First Timer w/ Apollo 250

603Dirt · 03-09-2018, 02:40 PM

Hi guys,

27 y/o from southern NH here. I haven't been on a dirt bike consistently in over 10 years and wanted to get back in the dirt and eventually on the road after gaining some experience. I know how to turn a wrench and perform basic maintenance and and I'm interested in learning as much as I can.

I purchased a 2017 Apollo 250 with roughly 10 hours on it (or so the previous owner says) for cheap money on Craigslist a few weeks back. I've been on this forum a few times and look forward to posting and interacting with you all.

Since I got the bike, I've taken the stickers off and cleaned the plastics, fussed around with the air filter (what a pain in the ass!) and plan on changing the fluids and maybe the carb if necessary. The previous owner replaced the OG battery with a 12V EverStart AGM Power Sport (Walmart brand) dry cell battery with two pieces of OSB stacked next to it to keep it in position!

What I've started working on:
-I can hear the electric start click when I press it but it has not worked. It starts right up with a few kicks but idles rough unless you hammer on it. I suspect that the battery might be playing a role with the electric start and that the old gas and OG carb might be causing the rough idle but welcome any suggestions.
-I've seen a Youtube video on changing the oil on one of these 250's and they recommended cleaning the filter with brake fluid and then reusing it. I'm leaning towards just purchasing a replacement filter depending on its condition and was hoping you guys could provide me a resource to purchase one.

Weldangrind · 03-12-2018, 10:54 AM

Welcome!
Did the previous owner change the carb? If it is a Keihin clone, it will have three bowl screws; Mikuni carbs have four. Your bike would likely have originally had three bowl screws. What are the jet numbers?
I'd be more inclined to use Super Clean on the air filter, or even just dish soap and water, rather than brake fluid. I use a pod filter instead of the stock airbox; this is my favourite: https://www.ebay.com/itm/42mm-Angled...FaDM7N&vxp=mtr

603Dirt · 03-12-2018, 06:03 PM

I have to double check on the carb and will make sure to re-post afterwards.

It would be quite silly to clean an oil filter with brake fluid - I meant brake cleaner! Do you have an oil filter that you recommend?

Thanks for sharing that link to the air filter!

kirbo7106 · 03-12-2018, 09:38 PM

Welcome to the forum! Now that’s how you post your introduction WITH Pictures!!! Keep us posted on your adventures!

Enjoy the Ride!

Weldangrind · 03-13-2018, 11:04 AM

I misunderstood your post. Yes, go ahead and clean your oil strainer with brake cleaner, although even WD-40 is suitable for that.

BMF · 03-13-2018, 11:20 AM

I'm from NH also! Check out Clough State park for some great trail riding. Sucks the trail don't open until may 23rd. Good luck!

2LZ · 03-13-2018, 12:51 PM

Welcome to the forum!
The Apollo 250. One of the very few CB's legal in CA.

603Dirt · 05-13-2018, 10:57 AM

Hey guys,

I've been MIA for awhile but I'm back and gearing up for when the trails open.

I've yet to replace the carb on this bike and I'm hoping to soon and just want to confirm which carb I should get. I'm attaching pictures of what's on it now and am looking for recommendations.

Its_not_a_honda · 05-13-2018, 01:16 PM

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KEIH...311.0.0.l5NYNn

I put this setup on mine. Makes a world of difference. Almost like a totally different bike. You get to pick the color of grips. They are nice grips BTW. I already had some jets so I changed the main to a 115 and moved the needle up one notch. Here is the link to what I did: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=21082

I have not tried the mikuni carb that everyone on here recommends... yet. I have no doubt that it is an excellent carb too. I may try it just to see how it performs.

Weldangrind · 05-13-2018, 06:44 PM

This is the type I've installed several times: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mikuni-VM26...cAAOSwg7pa-Iy6

603Dirt · 06-10-2018, 05:56 PM

Hey guys,

I finally got time to order and install the Mikuni carb and pod air filter recommended by Weldangrind above.

I'm not sure if this is the standard procedure but I had to lower the sub/rear frame as well as the shock to get better access to the air filter box and the carb. Since the battery mount is connected to the air filter box I'm going to have to rig something to hold the battery and welcome all suggestions.

The air filter fits kind of snug (too snug?) to the shock and I'm worried that it will wear prematurely. Also, there were two hoses that connected to the air box before and I'm not sure where those should go now. Any thoughts on this?

Installing the carb was pretty straight forward although the bike is still running rough and bogging out. I think the next step is to adjust the needle and jet and see how things go from there. It also has old gas in it so maybe that's affecting this as well.

I appreciate all your recommendations and feedback!

603Dirt · 06-10-2018, 05:58 PM

And here's another image of the air filter from above.

Any guess on whether the welds on the bracket that mounts the shock to the frame are original? The previous owner noted that he cut down the starter lever so I wouldn't put it past him to do that too although I'm not sure if/how that could be beneficial.

Weldangrind · 06-11-2018, 10:42 AM

The welds on the frame look original to me.
What did you use to oil the new filter?
My filter also pushes hard against the side, but no harm has come to it.
Have you purchased new jets for your carb?
What elevation are you at?

603Dirt · 07-11-2018, 01:16 PM

Hey Weldangrind,

Sorry for the long delay. Busy summer so far but I'm looking to invest more time in this to get ready to ride for later this summer into the fall.

In NH I'm anywhere between sea level and 1500' above it. Would you recommend changing the stock Mikuni jets and does it make a difference whether I'm at 200' 500' or 1500' ? I plan on taking the bike through the state to different elevations and want to plan accordingly.

There were two hoses that connected to the air box before and I'm not sure where those should go now?

603Dirt · 07-11-2018, 01:20 PM

If changing the jets doesn't solve the idling/bogging down issues I suspect I should look into replacing the spark plug and if all else fails adjusting the valves. How hard is it to adjust the valves?

I've watched this video on Youtube
where he explains how to do it but doesn't exactly show how to do.

03-12-2018, 10:54 AM	#2
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! Did the previous owner change the carb? If it is a Keihin clone, it will have three bowl screws; Mikuni carbs have four. Your bike would likely have originally had three bowl screws. What are the jet numbers? I'd be more inclined to use Super Clean on the air filter, or even just dish soap and water, rather than brake fluid. I use a pod filter instead of the stock airbox; this is my favourite: https://www.ebay.com/itm/42mm-Angled...FaDM7N&vxp=mtr __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-12-2018, 09:38 PM	#4
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	Hello! Welcome to the forum! Now that’s how you post your introduction WITH Pictures!!! Keep us posted on your adventures! Enjoy the Ride! __________________ Dan-O -2018 Tao Tao HellCat - DOA -2016 Hawk 250 - Kitty Hawk - eBay exhaust, Mikuni carb(120 main/30 Pilot), airbox mod with K&N filter, digital cluster, total LEDs, 17/45 sprockets, RK chain, Shinko 244 tires, trunk, aftermarket levers, burrito tube, skid plate, Sargent Cycle Seat... -2003 HD Sportster 100th Anniversary -1999 Buell X-1 Lightning - Race kit, Buell Seat
	0

03-13-2018, 11:04 AM	#5
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I misunderstood your post. Yes, go ahead and clean your oil strainer with brake cleaner, although even WD-40 is suitable for that. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-13-2018, 12:51 PM	#7
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,092	Welcome to the forum! The Apollo 250. One of the very few CB's legal in CA. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	0

05-13-2018, 01:16 PM	#9
Its_not_a_honda Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 410	https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KEIH...311.0.0.l5NYNn I put this setup on mine. Makes a world of difference. Almost like a totally different bike. You get to pick the color of grips. They are nice grips BTW. I already had some jets so I changed the main to a 115 and moved the needle up one notch. Here is the link to what I did: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=21082 I have not tried the mikuni carb that everyone on here recommends... yet. I have no doubt that it is an excellent carb too. I may try it just to see how it performs. __________________ 2020 Kawasaki KLX300R, 2018 Yamaha TW200 If you want more of something, tax it less. If you want less of something, tax it more.
	0

03-12-2018, 06:03 PM	#3
603Dirt Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southern NH Posts: 7	I have to double check on the carb and will make sure to re-post afterwards. It would be quite silly to clean an oil filter with brake fluid - I meant brake cleaner! Do you have an oil filter that you recommend? Thanks for sharing that link to the air filter!
	0

03-13-2018, 11:20 AM	#6
BMF Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 24	I'm from NH also! Check out Clough State park for some great trail riding. Sucks the trail don't open until may 23rd. Good luck!
	0

05-13-2018, 06:44 PM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	This is the type I've installed several times: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mikuni-VM26...cAAOSwg7pa-Iy6 __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

06-11-2018, 10:42 AM	#13
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	The welds on the frame look original to me. What did you use to oil the new filter? My filter also pushes hard against the side, but no harm has come to it. Have you purchased new jets for your carb? What elevation are you at? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

07-11-2018, 01:16 PM	#14
603Dirt Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southern NH Posts: 7	Hey Weldangrind, Sorry for the long delay. Busy summer so far but I'm looking to invest more time in this to get ready to ride for later this summer into the fall. In NH I'm anywhere between sea level and 1500' above it. Would you recommend changing the stock Mikuni jets and does it make a difference whether I'm at 200' 500' or 1500' ? I plan on taking the bike through the state to different elevations and want to plan accordingly. There were two hoses that connected to the air box before and I'm not sure where those should go now?
	0

07-11-2018, 01:20 PM	#15
603Dirt Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southern NH Posts: 7	If changing the jets doesn't solve the idling/bogging down issues I suspect I should look into replacing the spark plug and if all else fails adjusting the valves. How hard is it to adjust the valves? I've watched this video on Youtube where he explains how to do it but doesn't exactly show how to do.
	0