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#1 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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RX3 Lubrication System: Checking the Engine Oil Level
The lubrication system of the NC250 (ZS177MM) engine in the Zongshen RX3 is designed similarly to the lubrication system of my Honda XR650L. Both systems use a dual chamber oil pump, which has an elevated oil reservoir. The Honda stores much of its engine oil in a reservoir located at the top of the bike's frame, behind the triple tree. The Zongshen stores much of its engine oil in a 'gearbox' reservoir, located behind the bike's clutch cover. The Honda has an oil dipstick located at the elevated reservoir, and the Zongshen has an sight glass located at the elevated reservoir. The level of oil in the elevated reservoir is not constant for either motorcycle, so both bikes require you to follow a specific procedure to make sure you measure the oil level properly.
![]() In this thread I will first describe the design of the Honda lubrication system, then I will describe the similar design of the Zongshen lubrication system. Finally, I will describe the proper method to check the oil level, which is almost identical for both bikes, since the lubrication systems are designed so similarly. ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 07-18-2015 at 05:32 AM. |
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#2 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
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The RX3 is a wet sump motor & the XR650 is a dry sump motor ?
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09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
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#3 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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I will describe the Honda lubrication system first, since I have a detailed diagrams of that system, and that system is thoroughly described in Honda literature.
![]() Let's describe the Honda lubrication system starting at the oil sump, which is the lowest part of the engine where all the oil drains after it has lubricated the upper parts of the engine. Here is a drawing which shows how the 2-chamber oil pump lubricates the Honda engine, and stores much of the oil in an elevated reservoir. ![]() The first chamber of the oil pump draws oil from the oil sump, and delivers the oil to two locations. One line sends oil to the transmission, which then drains back to the oil sump. The other line sends oil to the upper oil reservoir. The upper oil reservoir then delivers oil by gravity feed to the second chamber of the oil pump. The second chamber of the oil pump delivers oil to the oil filter. After the oil is filtered, the oil is separated into two lines. One oil line lubricates the crankshaft, connecting rod, and piston. The other oil line sends oil to the cylinder head to lubricate the camshaft, rocker arms, and valve tappets. After lubricating the top of the engine, all this oil drains to the oil sump, where the entire cycle begins again. ![]() ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 07-23-2015 at 10:03 PM. |
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#4 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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The Zongshen lubrication system is described in the CSC blog at the following link.
http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=17257 ![]() As described in the CSC blog, the Zongshen oil system has two oil reservoirs. As with the Honda system, the lower 'reservoir' is the oil sump, or crankcase, where all the oil collects after lubricating the top end of the engine. The upper reservoir is the 'gearbox,' which contains the sight glass, and is located behind the clutch cover. I don't have a detailed description of the Zongshen system, but I surmise it operates in a manner similar to the Honda system. The NC250 (ZS177MM) engine has two oil pumps. One oil pump probably collects oil from the oil sump. It then delivers oil to lubricate the transmission, and also stores oil in the upper reservoir, which is labeled the 'gearbox.' This upper reservoir, and the sight glass, are located high above the oil drain plug, which is near the oil sump at the bottom of the engine. ![]() From the elevated, 'gearbox' reservoir, oil is probably fed by gravity to the second oil pump, which delivers oil to the oil filter. From the oil filter the oil probably follows two oil lines. One oil line lubricates the crankshaft, connecting rod, and piston. The other oil line goes to the cylinder head to lubricate the camshaft, rocker arms, and tappets. All of this oil then drains to the oil sump, and the process is repeated.
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 09-29-2015 at 06:47 AM. |
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#5 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Because the upper oil reservoirs in both systems are fed by the first chamber of the oil pump, the oil level in these reservoirs changes under different operating conditions. Therefore, you must follow a specific procedure to properly determine the actual oil level in the reservoir. The proper procedure is described exactly the same for both the Honda and Zongshen engines.
The Honda manuals tell you to check the oil level when the engine is warm, after it has reached operating temperature. Let the bike idle for a minute or two on the kick stand, in an upright position. Then turn off the engine, and wait a minute or two for the oil to drain. Finally, balance the bike in a vertical position, and measure the oil level on the dipstick. The CSC blog tells you to check the oil level in the following words. Allow the engine to come up to operating temperature. Close the throttle and allow the engine to operate at idle for one minute. Close the ignition and wait for one minute. Hold the motorcycle in the vertical position (i.e., off the sidestand) and observe the engine oil level in the viewport. If the engine has the right amount of oil, the level will be between the upper and lower scribe lines, as shown in the photo below. ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#6 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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If you don't follow the proper procedure with either the Honda XR650L, or the Zongshen RX3, you will probably overfill the engine with motor oil. The RX3 will blow the excess oil out the crankcase vent, and the excess oil will collect in the tube below the oil separator, as described in the following thread.
![]() http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...883#post188883 ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#7 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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I usually check the oil level in both my RX3 and XR650L after I finish a ride. I also will sometimes check the oil level during a ride, when I stop to fill the fuel tank. In both cases, the engine has reached operating temperature.
![]() If I check the oil at a gas station, I let the bike idle on the kick stand for a minute or two beside the pump. Then I turn off the engine, and pump the fuel while the oil settles. After pumping the fuel, I balance the bike in the vertical position, and check the oil level. ![]() If you fill the RX3 with the specified, 1.7 quarts of motor oil at each oil change, you will have the proper amount of oil in the crankcase. You can verify the engine is not burning oil, or leaking oil, by checking the oil level in the manner described above. ![]() http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/Articles.asp?ID=266
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 07-18-2015 at 01:04 PM. |
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#8 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Based upon the information provided by CSC, and the Zongshen engineers, the Zongshen engine has two oil reservoirs, and the upper reservoir contains the oil measuring device. As you can see in the photographs below, the oil sight glass is located very high above the oil sump, oil drain plug, both oil screens, and the oil filter.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#9 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Also, it's nice to note the NC250 engine holds 1.7 quarts of motor oil, which is almost the same amount of motor oil (2.06 quarts) as contained in the much larger, 650cc engine of the Honda XR650L.
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__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#10 | |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
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Quote:
is in a tank for a time away from the heat sorce "motor" .
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09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
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#11 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Yes, the Honda, 'dry sump' lubrication system is a very nice design.
![]() I must say, I am very impressed with the nice condition of the used motor oil I empty from the NC250 engine. ![]()
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#12 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Excellent thread idea, Spud. You're an awesome Zong ambassador.
That's the same process I had to follow with my old '96 XR250R. A bit of a pain, but well worth the effort. The intricate design of the oiling system helps to remind one of the importance of regular oil changes.
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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 |
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#13 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Thank you, Weld.
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__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#14 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Today I reached 6,000 miles on the odometer, and changed the engine oil. I change the oil every time the odometer turns an additional 2,000 miles.
![]() Since I switched to a reusable, stainless steel, oil filter, my RX3 now takes 1.8 quarts of motor oil, which is 1 quart plus 26 ounces.
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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#15 | |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
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Quote:
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__________________
09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
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