Lifan X-Pect Valve Clearance

[oincman]

After emailing American Lifan about my new Xpect not having the green rim tape (I know it's trivial, but for $2K it should have been as pictured). They responded with a kinda brush me off attitude. But at least they responded.

So I suggested if they want to compete with Japanese manufacturers, then they need to up their game a bit and send the bikes as pictured and as maintenance free as possible.

I changed the oil at 5 miles and checked the valves cause it didn't sound right.

The intake valve was closed and the exhaust was at .001 or less.

I informed Lifan of this and that I set them to Intake .003 and Exhaust .005 (per manual), also suggested they set these properly during build since a lot of local dealers of Honda etc, won't work on these Chinese bikes and prevents problems for those who are not mechanically inclined.

They responded that the engineers have now changed that spec to be .006 on both Intake and Exhaust. And will suggest this to the factory.

It seems to run fine. Still makes a kinda weird light buzzing sound when riding and changing gears. It may be the fuel pump or some other electronic device since I can't get it to do it when idling and revving. Or it might just need to break in more. And if feels peppier after changing the valves (which I now need to set again).

[2LZ]

I've never had a CG motor that didn't have tight valves, out of the box. This includes Hensims, Zongs, Loncin and a Lifan motor. Unfortunately, it's just expected.
Only Q came with properly set valves (Qingqi motor).

[oincman]

Well one can try. I suggested they set them proper from the factory. Doubt they'll listen, but I put in my .2c worth.

[NzBrakelathes]

6 thou?????????????????????????????

[oincman]

That is what they told me. I haven't changed it yet, still got it a .003 and .005. Gonna see how it runs.

[NzBrakelathes]

Originally Posted by oincman

That is what they told me. I haven't changed it yet, still got it a .003 and .005. Gonna see how it runs.

I typically do 0.6mm (2 thou) and 0.08mm (3 thou)

What engine is in this bike? might pay to try a few different values etc see what gives the best results

[culcune]

Check out Overland Adventures post and video. American Lifan told him directly different valve lash settings, lol.

[Overland Adventure]

Originally Posted by culcune

Check out Overland Adventures post and video. American Lifan told him directly different valve lash settings, lol.

Thanks for the props

I set intake 0.07mm, exhaust 0.05mm and can confirm I just rode 15 miles upwards of 60 MPH flogging the heck out of it, and she ran great!

[oincman]

Not sure of the engine, but I'll check tonight. Reread the email and he said 0.06mm (I read it wrong), which would be .002, but he said both intake and exhaust were to be 0.06mm.

It's been pretty chilly here so I haven't ridden it since. Maybe later today or Saturday I'll get a chance to take it back out.

[oincman]

Installed my saddle bags today. Used flexible cutting board, cut and mounted under the muffler shield, not that the muffler gets that hot. Just in case. Also gave me a place to strap it down to keep from flapping.

[oincman]

Here is the link if anyone is interested in them. They cost $23.50 and robbed the wife's cutting board and painted it black. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mtiberio]

Looks like your kick starter is one spline too far forward. It is probably resting on the clutch housing. The only reason I notice is I took mine off and had to figure out which was the best position to put it back on.

[Goob]

Originally Posted by Overland Adventure

Thanks for the props

I set intake 0.07mm, exhaust 0.05mm and can confirm I just rode 15 miles upwards of 60 MPH flogging the heck out of it, and she ran great!

Tho you may have found TDC by cranking the engine over, I wouldn't recommend that method. At least I wouldn't do it that way.

There must be access to a place for manually turning the engine to a TDC mark viewed thru another access port. This will be marked with a "T". This is pretty common to all bikes.

Hope you got your on-off issue resolved.

[oincman]

It might be. I'll look at it tonight. Hadn't really noticed. Did try to kick start it a couple of times and that was pretty futile.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by oincman

Not sure of the engine, but I'll check tonight. Reread the email and he said 0.06mm (I read it wrong), which would be .002, but he said both intake and exhaust were to be 0.06mm.

It's been pretty chilly here so I haven't ridden it since. Maybe later today or Saturday I'll get a chance to take it back out.

.06mm is .0025" (roughly). That is the spec I run on my Hawk's intake. .05mm os .002"

As far as the access to manually turn over the motor. On the left side of the bike there is a plug in the middle of the stator cover that has a big flat head slot in it. That is the point you access to put in a socket to turn the crank. On top of that same cover is another plug you remove to line up the TDC Mark of the flywheel with a notch in the threads where the plug is located.

I cheat with my long arms and use the kick starter to turn the motor over to find TDC.