Hi-Bird Sport 125

[Ascot500]

I have already posted some info on the dealer forum but started this thread to get into details about the bike.
I hope someone finds this useful.
Here is the picture of mine


This is the half exhaust collar from the factory, under the exhaust flange


The one I made


A view of the clip on handle bars


Here is the text of my original post on the dealer forum:

I recently bought a Hi-Bird Sport 125 "Scooter" from Motorxtremes.
After placing the order, it took a full five business days to ship.
While this is probably nothing to complain about, I was anxious.
It was delivered to my door on a lift gate truck.
The unit had a couple minor scuffs, but nothing I felt the need to complain about. There were no assembly instructions, but all that was needed was to install battery, front wheel, headlight and exhaust.
The exhaust uses a split collar - looks like a top hat cut in two - and one of the halves was missing. I have contacted them several times, the last time by phone about 10 days ago, and still have not received the part.
Unfortunately, you can't use the bike without it.
Being somewhat handy I was able to fab a replacement out of an old shock absorber, and it is doing the trick.
So far I have 200 km on it. I was able to register it in NC using the MSO and bill of sale. The DMV lady raised a stink 'cause the mileage statement said zero, but then gave me the plate.
I am going to change the sprockets - right now it is a 15/41 combination, to a 16/37. I can't understand how anyone would tolerate the stock gearing.
I also find that I don't like the clip ons - I am 47 - but haven't figured out how to handle that.

[IronFist]

What's that 8O Neat looking bike brother! Where does your gas go??????
Under the seat??
It's like a scooter-D/S-motard/streetfighter. :oops:
I bet it would be great for city driving. Fantastic on gas too.

[Ascot500]

Correct, the tank is under the seat.
I haven't had it long enough for an accurate judgment of fuel mileage, but I have high hopes.
It should be even better after the sprocket changes.

[tcs]

Originally Posted by IronFist

It's like a scooter-D/S-motard/streetfighter.

Do you remember the Honda Super Cub? It was a hybrid mixture of motorbike and motor scooter design elements; it was brilliant.

Honda sold them in the USA from 1959 to 1972 (?) and again in 1981-82. Then they went away and never came back to the USA.

But they didn't die. In fact, Honda has sold 60,000,000 Cub design motorcycles world wide and the step-through design (built by dozens of motorcycle manufacturers) is the most popular style of motorcycle in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is also very popular in China and Japan.

OK, so what do you do if you are a young man in a country that rides step-throughs? Well, you make custom choppers out of them and you make sport bikes out of them, of course! There is even a race series in S.E. Asia for sporty step-throughs.

This Hi-Bird is the first such model I've seen in the states and I wish them well with it.

Best,
tcs

[Ascot500]

Actually my first Chinese bike was a Wildfire WF110M which is Honda Cub derived. I was a fun ride but had a couple shortcomings.
The top speed was some what limited, above 40 it got too buzzy.
And the frame lacked rigidity hurting my confidence in the corners.
The Sport 125 addressed both those concerns, should get nearly the same gas mileage and didn't cost much for the upgrade.

Interestingly I found this photo somewhere of a hybrid:



It appears to have addressed frame issue nicely.

[SpeedSouth]

Looks good. It reminds me of the old CT 90 in many ways.

The headlight looks like the head of an insect....

[yurkia]

only thing I like about the look of that bike is the headlight assembly. rest of it looks too much like a scooter. hehe

[IronFist]

I'm into vintage pretty hard now and the cub doesn't rock me. Though throwing one off a 6 story building didn't kill the one I saw on tv.

Why get a cub when you could ride one of these baby black bombers.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ54589283

[katoranger]

I wonder if I could use those wheels and the front forks on my ct90. I would be able to gain a front disc brake then.

Allen

[culcune]

Wow, that is one of the ugliest, most unusual, beautiful, intriguing bikes out there! I want one!!

[Ascot500]

Yes, the Honda S65 & S90 were hot.
If I could get one delivered to my door in NC for $950, that would be the way to go. Fat chance of that.

These guys also have some interesting variations on that same theme:
www.emt-star.com

[katoranger]

Ascot, What size wheels and tires does it have? Also the diameter of the front forks and is the rear a disc brake too?

I am gathering intel for my project.

Allen

[Ascot500]

The tires are 2.50-17 & 2.75-17

It does have a rear disc.

The fork diameter is 26mm

Glad to help.

[maf119l]

What is the seat height.Not listed on their web site

[katoranger]

Thanks that is about the same size as the CT. I would have to make a bracket for a rear caliper and master cylinder.

Allen