YDS7Paul

Yes I have done a compression test and it was really good.

Hi yes I have a spark at the plugs and the bike will eventually run. It just takes so long to start, so long that you would drain the battery before it started. Once running it is not too bad but even when warm if you turn it off it is very difficult to restart.

Hi all I am still having trouble with my 1977 XS250 starting. The bike is a standard 250 with matching engine and frame numbers but has 400 barrels and head, the carbs are standard 250. First of all I was convinced it was the carbs but after exhaustive work on them and speaking to other people I am now not so sure. My last efforts were to remove the starter motor and have it checked, that was ok. Then someone who used to own one and had done the same 400 top end swap suggested changing the condenser(s). I done this Saturday and still no joy. Any theories would be welcome as I am running out of ideas.

Cheers

Thanks Drewpy do you use wemoto for your spares ?

Just read through this ha I posted in the wrong area by mistake then copied it to the correct area where some members helped me greatly. Am I missing something ? Pic of my bonnie arriving, look different now.

Managed to get the starter out ok. Was going to take somewhere to be tested. I see that to reinstall starter I would have to remove the l/h engine cover, is this difficult and do I have to drain the oil etc. Got a couple of days off so hoping to get this sorted this week thanks for your help.

I am removing the starter to get it checked, my thoughts are if it is drawing too much current it may affect the spark. Hopefully these things are serviceable as I am not sure they are still available. Will post back on the condition of the starter.

Bike started ok so checked the voltage at the battery. It was 11.8 with the engine off and 13.4 running at 3000 is this about right

Not sure it's sorted will try to start it tomorrow and see if it starts but thanks so much for your help

Charged the battery, put it on and the bl**dy thing started. All that time on the carbs ! at least I know they are good. I suspect a tired starter motor are they available does anyone know. The battery was replaced in May14 but the bike has hardly been used in that time so \I will replace that as well.

Done that and put it back together started straight up on the button. Turned it off and would not restart then battery died. Jumped it off car started ok a couple of times. Took jump leads off and wouldn't start used the kick start and it went. The electrics were supposed to be done but do you think it may be a voltage issue after all that

Checked to inlet rubbers and they are both fine, the od of the carb outlet is 31.5mm.

Hi got the carbs off and apart. They seem clean and I have taken out the jet I think you mentioned. They are both E120 and I will give them a clean and blast out. I have posted some pictures.

thanks I will check out the jets at the weekend and post back the size, also will check again on the operation of the fuel tap.

I missed the first part of your post, the choke is a lever that you push down. To start the bike I turn the tap to prime and let the bowls fill up. Then put the choke on sometimes kick it over a couple of times then use the starter. It will turn over for ages hardly firing then it will eventually fire and try to run on the r/h cylinder. If I continue it usually will start and run on both. It does not run really smoothly but I have managed to get it to tick over at around 1000rpm. Sometimes even after running for 10 - 20 mins if I turn it off it will not restart, eventually the battery dies. Thanks again for the reply.

Hi Drewpy thanks for the response I will double check the points and timing although the m/c shop said they had checked it. I wondered if when the barrels were changed the original carbs were put back and not altered.

Have posted now in new members area, with the amount of work that need doing I will be around for a long time.

Hello all I am new to this forum and have a 1978 XS250. The bike is a runner but difficult to start, It spent 6 weeks in a m/c repair shop having the voltage regulator changed and the carbs sonic cleaned along with some other diagnostic work. Eventually I just collected it as they were unable to find the starting fault and suggested new carbs. The bike it seems at some point had 400 barrels and pistons fitted. The carbs are as far as I can tell still 250 original. I have stripped and cleaned them and had the sonic cleaned but still have starting issues. Since collecting the bike I have spent quite a lot of time myself stripping, cleaning and setting up the carbs, also checking and replacing the plugs and checking the compression which was very good. Is this something you may be able to help with please.

Hello all I am new to this forum and have a 1978 XS250. The bike is a runner but difficult to start, It spent 6 weeks in a m/c repair shop having the voltage regulator changed and the carbs sonic cleaned along with some other diagnostic work. Eventually I just collected it as they were unable to find the starting fault and suggested new carbs. The bike it seems at some point had 400 barrels and pistons fitted. The carbs are as far as I can tell still 250 original. I have stripped and cleaned them and had the sonic cleaned but still have starting issues. Since collecting the bike I have spent quite a lot of time myself stripping, cleaning and setting up the carbs, also checking and replacing the plugs and checking the compression which was very good. Is this something you may be able to help with please.