Uk Ebike manufacturers

Ghost1951

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 2, 2024
1,838
778
It's essential that you open up and clean the centrifugal filter. I think the interval is 3000 miles. There is always a significant amount of deposits in there. When it reaches the top of the vanes, no more filtering takes place. I've seen many like that. I reckon around 10,000 miles to fill up. Bear in mind that the oil goes through the gearbox as well as the engine, so any gear wear will end up in there.

Video showing how it is done on the CG125. The bits of metal in that centrifugal filter at minute 6, look exactly like what I took out of my brand new cg125 in 1989. That had the same scraps that looked like leftover machining swarf. That was at 300 miles from new when its factory oil was drained and changed. It never had another bit of that after that initial run in oil change. I suspect that unless the clutch disintegrates scattering bits of friction material, that is the end of sizeable fragments until bearings start to break up. Note the size of the crank main bearing at minute 6. Hugely over engineered for a ten horsepower engine. I know someone who has ridden two of these bikes to 90k and 100k miles and never opened the cases. OIL CHANGE every thousand miles - mandatory for long life on these and also, not riding them full throttle all the time, which many young lads do. Of course they are not really suitable for an long trips on an A road where you need to run at 55 -60 all the time. They will do it, but it seems cruel and heartless to me. I did once ride one from Newcastle to Steeple Claydon in Bucks, and back, but that was at about 50 -55, so not too harsh.

This particular small push rod engine was Honda's approach to early failure in engines exported to south Asia where the normal practice was not to do maintenance until something went wrong. The OHC engines back in the 1960s were failing all over that market because of late oil changing. This engine is still being produced there now and exists in big numbers.

How the CG125 engine came to be - https://global.honda/en/heritage/episodes/1975cg125.html
 
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saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
7,277
3,358
Telford

Video showing how it is done on the CG125. The bits of metal in that centrifugal filter at minute 6, look exactly like what I took out of my brand new cg125 in 1989. That had the same scraps that looked like leftover machining swarf. That was at 300 miles from new when its factory oil was drained and changed. It never had another bit of that after that initial run in oil change. I suspect that unless the clutch disintegrates scattering bits of friction material, that is the end of sizeable fragments until bearings start to break up. Note the size of the crank main bearing at minute 6. Hugely over engineered for a ten horsepower engine. I know someone who has ridden two of these bikes to 90k and 100k miles and never opened the cases. OIL CHANGE every thousand miles - mandatory for long life on these and also, not riding them full throttle all the time, which many young lads do. Of course they are not really suitable for an long trips on an A road where you need to run at 55 -60 all the time. They will do it, but it seems cruel and heartless to me. I did once ride one from Newcastle to Steeple Claydon in Bucks, and back, but that was at about 50 -55, so not too cruel.

This particular small push rod engine was Honda's approach to early failure in engines exported to south Asia where the normal practice was not to do maintenance until something went wrong. The OHC engines back in the 1960s were failing all over that market because of late oil changing. This engine is still being produced there now and exists in big numbers.

How the CG125 engine came to be - https://global.honda/en/heritage/episodes/1975cg125.html
I serviced many different bikes (all Hondas) with centrifugal filters including several of my own. They always have that sediment in them. What you see in that video is typical of any 3000mile service. You can see that his one had been cleaned before, probably many times. You're a fool if you believe that it's only the initial manufacturing swarf. As I said before, I have seen many where every space for the sediment was full.
 

BazP

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 8, 2017
366
175
75
Sheffield
One could ride an outfit (any size engine) on a provisional licence, you did not need any passengers. I had a go on a mate's BSA A10 outfit once, I did not enjoy it.

When I was 17, I walked into the Swindon Motor Co. with a deposit and rode out on a gold Honda CB250K4. It had a top speed of 82MPH. No lessons, no CBT, nothing. 20 quid a month. It was like, "Here's the keys, off you go."

When I eventually took my test in Portsmouth, a bloke stood on a street corner and watched me go round the block a couple of times.

I loved that bike, I wish I had it now.

(not my picture)

Do you remember when the examiner jumped out in front of you for the emergency stop. He should have been paid danger money for that.
 
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Benjahmin

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 10, 2014
2,601
1,755
70
West Wales
I do. I took my test on my dad's Honda c50 'cos my beloved Enfield 250GT had been stolen.
The c50 had quircky leading link front suspension meaning that, as you braked, the forks rose up and over the axle. Under heavy braking the front wheel would judder/skip down the road.
This is exactly what happened when the examiner jumped out in front of me. Brakes were applied and the c50 dutifully skipped down the road and the front wheel ended up between the examiners legs with the mudguard just short of giving him a John Wayne walk for the rest of his life !
I passed. In fact he praised my bike control.
 

nigelbb

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2019
478
393
Do you remember when the examiner jumped out in front of you for the emergency stop. He should have been paid danger money for that.
My examiner in 1972 didn't jump in front of me but stayed on the pavement. He had already warned me that on my next circuit round the block that he would be waving his clipboard when I had to hit the brakes.
 

esuark

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 23, 2019
283
206
kent
My examiner in 1972 didn't jump in front of me but stayed on the pavement. He had already warned me that on my next circuit round the block that he would be waving his clipboard when I had to hit the brakes.
Exactly what happened to me and he had to wave me forward as I was further down the road to give me my next instruction.
 

esuark

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 23, 2019
283
206
kent
With my car test at a junction with cars steaming past the examiner said to me "Get a move on your holding everybody up behind". I thought I can`t move out yet and ignored him. I'm sure he was trying to panic me. We were in a BSM dual control car and whether he would have done that in a private non dual control car I have no idea. Passed any way.
 

AndyBike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 8, 2020
1,469
630
Cooler King is a UK company, but their bikes are themed on motorcycles and made in China. They appeal to me but I don’t think many on here share my enthusiasm for them.
I think one of the aesthetics issues is it looks mostly like a motorcycle, but appears to be missing a chunk of it. Which as y7ou say doesnt appeal to that many.

Personally I think they are fuking hideous, but i did take a look at the website.

They have this

IT's A FUKING SIDECAR !!

Sidecars are cool. Bike itself might look utter shite, but throw on that sidecar and it suddenly looks fantastic.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
7,277
3,358
Telford
I think one of the aesthetics issues is it looks mostly like a motorcycle, but appears to be missing a chunk of it. Which as y7ou say doesnt appeal to that many.

Personally I think they are fuking hideous, but i did take a look at the website.

They have this

IT's A FUKING SIDECAR !!

Sidecars are cool. Bike itself might look utter shite, but throw on that sidecar and it suddenly looks fantastic.
Right hand sidecars on motorcycles are illegal in UK. How does that work on 250w 15 mph ebikes?