Many people have found an exhilarating hobby modifying and upgrading pocket bikes. There is no more fun way to learn the basics of a working engine than to rebuild or upgrade your pocket bike's two stroke motor. It is so simple that anyone with a little bit of patience and some basic tools can work on it. If you would like to read some tech articles please check out the pocket bike tech support section of our site.
Most pocket bikes are powered by a two-stroke engine. This ensures that the bike is incredibly light, has as little moving parts as possible, and is highly tunable and upgradeable. 2-cycle engines are incredibly easy to work on. There is no better feeling than riding your pocket bike for the fist time on a freshly rebuilt engine with an upgraded head kit, beefed-up carb and air intake, and a souped up exhaust. All you need are some performance parts, a standard tool set, and no fear to get your hands dirty for an hour.
Pocket bikes can teach a new rider a lot of skills: proper engine maintenance, break-in, and tuning, chassis care and maintenance, tire care, brake care & maintenance, and responsibility that comes behind the throttle. For younger riders, with proper parental supervision, it can teach a great sense of responsibility while providing an active outdoor hobby that can be enjoyed at any age and is just really cool.
Typical things that need to be checked and adjusted on pocket bikes regularly:
Tires
Always check tire pressure. Make sure it never exceeds the maximum PSI written on the side-wall. Some wheels are designed to be tubeless, others have tubes in them. Under-inflated tires can cause unnecessary strain on your engine and wear out your clutch prematurely.
Wheel alignment
All pocket bikes have two rear-wheel axle adjusters that that you must adjust to ensure the wheel spins without a wobble.
Chain adjustment
Always ensure that the chain has 1/4 to 1/2 inch slack, is lubricated with chain grease, and is free of dirt, sand or dust.
Handlebars
Most brand new pocket bikes come with handlebars either loose or disconnected. Always ensure that handlebars are completely tightened in a comfortable position. Remember: just like on a real motorcycle, you will lean into your turns. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a big turning radius on the front wheel. This is a common misconception that many unexperienced riders point out.
Throttle & brake levers
Your left and right hand will control everything on the bike. It is therefore important that they are mounted in positions comfortable and within easy reach to you. It is critical to tighten all controls before riding to ensure you don't lose control while riding.
Kill switch
The big red button on the handle-bars is your "Mission Abort" button - the fastest way to shut off your engine. Follow the wire that connects from it to the ignition coil on the engine. Check regularly that there is no damage to this wire, and that it works - because you never want to ride if you can't come to a quick, safe stop!
Carburetor
The carburetor is perhaps the single most important part in your bike. The fuel line and throttle cable are attached to it. It regulates air and gas intake into the engine, and also contains the choke (necessary for starting a cold engine) and the fuel shut-off switch. Be sure to keep it clean, check for gasket leaks, and tighten when needed.
Brake tension
Most pocket bikes come with quality front and rear disc brakes. As the pads wear out over time, the tension on the brake cables need to be adjusted. The brake cables themselves should also be inspected for damage which can occur over time or with the elements.
Fuel lines & fuel filter
A corroded fuel line can cause a gas leak, which can be dangerous. So be sure to check the fuel lines and replace at the first sign of cracks or leaks. When fueling your pocket bike, you should always only put as much gas as you plan to consume while riding. While you won't guess it right every time, leaving less (or no) gas in the gas tank when your pocket bike is a good (thesaurus: ritual).
Gas cap
Never force a gas cap on the gas tank as you could damage the threads causing gas to spill out.
Maintaining your pocket bike
If your pocket bike has a two stroke engine, it does not need as much manitenance as other motor vehicles you maybe used to. While burning the mixture of gas and oil, the engine self lubricates, so there is no need to top off oils or perform oil changes.
Most pocket bikes are powered by a two-stroke engine. This ensures that the bike is incredibly light, has as little moving parts as possible, and is highly tunable and upgradeable. 2-cycle engines are incredibly easy to work on. There is no better feeling than riding your pocket bike for the fist time on a freshly rebuilt engine with an upgraded head kit, beefed-up carb and air intake, and a souped up exhaust. All you need are some performance parts, a standard tool set, and no fear to get your hands dirty for an hour.
Pocket bikes can teach a new rider a lot of skills: proper engine maintenance, break-in, and tuning, chassis care and maintenance, tire care, brake care & maintenance, and responsibility that comes behind the throttle. For younger riders, with proper parental supervision, it can teach a great sense of responsibility while providing an active outdoor hobby that can be enjoyed at any age and is just really cool.
Typical things that need to be checked and adjusted on pocket bikes regularly:
How fast do these 4-wheelers go? How can I make them faster?
Most mini quads have the exact same engine as pocket bikes. Because the quads have and extra pair of wheels and a larger rear axle, the engine needs to be more powerful, especially if it is to carry an adult. Part of the hobby of pocket quads is modification. Recommended upgrades for the engine include a big bore kit, more powerful carburetor, reed cage, and exhaust. With the necessary modifications, the mini quad can pop wheelies with adults over 250 lbs, and reach breakneck speeds.
