily last 50+ years. That is not the case with EFI parts. I have no experience with motorcycle EFI parts, but worked as a professional fleet mechanic for 36 years. Electronic engine management system parts, which include the EFI, were by far the most common parts that failed on vehicles that had them. That's any vehicle with a "check engine" light. These vehicles (light trucks and cars) were normally sold at auction when they reached 100,000 miles, and about half the engine management system parts did not even make it that far. I don't have any records, but from experience I would say we replaced an average of $2500 worth of EMS parts on a vehicle before 100,000 miles. And that is just parts cost. We also had to have trained technicians and many thousands of $$$ worth of diagnostic equipment and vehicle specific software to work on this stuff. It is not owner friendly. And a dealer or independent shop will charge you plenty in labor costs plus markup on the parts to work on it. Most people can rebuild their own carburetors.
When I get enough money, I am going to buy some more carburetor parts for my XT225. I'm also going to buy some parts to rebuild the petcock. I may never need them, but they are not that expensive, and will become unavailable at some point, and the bike will not run without them. The newest XT225 is now 15 years old. The industry standard lifespan for motor vehicles now is 10 years. So in the future, getting parts for vehicles made recently that are more than 10 years old may become nearly impossible. We have truly reached the age of the disposable vehicle.
The above is my opinion. Your mileage may vary. 1994/2001 custom built XT225 with a ton of aftermarket parts.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: JerryH]
#150442
02/14/21 12:01 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072
Az4x4
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072 |
..Best thing you can do, IMO, if you have a good oem carb is to take care of it. Carburetors literally last forever......... +1 on taking care of your OEM carb, Jerrry. That about sums it up..
..I'd rather have questions I can't answer, than answers I can't question.. Dr. Phil
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: 2wheelfun]
#150677
03/03/21 03:27 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 16
TXrider
Junior Member
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 16 |
I bought one of the expensive Chinese carbs. You can pop the cover off the shaft opposite the side of the cable assembly and swap them to get the two cable setup. When I get the rest of my rebuild parts I'll let you know how it goes.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: 2wheelfun]
#150679
03/03/21 04:30 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,152
JerryH
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,152 |
Best of luck with the Chinese carb. Very interested to see how well it works, and how long it lasts.
The above is my opinion. Your mileage may vary. 1994/2001 custom built XT225 with a ton of aftermarket parts.
|
|
|
Re: Chinese knockoff carb
[Re: TXrider]
#150681
03/03/21 07:22 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072
Az4x4
Platinum Member
|
Platinum Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072 |
..I bought one of the expensive Chinese carbs. You can pop the cover off the shaft opposite the side of the cable assembly and swap them to get the two cable setup. When I get the rest of my rebuild parts I'll let you know how it goes.. Looking forward to your 'hands on' report, TXrider. ..Actually I hope for the best, as I'm confidant you do as well - although like others I harbor reservations about the overall quality and serviceability of low cost Chinese motorcycle parts.
..I'd rather have questions I can't answer, than answers I can't question.. Dr. Phil
|
|
|
|
Board Upgrade:
Board upgrade to V7.7.3 has been completed on Monday Feb 3rd 2020. Ride safely.
Enjoy the new software!
|
|
1 registered members (Mountain_Sundae),
35
guests, and 0
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums38
Topics16,835
Posts151,327
Members6,012
|
Most Online279 Dec 6th, 2019
|
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|