HackSpaz Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I recently purchased a used 1982 Yamaha SR250 from a seller here in my city. When I first got the bike everything seemed fine, but now the bike occasionally has trouble starting up. It makes a low revving noise, then kinda squeals and shuts off. Sometimes I get it started, but the engine sounds weak, and then it clunks out. The bike rides ok once I manage to get it started, usually I have to pull out the fuel choke and start it again, this usually gets it working. Still, startup issues aside, the engine always sounds weak. Whenever I am idleing at a stop light and sitting in first gear, the engine sounds so slow and weak, and it sometimes cuts out. The only way to keep it from cutting out is to rev the engine constantly while standing still. I'll be honest, this is my first bike, and I'm still learning about them. I dont really know whats going on. On a side note concerning the fuel choke, it seems to have three positions: all the way in, half way out, and all the way out. There are little notches that lock it into each position. The thing im not sure about is, what position should the choke be in while riding? Does this have anything to do with why the bike has trouble, and seems to be weak? Thanks in advance for your responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirriePete Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 A few things: 1. Read this - Clicky Linky Thing, then pop an intro up. Not just forum etiquette, it also helps diagnose problems if we know where you are - f'rinstance if you're in Delhi then the choke isn't as important as it would be if you were in Alaska, no? b. Be thankful some of the grumpier bods here didn't get first dibs on this post, or you would be faced with this - More Clicky Linkage. I swear that site gets more hits from here than anywhere else! iii. Choke - full out if the engine is stone cold, knock back to ½ shortly thereafter, then once warmed up (quickly in Delhi, bit longer in Alaska), knock it right off. If you're leaving it on all the time no wonder it's stalling - poor bloody engine will be drowning in dino-juice! Conversely, if you're not using choke for a cold engine it will be like my missus in the mornings, really hard to start (she needs coffee, rather than choking, although there are times ......) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HackSpaz Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. My name is Andrew, and I live in Toronto Canada. I'm a new rider, just bought my first bike as I mentioned before, a 1982 yamaha SR250 Exciter. I love bikes, but I'm still a complete newb when it comes to dealing with upkeep and repair. Thanks for letting me know about the choke by the way. I don't ride it with the choke out, I always have it all the way in. I just wanted to be sure that this was the correct position for it. Thanks Does anyone have any other ideas about the other issues? I was wondering if it might be possible that my fuel lines need cleaning? Wondering if putting a fuel cleaner through her might help a bit. Thanks for yer help guys, sorry for my initial rude barge in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirriePete Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Is there such a thing as a rude Canadian? I thought that was unlikely, verging on the impossible .... If it's just a low tickover, have you tried tweaking the throttle stop (idle) screw - I think it's number 31 on this diagram: Other than that it's the usual suspects of cleaning carbs, checking sparks, valve clearances, battery charge state, ya-de-ya ...... I know a lot of guys in the States (that's the funny place south of you with all the burgers) swear by something called Seafoam for cleaning fuel systems - ring any bells with you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HackSpaz Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Lol yup, there is such a thing as a rude canadian, as unlikely as it sounds. Hopefully I'm not one of them, at least I try not to be. Yes I have heard of seafoam, unfortunately when I went to the store this morning they didnt have any, so I picked up another brand, and popped it in my bike with a fresh tank of gas. I'll see if that does anything after a while. I'm starting to think that the battery could be part of the problem. Sometimes the turn signals dont work right. Like if im sitting at an intersection with my turn signal on, it doesnt always flash. It lights up, but doesnt always flash. However, if I rev the engine, the turn signals begin to flash again. Weird. It could be a multitute of problems. As it is I do plan to take the bike in to a mechanic to give it a once over, but right now I'm on a tight budget so I'm trying to do as much tuning up/patch work I can on my own in the meantime. Thankfully the bike still runs fine once it gets going, it just has alot of minor quirks lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts