1st oil & coolant change on the Sur-Ron Storm Bee

[@VanMayer-pg7wi]

Thanks for the video, I think it's a great idea to share and learn between owners and rep companies since these bikes are new. Ive had a few questions already and the crew at Wanderlust in Perth have been great. It was mentioned coolant leaking out of the reservoir cap, mine has has been weeping since i got it and expect it to stop soon and am told it can happen. Thanks again, i look forward to more videos and sharing any learnings.

[@adthar9340]

Couldn't agree more on sharing what we learn about these bikes. There isn't a huge amount of info out there at this stage. I can already think a few things that would make for nice aftermarket upgrades...one being a nicer coolant reservoir with a screw cap. I will endeavour to keep sharing what I learn!

[@VanMayer-pg7wi]

@@adthar9340 The coolant system seems interesting. Im told 'its normal for it to leak'. I can understand some coolant finding its way through the cap when it is at 100%, the issue i have is i clean wiping coolant every ride, i now can see coolant level in the reservoir at 50% and I'm still cleaning off wearing coolant. After attempting to taking a close look, I failed to locate where is it coming from. Does any know at what temperature the MCU requires the system to start cooling? So far on my bike i have only see the temp between 1-3 bars. On another topic, has anyone had any drama with their brakes?

[@arch417powersports]

I actually laughed when I saw the thumbnail because I thought you were trolling. Sure enough, there is oil!

[@adthar9340]

Lol! When you see me posting a vid about exhausts, then you will know something is up 😆

[@martinfoster5163]

Great video. I bought an early second-hand version of the Storm Bee (probably a prototype) late 2021. 90v like yours. No user manual or anything. So I had to take it to the dealer for service. I'd like to do it myself because my dealer is in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and I'm 32km from there in the mountains. It's had 1 service so far and the odometer reads 3000km now, 1000km are mine. It was pretty neglected by the previous owner but runs well now. I'll push the dealer for a manual because Surron China won't deal with me directly. Love the bike but it had some overheating issues after long, steep climbs off-road. 95% of my riding is off-road. I just ordered an Ultra Bee to complement my Storm Bee. The Ultra Bee will probably be more comfortable for me attempting steep, narrow technical ascents. As I said, my home is in the mountains on a hillside. You can ride anywhere essentially, except the few fenced yards. It's off-road heaven except the winter is harsh. We don't have to deal with heat waves. More like cold waves.

[@adthar9340]

Sounds like you live in an off-road paradise! If it helps, here is a link to an owners manual ampdbros.com.au/pages/tutorials-manuals-assembly It's probably not as detailed as you'd like, but it's what my Storm Bee came with. Baring any actual technical faults, the routine servicing seems fairly straightforward. What I am hoping we all eventually learn is where there is parts compatibility with mainstream brands for consumables like brake pads and fork seals etc. I am sure there will be a lot of cloned parts on these things. I will hopefully have another video soon showing installation of a skid plate and the modifications I have made to tidy up the bird nest behind the stock skid plate. My videos won't be super entertaining, but hopefully informative.

[@martinfoster5163]

@@adthar9340 Wow, thanks! The user manual will be incredibly helpful. I don't know enough about my Storm Bee. I haven't modified it much at all. I just added some KTM full-wrap handguards because they previous owner had already broken off the balls of the brake levers and one rear indicator was gaffer taped on. Those are vulnerable parts. The KTM handguards work well but I needed to drill slightly larger holes in the handlebar ends to accommodate them. The Storm Bee has really thick gauge metal handlebars so there's plenty of strength still. I ground the brake levers smooth until I can get replacements in Spring, according to my dealer. I should probably adjust the suspension because it's a bit soft but it's NEVER bottomed out so it's not an emergency. My front brake has lost most of its power. Although the pads have plenty of wear. I told my dealer but they said the front brake is fine. It is not. Any tips? I could flush and change the fluid and try to find pads.

[@adthar9340]

@Martin Foster happy to help. I think i read your posts on reddit and decided very early only to get some full wrap guards. They have definitely saved my levers after multiple tip overs. There are aftermarket brake levers advertised online m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004919740574.html I can't vouch for the levers themselves, but I recently purchased my skid plate from the same seller and it was a good transaction. Could save you some time if didn't want to wait for sur ron parts. Regarding brake performance, and if the bike hasn't had much in the way of servicing, I would definitely be looking at the brake fluid. It's probably not the best quality fluid to begin with...and after a few years it's unlikely to be in good shape.

[@martinfoster5163]

@@adthar9340 Very helpful! Yes, I think I can order easily from Aliexpress. It won't be the first time. I was talking to somebody about neoprene socks to keep contaminants out of the fork seals. Was that you? I'm going to try installing some because leaky front forks contaminated the brake pads too but I cleaned them up. Still no power but it might be related to the fact I can only use 2-fingers on the shortened/damaged levers. I'll try flushing out the brake lines too. You're a wealth of information. Thanks so much. I just picked up my Ultra Bee. I like it a lot but I still love my Storm Bee. I just think the Ultra Bee will be more confidence inspring up my steep, technical trails in my area.

[@adthar9340]

@Martin Foster I don't think it was me about the neoprene, but pad contamination definitely won't be helping. I am one-finger braking on my Storm Bee...so you should definitely be able to get more power by the sounds of it. Pads and fluid might be needed...and be sure to thoroughly clean the rotors. How much brake regen do you run? On loose surfaces I am at 2...on tarmac I crank up the brake regen and turn off the motor regen to try and maximise efficiency of the bike. The Ultra Bee sounds great. I think if it was in the line up when I bought the Storm Bee it would've been a difficult choice. The size difference between the Storm Bee and the light bee made it an easy choice at the time.

[@julianbernal2239]

What brand of coolant did you use?

[@Laruxo]

Thanks for an informative video. I have just reached 130km and decided to change the fluids and this was exactly what I needed! Subscribing to see future maintenance and mods videos 😉 Btw, my coolant is bright yellow and almost full when not running, so I am postponing that change for later. Looking at some other videos of yours, that back yard looks amazing. What country is that?

[@adthar9340]

Happy to help! And thanks for sub...definitely have another mod video planned...just need the time to make it. Hopefully in a couple of weeks.

[@Alexfreebird]

PLEASE HELP ME 🙏🙏🙏🙏 In the instructions in the coolant section it says to use ethynol and nothing else. There are no indications of standards or brands. I do not understand which coolant to use. What did you choose? Thank you very much for the answer!!!!

[@adthar9340]

@Alexfreebird I am cannot confirm the exact brand I used as I'm currently away from home, but any ethylene glycol based coolant from an automotive store should be fine to use.

[@adthar9340]

Pretty this was the stuff I used...www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/penrite-penrite-green-long-life-anti-freeze-anti-boil-premix-coolant---1l/575808.html?srsltid=AfmBOooM345ibuuCdhc_ElupTiaON8gyTK7o2I1N3EAn6XA_SxP5tuA6Zmg

[@paulmarlow7176]

Hi enjoyed the video Just a few questions what spec oil did you use ? I've seen 2 variations 10/40 engine oil & also 85w-90 GL5 gear oil ? . Mine does not have the liquid cooling and as of yet can't find any service manuals or parts diagrams to satisfy my curiosity If you ever do a really good clean down could you take a couple of photos so I can learn a little more till information becomes available. Thank you

[@adthar9340]

Hi Paul, Thanks for comments. I think it's useful for us owners to share as much a possible about these bikes in the absence of a comprehensive dealer network. I ended up using Penrite 10W40 MCGO... presumably that just stands for motorcycle gear oil. I had seen other recommendations for the 85w-90 as well, but my user manual says 10w40. The dealer here also indicated 10w40. Hard to know for sure which is correct... but either is probably better than what is supplied. The best thing I have found so far regarding parts diagrams are those found here surronelectricbikes.co.uk/parts/# Just scroll down to the Storm Bee section. No part numbers are provided, of course ha! But a parts catalogue at least must exist. You see the layout of the cooling system in the "radiator" section. Next time I have the bike apart I will try and get more photos and video, but the diagram really helps see what's going on. Cheers!

[@paulmarlow7176]

@@adthar9340 Thanks for that , Like yourself I'm going to manufacture a mounting bracket as I'm not keen on the way every thing hangs off the Skid/Bash plate ! I do have here an aluminium replacement which looks very robust but not cheap ! Mine was off ebay but equivalent below. BIKINGBOY For Surron Sur-ron Storm Bee Underbody Guard Crash Protector Cover Electric Dirt Motorcycle Light Weight Aluminum "Aliexpress" Once it gets warmer here I'll get fabricating ! If I come up with any interesting information I'll let you know . Jeez if that's what you call a back yard in your videos I'm emigrating !!!

[@adthar9340]

@Paul Marlow I have been eyeing off those bash guards for awhile now, but haven't committed just yet. I am holding off for now as I think once the bikes go on sale in North America in the new year, we will see some nice kit being produced by the Americans...they do aftermarket stuff so well. They might even do something about the mess hiding behind the guard. And yes, I am extremely fortunate to have the space I have at home. It's actually getting even better, with an excavator currently on-site building some mountain bike trails for me. Aiming for a small piece of two-wheel heaven!

[@michaelboland3460]

My storm bee doesn’t have a coolant tank on it like yours does. Making me wonder why ?

[@adthar9340]

@michaelboland3460 I suspect your bike might be one of the first generation which didn't have the liquid cooled mcu. If you aren't routinely pushing the bike hard and getting the mcu excessively hot, you are probably better off without the cooling system... they can fail and leak coolant into the mcu itself!

[@franciscoshi1968]

How do you get the white cover over the coolant bottle? It has two black rivet looking things. Do they just pull out? What coolant did you use? Is it standard engine coolant?

[@adthar9340]

For coolant the manual states to use an ethylene glycol coolant...I used a regular automotive ethylene glycol coolant from Penrite. Hope that helps!

[@adthar9340]

Hi Francisco, the white panels are held in place worth a cable tie and the two black plastic expanding rivets. For the expanding rivets you will notice raised circle in the centre... you can use a small flat blade screw driver to pry that centre piece out a little. This then allows the whole rivet to be removed. If you google "plastic expanding rivet" you will see what I mean. Hope that helps!

[@franciscoshi1968]

@@adthar9340 thanks. That helps. I think I will replace them with screws.

[@adthar9340]

@Francisco Shi I did the same thing using M3 nutserts/rivnuts...they fit without any drilling/tapping of the frame.

[@julianbernal2239]

Hi I recently just bought a storm bee and I was wondering if I needed to remove the battery when washing??

[@adthar9340]

For me, it depends how much of a mess it is. When it's really muddy, I remove the battery and put plastic bags with rubber bands over the connectors on the bike side. I only use high pressure on the fenders and similar parts. Then I just use normal hose pressure most other places and avoid blasting anything that looks electronic. If it's not too grubby I leave it all assembled.

[@kylegonzalez5842]

How are the emissions on this engine, 2 stroke Lithium ion Diesel correct?

[@adthar9340]

Emissions from the Storm Bee are seminal

[@Keepler22b]

savin my ass of for one:)