Can anyone tell me if there is anything I should check when looking at a used speedfight 3 50cc - any known issues with them? Thanks
Look for bad tuning, bad repairs, has it got the standard headlight or the friggin' useless one, look at the yoof who's selling it. Does he/she look you in the eye when asked questions, does it start and run like it's supposed to, does it sound ok or rough.
the speedfight 3 doesnt have an issues im aware of, the exhausts rust pretty bad on them and ive not seen an aftermarket one, but apart from that they are ok bikes. obviously check the usual, brakes, tyres, service history etc etc
OK, thanks, the one I'm seeing today has been derestricted, rollers and clutch springs changed and not sure what else till I get there - how much approx are the standard parts to make it back to learner legal for my son?
just shove a variator ring in there and leave the tuning parts, should takle hills and traffic a bit better but keep the top speed down to 30mph
ok, thanks for the replies, change of plan. The speedfight looked like it was tired, had been dropped a few times and he was vague about the derestrictions apart from rollers and clutch spring. So, had a look at a standard 1 yr old CPI Formula R Chinese one, 2 stroke, in a garage. Looked almost mint, dealer service history (pdi + 2 more stamps), 2k kilometers, speedo is miles, and will come with a warranty and full service before being delivered. Does anyone know much about these? Dealer says most branded bikes i.e. Pug, Yamaha, Piaggio etc. all have their 50's and 125's made in China anyway? They seems to get ok reviews online so unless someone tells me they are made of chocolate and won't last him a month I will be buying it tomorrow...... Thanks
i remember working on a cpi before that was just total shite, but that was an older one, the one you mention probably has the same engine as the speedfight, all small cc bikes are made in china now, honda, yamaha, derbi, piaggio, peugeot, the list goes on, the quality can vary, but regular service and routine checks make all the difference, a FSH bike will always be wroth buying over a bike with none... (coming from a guy who works/worked for a main dealer)
Thanks for all the messages, really helpfull. Bought the CPI and it's being delivered after it's had a full service and check over. Gordon
The Speedfight 3 and V-Click models are Chinese built these days, so I don't think the quality will hold up as much as the French built bikes (I do realise that the comparison I've made is relative and French stuff can also be crap). My TKR 2 was originally built in France and was rebuilt in the UK Anyone who has owned a Citroen or Peugeot car will have known the pain of French built cars at some point, myself included. My current car is a Peugeot 107 built in the Czech Republic, on the same production line as the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1, so I hope that the quality has improved.
I do believe the CPI's are Taiwanese so build quality + running won't be a problem, treat it right and it will be fine. Rag it on the stops all day and you'll be asking for trouble! Use good quality 2t oil, no tesco home brand stuff!
Just to update this thread..... Thanks for the replies. We went with the CPi, it was from a bike shop we were recommended, was 12 months old, has 2k kilometers on the clock and full service history, came to them as a part ex. It's completely standard (we were told) and is pretty much as new. Last service was done for us by the shop even though wasn't needed yet and they found the headset was slightly loose so tightened that up as well. Son has passed his CBT and has been riding it for 3 days so far. His mates have all got mopeds too and most are derestricted. Now, I want him to keep it standard and reliable, but he says that flat out on a downhill slope he saw 40mph on his speedo, and can usually get to 35mph on the flat. He also says it feels quicker to 30 than most of his mates too. So...... Does anyone know where the restrictions on this model are? Exhaust is standard but seems to have developed a bit of a rattle at tickover. Could this be a welded in restriction coming loose? Are the speeds he's seeing just his speedo isn't accurate? Bought a semi synth 2 stroke oil from a motorfactors - will that be OK? With a 2 stroke I assume you never change the oil just keep topping up? Anything else I need to do to keep it as reliable as possible? Insurance for him was 230 quid with breakdown for 3rd party - no point adding theft when they want 500 excess on a 600 quid bike. Pic of him at the garage placing the order
