I always see a lot of questions similar in nature to "Will this
setup work with my bike?", "What parts should I buy?", "How much will
this increase my power?" from newbies entering the sport, so I have
decided to make a list of what pocket bike performance parts are best
for your bike.
This list is for people on a low budget and also
applies to those that have a bit of money to spend as well. It will be
set out in the format "Budget Mods", "Average Mods" and "Serious Tuner".
Be advised that all CAG engines are different and performance increases
vary on each bike. This guide should help you spend your money more
wisely on the right modifications to get your bike going at it's full
potential with the money you have to spend.
The pocket bike
modifications listed are all available in Australia, but may need some
looking around for. The prices listed next to each part is the general
recommended retail price, please do not use this as a buying guide as
prices will vary from different suppliers. Make sure to shop around for
better prices, and also check with the supplier that these parts will
fit your style of pocket bike.
Budget Mods:
Timing Key
- Increases your engines timing by 10 degrees, cheap and VERY effective
part, But please note this increases performance on some engines, but
can also decrease performance in others, it depends what your timing is
set at in the factory. (RRP $20)
Fibreglass Reeds - Replace
your stock metal reed with a high performance Fibreglass one.
Fibreglass reeds allow more and faster fuel into the carb, this
resulting in a faster burning of fuel, which increases low, mid and top
end power. (RRP $20-$30)
Performance Air Filter and V Stack
- If your bike came with a black air cleaner instead of an air filter,
its losing potential power, by adding a high performance air filter and
vstack your allowing more and faster air into your engine, which will
increase performance and engine life. (RRP $30-$40)
Hi Flow Fuel Filter
- This is not a performance mod but it is one of the most important
things that should be considered when buying modifications, If your fuel
line does not have a fuel filter, there is a very good chance that dirt
or foreign objects have got inside your fuel and are now blocking your
carb. By installing this cheap modification it protects your engine from
harm by dirt, plastic, etc. It is a must for every bike . (RRP $7-$15)
HP Clutch Springs
- All CAGS come with 3 shoe clutches, the major let down with these
clucthes are the springs. A good set of HP clutch springs will make your
acceleration a lot better over stock and coming out of coners etc, you
will have a lot more power. A good cheap investment. (RRP $15-$25)
These
mods are a very good starting point to modifying, these parts can be
fitted if you have general engine knoweldge or instructions. The
flywheel, clutch and carb must all be removed to install these mods, if
in doubt you can take your bike to a pocket bike repair shop and they
would gladly install them for a cheap fee.
Average Mods:
Fatboy Exhaust and Tank
- This exhaust system is an awesome upgrade over the stock exhaust,
many winning pocket bike racers around the world use this exhaust and
swear by it. It's a very cheap upgrade and will really open up your
engine, the Fatboy Exhaust is that big, it comes with a smaller fuel
tank so the pipe can fit. (RRP $90-$160)
High Performance Carb
- The stock CAG carb is only 12.88mm by upgrading to a larger carb etc.
14/14 or WT-603 which are the most popular choices in carbs when it
comes to racing you increase your engines performance all round by
allowing more fuel and air to get burnt and this will increase your low,
mid and top end power. (RRP $90-$160)
Heavy Duty 2 Shoe Clutch
- A 2 shoe clutch is better for light people, once it gets going its
awesome a lot better than a 3 shoe clutch with springs, the only down
side to this modification is you must adjust the springs perfect for
when the clutch engages. (RRP $40-$70)
High Performance Piston Rings - HP Piston Rings Offer more compression and are a good cheap investment, will give a small increase in power. (RRP $10-$20)
Lightened Piston
- A lightened piston is a lot better than the stock piston and is a lot
better quality, will give a small increase in power. (RRP $30-$50)
Ported Cylinder
- Getting a cylinder ported to your engine is one of the most important
mods that can be done, a cylinder with boost ports, larger exhaust
ports and the correct squish set, will give an insane power increase,
Very good for the money. (RRP $80-$90)
These mods are for the more
experienced racer that can handle a lot more power over stock, these
parts will be best installed by a shop rather than risk doing it your
self. You will be amazed at the power increase.
Serious Tuner:
2 Peice High Compression Headkit
- A headkit consists of a cylinder, piston, extra cooling plate, a high
quality spark plug and some even with a changeable compression dome,
This is where your engine gets insane power, by increasing it to a 49cc
not a 40cc like most CAG's. A head kit tuned to the rest of the engine
correctly is the best value for money product. (RRP $100-$400)
Full Circle Stroker Crank
- A full circle stroker is best suited to an engine wit a headkit.
Installing a full circle stroker crank (FCSC) will make your bike a 52cc
but to get this going perfect the crank must be balanced to your
piston. This is done by experienced pocket bike shops, once you install
the FCSC you will never want to ride a bike with a half circle crank
again. (RRP $110-$130)
4 Petal Reed Cage - Allows a lot
more and faster fuel into your engine with 2 dual reed sections allowing
for 4 reeds, this gives you improved fuel flow and power throughout
low, mid and top end. You will not be dissapointed: (RRP $120-$200)
Zocchi CAG Race Pipe
- Hand made italian race exhaust, cannot go wrong here will run
absolutley awesome with a headkit and a good carb. Awesome power
increase from low, mid and top end. (RRP $160-$200)
The real art
to serious performance upgardes is getting your engine made to run
perfect with the modifications. This is achieved with the correct
porting and tuning. If the above modifications are ran with all of the
average mods and a timing key, you will have an insaneley powerful
machine. They will easily add 20 km/h to your top end with stock
gearing. Also be advised while adding these mods a final gear change
will be needed to get the most out of the modifications. If your engine
is tuned and ported correctly you will be keeping up easily with stock
watercooled pocket bikes, if not beating them. With all of these mods,
they are not made just to be fitted onto your bike. The best thing you
could do is to take it to your local pocket bike repair or performance
shop and get them to fit everything correctly and tune the engine to the
modifications, then it's just a matter of holding on :)