@dwarfinger Yea, I know for sure they had kickstarters, and I'm sure you're right about it being the same as the one on quite a few other bikes... I just haven't figured out what that particular bike is yet! I've got a bunch of other bikes at home. It looks like one off of one of my 450 Hondas might fit... I haven't tried swapping one on it yet. The shaft diameter looks about right, but the spline count may be wrong. Its also likely that a kickstarter from another american bike will fit.
Howdy, the front wheel does not disengage when you go around a corner: however, if the front wheel is moving faster than the driveshaft is driving it (like for instance going around a corner), then the front wheel CAN move faster because the driving mechanism is a one way spring clutch. It does not technically disengage: it slips..The brake will work for both wheels, straight ahead or not (same issue)
i don't think there is a kick starter for any of the Rokon models. (Might be wrong..)
Howdy, the front wheel does not disengage when you go around a corner: however, if the front wheel is moving faster than the driveshaft is driving it (like for instance going around a corner), then the front wheel CAN move faster because the driving mechanism is a one way spring clutch. It does not technically disengage: it slips..
i don't think there is a kick starter for any of the Rokon models. (Might be wrong..)
thats things 40 years old and in that condition? u dont see quality like that now adays.... do you have to replace the topend on it like you have to do on a 2t dirtbike?
@gehennamaggot666 haha yep! Its in what I'd call nice "used" condition! The engine on this thing is not working all that hard, its not like a modern 2-stroke that you rev to the moon all day long. I don't have a tach on it, so I'm just guessing, but I don't think this thing rev's to more than 6 or 8k RPM. So no, you really shouldn't have to rebuild them very often!
@joeldude76 Dont know if you figured out the answer to your question, but they're slow... 20-25mph tops... Its not something you'd want to go particularly fast on anyway! lol! They handle kinda weird because of the 2wd system.
@dylansg400 You don't seem to quite get it... You don't buy a rokon to go anywhere fast... If you bought it looking for a thrill then you must've been very misinformed. You buy a Rokon cuz they're 2wd, they float, they go anywhere, you can tow stuff with them, and nobody else in your neighborhood has one... Thats like buying a John Deer tractor and saying you're disappointed cuz it didnt handle as well as your Ferrari. I have MANY other bikes to ride when I feel like riding fast.
@Kawasakiforlife7 They don't, there's just a centrifugal clutch! The thing you might be confusing as a second clutch (the thing that the belt runs too) is a little alternator which charges the battery so that you can run lights!
Did you ever get around to replacing that drive belt? To me, it looks similar to a snowmobile type clutch/transmission. If so, then the clutch sheaves actually move together as the RPM's increase, That puts tension on the belt as it engages. The higher the RPM, the higher the belt rides in the sheaves.
Strange that the alternator is on the secondary drive though. Usually you'd find a charging coil in the magneto under the flywheel.
@rickbell7 I never did, because even though the belt is loose, it doesn't slip too badly. It doesn't work quite like a snowmobile transmission, its just a fixed drive belt... I believe what you're referring to is a CVT transmission. This just has a drive belt, and a transmission with 3 different fixed gear ratios. Slow, slower, and slowest! :P
Yes, the CVT. I thought it looked like some variation of that idea. And hey, as long as it gets you where you need...err, want...to go, that's what's important.
LOL @ Slow, slower and slowest. Not a fast machine, but looks like it's built like a tank. I bet it's a blast to get out and ride it.
Good video. I was wondering how power got up to the front chain and you showed it perfectly. Pawn Stars was also where I first saw the Rokon. I bet they are loving all that free publicity.
@bastarddoggy Thanks, appreciate the comment! :) Everyone keeps mentioning how they saw one on Pawn Stars, and I had never seen the program, so I just looked the episode up on Youtube! You'd have to be crazy to pay 5g's for that Rokon! It was waayyy over restored! You can buy a brand new one with a Honda engine, that goes 2x as fast as these original ones, for 5g's lol! But glad the program got people looking at these cool/funky machines! :)
nice job with the info...very interesting. there are some changes on the new ones like smaller tires and the front wheel never disengauges,,in fact the front wheel speeds up the farther you turn(otherwise youd tip over) ...nice vid.thumbs up
@garctown Thanks! They are pretty cool, and Rokon did make it, they're still in business today! The bikes have changed a bit, most of them use 4-stroke Honda engines now, and there are a few other changes, but the basic idea of a 2wd Motorcycle designed to go anywhere and do anything a 4-wheeler can do (and more!) is still there! The biggest problem with a new Rokon is that they're EXPENSIVE! A new one runs about 5k, + the old ones hold their value. One like mine will cost between 1 and 3k!
Nice video!!! Your Rokon is in great shape. People often ask me where they can find one used... The answer is that not many people want to get rid of them! Considering a Rokon will easily last 40 years it's not surprising... Enjoy!
@rokondealer Thanks! Yea, its in pretty nice shape, especially considering its age! I wouldn't call it perfect, just "gently used." Its that perfect balance of nice enough to enjoy, but not so nice that you don't want to ride it! At some point though, i would like to repaint the frame and exhaust, as well as get the seat stitched back up! Any idea where I can get a kickstarter for it? I've been scouring eBay, but thus far, no luck!
@Mtrhd0024 Did you try the factory? There are many parts still available and also some replacements and conversions. You can also try the Rokon World website. As a last resort you can always do an engine conversion. I've read about and seen some on the net but never did one myself. Good luck and keep on Rokonin... hehehe...
@enfielddiesel lol, I know for sure there's a youtube video of one floating alongside a boat... You can't ride the bike while its floating, but you can lay it down on its side and float it across a river! But next time I get the chance, I'll try and make a video for ya!
@Mtrhd0024 On my channel you can see me floating my Rokon beside the boat while moose hunting. You can also see one of the military videos where they float it across a river. I also have a Rokon photogallery on Flickr check it out.
@rokondealer Thanks! That was the video I was thinking of, the one of the Rokon beside a boat! But I also told "enfielddiesel" about your videos as well so he can check em out!
@enfielddiesel Read RokonDealers comment... He's the one that posted the video of the Rokon floating alongside the boat, and he has another one on his channel of a Rokon being floated across a river in a military video! Its worth checking out if you wanted to see it!
@mrpersonccc Thanks man, appreciate it! Its nothing special, it wasn't exactly scripted or planned very well, but it got the point across OK, and there's nothing else like it on Youtube, so I guess at least it gives people a good idea of how it all works!
Yes there is no way to tension tension increases as you give it gas its not hard to change belts on these if its slipping its time to change the belt also there should be a cover over that whole belt drive unit to protect from elements
The belts not loose when the clutch engages it puts tension on the belt if you put a smaller belt on you wont be able to stop without the bike stalling hope this helps
Is it really supposed to be as loose as it is in the video? I'm pretty sure its slipping when its running. And I'm not putting on a smaller belt, just a new one from Rokon. Its the same size, I was just hoping it wouldn't slip as much.
And how does it tighten? You could be right, I just haven't really seen how that would work since there's no tensioner or anything.
Haha thanks man! I haven't replaced my belt yet, even though I made this video a while back and had a new belt, I still haven't gotten around to replacing it. It doesn't exactly look like a 2 minute job, so I've kinda been putting it off! lol! :P But when I do replace it, I'll be sure and make a video and upload it for ya!
Thanks for making that video.
RobertSinex916 1 month ago
Uh , in the neighboring comment I WAS WRONG the earlier "Albion" transmissions
DID have an optional kick starter. Should be able to fit many MC kick starter levers..
(Picture at Rokon World.) (Yours appears to be a "MK 3 Late Frame" )
thanx
dwarfinger 7 months ago
@dwarfinger Yea, I know for sure they had kickstarters, and I'm sure you're right about it being the same as the one on quite a few other bikes... I just haven't figured out what that particular bike is yet! I've got a bunch of other bikes at home. It looks like one off of one of my 450 Hondas might fit... I haven't tried swapping one on it yet. The shaft diameter looks about right, but the spline count may be wrong. Its also likely that a kickstarter from another american bike will fit.
Mtrhd0024 7 months ago
Howdy, the front wheel does not disengage when you go around a corner: however, if the front wheel is moving faster than the driveshaft is driving it (like for instance going around a corner), then the front wheel CAN move faster because the driving mechanism is a one way spring clutch. It does not technically disengage: it slips..The brake will work for both wheels, straight ahead or not (same issue)
i don't think there is a kick starter for any of the Rokon models. (Might be wrong..)
dwarfinger 7 months ago
Howdy, the front wheel does not disengage when you go around a corner: however, if the front wheel is moving faster than the driveshaft is driving it (like for instance going around a corner), then the front wheel CAN move faster because the driving mechanism is a one way spring clutch. It does not technically disengage: it slips..
i don't think there is a kick starter for any of the Rokon models. (Might be wrong..)
dwarfinger 7 months ago
At least you showed how it operates with the front drive!,BTW there`s 1 on here with a 5hp Honda on it....might be the way to go Engine wise ......
jeepers2655 7 months ago
restored a 69 is worth $5000!...so save this beast!
jeepers2655 7 months ago
thats things 40 years old and in that condition? u dont see quality like that now adays.... do you have to replace the topend on it like you have to do on a 2t dirtbike?
gehennamaggot666 8 months ago
@gehennamaggot666 haha yep! Its in what I'd call nice "used" condition! The engine on this thing is not working all that hard, its not like a modern 2-stroke that you rev to the moon all day long. I don't have a tach on it, so I'm just guessing, but I don't think this thing rev's to more than 6 or 8k RPM. So no, you really shouldn't have to rebuild them very often!
Mtrhd0024 8 months ago
My neighbor was a trailbreaker dealer when I was growing up, and I believe that model sold for around $600 NEW.
Boyhowdy2112 8 months ago
@Boyhowdy2112 Haha yea, I'm sure it was significantly less than they sell for now! These things in decent running shape go for about 2k!
Mtrhd0024 8 months ago
wow nvm lol
joeldude76 8 months ago
whats the top speed?
joeldude76 8 months ago
@joeldude76 Dont know if you figured out the answer to your question, but they're slow... 20-25mph tops... Its not something you'd want to go particularly fast on anyway! lol! They handle kinda weird because of the 2wd system.
Mtrhd0024 8 months ago
i have one and dont know what do wiyh it help me out
crammerspam 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i have one of these things... dont know wat to do with it... someone help me out e mail me at crammer87@gmail.com
crammerspam 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i have one of these things... dont know wat to do with it... someone help me out e mail me at crammer87@gmail.com
crammerspam 11 months ago
Comment removed
dylansg400 1 year ago
@dylansg400 You don't seem to quite get it... You don't buy a rokon to go anywhere fast... If you bought it looking for a thrill then you must've been very misinformed. You buy a Rokon cuz they're 2wd, they float, they go anywhere, you can tow stuff with them, and nobody else in your neighborhood has one... Thats like buying a John Deer tractor and saying you're disappointed cuz it didnt handle as well as your Ferrari. I have MANY other bikes to ride when I feel like riding fast.
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
i never knew it ran a sintrifical and secondary clutch on these
Kawasakiforlife7 1 year ago
@Kawasakiforlife7 They don't, there's just a centrifugal clutch! The thing you might be confusing as a second clutch (the thing that the belt runs too) is a little alternator which charges the battery so that you can run lights!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
@Mtrhd0024
Did you ever get around to replacing that drive belt? To me, it looks similar to a snowmobile type clutch/transmission. If so, then the clutch sheaves actually move together as the RPM's increase, That puts tension on the belt as it engages. The higher the RPM, the higher the belt rides in the sheaves.
Strange that the alternator is on the secondary drive though. Usually you'd find a charging coil in the magneto under the flywheel.
Cool bike and great video!
Cheers!
rickbell7 8 months ago
@rickbell7 I never did, because even though the belt is loose, it doesn't slip too badly. It doesn't work quite like a snowmobile transmission, its just a fixed drive belt... I believe what you're referring to is a CVT transmission. This just has a drive belt, and a transmission with 3 different fixed gear ratios. Slow, slower, and slowest! :P
Mtrhd0024 8 months ago
@Mtrhd0024
Yes, the CVT. I thought it looked like some variation of that idea. And hey, as long as it gets you where you need...err, want...to go, that's what's important.
LOL @ Slow, slower and slowest. Not a fast machine, but looks like it's built like a tank. I bet it's a blast to get out and ride it.
Have fun and ride safe.
Rick
rickbell7 8 months ago
Thanks for putting this on youtube. I've wanted one of these for years.
TheMrRockola 1 year ago
@TheMrRockola No problem, thanks for the comment!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
sweet video, didn't know these existed until i saw an ad in a field and stream magazine at school... pretty neat concept!
GSRGOPEDRIDER247 1 year ago
Hazard a guess but it looks to be a Albion three speed gearbox, I hear you can get them with reverse also (tee-hee).
coaxialgyro 1 year ago
Good video. I was wondering how power got up to the front chain and you showed it perfectly. Pawn Stars was also where I first saw the Rokon. I bet they are loving all that free publicity.
bastarddoggy 1 year ago 7
@bastarddoggy Thanks, appreciate the comment! :) Everyone keeps mentioning how they saw one on Pawn Stars, and I had never seen the program, so I just looked the episode up on Youtube! You'd have to be crazy to pay 5g's for that Rokon! It was waayyy over restored! You can buy a brand new one with a Honda engine, that goes 2x as fast as these original ones, for 5g's lol! But glad the program got people looking at these cool/funky machines! :)
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
This is very cool! Thanks for the video.
grfields 1 year ago
nice job with the info...very interesting. there are some changes on the new ones like smaller tires and the front wheel never disengauges,,in fact the front wheel speeds up the farther you turn(otherwise youd tip over) ...nice vid.thumbs up
hallsy154 1 year ago
2WD bikes. they've been around the 70s! I want one. NOW!
jmzyap 1 year ago
@jmzyap longer than than that. since the late 50's
ChuCk230e 1 year ago
impossible u bilt that outa old trakor tirse nd lawn mwer
wtn853 1 year ago
i had one !
STRUTZKOFF 1 year ago
too slow dialog. can't watch
IGiveUpImpossible 1 year ago
ill give 5,000 for it
spongesanta99 1 year ago
cool machine.
just saw one on "pawn stars"
had to look it up on youtube.
such an awesome idea...why didnt it make it???
garctown 1 year ago 10
@garctown Thanks! They are pretty cool, and Rokon did make it, they're still in business today! The bikes have changed a bit, most of them use 4-stroke Honda engines now, and there are a few other changes, but the basic idea of a 2wd Motorcycle designed to go anywhere and do anything a 4-wheeler can do (and more!) is still there! The biggest problem with a new Rokon is that they're EXPENSIVE! A new one runs about 5k, + the old ones hold their value. One like mine will cost between 1 and 3k!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
it did check out the 2009 model
fatwhiteboy77 1 year ago
@garctown holy shit me too lol
turbinefanatic 1 year ago
@garctown me too hahhahaa thats funny
n62dlt 1 year ago
Nice video!!! Your Rokon is in great shape. People often ask me where they can find one used... The answer is that not many people want to get rid of them! Considering a Rokon will easily last 40 years it's not surprising... Enjoy!
rokondealer 1 year ago
@rokondealer Thanks! Yea, its in pretty nice shape, especially considering its age! I wouldn't call it perfect, just "gently used." Its that perfect balance of nice enough to enjoy, but not so nice that you don't want to ride it! At some point though, i would like to repaint the frame and exhaust, as well as get the seat stitched back up! Any idea where I can get a kickstarter for it? I've been scouring eBay, but thus far, no luck!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
@Mtrhd0024 Did you try the factory? There are many parts still available and also some replacements and conversions. You can also try the Rokon World website. As a last resort you can always do an engine conversion. I've read about and seen some on the net but never did one myself. Good luck and keep on Rokonin... hehehe...
rokondealer 1 year ago
great explanation and nice ride, thanks for sharing.
druidg 1 year ago
float the bike??? could you do a video on that?
enfielddiesel 1 year ago
@enfielddiesel lol, I know for sure there's a youtube video of one floating alongside a boat... You can't ride the bike while its floating, but you can lay it down on its side and float it across a river! But next time I get the chance, I'll try and make a video for ya!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
@Mtrhd0024 On my channel you can see me floating my Rokon beside the boat while moose hunting. You can also see one of the military videos where they float it across a river. I also have a Rokon photogallery on Flickr check it out.
rokondealer 1 year ago
@rokondealer Thanks! That was the video I was thinking of, the one of the Rokon beside a boat! But I also told "enfielddiesel" about your videos as well so he can check em out!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
@enfielddiesel Read RokonDealers comment... He's the one that posted the video of the Rokon floating alongside the boat, and he has another one on his channel of a Rokon being floated across a river in a military video! Its worth checking out if you wanted to see it!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
nice vid man. great info.
mrpersonccc 1 year ago
@mrpersonccc Thanks man, appreciate it! Its nothing special, it wasn't exactly scripted or planned very well, but it got the point across OK, and there's nothing else like it on Youtube, so I guess at least it gives people a good idea of how it all works!
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
Yes there is no way to tension tension increases as you give it gas its not hard to change belts on these if its slipping its time to change the belt also there should be a cover over that whole belt drive unit to protect from elements
ror1n 1 year ago
The belts not loose when the clutch engages it puts tension on the belt if you put a smaller belt on you wont be able to stop without the bike stalling hope this helps
ror1n 1 year ago
Is it really supposed to be as loose as it is in the video? I'm pretty sure its slipping when its running. And I'm not putting on a smaller belt, just a new one from Rokon. Its the same size, I was just hoping it wouldn't slip as much.
And how does it tighten? You could be right, I just haven't really seen how that would work since there's no tensioner or anything.
Mtrhd0024 1 year ago
Excellent video! I have a 72. Do you think you can post how to remove and replace the belt? You rock!
dblungshot 2 years ago
Haha thanks man! I haven't replaced my belt yet, even though I made this video a while back and had a new belt, I still haven't gotten around to replacing it. It doesn't exactly look like a 2 minute job, so I've kinda been putting it off! lol! :P But when I do replace it, I'll be sure and make a video and upload it for ya!
Mtrhd0024 2 years ago