PW 50 info for a beginning dad

PW's hold no oil in the forks. Basically ,you are seeing grease smudges on the tubes. One weak point to check on a PW is the steering head bearings and races. If it has been jumped at all, the bottom race will crack. If it continues to be ridden and jumped, the steering tube will get egged out ,and no longer hold the race tightly.

A quick fix is a strip of shim stock around the edge of a new race.

Always keep the oil injection bottle at least half full. When they get low, a tip over can allow an air bubble to develop, and cause a bit of oil starvation.

When you wash it, don't be surprised if it does not start, or runs like crap if it does.

Squirt a little WD40 in the start switch ,under the selector button. Pull apart the connector behind the number plate, and give it a shot as well.

The air boot to air box connector has a poor design. Position it properly, and seal the boot to the air box with some RTV / silicone.

Ignition side crank seals are also known for going bad, or popping out of the cases all together on units with a lot of time or wear.

Pipes / exhaust ports are known to carbon up on high hour units.

They are kind of a pain in the ass to work on, as everything is packed so tight.

Have rescued / owned at least 10 PW 50's over the last few years. Gave $110 for this '04. Had about $350 in it ,after a spruce up. Lower race was broken, frame tube a little egged.

Don't be afraid of the China replacement parts. Have used the top end kits, carburetors, air boxes, plastics, all with good results.

Have an OEM Yamaha cylinder / top end kit new in the box. Right at $190 ,with a discount from my dealer.

A China top end kit can be had off ebay for about $60-$70. They run just as well, and last good.

Needed a float and needle for the carb on the bike pictured. Around $30 from Yamaha. Took a chance on a new China carb for $18. Fired right up and ran good. I think I turned the idle screw in about a turn. New air box for $6, although the filter was not so hot. Had a new OEM filter, fit in the china box perfectly. And the intake boot came sealed to the box.

China plastic on it as well. $45 with a seat included. I used the Yamaha seat on this one, though.

I think I gave $90 for this '88. Frame cracked, broken cases. Local guy here had a surplus of PW China parts. Bought a new frame from him for $25, new front wheel for $15. Careful on the knock off rear wheels, as the axle spline count is different. Won't fit a Yamaha PW axle shaft.

China top end and plastics on this one as well. Had about $375 in it at the end.

No before pic on this one. '05, gave $120 for it. China top end, crank seal, filter, grips, home made number back grounds, and a set of tires. Had about $300 in it as it is here.

One more thing. If your boy is just learning on a two wheeled cycle, the upper throttle cable on the PW is easily broken in a tip over to the right hand side.

The metal guide on the cable that fits into the throttle housing cracks very easily. But it seems like if you have a spare upper cable on hand, they never break.