JerryHawk250's Lifan KPX250 - Page 24

Jay93 · 10-05-2022, 10:06 AM

Hey guys! I found the instructions in the owners manual but it wasn’t super clear on how to tighten the chain and I’m new to all of this. I need to take some slack out of the chain, do I just loosen the nuts on both sides then turn the head of the nut on the left side? Thanks for any help.

IdahoRider · 10-05-2022, 10:33 AM

You just need to loosen the axle nut on the right hand side, then loosen the adjustment screws a little bit. Use the lines on the swing arm to make sure the wheel is centered, then re tighten everything. I also installed this chain during assembly and have not had to do any adjustments with over 200 initial miles. I think its worth the $50 to have a chain that (should) last a lot longer than the standard chain and require fewer adjustments.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007A8OOK2...roduct_details

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Jay93 · 10-05-2022, 11:02 AM

Thanks Idaho! I’m at about 450mi on my kpx is this a normal time to have to adjust the chain? Also what do I re-torque the rear axle but to?

IdahoRider · 10-05-2022, 11:13 AM

I'm not sure about the frequency of chain adjustment, I just know its more often than with an o ring chain but if you haven't had to adjust your chain for the first time until now, that's pretty good. Someone else using the standard chain should be able to give you a better idea on how often they've had to adjust their chains.

The manual says the torque spec is 90 +/- N.m., which looks to convert to 66 ft lbs.

kyle · 10-05-2022, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoRider

You just need to loosen the axle nut on the right hand side, then loosen the adjustment screws a little bit. Use the lines on the swing arm to make sure the wheel is centered, then re tighten everything. I also installed this chain during assembly and have not had to do any adjustments with over 200 initial miles. I think its worth the $50 to have a chain that (should) last a lot longer than the standard chain and require fewer adjustments.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007A8OOK2...roduct_details

Attachment 27642

Attachment 27643

Hey, been looking for someone that swapped their chain so I can add it to kpx250.com What length did you get, 108? Did you need to use a chainbreaker and replace the master length or it just fit stock length?

rkcle009 · 10-05-2022, 11:34 AM

I purchased my KPX-250 from Venom Motorsports. Received the bike on Aug-31-2022.
Venom Motorsports was great. They delivered the bike as promised. I had some issues and used their Support. They helped me out and provided parts on warranty.
A shoutout also to JerryHawk250. Jerry helped me a lot with questions I had on the bike.
I'm a beginner, so this Lifan KPX-250 is perfect for me. Nice looking (people think it's a Kawasaki) and fun to ride.
If you are looking for performance then I suggest looking into bigger bikes. This Lifan KPX-250 is great as a beginner affordable bike.
Again thanks Venom and Jerry for your help. I suggest they come up with a bigger engine. I will look into it.

IdahoRider · 10-05-2022, 11:43 AM

I'm using the chain in the amazon link. Yes its 108 links which is stock length. The chain has a masterlink, but the side link is a press fit so you either need a chain tool to do this or do it the cheap easy way like I did. (if you read the Amazon reviews, several people didn't read the directions so based their reviews on their ignorance).

Jay93 · 10-05-2022, 12:28 PM

Thanks everyone for the kind responses and helpful information. Nice to find a non-toxic forum without the hate just because we don’t have a Honda ��. I agree with rkcle0009 great beginner bike. Been nothing but awesome sine I got it 9-13-22 almost 500mi and loving it.

**JerryHawk250** · 10-06-2022, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay93

Thanks Idaho! I’m at about 450mi on my kpx is this a normal time to have to adjust the chain? Also what do I re-torque the rear axle but to?

Mine had slack at 400 miles.

TominMO · 10-06-2022, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay93

Thanks Idaho! I’m at about 450mi on my kpx is this a normal time to have to adjust the chain? Also what do I re-torque the rear axle but to?

From my thread:

TORQUE SPECS: This is an educated guess based on similar bikes, XL250 and XL350. I also use blue Loctite.
Front axle: 40 - 47 ft-lbs
Rear axle: 43 - 58 ft-lbs
Rear sprocket nuts: 13 - 17 ft-lbs

joefj1200 · 10-06-2022, 02:49 PM

This arrived today. Minor tears in cardboard, but not a scratch on the bike. Green 'cause I let my wife pick the color - LOL...
No MSO or bill of sale with the bike, but a quick call to Venom Motorsports indicates it's arriving later today via UPS.
I'll change the oil to Rotella T4 15W-40 before I start it, and start the break-in process.
Looks like a nice bike. I look forward to riding it.

pathn · 10-10-2022, 03:32 PM

Just picked up my new KPX Friday. I adjusted the preload out of the rear shock to get the height down a bit and to soften if up. Now the kick stand is almost too long, as I'm going to have to be careful parking in a stiff wind.

Anybody have any ideas on how to deal with this?

I have a pretty good shop and can cut and weld the kick stand if I have to. It also looks like you could grind the bracket a little and allow the stand to slant more forward.
I'm probably going to have to add some preload as the rear springs sacks, but I like it about the height it is.

**JerryHawk250** · 10-10-2022, 03:44 PM

Cutting the kick stand and rewelding might be the best option.

Megadan · 10-10-2022, 04:16 PM

Using preload to lower the ride height isn't the best idea. You are reducing compression travel and altering the static geometry of the chassis under load.

pathn · 10-10-2022, 05:06 PM

Thank you both for getting back to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

Using preload to lower the ride height isn't the best idea. You are reducing compression travel and altering the static geometry of the chassis under load.

I agree with that. I may just take it back apart and crank up the preload again. I took the preload out of the rear mostly because of it's too stiff, it being brand new and me being 165 or so. I'll measure the sag, and go from there.

I spend half the year in southern Baja California. The 1 mile to pavement from my house is dirt/sand. Big holes after it rains, small holes where the water trucks and domestic water leak, washboard, embedded rocks and general badness. It gets graded every couple of years whether it needs it or not. The municipal pavement is often as rough, with sharper edges, but smaller holes (not depth, diameter).

I'm old and beat up, and would like to ride sitting down some of the time. I don't fly through the rough stuff, so mostly I don't need the full travel. I bought it so I could go the speed limit (50 to 65 mph) on the highways and have more suspension travel than a street bike.

10-05-2022, 11:34 AM	#351
rkcle009 Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Cleveland/OH Posts: 9	I purchased my KPX-250 from Venom Motorsports. Received the bike on Aug-31-2022. Venom Motorsports was great. They delivered the bike as promised. I had some issues and used their Support. They helped me out and provided parts on warranty. A shoutout also to JerryHawk250. Jerry helped me a lot with questions I had on the bike. I'm a beginner, so this Lifan KPX-250 is perfect for me. Nice looking (people think it's a Kawasaki) and fun to ride. If you are looking for performance then I suggest looking into bigger bikes. This Lifan KPX-250 is great as a beginner affordable bike. Again thanks Venom and Jerry for your help. I suggest they come up with a bigger engine. I will look into it. Last edited by rkcle009; 10-06-2022 at 01:29 PM. Reason: Adding a picture
	2

10-10-2022, 03:44 PM	#358
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	Cutting the kick stand and rewelding might be the best option. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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10-10-2022, 04:16 PM	#359
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,016	Using preload to lower the ride height isn't the best idea. You are reducing compression travel and altering the static geometry of the chassis under load. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
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10-05-2022, 10:06 AM	#346
Jay93 Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 43	Hey guys! I found the instructions in the owners manual but it wasn’t super clear on how to tighten the chain and I’m new to all of this. I need to take some slack out of the chain, do I just loosen the nuts on both sides then turn the head of the nut on the left side? Thanks for any help.
	0

10-05-2022, 10:33 AM	#347
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	You just need to loosen the axle nut on the right hand side, then loosen the adjustment screws a little bit. Use the lines on the swing arm to make sure the wheel is centered, then re tighten everything. I also installed this chain during assembly and have not had to do any adjustments with over 200 initial miles. I think its worth the $50 to have a chain that (should) last a lot longer than the standard chain and require fewer adjustments. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007A8OOK2...roduct_details
	1

10-05-2022, 11:02 AM	#348
Jay93 Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 43	Thanks Idaho! I’m at about 450mi on my kpx is this a normal time to have to adjust the chain? Also what do I re-torque the rear axle but to?
	0

10-05-2022, 11:13 AM	#349
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	I'm not sure about the frequency of chain adjustment, I just know its more often than with an o ring chain but if you haven't had to adjust your chain for the first time until now, that's pretty good. Someone else using the standard chain should be able to give you a better idea on how often they've had to adjust their chains. The manual says the torque spec is 90 +/- N.m., which looks to convert to 66 ft lbs.
	0

10-05-2022, 11:43 AM	#352
IdahoRider Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 174	I'm using the chain in the amazon link. Yes its 108 links which is stock length. The chain has a masterlink, but the side link is a press fit so you either need a chain tool to do this or do it the cheap easy way like I did. (if you read the Amazon reviews, several people didn't read the directions so based their reviews on their ignorance).
	1

10-05-2022, 12:28 PM	#353
Jay93 Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 43	Thanks everyone for the kind responses and helpful information. Nice to find a non-toxic forum without the hate just because we don’t have a Honda ��. I agree with rkcle0009 great beginner bike. Been nothing but awesome sine I got it 9-13-22 almost 500mi and loving it.
	3

10-10-2022, 03:32 PM	#357
pathn Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: pnw, southern baja Posts: 21	Just picked up my new KPX Friday. I adjusted the preload out of the rear shock to get the height down a bit and to soften if up. Now the kick stand is almost too long, as I'm going to have to be careful parking in a stiff wind. Anybody have any ideas on how to deal with this? I have a pretty good shop and can cut and weld the kick stand if I have to. It also looks like you could grind the bracket a little and allow the stand to slant more forward. I'm probably going to have to add some preload as the rear springs sacks, but I like it about the height it is.
	0