Carb help

[83dr250]

I have a 83 dr 250 it is hard to start with the kick starter but it will start and idle "but roughly" when you go to give it gas it des out immediately like it's flooding or maybe not enough. It has fresh gas and all new electronics cdi,plug, wiring. I have adjusted the float screw several times and I can make it so either the bike will just idle and not accept any throttle or the bike will operate but only in the high rpm range. I believe this is the float causing this problem but I am not sure any help would be greatly appreciated.

[FLYONWALL]

After the engine has had time to warm will it still do what
your saying? My bike does the very same when I crank it
in the morning or for the first time in the day. I give the
idle screw a couple of turns and get it around 2200rpm
and let the engine get to temp. Then after that its good
to go.

However, if yours does this ALL the time I would check float
levels, and all jets pilot and mains. Also when you do spray
something like seafoam or marine decarb in those jets. Watch
in the carb throats and see how the stream is. Then use
compressed air to dry it out. I used two cans each on four
carbs, so spray away.

Oh one last thing, take those floats and put them in a bowl
of fuel while you clean. Then take them out and give them a
shake to see if its leaking into the foats at all. If not give them
a good clean with the above sprays and wipe off all the varnish.

[83dr250]

I have completely disassembled the carb and it's squeaky clean and it has a new plastic gas tank. I have not done that seafoam stuff but I dont think I need to, I cleaned the carb with some stuff called PB Catalyst it's strong stuff. So everything should be clean I just need to take it apart and check the float for leaks. It's a very simple single barrel carb with I believe only one adjustment screw and relatively few parts. The next thing I'm looking at tomorrow is the timing and valve clearances. And yes it still runs like this after it warms up only idle give it any gas at all and it sputters and dies.

[FLYONWALL]

I'm guessing here, but does it have a choke? If so is
it sticking? Also, have you checked the fuel line/filter
for blocks?

[83dr250]

yes it has a choke with 2 settings and it clicks in place "manual choke" I can't wait until I get my manual" it's in the Mail" so I can actually know what my various settings should be instead of guessing. I also read-up on some different starting techniques for DR's that may help so I'll try them too, I'm now gonna go through the float in some gas and see what happens? thanks for helping me out.I'll let you know what happens.

[FLYONWALL]

Don't know how much help I have been. Just trying to
share things that have worked for me and only hope
they work for others. I wish I could be more model
specific. Good luck

[snakeyes3602001]

hey your trying way to hard when your not looking at the obvious problem. too much air. you have to pull the plug out, and check the color. this is like the magic code when ya look at a plug, if it is dark black, your rich, meaning not enough air, if it white it will be lean, to much air. now, the only thing this helps ya with is if it is lean, then ya need to find your air leak. spray carb cleaner on the intake boot and if it jumps revs...then your boot is leaking, giving it to much air, when ya go to give it throttle. bang it dies. 90 percent of the time, when a bike does what yours is doing, it means to much air some how. usually a leak in the boots some where. but if not this, then adjust the float level, allowing more fuel in the bowls. i would go with the to much air theory though. maybe no air filter also would do it.

[83dr250]

Thanks snakeyes I hadn't even thought of the intake boot I will try that tommorow. I have now gotten it to kick over and idle as well as run a little.Here's my next question. I can kick start it and it will idle and when you give it gas it dies. but if you pull start(car towing) it by popping the clutch you can give it gas and you can ride it, it's very rough with weak power but you can ride it and change gears and all that,very strange. first thing tommorow I'm buying another new plug and checking my intake boot. And my float is not leaky I checked it today and not a drop in it completely air tight. Does anybody know wherew I can buy a carb kit for this bike it has a Mikuni Carb and it is a 1983 DR 250 I can find one for every other model year just not mine 83's have different carbs than the 80-82 model's which is the only thing I can find. And in 84 the bike was redesinged so that carb is different too.

[snakeyes3602001]

dont worry about buying a new kit, i learned a very helpful secret at the current shop i work at. some of your older mechanics will say this is not the right way to do it, but they are wrong. indian head shelack, it will seal anything, and any excess that gets in the float bowl, will just mix wit the gas and burn off right away, unlike silicone which clogs the jets. and the bike runs well when your moving already because the pistons are forced to move due to your movement already. it is to much air, i can guarantee you.

[83dr250]

Booyah it works as soon as I got the manual I checked the routing of the carb and sure enough The guy i bought it from had put the lines on incorrectly (I didn't know any better until i got the manual) and it works great starts on the first kick and just works great.