Motorized Bike 4 Stroking For Dummies

Talking about a 4 stroking, 2 stroke motor.
What's normal, what's an issue, and what can you do to deal with it?
... or, do you even need to worry about it?
We upload motorized bike videos every week (sometimes more)!
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[@XiaolinDraconis]

"I'm no expert" Has years of experience on the simplest of motors... That absolutely makes you an expert.

[@novavroomvroom3435]

I believe that that air plane's propeller gave you an extra 3-5 MPH gain in speed

[@LimitedBeast]

Lol

[@domcxz8643]

Fo Real

[@likeabauws]

Great video with lots of good audio examples! The screenover messages were a nice touch to help catch the exact sound.

[@oimpastato]

So true.

[@Quadrenaro]

I just bought a '75 Suzuki TC185 and this is actually beneficial for a problem I have on it. It's a 185cc 2 stroke and I've found ALOT of carry over knowledge of tuning, tweaking, and maintenance has applied to it. I didn't know the name for it, but both my motorized bike and my motorcycle have a bit of four stroking going on.

[@sherka9033]

I’m about to pick a ‘74 TC185 this Sunday! How do you like it?

[@Quadrenaro]

@@sherka9033 It's a pretty fun bike. I got up to 60mph last night on the highway with a tail wind. I got tags for it already, I just need to get my full license for it. But since snow is gonna drop any day, I'm gonna wait til spring to do some long distance adventure. The body is pretty good on mine. It's all original. I took the exhaust off, sanded it down and gave it a new paint job with some high temp bbq spray paint. My bike has a compression leak when it gets up to 50mph that I traced to an old cylinder head gasket. The metal gasket was so flat that I didn't even realize it was even there still. I made a gasket for it out of some high temp gasket material, got it up to 55 for a mile stretch, then it blew. I had to push it home but if i had a simple socket wrench, I could have fixed it on the road within 20 minutes. So lesson learned. Orange high temp gasket maker works great on it. And you can remove the head without removing the engine from the frame. It takes a bit of practice and some shimmying but it will come off with ease once you figure it out. For getting the nuts back on, if you have big hands, I used a tooth pick to guide the washer and nuts onto the bolt. Then just use one finger to hold the nut in place and a finger from the other hand to start twisting it on. That's if all you have is a basic socket wrench. It was a pain to get back on the first time. If you want a saddle bag, Amazon has a basics one that is a canvas two tone redish-orange and a earthy tan that looks and works great on my bike. I have the rear rack so I put it on that with the bags between the blinkers and the rack. Because of the location of the exhaust, it's a bit hard to put a bag further forward without making a modified heat shield, which I might do. Anyways, my electric starter does work but is a bit slow. The guy who sold it to me said he tried a brand new battery, but that didn't seem to change anything. I used some jumper cables the other day and it cranked like it rolled off the factory floor. So I have a multimeter that just got here today and I'm gonna see what's going on. I suspect the new battery he tried was too small or not as new as he thought. Once I get that, it should be smooth sailing. Oh also there's a small toolbox on the bike on the right side, opposite the air filter box. It's small and I didn't realize it was there until the other day. Lots of little goodies in there to maintain the bike while out riding.

[@413MassDigger]

my bike dont run great and 4 strokes sometimes when its still warming up... Once its warmed up, i can jump on it with no 4 stroking!! thanks for the info man!!-Ray

[@oimpastato]

Excellent and very true. My motor has a gazillion miles and the motor is not only 4 stroking, but need to change its “motor oil”. Lol. Yeah you guessed it, bad seals. Safe travels.

[@willpresnell81]

Great video! Speaking as someone who is just starting to learn about these motors, this was very helpful.

[@jozefsk7456]

Thank you, very informative. I guess i am gonna share my 2 cents. Built my 1st motor around 3 months ago cause i was getting tired of cycling to work for past 3 years cause i live in a very hilly area (village at the foot of a mountain range). To comply with local laws i got a 49cc kit for 170 euros including shipping and taxes. Out of the box the engine was very hard to spin even with its top half disassembled, so i pulled it apart completely, had to grind down a few rough edges at the bearing stops that were digging into the bearing shield, other bearing was too tight cause of too small of a hole for it, it spun freely after it got pushed out, so i enlarged its hole. Ground down a high quality old drill bit as a replacement for stock clutch pin. Took me 2 weeks to learn from you all how to do what, then mounted it on a bike over a weekend. Main mistake i made was not tightening the main clutch spring enough. A second smaller, but more dangerous mistake was treating the engine chain as if it was a bicycle chain - so I didnt flatten the chain pins after cutting chain to size and the chain broke as a result a week ago. Default fuel air adjustment was criminal - 0.5mm diameter of the jet hole. Ran it like that for a week cause i didnt know any better, then when a micro drill set arrived i tried every size jet hole from 0.5 to 1mm in 0.05 increments, doing a half an hour test run after each change. took forever but settled on 0.75mm, just as the internet people were telling me, but i just had to see for myself lol. curiosity i guess. The spark plug - internet wasnt helping me at all this time - bought an NGK br6hs right at the beginning, and after trying recommend gaps and not seeing any differences i just did the same testing runs like i did with the jet. But every time i increased the gap, i got more power. So i settled on the largest gap possible while the spark is still jumping to the tip of the sparkplug instead of the rim of the sparkplug. This engine legit gained 20% more power from just the spark plug gap adjustment. On a steady long hillclimb part of that 30 min test it went from 24km/h top speed to 29km/h. Using 56 tooth sprocket.

[@budgreenjeans2001]

It’s not only the plug but how it is clocked I.e. you want the opening of a single gap plug to face the exhaust and if possible rotate your head to put the plug over the exhaust

[@rcadventures4342]

@@budgreenjeans2001plug indexing…

[@bryduhbikeguy]

Thanks.Informed and entertained.Nice scenery along the way too.

[@Spodeboy]

Good description and good examples of 4 stroking. Thanks!

[@johnkelly937]

Finally an informative well explained video THANK YOU! I really appreciate you for not talking excessively about random bulls%#& like so many other content creators. I've subscribed.

[@lnpadoptme5097]

i love the little plane on it

[@cory4152]

Good stuff keep em coming 👍your the super chip for motorized bikes 🖖

[@jaredbourgeois4722]

I just got my YD 100 dialed in with the help of a phantom 85 pipe. I was able to fit the pipe by notching the flange with a grinder. I had to notch it all the way to the weld. I also had to grind down two bolts by putting the thread end in my drill and spinning it while grinding the head of the bolt really thin so it would fit up against the pipe. I ground two washers almost in half to use as well.

[@alexoutdoors8091]

This is the best content it helps me understand tuning them alot better keep it up

[@fonzi0243]

I love the sound of low load 4 stroking.... And good video man, this video can save a noob allot of time.

[@williamlongfellowjr.1]

Nice air plane,the way the motor sounded,the air plane worked

[@jimpinheiro707]

Hey, im getting to understand the 4 stroking thing, once it warms up, it does straighten out, im glad that I ported this motor, it does help to climb some of these roads out in the country side :)

[@tonytaylor5087]

Great explanation my man!

[@MotoredLife]

I wish I had this when I first started! Great job 👍🏽👊🏽

[@LAHover]

Thank Alex! Ride on fellow Builder.

[@antman2.0]

Thanks for the video and the great information. Makes me feel more at ease about how my bike is running. Looking forward the trailer camping if you are posting that. I am also going to be towing a trailer once Ive got my bike dialed in. I have not seen any videos of motor kit bikes towing trailers. So thats pretty cool. Also the airplane on handlebars is awesome! Could you tell me where I might find something like that? Thanks again. Really great video!

[@antman2.0]

@junkyardmotorbike I will check that out. Thanks

[@joemulkerins5250]

Great video. Thank you! 👏👍

[@twowheeledadventures]

Just commenting so I remember to watch later, I'm so bad with tuning it's crazy

[@siklistademakina]

very informative video, a must watch for new or even experienced motorized bike builders. :)

[@randomprecisionmotors3130]

Between my Zeda80 with an "HP" Carb, and my GoMax TR40 (YD100) with an "NT" Carb, I find the 4 stroking is more prevalent with the Zeda80 WHEN COLD. After they've both warmed up for about 10-15 minutes they're both about the same in that respect, with both motors 4 stroking slightly at the bottom of the Powerband. About 1/3 to redline it smooths right out when warmed up. The HP has a #66 jet and the NT has a #68 with the needle at second from the top position...

[@edtorres5490]

Greetings, of Florida.. LA. I've always used Lucas gas treatment, all my motors, it helps in many ways... until summer comes again, it smooth all out.. a gas maintainer.. too....

[@edtorres5490]

Oh! And nice Detective... work. 🎉😊

[@edtorres5490]

Greetings of Florida.. Hey LA.. Mine started 4. Stroking.. By listening.. & watching your work.. U direct me. To problems.. I noticed my intake tube was sweating.. Took apart needle and the c-clip had eaten up 3 of the 4 adjustments of the needle.. All new.. Back to normal... I listen... To you.. 2 1/2 yrs.... and watch...

[@JMB676]

Hey brother, do you still use your 110 motor much? I was wondering if you ever noticed after a long ride if you see the fuel bubble In the line right out the carb. I think mine is getting warm/hot and the fuel is boiling maybe. But was curious if it's just mine or another common issue with these motors. Any great video break down for four stroking overall.

[@BAMFSpYdy]

The problem I'm having is I am at 4600 feet and it was running too rich. I lowered the needle to the second slot from the top and it helped a lot. The plug looks good, light brown, but at full throttle it starts 4 stroking over 30 mph. Stock Zeda 80 with stock nt carb and 36 tooth on 26 inch bike. Also I'm constantly having to adjust idle. It's either to high or it stalls when I lower it. And it hesitates when in neutral and you hit the gas. I drilled two 1/4 inch holes in exhaust and cut off the tube and cut off half the filter cover. I ordered jets, but still waiting.

[@leskobrandon8998]

And you'll know the engine is perfectly tuned when you start blowing out hubs!

[@danielbock7562]

Hey Bro nice day 🙂😊😃 U always do pretty good videos.. I've got a pwk 24 on A bike I just put together so I'M glad you're doing carbs on the video that just came through for me.. Anyway I don't no crap about stuff like that?? I've got it on A YD 100 that I massaged some inside and have A Reed valve in between the two.. I've seen that before but can't remember Who had it but it won't stay running unless I've got it wide open and just setting there. so I was praying U New what I need to do so I can actually ride my bike ?? Thank You.. Daniel Bock...

[@jrhome769]

I am very new to this other than with a chainsaw motor peg driven on a 20 inch pedal bike, I am looking to build one of these to get around

[@Motorized-BikerUk]

Good video man. You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've mentioned '4 stroking' when they asked why the motor sounded choppy and a bit like it was misfiring. And they say, oh I thought that was a 2 stroke motor not a 4 stroke... and im like *facepalm* Here we go again explaining the ins and outs of this one haha. Your informative videos are good man. Il be uploading some more videos soon. Had to get off the discord server for a while the app was screwing up my phone 👎 starting a new project tomorow, cant wait. :)

[@ztashion1647]

How do you find the discord server?

[@Motorized-BikerUk]

@@ztashion1647 think la hover may be able to link it here?

[@LAHover]

Should be linked in the description of all my gas bike videos. Including this one.

[@LAHover]

I feel that lol. Same... And my app has been buggy too lately.

[@Motorized-BikerUk]

@@LAHover il try re installing it in the next few days. I thought it was just something to do with my phone being laggy though so pass. Il retry it tomorow:)

[@martindemjan7368]

I love the little plane lol I need to get me one

[@danialthomas5659]

The plane is live. I like that.

[@jonny6758]

Hey brother what would you recommend to keep a bike to run long ways I see you allways Carry tools and stuff with you

[@Matthew-wj8cm]

Could you do an E85 tune on one of your motors? I heard they grab some more power on E85 and run very cool. I'm thinkiing of doing this.

[@jeremyhopkins6965]

I had these issues until i changed my fuel mixture and bought klots expensive but it smoothed it out and i installed an adapter v stack with filter and no more 4 stroking stock jet i haven't ported my motor yet

[@alexperry06]

Question, my bike is out of the ordinary, 20 inch rim 28 tooth sprocket. Runs about the same as yours but when I get to higher rpm’s (26 ish mph) it starts to 4 stroke. Is this normal or should I lean it out more.

[@Mash3OH3]

Excuse me. I noticed you use a cruiser from with those drop outs. I'm curious how you manager to keep the wheel in? With the chain pulling on it and yanking the wheel out from the drop out. What's your secret? Or do you use specific sturmy washers? I use a Tuesday May 1 Frame and you'll see what I mean by the drop out.

[@edwardbeierlein2587]

Thanks for the information that I’d been looking for! Do you know why my HP carb will not automatically un-choke when I try to turn off the choke by turning the throttle , can you or others offer any advice?

[@acorncz4752]

I found out that removing the muffler cap makes it permanently smooth on a yd 100. I have no clue why. Id like to make it that smooth but quiter. I think i might drill some holes in the carb cap... but im afraid it will do something bad cause i have no idea what im doing.

[@danielfouardlibertarianono8017]

I have to kick start mine. On account I have a trike with freewheels on both axles so I can't start it with inertia. Running 36 tooth sprocket from the engine to the Jack shaft and 20 to 20 from there to the axles. Then I have a 25 tooth to a 22 tooth from the crank to the jack shaft. My engine sounds like it's hammering. So I must be running lean.

[@MeiGunner]

0:17 now you're humbling yourself you are an expert

[@gregorypeck37]

Can you Please help me out? I bought an Anqidi 100cc engine kit from Walmart and it looks just like the YD100 and I am wondering if it is. It has a 50mm piston Bofeng performance carburetor and so far it is running amazing and has a ton of torque. I am just curious to know what type of engine it is and if it is any good. I been watching your videos like crazy ever since I found your channel. Thank you for any info you can provide to me.

[@stlmotorizedbikes923]

Thanks for another great gas bike video. I am looking to set up a group gas bike ride next year. I have a few routes in mind and I am looking for suggestions on how to organize the event and promote it properly. Any suggestions?

[@jeremyhopkins6965]

The needle setting is what concerns me it runs horrible on the 3rd setting too much fuel its ridiculous but the second notch it runs too good that makes me sus.... Like too lean will be my luck

[@leskobrandon8998]

4 stroking is awesome! It's better than 2 stroking and one stroking sucks!

[@stevemccullars8500]

My question is would it be more beneficial to tune the carb after the engine is heat soaked?

[@HolyEnglish21]

I'm having trouble finding the right frame and rims for my build any help?

[@bigboy-no2zo]

Do you have any idea how to make my phantom 85 v3 reliable?

[@shadowkeeper1217]

i just built a predator ghost 212 bike in a phatmoto lol i am above the other 4 strokes 😮‍💨

[@LAHover]

That is a mean motor! Be carful :)

[@shadowkeeper1217]

@@LAHover thanks man you too! i’m about to post a yt short about it

[@baremetaltechtv]

4:08 Every bike kit I've ever seen comes with rubber mounting material, are you saying we should be using it?

[@CORYJOHNM]

I'm trying to understand why it 4s at 3/4 rpm from start to top at wot. It misses a bit too just in the throttle to 1/4 at low load. But anywhere at wot is shts and gets minus the stumbling at 3/4 rpm. After that it wakes up and I'm at 40mph on a 36t sprocket.

[@amber6804]

What oil to fule ratio would anyone recommend for E95 fule

[@esesoke]

2cycle oil mixture makes you go 60mph on a 4stroke motor

[@ztashion1647]

Not related to this video but can you help me with were to find your discord server so I can ask some advice but I feel I'm 4 stroking at full throttle is this possible?

[@stephenjohnson6967]

Thank you for another awesome video. I'm considering getting a jog pipe for my bt100. How do you think it stacks up to the other pipes you have used? How is the torque, top end and volume?

[@LAHover]

I have not heard anything good or bad about it, but even if the tune is not perfect I would guess it would give a nice boost in mid and high RPMs.

[@gasgos360]

Man I like your work all you need to do is get four of those Phantom 85 and put them together for Motors side by side you know weld them together and then you can make an automatic transmission with a centrifugal force clutch you make it quick to speed just need a jack shaft for the second clutch you either have to make the spring tighter or put it on a higher gear or something like that I can't can't tell you right now but yeah it's how to make a two-speed from a centrifugal forces I think it's either way either put a tighter spring in the clutch and it'll shift gears because the first clutch free wills like on the back of the bicycle I don't know you have to look at them it's the two speed centrifugal force the free will in the centrifugal force clutch is what makes it possible

[@jonathanguillory]

I think my clutch ate my ball bearing can't find it

[@cesarpagan4640]

Can you do a YD 100 update

[@sergeikotsan1666]

Useful videos. Would you recommend 2 stroke or 4-stroke build for brand new enthusiasts? I saw a couple of reviews saying that 4 stroke is smoother and quiter, for 49cc.

[@lunathecutest6652]

I would recommend 2 stroke, they are louder, and a little less efficient, but they are smaller, more powerful, and they have a lot more upgradable parts. They are also less expensive.

[@sergeikotsan1666]

My commute to work is about 5.4 miles. Efficiency is not that important, but even when I anticipate to cruise at 20-25 mph will I have a smoother ride with 2 stroke?

[@lunathecutest6652]

@@sergeikotsan1666 Not too much actually if you are at a comfortable cruising speed

[@1marcelfilms]

For me the 4 stroking only happens right at the top speed. Then it sounds like its rattling and looses power.

[@caughtdog136]

So, if my motor doesn’t have a low load and goes straight to 4 stroking if not going uphill, then that’s WAY too much gas in the system

[@worscohli]

Yes, also, make sure your throttle is adjusted well!

[@garbo3682]

I need some advice...im gonna put a motor in bicycle....I'd like to know what bike to get and what motor....im 6'1 and 250 (give or take)....can you give me some info....oh yeah im 54 years old...if that matters

[@annebarrett3879]

my boy you know all the trtix

[@niteshades_promise]

Interesting. I'll stick to 4 stroke motors. I'm cursed with 2 strokes.🍻

[@winstonweiss7972]

My only problem so far is that decelerating at high speed too quickly is rough. Gentle revving helps or disengaging clutch. Seems normal. I'm running 93 with octane boost and only the finest oil. Should I really use 16;1 mix early on? I have black drip from exhaust. Modified long angled intake because bike is small. I Have to run choke wide open all the time for some reason? Throttle pin is in the middle.

[@scarchannel7689]

I ran 20:1 for break in and it worked quite well.

[@Gordonseries385]

👍

[@elisagutierrez3199]

Did you sell this bike already

[@chapelbarnes6427]

Just take the air filter off, they are very restricting. Pretty much completely took away all the 4 stroking for me

[@MichaelJakson]

If there were any variators to this motor, then the bike would be a heavy bike :)

[@danajett]

Everything you said about too much fuel is my huge problem burning way too much fuel on a brand new engine 20 miles on a full tank and I'm empty and vibrates bad on my phantom 85 v3

[@worscohli]

Check your throttle cable adjustment ! fixed my problem 👌🏾

[@marygunn2521]

😛

[@johngoodin3445]

I’ve found putting the air box behind the motor a bit strange. You’re putting it downwind of your direction of travel. Since one of the causes of four stoking is not getting enough air wouldn’t having an air filter that pointed in the direction of travel help some? I’m thinking of one of those cone shaped filters and mounted in such a way it pointed in the direction of travel. Wouldn’t it allow for the maximum amount of air circulation to the engine at lower speeds? Having the air box mounted down wind may be creating a drafting effect and not allowing yet to get the maximum amount of air.

[@LAHover]

Could be, but the exhaust side of the cylinder takes air-flow priority. Got to keep it as cool as possible.

[@johngoodin3445]

@@LAHover I saw a guy on KZbin installing a four stroke kit. One of the very first things he did was to replace the factory air cleaner with one of those after market ones. He claimed it breathed much better than the stock one and increased performance. It was one of those larger pleated cone shaped ones. Would a better high performance air cleaner on a two stroke kit help with four stroking issues? One of things you kept saying in your video was that it was simply running to rich and getting too much fuel and not enough air to balance it.

[@LAHover]

Yup. The better it can breathe, the better all-round performance.

[@dumblightskin1287]

I just got one I live in a higher altitude state near the mountains, I noticed mine does 4 stroke is there anything i can do besides doing the jetting?

[@dumblightskin1287]

Im asking this because my dad who works on these said that jetting the answer but i dont have that option rn also wondering if i should just leave it be or try to fix this problem

[@SLAYJUCE]

clarence carter - strokin

[@4514rooster]

Is there anything wrong with using a 16 tooth sprocket? Will it give a higher top speed than a 36 tooth sprocket?

[@worscohli]

Technically u should be fine i think, but hills are gonna suuuck 😂

[@4514rooster]

@@worscohli 😂😂

[@stephenmccabe9941]

Well I have a four stroke that is two stroking what should I do?

[@LAHover]

It's a glitch in the matrix... Just roll with it ;)

[@stephenmccabe9941]

@@LAHover I am just having some fun with ya. My brother who buy the way introduced me to your fine channel and I were talking and I said I have never heard the term "Four Stroking" back in my day it was called lugging the piss out of the motor in fact on the first motocross bike we got it had a Decal on the tank that said "When in doubt Gas It" just that bit of advice saved our collective asses many times Love the the channel even though I ride a Harley My Brother is the motorized bike Geek he has two one with a jack shaft and a Shimano alphino eight speed internal hub 26 inch wheels (super fast) and He has a Jesse James chopper 20inch wheels straight drive.Keep the videos coming Stephen and my Bro Robert

[@jrhome769]

Out of Curiosity has anybody tried to put a small turbo on one of these motors not only to help with for stroking possibly but also just to get a little bit more out of the motor?

[@Miglite1]

Turbos can not work on two strokes

[@williamgoodwin1150]

Do you not know the difference between 2 stroke and 4 stroke

[@LAHover]

A '4 stroke' is a motor type. "4 stroking" is a condition. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroking

[@leofolgert282]

my bike runs like his did when he choked it

[@budgreenjeans2001]

Get a real ignition and use a nos intake or boost bottle intake to introduce a controlled vacuum leak to lean it out once you are at higher rpm problem solved. Bonus tip no matter what you have heard use a break in oil mix no less than 20:1 save your rings and cylinder

[@winstonweiss7972]

My only problem so far is that decelerating at high speed too quickly is rough. Gentle revving helps or disengaging clutch. Seems normal. I'm running 93 with octane boost and only the finest oil. Should I really use 16;1 mix early on? I have black drip from exhaust. Modified long angled intake because bike is small. I Have to run choke wide open all the time for some reason? Throttle pin is in the middle.

[@aaroncraig2250]

If it runs good with choke on you most likely have a huge vacuum leak, causing lean condition. So choke cuts off air cause richer mix. Find your vacuum leak with carb cleaner when the motor sucks in the cleaner motor will change idle or die

[@winstonweiss7972]

@@aaroncraig2250 I appreciate the info.