DT 175 MX 1978 Start up problems!

[Pete of Kettering]

Hi, After an 8 month restoration i started the bike today and surprise surprise it started and runs really well, but i have a few problems!

1 Fuel leaks from the carb overflow.

2 I can't get neutral.

3 The headlights don't work, just the side light.

I would appreciate any advice

I would add a photo if i knew how

Thanks Pete.

[nayruf]

Hi Pete

Have you checked the float needle valve, if it sticks the float bowl will overflow, some times a light tap on the float bowl will re seat the valve,

If you can select neutral without the engine running then I would look at slacking off the clutch cable and re setting the clutch push rod at the actuator arm (lock nut and X head screw) then re adjusting the cable,

I think the head light will only work with the engine running, does on mine any how but my bike is older.

AJ

[Pete of Kettering]

Thanks for that, Yes i will try adjusting the clutch and i will swap the needle valve from another carb to see if that makes any difference.

Thanks again Pete.

[Cynic]

Don't swap in another one, that may be no better. Float valve seats last for years and don't fail all of a sudden. They get blamed for overflowing unfairly, people accuse that then adjust the floats when they fit the new one and magically its fixed the problem.

After a rebuild there is more likely a tiny bit of rubbish in there or the tang on floats need a tweak. I had to do my TDR a while back as that started to weep from the left carb.

One last thing, if the bike has a jack up kit its highly likely for it to leak due to the stand being short, mine is terrible for it.

[Pete of Kettering]

The forks do have 2 inch extensions but i have made the stand longer so the angle isn't a problem, i will just give it a clean and maybe adjust the tab a bit more.

Thanks for that!

PS Does anyone else have trouble putting Photos on this site?

[Airhead]

...........PS Does anyone else have trouble putting Photos on this site?

i posted one today no problem Pete

[Pete of Kettering]

Thats the carb sorted, the spring in the needle valve was dead, i replaced it along with the valve seat, it was brown and manky.

The clutch is fine but i can't understant why i can't get neutral wether the bike is running or not, I can get 1st or 2nd but it just flicks past neutral, Anyone got any ideas?

[Airhead]

maybe check the alignment marks on the selector drum?

it's in the haynes book

[Pete of Kettering]

You were right, the alignment marks were wrong , Thanks Pete.

[Airhead]

Can i be frank...It's Paul Pete