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Break-in
procedure:
One of the first most important things that You can do to ensure the long life
of your engine is to follow a proven Break-in procedure !!! I’ve built literally hundreds of engines of all types, and
I do have specific break-in routines that I follow.
BEFORE cranking the engine:
Ensure that all wires, connectors, cables, hoses, filters, etc. are
all correctly installed and connected.
Add transmission fluid to the engine, until the
fluid drips back out of the “weep-hole” or fill hole in the side of the transmission cover.
Fill clean fuel tank with 32:1 premix, using petroleum based 2-cycle oil (I do not use synthetic oil for break-in).
Cranking your engine for the first time:
1.) Turn all switches to the “run” position.
2.) Turn fuel valve to fuel tank “on”.
3.)
Pedal or kick-start your engine, with Moped on its center stand.
4.) When engine starts, give enough throttle to keep
engine running, but not enough to deactivate the choke.
5.) Run engine for about one minute, with choke on, just above
normal idle.
6.) Shut-off engine, and allow to cool completely back down.
7.) Once engine has completely cooled, crank
again. This time, warm engine until it idles without the choke. Let engine IDLE, just long enough for it to get warm, no longer
than 5 minutes. Do not allow engine to idle long enough to get hot!
8.) Check engine for any leaks, and check all
nuts, bolts, and fasteners.
9.) I normally repeat steps 7 & 8 several times, before the first ride.
The first Ride:
Check-over the entire Moped. Ensure that
all lights, cables, brakes, etc. are all working properly. Also check tire pressure, and inflate to proper psi, per tire.
Warm bike on center stand, until engine idles on its own, without choke, and engine begins to warm.
Try not to labor
or lug the engine, but do not hold throttle wide-open. I suggest ¾ throttle at most.
Ride the
moped around the block, staying close to home (just in case). Listen for any strange noises, or abnormal running conditions.
After the initial first ride, and everything is as it should be, I recommend keeping the Moped at less than ¾ throttle, and
under 30mph, for the first 100 miles, or full tank of premix.
Ride the Moped varying the throttle position, from near
WOT, back down, running the Moped 20mph, to 30mph, and back and forth between these speeds. I do this for the entire first
tank of fuel.
300 miles of “Break-in”:
For the first 300-500
miles, you should use a 32:1 (or 4oz of oil, to one gallon of gasoline) premix. This should be 3 full tanks of fuel. If your
engine has been “kitted”, I suggest 40:1 premix ratio from tank of fuel #4, and after. Do not ride at WOT for
extended periods of time. If you plan to use synthetic 2-stroke oil, now is the time to change to the type that you plan to
use.
Be sure to have extra new spark plugs. Running a richer premix, you will most likely foul spark plugs. Spark plugs
are much cheaper to replace than your engine !!! Do NOT use a hotter spark plug than is recommended !!!
Typical recommended
spark plugs are: NGK-B7HS, Champion-L82C, Bosch-W8AC, etc.
After break-in, you may mix your premix fuel at 40:1, or
3oz of oil to one gallon of gasoline, and may also switch to synthetic . ALWAYS run engine with a clean air filter. Keep Moped
and engine clean, and keep check for any leaks, and remedy promptly if any are found. Allow Moped engine to “warm-up”
before riding.
“Ride like you’re invisible”, be careful and safe … and have FUN !!!
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