I knew it was too good to be true. 250 Hibird carb ect.....

Universal_Diver · 03-28-2008, 09:10 PM

Well I was wondering when it would start to give me issues, guess today was the lucky day. It has been running so nice. Not a burp or stutter.

Tried to start it today, and had to use the choke for the first time :? , and work the throttle a little. Wont idle at all. Once it starts, it pops and sputters if you try to maintain a steady speed, but WOT is still great.

Any ideas where to start? I have about 30 miles on it maybe.

Also I have no clue as to the correct position of the fuel valve. I was going to pull the lines and see what happens from there, but I figured since I am mad and already frustrated I would probably rip them with no replacements on hand then I would really be mad. So I came in to post on here and cool down... :wink:

03-28-2008, 09:50 PM

for fuel on you want the long end of the petcock handle aiming directly at the ground, for reserve aim it directly at the sky. if you look closely you see an arrow on the long end of the handle thingy. aim that directly at ground for on or directly at sky for reserve .. horizontal would be off.

Universal_Diver · 03-28-2008, 10:08 PM

:oops: Doh. Thanks...

Gimpdiggity · 03-28-2008, 11:03 PM

If you had no idea where to have the petcock, did putting it in the correct direction do anything?

If not, it's possible that your idle screws are turned in a bit too far. It will be a bit of a PITA to get them back out, but not TOO difficult.

Also, I wouldn't worry about having to use some choke to get it started...the choke is there because most engines are going to require it when the bike is cold. My Ninja 250 is perfectly tuned, and it needs choke to start EVERY time I start it if it hasn't been started yet that day.

If you were having issues starting it, from what it sounds like, you just flooded it.

When you use the choke, don't worry about working the throttle at all. Just turn the choke all the way on and turn it over a few times. Using the throttle while the choke is on is a great way to flood an engine really quickly.

Universal_Diver · 03-28-2008, 11:30 PM

I had the fuel valve down, so that was right.

I know a little choke is normal, but until now I have not needed it, which is odd. Why now? This is the original tank of fuel, and I have not toched any settings or anything on this bike since I got it, except to raise the idle which should not affect anything other than idle speed, which had been fine after I raised it a little.

Gimpdiggity · 03-28-2008, 11:37 PM

Well, I've been doing a TON of research on these bikes...and I JUST found this out.

I read a post over on Thumper Talk where a guy was talking about the Hi-Birds. He said that in his experience selling and using them, almost all of them should have their carbs ripped apart and cleaned before you start to ride the bike.

He mentioned something along the line of the issues that you are having being somewhat common...that after about 20-50 miles the bike will start running bad at lower RPMs. He said it's because there's a bunch of junk in the carb that starts blocking the pilot jet...which causes the bike to run like garbage in the lower RPM range. He said that after he started to clean the carbs on them before having them ridden, he hasn't had nearly as many issues with the bike in general.

I'd link you to it, but I'll be damned if I can find the post again after I JUST had it up. I can't remember for the life of me what I searched for on ThumperTalk.

mrhyak · 03-28-2008, 11:43 PM

It could actually be a case of a bunch of crud in the gas tank that makes its way into the carb. Make sure you have a fuel filter between the tank and carb!

Gimpdiggity · 03-28-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhyak

It could actually be a case of a bunch of crud in the gas tank that makes its way into the carb. Make sure you have a fuel filter between the tank and carb!

Yah, I was just thinking that too.

These things are effectively being "prepped" by the person who buys them. I saw a picture of one that some guy got and it was COVERED in dust. It was so dusty that it actually looked bad. I'm sure that a bike like that was FULL of dust in places that it really shouldn't have been.

Universal_Diver · 03-29-2008, 06:29 AM

Started taking the covers off to get to the carb. There is a little filter inline that looks clean. I might replace it with a new one anyway. Any ideas on a good type of replacement. Will remove the tank and drain it too. when thats all off I guess I will pull apart and clean the brand new carb. :roll:

Kinda blows. I wanted to ride this weekend. :evil:

I will take pics if anyone is interested. Might go by Northerntool or Harbor freight and pick up the bike lift too since I wont be riding.

warrior91 · 03-29-2008, 11:03 AM

fram makes a small inline...checkout powersports shop or lawnmower/powersaw dealer... or big azz auto parts store.

I took the tank off my 2 bikes and shook a few teaspoons of granular, black, poly shavings out before ever putting fuel in.

kczukiman · 03-29-2008, 11:26 AM

That sucks universal,Yes please take pics just incase this happens to others .I have around 42 miles on mine and so far so good.Maybe while you have it apart it would be a good thing to put new and better fule lines in as well.

Universal_Diver · 03-29-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kczukiman

Maybe while you have it apart it would be a good thing to put new and better fule lines in as well.

I was thinking the same thing. I am not really mad, I just was bummed cause it happened this weekend when I planned to go to the swamp to ride. Oh well. Its forcing me to not be my normal lazy self. I will try to take pics of what ever seems to be interesting. I want there to be more available info and pics on here about the Hi Birds.... :wink:

red2003 · 03-29-2008, 11:58 AM

It's definately starving for fuel. Pull the line off the carb and make sure it runs freely from the tank. If it does, you're probably gonna have to pull and disassemble and clean the carb. Easy job. First, locate the screw on the bottom of the float bowl. This screw opens a hole in the bottom of the carb and lets the bowl drain out. Drain the gas out for a bit and if your lucky, whatever is in there will come out. Worth a shot.

Gimpdiggity · 03-29-2008, 12:04 PM

Not necessarily starving for fuel.

It could also be running pretty rich. The sputters could be caused by the engine being bogged down. The pops can also be caused by a super-rich mixture.

mrhyak · 03-29-2008, 03:43 PM

If you buy another filter make sure you get a CLEAR one so you can
see fuel going through. It is also an easy way to see if you ran yourself
out of gas, or forgot to turn on the petcock, etc.

03-28-2008, 09:10 PM	#1
Universal_Diver Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando Florida the toilet of the south Posts: 171	I knew it was too good to be true. 250 Hibird carb ect..... Well I was wondering when it would start to give me issues, guess today was the lucky day. It has been running so nice. Not a burp or stutter. Tried to start it today, and had to use the choke for the first time :? , and work the throttle a little. Wont idle at all. Once it starts, it pops and sputters if you try to maintain a steady speed, but WOT is still great. Any ideas where to start? I have about 30 miles on it maybe. Also I have no clue as to the correct position of the fuel valve. I was going to pull the lines and see what happens from there, but I figured since I am mad and already frustrated I would probably rip them with no replacements on hand then I would really be mad. So I came in to post on here and cool down... :wink:
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03-28-2008, 11:43 PM	#7
mrhyak Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyak, WA Posts: 448	It could actually be a case of a bunch of crud in the gas tank that makes its way into the carb. Make sure you have a fuel filter between the tank and carb! __________________ 1985 Kawasaki Tecate-3 1997 Ural Sportsman 2WD 1980 Yamaha XS1100 2005 TANK Trail 200 2009 Lifan LY110GY-3 (2)
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03-29-2008, 11:03 AM	#10
warrior91 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N.E. Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 679	fram makes a small inline...checkout powersports shop or lawnmower/powersaw dealer... or big azz auto parts store. I took the tank off my 2 bikes and shook a few teaspoons of granular, black, poly shavings out before ever putting fuel in. __________________ '91 Yamaha Warrior- stage 2 '83 Honda ATC 70 '08 Yongjiang 125cc mx (Loncin) '08 Yongjiang 150cc atv (Jinlong)
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03-29-2008, 11:58 AM	#13
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,223	It's definately starving for fuel. Pull the line off the carb and make sure it runs freely from the tank. If it does, you're probably gonna have to pull and disassemble and clean the carb. Easy job. First, locate the screw on the bottom of the float bowl. This screw opens a hole in the bottom of the carb and lets the bowl drain out. Drain the gas out for a bit and if your lucky, whatever is in there will come out. Worth a shot. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2021 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 HP!
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03-29-2008, 03:43 PM	#15
mrhyak Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyak, WA Posts: 448	If you buy another filter make sure you get a CLEAR one so you can see fuel going through. It is also an easy way to see if you ran yourself out of gas, or forgot to turn on the petcock, etc. __________________ 1985 Kawasaki Tecate-3 1997 Ural Sportsman 2WD 1980 Yamaha XS1100 2005 TANK Trail 200 2009 Lifan LY110GY-3 (2)
	0

03-28-2008, 09:50 PM	#2
Guest Posts: n/a	for fuel on you want the long end of the petcock handle aiming directly at the ground, for reserve aim it directly at the sky. if you look closely you see an arrow on the long end of the handle thingy. aim that directly at ground for on or directly at sky for reserve .. horizontal would be off.
	0

03-28-2008, 10:08 PM	#3
Universal_Diver Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando Florida the toilet of the south Posts: 171	:oops: Doh. Thanks...
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03-28-2008, 11:03 PM	#4
Gimpdiggity Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jackson/Lansing, Michigan Posts: 74	If you had no idea where to have the petcock, did putting it in the correct direction do anything? If not, it's possible that your idle screws are turned in a bit too far. It will be a bit of a PITA to get them back out, but not TOO difficult. Also, I wouldn't worry about having to use some choke to get it started...the choke is there because most engines are going to require it when the bike is cold. My Ninja 250 is perfectly tuned, and it needs choke to start EVERY time I start it if it hasn't been started yet that day. If you were having issues starting it, from what it sounds like, you just flooded it. When you use the choke, don't worry about working the throttle at all. Just turn the choke all the way on and turn it over a few times. Using the throttle while the choke is on is a great way to flood an engine really quickly.
	0

03-28-2008, 11:30 PM	#5
Universal_Diver Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando Florida the toilet of the south Posts: 171	I had the fuel valve down, so that was right. I know a little choke is normal, but until now I have not needed it, which is odd. Why now? This is the original tank of fuel, and I have not toched any settings or anything on this bike since I got it, except to raise the idle which should not affect anything other than idle speed, which had been fine after I raised it a little.
	0

03-28-2008, 11:37 PM	#6
Gimpdiggity Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jackson/Lansing, Michigan Posts: 74	Well, I've been doing a TON of research on these bikes...and I JUST found this out. I read a post over on Thumper Talk where a guy was talking about the Hi-Birds. He said that in his experience selling and using them, almost all of them should have their carbs ripped apart and cleaned before you start to ride the bike. He mentioned something along the line of the issues that you are having being somewhat common...that after about 20-50 miles the bike will start running bad at lower RPMs. He said it's because there's a bunch of junk in the carb that starts blocking the pilot jet...which causes the bike to run like garbage in the lower RPM range. He said that after he started to clean the carbs on them before having them ridden, he hasn't had nearly as many issues with the bike in general. I'd link you to it, but I'll be damned if I can find the post again after I JUST had it up. I can't remember for the life of me what I searched for on ThumperTalk.
	0

03-29-2008, 06:29 AM	#9
Universal_Diver Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando Florida the toilet of the south Posts: 171	Started taking the covers off to get to the carb. There is a little filter inline that looks clean. I might replace it with a new one anyway. Any ideas on a good type of replacement. Will remove the tank and drain it too. when thats all off I guess I will pull apart and clean the brand new carb. :roll: Kinda blows. I wanted to ride this weekend. :evil: I will take pics if anyone is interested. Might go by Northerntool or Harbor freight and pick up the bike lift too since I wont be riding.
	0

03-29-2008, 11:26 AM	#11
kczukiman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Independence,Missouri Posts: 1,049	That sucks universal,Yes please take pics just incase this happens to others .I have around 42 miles on mine and so far so good.Maybe while you have it apart it would be a good thing to put new and better fule lines in as well.
	0

03-29-2008, 12:04 PM	#14
Gimpdiggity Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jackson/Lansing, Michigan Posts: 74	Not necessarily starving for fuel. It could also be running pretty rich. The sputters could be caused by the engine being bogged down. The pops can also be caused by a super-rich mixture.
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