Bike Has Been Sitting

kodyklh
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kodyklh
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2012 10:03am
Hey guys, new to the forum not new to the sport. I looked for an introduce you self or new users thread but couldnt find it. Forgive me if im posting in the wrong section.

So i have a 2005 Honda crf 250r that has been sitting for a few years, it is nowhere near stock but its never liked starting in the cold. But i know i need to replace the fuel and oil and all fluids and plug. But i believe it may need a valve adjustment, Its taking FOREVER to start and the only way i can get it to start is if i actually twist the throttle for days just back n forth back n forth for like lets say 7 seconds.. then itll start up for a short while then bog back down till it dies. Im guessing its the fuel and old plug but i would like to hear from some of you guys.. I plan on hopping back on soon and riding some more.. i love it so much and its been so long. If maybe you can give me a list of things you believe i should change before riding or adjusting.

If you need whats been done to the engine it has all procircuit components * piston, valves,springs, rod, cam, ported head, bran new OEM crank they installed* thats about it engine wise, but this was done back in about 2007 and i havent riden the bike that often it was sort of a track practice bike at the time but i never got to actually race it -____-. So yeah guys/gals what do you think is needed to get this bike back on her wheels !?!?

Thank you for your time.

Kody
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mxb2
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mxb2 1/11/2012 12:56pm
1/11/2012 12:56pm
How many hours on bike? You buy new? Bikes history. sounds like valves, the older crfs had valve issue especially the early 250f s.
CamP
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CamP 1/11/2012 1:04pm
1/11/2012 1:04pm
The pilot jet is plugged with varnish.
kodyklh
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kodyklh 1/11/2012 1:09pm
1/11/2012 1:09pm Edited Date/Time 1/11/2012 1:11pm
I never really recorded how many hours were on the bike so thats something that was sort of stupid but at the time i never really paid attention to like ok so i rode 3 hours today etc . I did buy the bike bran new and the motor did seize when it was stock because my rad hose had a slight leak and after a ride on the track and shut the bike off it was just impossible to start and it turned out the valve had dropped... But since i upgraded to procircuit valves/top end wouldnt that remedy the stock crf valve issue ? I would imagine that the upgraded springs valves, cam etc would help that issue if not make it no longer something to worry about. Maybe im wrong.

Other than the hard start up when i do get it running it runs like a champ every time. Also the gas thats been in it has been sitting in there for over 6 months. and the plug is the same plug that was in there when i last was riding back in 09.

CamP wrote: The pilot jet is plugged with varnish.

^ thats what i was thinking, there was something blocking the passage in that jet so thats why i would have to twist so much to get a proper amount of fuel in there. But also i havent had a valve adjustment since i got the engine built in 07 or maybe it was 08 its been awhile.
mxb2
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mxb2 1/11/2012 2:35pm
1/11/2012 2:35pm
You should record all maintenance ! etc. Get a hr meter. or log it in a manual

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kodyklh
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kodyklh 1/11/2012 3:12pm
1/11/2012 3:12pm Edited Date/Time 1/11/2012 3:13pm
well i do maintain it well.. oil change after almost every 3 rides and clean the oil filter ( reusable CRT filter ) and clean air filter every about.... 10 rides .. always clear the carb before putting it away.. and i always empty air out of shocks when done for the day.. just about everything your supposed to maintain i do it. but its just this is the longest this bike has sat ever. Also now its too late to take logs now since the engine already like 5 years old. But maybe ill wright it down when/if i even rebuild the engine.
CamP
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CamP 1/11/2012 8:39pm
1/11/2012 8:39pm
The only thing that happens to a bike when it sits for long period of time is the pilot jet varnishes shut. Replace it and it will start as easily as it did before it was stored.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/12/2012 6:40am
1/12/2012 6:40am
Gas goes bad when a bike sits for a few months.....gas evaporates out but leaves the varnish/additives behind. The bike starts after twisting the throtel as the accelerator pumps raw fuel down the intake.

Pull the carb and spray can clean it
mark_swart
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mark_swart 1/12/2012 4:28pm
1/12/2012 4:28pm
If it wasn't having starting issues before you let it sit, that points to the fuel and carb. The valve spec isn't going to change from it sitting.
Definitely start with new fuel and cleaning the carb (pilot jet as mentioned above). You might be able to clean it with a very fine wire but it's a $3 part so you're best off to just put in a new one.
Also remember your air filter has been sitting that long too -- starting it in the garage is one thing but before you hit the dirt, clean/replace as necessary.
This should be an easy one, have fun!
kodyklh
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kodyklh 1/12/2012 5:43pm
1/12/2012 5:43pm
Yeah i figured it was something regarding the carb, just wanted to hear from everyone on the forum. Fortunately i have plenty of experience with the carb etc. when i got my exhaust i had to replace stock with 155 main jet, then later on i got a boysen quickshot so fortunately its not intimidating. After all the work ive put into this bike i know it from top to bottom but its just never been stored for so long so i just never had i do this before. But yeah i figure ill actually replace all jets and then take my air nozzle and blow any gunk out of it and just basically make it look and perform bran new.

Then next things to do is, change fork seals ( left one is blown) new front disk pads, spark plug, oil and just a good cleaning.



I mean im not sure what the typical time that valves are required to be adjusted ? considering i dont log my hours do would i tell that they need adjusted ?
CamP
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CamP 1/12/2012 7:41pm
1/12/2012 7:41pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2012 7:41pm
Focus on the pilot jet. It's the only one you should replace because they are too small to clean.

If you have Ti valves, you don't adjust valves. If a Ti valve gets tight, that's because it's worn out and it needs to be replaced. If your bike starts easily when it's hot, then the valves are fine.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/12/2012 9:09pm
1/12/2012 9:09pm
I have an old throtel cable that I snip 1 strand of wire off to poke through the jets. Throtel cable uses smaller strands.

Another trick to clear a really clogged jet is...hold the jet with a pair of plires and heat the end of the jet with a lighter...when it goes poof...the jet is opened up.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 1/14/2012 12:00pm
1/14/2012 12:00pm
lumpy790 wrote:
I have an old throtel cable that I snip 1 strand of wire off to poke through the jets. Throtel cable uses smaller strands. Another trick...
I have an old throtel cable that I snip 1 strand of wire off to poke through the jets. Throtel cable uses smaller strands.

Another trick to clear a really clogged jet is...hold the jet with a pair of plires and heat the end of the jet with a lighter...when it goes poof...the jet is opened up.
I'm going to try that one with the lighter sometime, makes perfect sense - thanks!
motoracer633
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motoracer633 1/14/2012 12:24pm
1/14/2012 12:24pm
a strand of a wire brush will fit too.
Bryan_Morton
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Bryan_Morton 1/14/2012 7:48pm
1/14/2012 7:48pm
no no it does not matter what kind of valves you have ti or stainless its not the valves that wear out it is the fact that the valves wear themselves into the head, that is why you adjust valves on all manufacturers machines, including street bikes atvs everything that doesnt have hydralic valve lash adjusters. after some time you may have to reface the valves but no matter what you ride you need to adjust your valves! They are super simple to check on a cfr to pull the carb like all these guys are saying to do which you do need to do, you need to pull the tank anyway, once you do that the valve cover is right there. Just check em.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/15/2012 8:47am
1/15/2012 8:47am
motoracer633 wrote:
a strand of a wire brush will fit too.
If a wire brush wire is small enough (Pretty sure its not BTW) it is very short and would be hard to work with. A piece of cable wire can be cut long as you want.

wire needs to be much smaller in diamater....then roll the jet against the side of the wire so it scrapes the debri off...not just poke a hole threw it
CamP
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CamP 1/15/2012 12:53pm
1/15/2012 12:53pm Edited Date/Time 1/15/2012 1:02pm
Bryan_Morton wrote:
no no it does not matter what kind of valves you have ti or stainless its not the valves that wear out it is the fact...
no no it does not matter what kind of valves you have ti or stainless its not the valves that wear out it is the fact that the valves wear themselves into the head, that is why you adjust valves on all manufacturers machines, including street bikes atvs everything that doesnt have hydralic valve lash adjusters. after some time you may have to reface the valves but no matter what you ride you need to adjust your valves! They are super simple to check on a cfr to pull the carb like all these guys are saying to do which you do need to do, you need to pull the tank anyway, once you do that the valve cover is right there. Just check em.
It does matter if you have Ti or Steel valves.

Ti valves are surfaced hardened to survive life against the steel valve seat. When that ultra thin hardened layer wears off, you are into the softer Ti and the worn out valve quickly closes the valve lash. If you continue to shim it, all you do is buy a few hours and wreck the valve seat in the process. Ti valves can not be refaced because it will remove the hardened layer. You should never lap a Ti valve for the same reason.

Steel valves are the same harness throughout the material so as it wears, you can adjust the lash. Steel valves can also be refaced and lapped.
motoracer633
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motoracer633 1/16/2012 9:05am
1/16/2012 9:05am
motoracer633 wrote:
a strand of a wire brush will fit too.
lumpy790 wrote:
If a wire brush wire is small enough (Pretty sure its not BTW) it is very short and would be hard to work with. A piece...
If a wire brush wire is small enough (Pretty sure its not BTW) it is very short and would be hard to work with. A piece of cable wire can be cut long as you want.

wire needs to be much smaller in diamater....then roll the jet against the side of the wire so it scrapes the debri off...not just poke a hole threw it
I use the wire brush daily as a tech. CampP hit the nail on the head. By the time you need to start adjusting its time for new valves.

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