Vbike 250-V4d / TaoTao 250D upgrade suggestions (help with off brand ATV) v4d

[Mitchal]

taotao 250d ATV - Vbike 250-V4D - Aim-Ex ATA-250D
Maintenance or Upgrades
I'm thinking the following should be done to the V4D / 250D when you first get it.
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

1. Use premium gas
(mid premium gas about 90 octane )

2. Change out the spark plug to a (NGK) (cost: $3)
recommended gap? .028
Plug: NGK C7HSA is what my manual has down others have mentioned a D8EA?
The owners manual was not correct. You should actually get the D8EA.
some of the bikes may come with this plug already. (mine had a gnereic in it)
I picked up a couple of these at Autozone for about $2 each

3. Change the oil and use a ATV specific oil (cost: $3)
chaneg after break in period.
Autozone has a valvoline 10/40 ATV oil. The key is to have an ATV specific oil.
I was considering a synthetic oil but it sounds like an ATV oil designed for wet cluthces is best.
use an oil specific for ATVs (use no additives with regular oil)


4. locktight all nuts (cost $4)
blue loctite and maybe locktight washers maybe lockwire
I would like to use a torque wrench but I cna't find any guide lines on torque of the bolts for this ATV, I guess you could use the guide lines for other ATVs.

5. New Chain 3/4 inch max play)(cost: $27)
best chain would be RK Heavy Duty Pro 428
The 428 chain is not ideal for a 250 cc ATV. The RK heavy Duty was the only chain I foud that came close. If go with anyother chain check the tensile strength and MAX engine size. Most of the other chain have a max engine size of 150cc
I would get a 120 link and then you can cut off a couple of links if needed.

6. Change the front sprocket to a 14 tooth (14 tooth front JTF259 sprocket) (cost: $10)
I think I am leaning to a 14 tooth over a 13 tooth. I think if I lived in the mountains and did a lot of vertical hill climbs I would go with the 13 tooth but since I'm in Texas and do only a few small hill climbs the 14 tooth would be best for me.

7. Other replacements later on:
- back up battery (anyone knwo a good brand and model)
When I need to replace the tires I will liekely go with an all terain tire.
anyone know of a good swing arm bushing that will fit?
I think this is the bushing from roketa.? atv-17w-150-04-08 this is for the 14mm bolt size? anyone know of a good bushing for this?

I also went and picked up an extra metric socket set to have on hand for tightening or removing any bolts.

I know this sounds like a little bit of work but I'm hopeing to to be able to do about $50 in upgrades and have a half way reliable ATV.

Thanks

[Mitchal]

RK pro gold looks like the best chain (cost around $38)
then staying with the 428 would be ok.

Denso plugs may be prefered over NKG but I don't think their is a big difference?

[Coloradotrailrider]

I would change the oil with a regular oil first and let it break in. I wouldn't go to the synthetic until after several oil changes.

[Mitchal]

Good point, yes I agree to use regular oil on the first couple changes. No oil additives

[luvmysxs]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Mitchal

Good point, yes I agree to use regular oil on the first couple changes. Then I was thinking adding a slick50 type supliment to the regular oil.</end quote></div>

no you do not want to use a oil additive with a wet clutch, don't even think about it. NEVER!

[kczukiman]

Also you may want to use the lower octain gas.I was told by Tim at vbike that is the best to use in these engines.

[Mitchal]

Luvmysxs thanks for the correction. yes I would rec. the an oil specific for ATVs
AMSOIL Synthetic ATV Oil, Formula 4-Stroke® Power Sports Synthetic Motor Oil


Kczukiman,
I would think an 89 octane gas (mid premium) would work great.
I'm curious as to why Tim would recommend the lowest octane (does he think its just a waste of the extra 8 cents a gallon) or does he think it would have harmfull effect to go to a 93 octane gas?

[Mitchal]

anyone had any experience using higher grade fuels in their ATVs?

[kczukiman]

He just said it was best to run the lower octain.I guess I should have asked why.

[Mitchal]

Kczukiman,

have you had any problems with your vbike?

does it idle ok when in neutral?