New purchase questions -2006 Roketa 200cc DB-06 - Page 12

Landsvw · 06-01-2017, 02:54 PM

I wrote an email to the Zhongshen factory to see if I could find out any more information about this bike... will update if something is revealed

L

Landsvw · 06-02-2017, 12:59 PM

Evidently, the reserve on the Roketa doesn't work too well... I've run out 2x now. and, flipping to reserve barely gets me a 1/2 mile. Luckily I've been that far away from a gas station both times, so coasted in. Hmmm...

Mudflap · 06-02-2017, 01:05 PM

Either the pickup straw has fallen off the petcock, the petcock packing is damaged, or the lever is in the wrong position.

Landsvw · 06-12-2017, 11:32 AM

I've had various responses on the origin of the bike. Beta USA denies any collusion with Chinese companies. Second email I sent them pictures and then they just said "thank you".
Chinese bike sellers said it was a clone that was copied in many factories, but the one they said it was cloned from was a completely unrelated bike... so, dead end. But, as several others have said, gotta be a relationship. The Alp and the DB05 are too similar for coincidence.

Got a good ride in last Friday, but was on the XRL. That's it!

L

Landsvw · 07-06-2017, 01:27 PM

Sooo, I drove the Chinese bike around yesterday. Now, after riding the TTR225 Yamaha for 9 hours in a day and then the Chinese bike, oh man, the Yamaha is soooooo much better. It's crazy the difference in comfort. Not to say the Chinese bike isn't ok, but, for long term saddle time I'm taking the Yamaha... ��

Landsvw · 07-28-2017, 10:47 AM

Anyone dealt with the Chinese bike starter system? Solenoid will engage, but engine will crank slowly, or pause, and I'll re hit button and then it may or may not go. When it's hot, seems to be a little worse. I replaced the battery thinking it was the problem, same. I'm thinking solenoid? Or? Maybe starter brushes? I figure I'll see if the solenoid is able to be taken apart, and I'll clean the large contacts first.

Weldangrind · 07-28-2017, 11:04 AM

I'd try the solenoid first. You can test it if you like, by disconnecting the secondary side of the solenoid and measuring the in and out voltage. If there is noticeable drop, it's the solenoid.

Mudflap · 07-28-2017, 11:39 AM

First thing I'd do is take a screwdriver and short the 2 large terminals on the solenoid. If it still cranks slowly it's not the solenoid.

Landsvw · 07-31-2017, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudflap

First thing I'd do is take a screwdriver and short the 2 large terminals on the solenoid. If it still cranks slowly it's not the solenoid.

Did just that. Still cranked slowly, so, probably the starter. Wires got warm too, so yeah...

Weldangrind · 08-01-2017, 11:09 AM

I'm betting that when you order a new starter, you can also order replacement brushes for your existing starter. That'll ensure that you have a good starter on the shelf.

Landsvw · 08-04-2017, 02:10 PM

I pulled apart the starter. Super simple. Nothing obviously wrong, but maybe the commutator was a bit more worn than it should have been. I cleaned it up, greased the greasy bits, Brushes were fine, and reassembled. I then noticed upon cranking that the negative wire was getting warm. It was also very long. I shortened it and reattached it to a closer case bolt. I also created a second one, and attached it to the frame. Is cranking much better now. Should be good to go until I can buy a Chinese starter off eBay some time in the future.

Ariel Red Hunter · 08-04-2017, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landsvw

I pulled apart the starter. Super simple. Nothing obviously wrong, but maybe the commutator was a bit more worn than it should have been. I cleaned it up, greased the greasy bits, Brushes were fine, and reassembled. I then noticed upon cranking that the negative wire was getting warm. It was also very long. I shortened it and reattached it to a closer case bolt. I also created a second one, and attached it to the frame. Is cranking much better now. Should be good to go until I can buy a Chinese starter off eBay some time in the future.

That's good news. I don't know how many times I've brought up bad, or semi bad ground issues, but it has been a hard sell. The wiring on these bikes is tha absolue minimum guage to get the job done, in my opinion..ARH

Landsvw · 08-04-2017, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

That's good news. I don't know how many times I've brought up bad, or semi bad ground issues, but it has been a hard sell. The wiring on these bikes is tha absolue minimum guage to get the job done, in my opinion..ARH

I agree with you. The cable is very light gauge, and was probably 1/2 foot longer than it needed to be. Plus, no ground to the frame either. Is starting very well now! If it gets bad again I'm going to change the hot wire cables and the ground cable for heavier gauge/duty. I bet it will help a lot.

Landsvw · 08-04-2017, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landsvw

I agree with you. The cable is very light gauge, and was probably 1/2 foot longer than it needed to be. Plus, no ground to the frame either. Is starting very well now! If it gets bad again I'm going to change the hot wire cables and the ground cable for heavier gauge/duty. I bet it will help a lot.

Unfortunately I bought a new battery but oh well, it was new off eBay and wasn't too much. I'll save the other one for a backup. Any other bike (non Chinese) and it would have been the battery. Hahaha!

Landsvw · 09-17-2017, 04:36 PM

I put some generic Acerbis knock off brush guards on the Chinese bike...

06-01-2017, 02:54 PM	#1
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	I wrote an email to the Zhongshen factory to see if I could find out any more information about this bike... will update if something is revealed L __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

06-02-2017, 12:59 PM	#2
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Evidently, the reserve on the Roketa doesn't work too well... I've run out 2x now. and, flipping to reserve barely gets me a 1/2 mile. Luckily I've been that far away from a gas station both times, so coasted in. Hmmm... __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	0

06-12-2017, 11:32 AM	#4
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	I've had various responses on the origin of the bike. Beta USA denies any collusion with Chinese companies. Second email I sent them pictures and then they just said "thank you". Chinese bike sellers said it was a clone that was copied in many factories, but the one they said it was cloned from was a completely unrelated bike... so, dead end. But, as several others have said, gotta be a relationship. The Alp and the DB05 are too similar for coincidence. Got a good ride in last Friday, but was on the XRL. That's it! L __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

07-06-2017, 01:27 PM	#5
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Sooo, I drove the Chinese bike around yesterday. Now, after riding the TTR225 Yamaha for 9 hours in a day and then the Chinese bike, oh man, the Yamaha is soooooo much better. It's crazy the difference in comfort. Not to say the Chinese bike isn't ok, but, for long term saddle time I'm taking the Yamaha... �� __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

07-28-2017, 10:47 AM	#6
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Anyone dealt with the Chinese bike starter system? Solenoid will engage, but engine will crank slowly, or pause, and I'll re hit button and then it may or may not go. When it's hot, seems to be a little worse. I replaced the battery thinking it was the problem, same. I'm thinking solenoid? Or? Maybe starter brushes? I figure I'll see if the solenoid is able to be taken apart, and I'll clean the large contacts first. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	0

06-02-2017, 01:05 PM	#3
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,894	Either the pickup straw has fallen off the petcock, the petcock packing is damaged, or the lever is in the wrong position.
	2

07-28-2017, 11:04 AM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I'd try the solenoid first. You can test it if you like, by disconnecting the secondary side of the solenoid and measuring the in and out voltage. If there is noticeable drop, it's the solenoid. __________________ 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
	1

07-28-2017, 11:39 AM	#8
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,894	First thing I'd do is take a screwdriver and short the 2 large terminals on the solenoid. If it still cranks slowly it's not the solenoid.
	1

08-01-2017, 11:09 AM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I'm betting that when you order a new starter, you can also order replacement brushes for your existing starter. That'll ensure that you have a good starter on the shelf. __________________ 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

08-04-2017, 02:10 PM	#11
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	I pulled apart the starter. Super simple. Nothing obviously wrong, but maybe the commutator was a bit more worn than it should have been. I cleaned it up, greased the greasy bits, Brushes were fine, and reassembled. I then noticed upon cranking that the negative wire was getting warm. It was also very long. I shortened it and reattached it to a closer case bolt. I also created a second one, and attached it to the frame. Is cranking much better now. Should be good to go until I can buy a Chinese starter off eBay some time in the future. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	0