[HowardsMF155]

About two years ago I purchased two used Baja minibikes for my two sons and I to ride around.

Several months later, one engine started leaking oil from the gasket between the crankcase and the output shaft bearing end while one son just kept riding and riding and riding........

With Predator engines new at $99.00 I decided to purchase and install a new one since the bike itself showed signs of some high mileage use. The new Predator went in fairly smoothly and worked well with one exception-there was no charging coil to run the headlight. This was a major issue for my sons!

I kept the old engine and after over a year, I set one of my boys to scavenging parts from the old engine- a "Jae-dong" brand engine that did have a charging coil. Today, we pulled the predator engine apart and took a look under the flywheel and found tapped mounting bosses for the charging coil. The predator flywheel did not have magnets, however the Jae-dong flywheel was a match for the Predator flywheel, so we installed all the parts and tried it out.

Worked great!

 

[HDWildBill]

That is good to know. I have had an influx of these Chinese ATV's, go karts and bikes.

 

[toomanytoys84]

A lot of the 6.5 "clones" have the charging coil. If you have one of these engines and want a charging coil find one with electric start. You will pay more than 99 for them, but they have the charging coil in them already.

The 212 really isn't a clone per say. The newer Generation of "Predator" engines will accept Cams and Valves out of the Hondas and the old 196cc Honda "clones". Earlier predators won't accept any Honda parts. None of the fly wheels are the same, the taper on the shaft is different and it won't fit right.

The Predator 212 engine has a large amount of potential. I have on in a minibike currently that has a billet rod, flat top piston, billet fly wheel, upgraded cam, 26lb valve springs, port work, a mikuni carb, and the governor removed. My Tiny Tach tells me the valves float at 8700RPM.

I am not sure what kind of power its putting out. Similar engines are near 20HP that I have seen on the dynos. All I know is that if you crack it open you better have your weight on the bars and be ready to hang on because she won't stop pulling till the valves float.

 

[HowardsMF155]

It's pretty snappy as it is right now. In some ways, the bike tops out far too soon, but on the other hand, this is an offroad bike, so a high tip end isn't called for. I'd like to play with the gearing a little bit, maybe get another 5 mph or so out of it. Right now, it snaps up to top speed pretty quick, then while the motor still clearly has plenty of grunt, the governor cuts in and holds the rpms steady.

 

[toomanytoys84]

Stock form they will pull hard to the governor. Stock with the governor removed they will pull up to around 4200RPM before the valves float. I do not recommend this. I have seen first hand what a predator flywheel looks like when it is pushed too far. Luckily it was not on a bike it was on a go kart and it exploded behind the driver. The Billet Flywheels are good for up to 12,000 RPM, but cost more than the engine did new.

You could pull a little more top end out of it pretty easy depending on the weight of the rider.

I never had one of the Baja minis. I am into the older vintage American stuff. I have a 1976 Heald Super Bronc that is an adult sized mini with 22x10x8 tires front and rear. It has a Tecumseh HM80 on it. It will pull 44mph and climb the steepest hill you are willing to go up. It will pull a 6.67 overall ratio really easy with the Comet Drive installed.

That was what mine looked like before restoring it.