Cheap Zong project bike?

FastDoc · 12-02-2010, 03:58 PM

http://yakima.craigslist.org/mcy/2091538960.html

If I can get it for $200 may be a good engine donor at any rate...

UPDATE:

I offered the guy $200. I'm dying for a project.

Reveeen · 12-02-2010, 05:24 PM

Help me out here, because I don't "get it"?

I was recently at a place, for the want of a better term, that was a private junkyard. There were all manner of gasoline powered things there, all with "bad coils", or at least that is what I was told.

I played Yamaha/HD mechanic in the late 60's, played car mechanic in the 70's, played with trucks and buses in the 80's. I have probably worked on 500,000 vehicles (if not more, and not counting stationary equipment, boats, ships, and airplanes).

I recall only ever replacing 3 coils, and that was due to a bad oscilloscope pattern, the vehicles ran, not specifically "well", but ran good enough to get them to a garage.

Is a vehicle having a "bad coil" become a kind of generic ailment?

FastDoc · 12-02-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reveeen

Help me out here, because I don't "get it"?

I was recently at a place, for the want of a better term, that was a private junkyard. There were all manner of gasoline powered things there, all with "bad coils", or at least that is what I was told.

I played Yamaha/HD mechanic in the late 60's, played car mechanic in the 70's, played with trucks and buses in the 80's. I have probably worked on 500,000 vehicles (if not more, and not counting stationary equipment, boats, ships, and airplanes).

I recall only ever replacing 3 coils, and that was due to a bad oscilloscope pattern, the vehicles ran, not specifically "well", but ran good enough to get them to a garage.

Is a vehicle having a "bad coil" become a kind of generic ailment?

My guess is that this is a Hondoid 230cc OHV Zong and it's the CDI. If this guy knew what was wrong he'd be able to fix it and not sell the bike for $200. 8)

Weldangrind · 12-02-2010, 06:37 PM

I'm thinking bad diagnosis as well.

I've tested several coils according to the procedure in Hayne's manuals, and I've never found one so bad that the car wouldn't run, despite being out of spec. The only coils of any description that I've ever seen fail are solenoid coils for water control valves. That is largely because the design called for them to be open 24/7, and they would only ever close in response to a cut signal from the PLC. Ridiculous design.

Doc, did the seller respond?

FastDoc · 12-02-2010, 06:42 PM

Yeah. He'll let it go for $200. 2,500 miles, no damage. Clear title. Sitting in garage for the past year. Not wrecked or rusted. Light wear marks on seat and tank, no rust. No other known mechanical or electrical issues.

I think I'll take the trailer and look at it. I'll bring a battery. If it's just the CDI I can fix in 10 minutes for $10 and sell it in the Spring for $500-$750 easy...

Or save the motor for something else!

What do you guys think? Should I gamble?

Reveeen · 12-02-2010, 07:34 PM

Why not?

Not too sure on Chinese re-sale though. I am sure if you are careful, and not wind too many $ in it, you can't go too far wrong @ $200.

Weldangrind · 12-02-2010, 11:34 PM

Agreed on both counts. Sounds like either $200 worth of donor parts for another bike, or a resale value of X. Even if you only get $400 for it, you doubled your money (minus the CDI and your time of course).

Grab it!

Reveeen · 12-03-2010, 07:49 AM

At worst: pieces

At best: a donor engine, and a street titled home for a CR450

FastDoc · 12-03-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reveeen

At worst: pieces

At best: a donor engine, and a street titled home for a CR450

Tell me more...

katoranger · 12-03-2010, 11:11 AM

Doc, most likely a failed CDI. Seller thinks it a coil since it does not have spark. Probably can ID a coil, but has no idea what a CDI is.

Allen

FastDoc · 12-03-2010, 11:29 AM

Plus I have Bill's drowned CDI which might work. Heck his solenoid was still good. Plus Spud's a Zong parts dealer. What more could I ask for?

humanbeing · 12-03-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

]My guess is that this is a Hondoid 230cc OHV Zong and it's the CDI. If this guy knew what was wrong he'd be able to fix it and not sell the bike for $200. 8)

NO. ZS250GS's engine is Yamaha based ie big bored ZS200GY-A.

FastDoc · 12-03-2010, 05:13 PM

Really. That would be grea :P t. A punched out Yamaha/Zong OHC motor? That would be great. I had a streetbike with the 230 OHV Hondoid engine and I was not impressed with it at all.

SpudRider · 12-03-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humanbeing

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

]My guess is that this is a Hondoid 230cc OHV Zong and it's the CDI. If this guy knew what was wrong he'd be able to fix it and not sell the bike for $200. 8)

NO. ZS250GS's engine is Yamaha based ie big bored ZS200GY-A.

Are you sure, Humanbeing? The ZS250GS engine doesn't look similar to the Yamaha clone engine in my ZS200GY-2. :?

As I encouraged you via PM, I say go for it, Doc!

Both the ZS200GS, and the ZS250GS are reported to be good bikes. I think the bike probably has a bad CDI unit.

I certainly don't need another motorcycle, but if I were near the seller, I would definitely buy that bike for $200.

Spud

FastDoc · 12-03-2010, 10:25 PM

The seller called to confirm it's still available. I'll check it out tomorrow morning.

12-02-2010, 03:58 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Cheap Zong project bike? http://yakima.craigslist.org/mcy/2091538960.html If I can get it for $200 may be a good engine donor at any rate... UPDATE: I offered the guy $200. I'm dying for a project. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

12-02-2010, 06:37 PM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I'm thinking bad diagnosis as well. I've tested several coils according to the procedure in Hayne's manuals, and I've never found one so bad that the car wouldn't run, despite being out of spec. The only coils of any description that I've ever seen fail are solenoid coils for water control valves. That is largely because the design called for them to be open 24/7, and they would only ever close in response to a cut signal from the PLC. Ridiculous design. Doc, did the seller respond? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

12-02-2010, 06:42 PM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Yeah. He'll let it go for $200. 2,500 miles, no damage. Clear title. Sitting in garage for the past year. Not wrecked or rusted. Light wear marks on seat and tank, no rust. No other known mechanical or electrical issues. I think I'll take the trailer and look at it. I'll bring a battery. If it's just the CDI I can fix in 10 minutes for $10 and sell it in the Spring for $500-$750 easy... Or save the motor for something else! What do you guys think? Should I gamble? __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

12-02-2010, 11:34 PM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Agreed on both counts. Sounds like either $200 worth of donor parts for another bike, or a resale value of X. Even if you only get $400 for it, you doubled your money (minus the CDI and your time of course). Grab it! __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

12-03-2010, 11:11 AM	#10
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Doc, most likely a failed CDI. Seller thinks it a coil since it does not have spark. Probably can ID a coil, but has no idea what a CDI is. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-02-2010, 05:24 PM	#2
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	Help me out here, because I don't "get it"? I was recently at a place, for the want of a better term, that was a private junkyard. There were all manner of gasoline powered things there, all with "bad coils", or at least that is what I was told. I played Yamaha/HD mechanic in the late 60's, played car mechanic in the 70's, played with trucks and buses in the 80's. I have probably worked on 500,000 vehicles (if not more, and not counting stationary equipment, boats, ships, and airplanes). I recall only ever replacing 3 coils, and that was due to a bad oscilloscope pattern, the vehicles ran, not specifically "well", but ran good enough to get them to a garage. Is a vehicle having a "bad coil" become a kind of generic ailment?
	0

12-02-2010, 07:34 PM	#6
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	Why not? Not too sure on Chinese re-sale though. I am sure if you are careful, and not wind too many $ in it, you can't go too far wrong @ $200.
	0

12-03-2010, 07:49 AM	#8
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	At worst: pieces At best: a donor engine, and a street titled home for a CR450
	0

12-03-2010, 11:29 AM	#11
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Plus I have Bill's drowned CDI which might work. Heck his solenoid was still good. Plus Spud's a Zong parts dealer. What more could I ask for? __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

12-03-2010, 05:13 PM	#13
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Really. That would be grea :P t. A punched out Yamaha/Zong OHC motor? That would be great. I had a streetbike with the 230 OHV Hondoid engine and I was not impressed with it at all. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

12-03-2010, 10:25 PM	#15
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The seller called to confirm it's still available. I'll check it out tomorrow morning. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0