Engine Features
The engine of the Chinese Alpha moped has characteristic features, thanks to which fans of motorcycle technology prefer this particular model.
Engine for Alpha moped
Engine capacity - 72 cc. With the right approach, it can be upgraded to 110 cc. Also, if desired, you can increase the speed by 10 kilometers.
The weak point of the engine is the gearbox, which requires close attention and a delicate approach . When repairing the “heart” of a moped, you need to know how to correctly disassemble and reassemble this part of the motorcycle “organism”.
Alpha is equipped with a powerful engine, the circuit of which is complex. If you can’t figure it out on your own, it is recommended to contact an experienced specialist. The price of repairs is quite affordable.
Carburetor Adjustment Tools
It is necessary to prepare a screwdriver with a flat head, with which you will unscrew the bolts. If you have to remove the carburetor to clean it, you will need a 10mm wrench. You will also need a carburetor cleaner. It is available in aerosol form. The cleaner is very caustic, so it is advisable to purchase rubber gloves when working with it.
Carburetor cleaner
Causes of malfunction
The Chinese Alpha moped, whose price is affordable, does not cause owners many problems. Interruptions in a moped engine have several causes, and once you understand them, you can quickly fix the breakdown.
Disassembling the moped engine
So, if the engine starts with great difficulty, the muffler “shoots”, and smoke comes out of the chimney, it means that the moped is “capricious” due to problems with the carburetor. In order to solve this problem with the Alpha moped, you need to:
If the Alpha slowly picks up speed, and its engine is not able to develop the declared power, then the reason is the incorrect operation of the moped valves. It can also “get sick” due to gaps and incorrect timing. In order to make the Alpha moped function normally, it is necessary to replace the used valves with new ones.
If the Alpha moped is not able to reach the required speed, despite the roar of the engine and solid revolutions, it is impossible to stop the spinning wheel, and gear shifting occurs intermittently, then the cause of the malfunction is clutch wear.
Moped clutch parts
To eliminate the breakdown, you must perform the following manipulations:
Another cause of moped engine malfunction may be wear on the drive sprockets. If they are very worn, they must be replaced with new ones.
You may encounter the problem of engine overheating. The situation can be corrected after adding oil. If oil leaks, you must urgently contact a professional service .
Alpha moped engine overheating
Engine disassembly
Disassembling the Alpha engine is quite simple. To do this you need:
After performing the necessary manipulations, you need to properly assemble the engine, installing all the parts in place.
A diagram can help you understand the nuances. Also, a lot of useful tips regarding repairing the most important “organ” of the Alpha moped are contained in the training video.
Clutch operating principle
Thus, the main structural elements of the clutch include drive and driven discs, springs, and drive mechanisms. Dry single-disc or double-disc clutches have drive discs connected to the flywheel. For proper operation of the second type of clutch discs, a moped clutch basket is required, into which the discs are placed. The basket is also called a casing, which is driven by a primary transmission. In order to increase the friction of the discs, a special friction material is applied to their working parts. It often happens that high-strength plastic is used to make several disks of the same type.
The role of the crankshaft
The crankshaft transmits torque to the gearbox through the operation of the engaged clutch. This is due to the fact that in this case the clutch discs, both driving and driven, are tightly pressed to each other using springs.
If the pilot exerts force on the moped lever located on the handlebar, which disengages the clutch, then he thereby influences the drive (mechanical or hydraulic). The operation of this drive is as follows - it moves the clutch release rod or bearing, which separates the clutch discs from each other. Thus, the discs stop rubbing strongly against each other, as a result of which torque stops being transmitted from the crankshaft to the gearbox.
Most mopeds are equipped with a clutch, which is controlled manually by operating a lever located on the left handlebar. However, there are also models that are equipped with an automatic clutch. In the case of the latter, there is no lever on the steering wheel; the engine and transmission are connected and disconnected through the operation of a centrifugal machine. In such designs, the engine crankshaft speed acts as a setting parameter. It is worth noting that mopeds, as well as scooters in combination with a V-belt variator, are very often equipped with an automatic transmission.
Alfa moped engine repair
Recommendations for repairing the Alpha engine.
As we all know, any motorcycle wears out and breaks over time, especially if it is not handled correctly. The most important part of the Alpha moped is its engine, which, if handled improperly or repaired or replaced with spare parts, may not work or work incorrectly. To avoid such problems, you need to know how to properly repair the engine of an Alpha moped with your own hands. This is easy to do if you have the necessary experience and knowledge.
Two ways to start a moped with the ignition key
First, you need to make sure that there is gasoline in the gas tank. Now you need to put the moped on the stand and turn the ignition key to the “on” position (sometimes marked in English with the letters “on”). If everything is done correctly, the panel should light up and the needle on the speedometer will rise and fall. Then fold back the kickstarter foot and press it sharply with your foot, continue until the engine starts. This method of starting a moped always works; for the most part it is used when the battery is very discharged. Also, after winter, the moped needs to be started only with a kickstarter, since the battery could have lost a lot of charge.
Do-it-yourself repair of Alpha moped engines
When the moped does not start, the muffler fires and black smoke comes out of it, this means that you have a problem with the carburetor. To fix these problems, you need to clean the carburetor and air filter, also make carburetor adjustments and tighten the bolts thoroughly.
If your moped takes a long time to accelerate, and the engine does not have enough standard power, the problem is broken valves. The old valves need to be replaced with new ones and the moped will work again.
If the Alpha moped cannot accelerate to the required speed, although it has high speeds, and the engine roars like crazy and shifts gears intermittently, the problem is clutch wear. To repair the clutch you need to do the following: you must remove the engine and the plastic cover from it, then unscrew the clamping bolt and the adjustment mechanism, then tighten the clamping bolt tightly, and start the moped. After all this, you need to drive a little at first speed, about a couple of meters. Also, another cause of engine-related problems is wear of the drive sprockets , in which case you will have to replace them with new ones.
Engine overheating . This problem can be solved very simply - add oil. If suddenly oil leaks from somewhere, you should definitely contact a professional.
Kickstarter for mopeds - why is it needed?
Kickstarter for mopeds.
Recommendations for use. Today, most mopeds are equipped with an electric starter due to its simplicity and practicality in operation. The so-called kickstarter is also an integral attribute of every modern moped or motorcycle! And this is not surprising, since in order to start the scooter engine “from the hole” we do not need electricity at all! Thus, companies producing mopeds equip their products with both an electric starter and a “winding foot”, where the electric starter plays the role of the main starter for the power plant, and the foot starter is a secondary one, thereby ensuring a high level of reliability of the motorcycle as a whole!
For example, if your favorite moped has a foot starter, then an unexpectedly dead battery or a malfunction in the electric ignition system of the moped will not leave you without options - you can easily start the engine using the “winding foot”. In addition, if the moped has a classic gearbox, then it is easy to start it “from a pusher” or using an inclined road surface. Well, if your scooter is equipped with a CVT, then starting the engine using this method is almost impossible! Another advantage of the “winding stem” is the simplicity of its design. In case of breakdowns or malfunctions, the kickstarter is relatively easy to repair or replace with a new one. The cost of a new “winding stem” is significantly less than that of an electric starter.
But even such a seemingly ideal spare part still has some shortcomings. The first inconvenience in operating a kickstarter is that when starting, it is imperative to apply maximum physical effort in order to start the scooter’s engine. Also, without some experience in starting a moped engine “from a hole-punch”, it will be difficult for you to cope with the task. Otherwise, you can easily damage the winding stem and cause physical injury. For example, if you start the foot starter incorrectly, it can simply slip off your foot and hit you back very painfully! In order to avoid such troubles, it is imperative to have shoes with non-slip soles.
Video: how to properly assemble the kick starter mechanism on a Viper Activ alpha delta moped
Let's start repairing the Chinese miracle of technology
The Alpha 72cc moped is one of the most famous representatives among Chinese motorcycles. This moped is perfect for use both in rural areas and on city roads. A durable iron frame, complete absence of plastic parts, large diameter wheels - simply created for domestic roads, the quality of which is far from European level.
If you ride often, the rather high seating position of the ALPHA moped makes it possible to overcome low obstacles. A big advantage when choosing a moped is its low price, which makes the purchase quite affordable. This would be a good choice for a beginner.
There are models with a side trailer. Practical to use in rural areas. A reliable assistant in the household.
Economical, with an engine capacity of 72 cubic meters and air cooling, the Alpha moped is unpretentious. This is an extremely simple transport and servicing it couldn’t be easier! You simply cannot find a simpler engine, and spare parts cheaper than Alfa’s can only be found in a dream.
Anyone can carry out tuning or repairs on an Alpha moped with their own hands.
Before you start disassembling the motor, you should fix it on the center stand and completely remove all the plastic. All power systems should be turned off - tank, carburetor and fuel filter; The oil should also be drained.
The engine should be removed along with the transmission, and the Alpha moped should be repaired on a flat surface.
You can remove the alpha engine according to the following diagram:
Is this your first time repairing an Alpha moped yourself? No problem! A moped is not a hadron collider; nothing has changed in 50 years of moped construction. For convenience, draw a diagram of the location of the parts so that later you can complete the assembly without any problems.
A smartphone can help, take photos of each step so that later you can reassemble in the reverse order without confusion.
If it is necessary to replace the valves, or if there are gaps in the fit, then they need to be removed:
The gearbox of an Alpha moped often fails and requires constant attention. The author of this article got the sprockets stuck in the box while driving in 4th gear 10 years ago. When trying to force a gear change, for some reason the gearbox automatically selected first gear and the moped was driven at a speed of under 100 km/h. just braked without throwing the author of this article over the steering wheel
