Coleman observations.

[Augiedoggie]

I recently acquired a Coleman BT200X and made a few observations when inspecting and servicing the bike. Bike was not new, but had only a short ownership with original owner. Bike was virtually new with less than an hour run time. First observation was pulsing brake lever. Disassembly of rear brake found .020 drum runout. Very poor machining process or quality control very likely is culprit. Next visual was poor welds on frame downtube and steering stem pipe. So far this machine is not impressive. More to follow soon

 

[DaddyJohn]

Congrats on your recent acquisition. For large-format Colemans, I’ve had the CT200U, and currently have a B200R and a B200RSV. I’ve been wanting to get the B200X to try, but haven’t managed to land a good deal on one yet. That said, with the B200R and RSV models out, the X is getting pushed down the value stream a bit and getting cheaper. I’m sure I’ll have one soon enough!

If you look on YouTube, Mike Festiva does a great modification/improvement series of videos on the X.

 

[Augiedoggie]

Awright so Coleman quality is normal for modern manufactured stuff, so no more whining from me about it..... for now. Drive chain was tight as a bow string and required proper adjustment. Sounds simple, but took a bit more effort than it should to tension chain correctly and retain parallel alignment with jackshaft drive sprocket. Took several attempts to adjust and finally resorted to my trusty tensioner adjusting tool to hold motor while motor bolts were tightened. Also found wheel sprocket bolts will hit frame tube when wheel is forward in slots. Primary chain tensioner wheel was found twisted and misaligned. Bit of surgery required to align it properly. These are all common issues with modern manufacturing techniques. Manufacturers source materials for price and not quality and use fastest manufacturing methods available and expect their products have limited service life and require regular replacement. Overall not the worst mini bike I've seen. Let's see how it holds up when the grandkids start thrashing it...

 

[DaddyJohn]

Buying a used Coleman, it seems like you’re getting off pretty lightly. Usually you’re getting rusty chains and brakes, governors that have been removed or monkeyed with, missing and broken parts (footpegs, handlebar controls, switches, air cleaners, etc), bald and/or flat tires, ripped and/or broken seats, you name it… I blame this more on the owners than the bikes themselves, but you know, parts are cheap at least!

One thing I will say about the jackshafts is that the tensioners on them are very chintzy; they don’t last long. A lot of times, owners will abandon the jackshaft at this point and run a chain straight from the clutch, which is ill-advised (the gearing is too tall). That said, a 30-series clone torque converter is an excellent $60 upgrade for these that actually costs less than a new clutch and jackshaft assembly (if someone were inclined to replace those parts).

 

[Mark Brooks]

Good knowledge to know goin fourth, I've had my eyes on one

 

[Harquebus]

It's a purty orange color, at least (or ugly as the case may be). Thought they were all red.

Did you or the previous owner add the extended drain tube?

 

[Augiedoggie]

It's a purty orange color, at least (or ugly as the case may be). Thought they were all red.

Did you or the previous owner add the extended drain tube?

Engine drain on this one had an extended drain tube

 

[DaddyJohn]

It's a purty orange color, at least (or ugly as the case may be). Thought they were all red.

They also came in black frame with lime green fenders, black with red fenders, or this weird battleship gray with red fenders. There might be other colors besides that I’m not aware of…

 

[Harquebus]

Engine drain on this one had an extended drain tube

I was asking if you or a previous owner added that extension on the drain plug. It might even be factory added. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I think you made an excellent, excellent point about the quality of this minibike, being that it "is normal for modern manufactured stuff". That is so true but I guess most modern manufactured stuff is made in China so, we can bash it coming and going, LOL.

Keep going with this analysis if you can. As a product documentation or impromptu buyer's guide, this sort of thing is not the norm for this forum, but maybe it should be.

 

[Augiedoggie]

I was asking if you or a previous owner added that extension on the drain plug. It might even be factory added. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I think you made an excellent, excellent point about the quality of this minibike, being that it "is normal for modern manufactured stuff". That is so true but I guess most modern manufactured stuff is made in China so, we can bash it coming and going, LOL.

Keep going with this analysis if you can. As a product documentation or impromptu buyer's guide, this sort of thing is not the norm for this forum, but maybe it should be.

I have serviced this Coleman and performed routine service and nut and bolt check. It will soon be delivered to my grandkids for a good proper thrashing. Not likely to see a bit of maintenance for awhile. That should be a good test for it. The only concession I make for my machinery is non ethanol fuel. Kids can crash and thrash to their hearts content. I expect to bring several bikes to Oley event this year. We'll see how the Coleman survives the next month or two.

 

[SAS289]

I was asking if you or a previous owner added that extension on the drain plug. It might even be factory added. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I think you made an excellent, excellent point about the quality of this minibike, being that it "is normal for modern manufactured stuff". That is so true but I guess most modern manufactured stuff is made in China so, we can bash it coming and going, LOL.

Keep going with this analysis if you can. As a product documentation or impromptu buyer's guide, this sort of thing is not the norm for this forum, but maybe it should be.

The oil drain extension came on the Hisun 196's used on the first three Coleman models. It's always been out of stock on the Coleman parts site.

Crankcase Assy

 

[Augiedoggie]

The oil drain extension came on the Hisun 196's used on the first three Coleman models. It's always been out of stock on the Coleman parts site.

Crankcase Assy

mowthelawn.com offers MTD #753-06684P oil change kit @$8.84 looked for it at @Hent and was unable to find it on website.

 

[Harquebus]

The oil drain extension came on the Hisun 196's used on the first three Coleman models. It's always been out of stock on the Coleman parts site.

Crankcase Assy

I guess he didn't like me or my question.

Many thanks. Didn't know a manufacturer would add such a convenience, especially in this era. Wow!

 

[massacre]

mowthelawn.com offers MTD #753-06684P oil change kit @$8.84 looked for it at @Hent and was unable to find it on website.

I've used some pipe to make extended oil drains before, if you don't need it to be a stock piece

 

[DaddyJohn]

I've used some pipe to make extended oil drains before, if you don't need it to be a stock piece

The Honda-clone engines use a M10x1.25 thread drain bolt, whereas Tecumseh and B&S engines should have a 1/4” pipe thread for the drain. Makes it fairly easy to extend the older US engines with a piece of pipe and a plug, but not as easy for the Honda clones.

 

[Augiedoggie]

The Coleman received a fair thrashing this weekend and survived fairly well. It's a poor handling pig with fat tires and pogo stick forks and rigid rear end. It's a nice size rider for adults and performance is decent in stock form. Any hop up or performance modifications are wasted effort. Bike is adequate play bike. Governed engine is safer for most riders. Traveling any faster than stock engine permits on those fat tires is just pig shit foolish. Steering lock is super tight and could be easily modified, but again the fat tires would put you on your head if turning tight at speed. I observe most of the owners use performance parts to increase power of these bikes. Mine will remain stock. No need to travel any faster than stock machine can go. You can have just as much fun at 20mph on a mini as you can 40mph and save a few bucks and maybe a bit of skin as well. I wouldn't want to travel faster than a governed motor would carry this pig.

 

[DaddyJohn]

I tend to agree, though I still prefer a torque converter to the jackshaft that comes on them.

 

[Augiedoggie]

I tend to agree, though I still prefer a torque converter to the jackshaft that comes on them.

Agreed. Factory jack shaft and chinesium clutch make ugly noises. This stuff is probably going in trash bin once it wears out.

 

[Aerindel]

The Coleman received a fair thrashing this weekend and survived fairly well. It's a poor handling pig with fat tires and pogo stick forks and rigid rear end. It's a nice size rider for adults and performance is decent in stock form. Any hop up or performance modifications are wasted effort. Bike is adequate play bike. Governed engine is safer for most riders. Traveling any faster than stock engine permits on those fat tires is just pig shit foolish. Steering lock is super tight and could be easily modified, but again the fat tires would put you on your head if turning tight at speed. I observe most of the owners use performance parts to increase power of these bikes. Mine will remain stock. No need to travel any faster than stock machine can go. You can have just as much fun at 20mph on a mini as you can 40mph and save a few bucks and maybe a bit of skin as well. I wouldn't want to travel faster than a governed motor would carry this pig.

I don't care about going fast....

But going to a torque converter, a 60 tooth sprocket, and a predator 224 was a huge upgrade for me in terms of torque for hill climbing. Made it a much better bike. And yes, it will now go 35 even with a governor....but that isn't why I did it.

Now I can go 15 MPH uphill instead of 5.

And yes, I got here after repeatedly burning up clutches, breaking the jackshaft and finally motor issues.

 

[Strigoi]

I don't care about going fast....

Ricky Bobby here....