125/150/250/300 KTM/HUS/GG jetting thread

AJ565
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San Antonio, TX, USA
6/11/2022 4:04pm
etters312 wrote:
I dropped the needle down to the 1 position for the clip. Still lots of smoke. Bog off idle like to start moving. If I turn...
I dropped the needle down to the 1 position for the clip. Still lots of smoke. Bog off idle like to start moving. If I turn the air screw in the whole way it doesn't bog but still lots of smoke. I'm going to switch from Castor 927 to Amsoil dominator. Would you think I'd need to change my mix ratio or my pilot jet size also? Needle with clip in the 1 position and air screw all the way in would be leaning out my pilot correct?
FGR01 wrote:
Air screw all the way in is completely closing off the air passage way. Max rich. Try going the other way. Start at 1.5 open and...
Air screw all the way in is completely closing off the air passage way. Max rich. Try going the other way. Start at 1.5 open and work more open in 1/4 turn increments blipping the throttle until you get best/clean response. If you need to go more than 2.25 turns open it's time to start thinking about a leaner pilot.

yeah, I agree with getting rid of the 927 and copying AJ's oil and ratio.
etters312 wrote:
Turning screw out made it worse so I guess I'm too lean. I moved needle clip to 3 spot. (3rd down from the top) and It...
Turning screw out made it worse so I guess I'm too lean. I moved needle clip to 3 spot. (3rd down from the top) and It works decent with the screw at 1.0 turns out. Might try to move clip to the 4 position and see if it runs and cleaner. It's still not very crisp right at the bottom.
What exactly is the jetting you have in the bike now and what did you replace? Just so we’re on the same page here.
etters312
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Karthaus, PA, USA
6/11/2022 4:33pm
FGR01 wrote:
Air screw all the way in is completely closing off the air passage way. Max rich. Try going the other way. Start at 1.5 open and...
Air screw all the way in is completely closing off the air passage way. Max rich. Try going the other way. Start at 1.5 open and work more open in 1/4 turn increments blipping the throttle until you get best/clean response. If you need to go more than 2.25 turns open it's time to start thinking about a leaner pilot.

yeah, I agree with getting rid of the 927 and copying AJ's oil and ratio.
etters312 wrote:
Turning screw out made it worse so I guess I'm too lean. I moved needle clip to 3 spot. (3rd down from the top) and It...
Turning screw out made it worse so I guess I'm too lean. I moved needle clip to 3 spot. (3rd down from the top) and It works decent with the screw at 1.0 turns out. Might try to move clip to the 4 position and see if it runs and cleaner. It's still not very crisp right at the bottom.
AJ565 wrote:
What exactly is the jetting you have in the bike now and what did you replace? Just so we’re on the same page here.
Solid jetting if you're someone that doesn't live on top end. Crisp down low out of turns pull.
MJ 490
PJ 32.5
AS 1.5 turns out
Needle jet S4 (KTM part #55431021400) stock is S1
Needle 42-75 on the 2nd clip (Yamaha part #284-14116-H5-00)
Slide 5.5 (Kawasaki part 16025-0002)
PV 1.75 turns in from all the way out
Fuel mix 50:1

This is what is currently all in the bike now. Except Needle clip is on 3rd position at the moment. And it still falls on its face with air screw 1.5 turns out. I replaced the jet block gasket with the JD kit also. At 1 turn out it doesn't fall on its face but it's still sluggish. Runs best with air screw all the way in or almost all the way in.
etters312
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Karthaus, PA, USA
6/12/2022 11:56am
etters312 wrote:
Turning screw out made it worse so I guess I'm too lean. I moved needle clip to 3 spot. (3rd down from the top) and It...
Turning screw out made it worse so I guess I'm too lean. I moved needle clip to 3 spot. (3rd down from the top) and It works decent with the screw at 1.0 turns out. Might try to move clip to the 4 position and see if it runs and cleaner. It's still not very crisp right at the bottom.
AJ565 wrote:
What exactly is the jetting you have in the bike now and what did you replace? Just so we’re on the same page here.
etters312 wrote:
Solid jetting if you're someone that doesn't live on top end. Crisp down low out of turns pull. MJ 490 PJ 32.5 AS 1.5 turns out...
Solid jetting if you're someone that doesn't live on top end. Crisp down low out of turns pull.
MJ 490
PJ 32.5
AS 1.5 turns out
Needle jet S4 (KTM part #55431021400) stock is S1
Needle 42-75 on the 2nd clip (Yamaha part #284-14116-H5-00)
Slide 5.5 (Kawasaki part 16025-0002)
PV 1.75 turns in from all the way out
Fuel mix 50:1

This is what is currently all in the bike now. Except Needle clip is on 3rd position at the moment. And it still falls on its face with air screw 1.5 turns out. I replaced the jet block gasket with the JD kit also. At 1 turn out it doesn't fall on its face but it's still sluggish. Runs best with air screw all the way in or almost all the way in.
Update.... jetting is perfect. Shitty gas was my problem. I live in the middle of nowhere and my town just recently got a gas station. I believe I was the first person to use the ethanol free 90 pump. I questioned the guy about how dark the gas was but he insisted it was normal. Just mixed a jug of amsoil interceptor 60:1 and the gas was a much lighter color this time. Bike runs perfect. Pretty much no smoke at all anymore after it burnt everything that was in the carb. Not sure if the gas was dirty from the new system or if they had some kind of treatment that was in the lines or what.
1
AJ565
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6/12/2022 1:07pm
etters312 wrote:
Update.... jetting is perfect. Shitty gas was my problem. I live in the middle of nowhere and my town just recently got a gas station. I...
Update.... jetting is perfect. Shitty gas was my problem. I live in the middle of nowhere and my town just recently got a gas station. I believe I was the first person to use the ethanol free 90 pump. I questioned the guy about how dark the gas was but he insisted it was normal. Just mixed a jug of amsoil interceptor 60:1 and the gas was a much lighter color this time. Bike runs perfect. Pretty much no smoke at all anymore after it burnt everything that was in the carb. Not sure if the gas was dirty from the new system or if they had some kind of treatment that was in the lines or what.
That’ll do it. After reading your other post I was like something else has to be wrong. Chances are that they had something else in that tank that shouldn’t have been in there. Maybe some diesel by mistake or some kind of oil they tested the pumps with. I’ve had bad pump gas get me twice, but I never had any smoke with it.

The Shop

Bart149
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Centuria, WI, USA
6/20/2022 7:41am

KTM 125SX Jetting. We have two 125s with the jetting listed on the first page and it works very good. I am just trying to fine tune it a bit more for the Temp. Trying to read the spark plug. It looks rich at idle and lean on the top end? This is my sons race bike and he lives on the top end most of the time. How do I know if it is lean on the top end?
FGR01
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6/20/2022 8:20am
Bart149 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/06/20/555967/s1200_20220620Plug1.jpg[/img] [b]KTM 125SX Jetting[/b]. We have two 125s with the jetting listed on the first page and it works very good. I am just trying to...

KTM 125SX Jetting. We have two 125s with the jetting listed on the first page and it works very good. I am just trying to fine tune it a bit more for the Temp. Trying to read the spark plug. It looks rich at idle and lean on the top end? This is my sons race bike and he lives on the top end most of the time. How do I know if it is lean on the top end?
What fuel, oil, and ratio are you using? These can affect the jetting.

You can check the main jet by either doing a WOT plug chop test or simply just keep going richer on the main until it gets too thick on top and you start losing the ability to rev out cleanly, then back it off 1 or 2 sizes to the sweet spot.

Bart149
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6/20/2022 8:53am
Mix of pump and race gas. 40:1 Maxima K2
atrdrvr7
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Houston, TX, USA
6/23/2022 7:18am
Just installed AJ's specs off page 1 in my 2021 TC250. Mostly ride in Conroe,TX. Elevation 205', temps have been in high 90's pushing into 100 range. I ride all MX.

Bike runs flawlessly! Jetting has never been better. I almost pulled the trigger on a Lectron so glad I didn't. Currently running VP110 mixed with pump 93, 50:1. Thanks for the hook up!
2
AJ565
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6/23/2022 1:30pm
atrdrvr7 wrote:
Just installed AJ's specs off page 1 in my 2021 TC250. Mostly ride in Conroe,TX. Elevation 205', temps have been in high 90's pushing into 100...
Just installed AJ's specs off page 1 in my 2021 TC250. Mostly ride in Conroe,TX. Elevation 205', temps have been in high 90's pushing into 100 range. I ride all MX.

Bike runs flawlessly! Jetting has never been better. I almost pulled the trigger on a Lectron so glad I didn't. Currently running VP110 mixed with pump 93, 50:1. Thanks for the hook up!
I have many hours at 3P with this jetting and it’s always been great there.
1
Tuplavee
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7/8/2022 11:07am Edited Date/Time 7/8/2022 12:12pm
AJ565 wrote:
You’ll never get it right, the slide is the problem. Countless people have tried and they are just trying to put a bandaid on the problem...
You’ll never get it right, the slide is the problem. Countless people have tried and they are just trying to put a bandaid on the problem inside of fixing it. You can go back through the thread and see that and then they swap the parts and agree that it’s worth it. If cost is a factor for you then way back in this thread somewhere there is measurements to modify the slide yourself or you can even send it out and have it modified pretty cheap.
Tuplavee wrote:
No need to perfect, just optimal with stock parts:) Ok, I'll at least keep looking for slides, maybe my wallet will look another way sometime... So...
No need to perfect, just optimal with stock partsSmile

Ok, I'll at least keep looking for slides, maybe my wallet will look another way sometime...
So 5.75 would be only route for all temperatures even at 0C/32F? Not 5.0 or 5.5?
AJ565 wrote:
You can go with the 5.5 slide setup if you’d like as well. I’ve run the 5.75 slide in the upper 30’s and needed to move...
You can go with the 5.5 slide setup if you’d like as well. I’ve run the 5.75 slide in the upper 30’s and needed to move the clip on the needle one position and put one side bigger pilot in it.
Ok AJ, you were right.
It's better, feels very different.
I'd say crisp, smooth and not so "exciting" on 0 - 3/4 throttle, goes longer on high revs.
Plug color after three sand track sets was about perfect for my understanding.

Did my PB gps laptime on my local track so cant be bad...

Current setup:
RON95E10
50:1 Castrol
PV yellow 1,5 turns in
AS 1,5 turns out
Slide 5.5
MJ 490
PJ 32,5
Needle 6BFY43-75 , 2nd clip (42-75 in order but might not change)
S4 needle jet
Tested at 100m / 23 Celsius

Thanks for crawfishoo for overseas shipping of the slide&jets
1
7/8/2022 5:47pm
Tuplavee wrote:
Ok AJ, you were right. It's better, feels very different. I'd say crisp, smooth and not so "exciting" on 0 - 3/4 throttle, goes longer on...
Ok AJ, you were right.
It's better, feels very different.
I'd say crisp, smooth and not so "exciting" on 0 - 3/4 throttle, goes longer on high revs.
Plug color after three sand track sets was about perfect for my understanding.

Did my PB gps laptime on my local track so cant be bad...

Current setup:
RON95E10
50:1 Castrol
PV yellow 1,5 turns in
AS 1,5 turns out
Slide 5.5
MJ 490
PJ 32,5
Needle 6BFY43-75 , 2nd clip (42-75 in order but might not change)
S4 needle jet
Tested at 100m / 23 Celsius

Thanks for crawfishoo for overseas shipping of the slide&jets
Glad it made it to you okay!
AJ565
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San Antonio, TX, USA
7/8/2022 6:25pm
Tuplavee wrote:
No need to perfect, just optimal with stock parts:) Ok, I'll at least keep looking for slides, maybe my wallet will look another way sometime... So...
No need to perfect, just optimal with stock partsSmile

Ok, I'll at least keep looking for slides, maybe my wallet will look another way sometime...
So 5.75 would be only route for all temperatures even at 0C/32F? Not 5.0 or 5.5?
AJ565 wrote:
You can go with the 5.5 slide setup if you’d like as well. I’ve run the 5.75 slide in the upper 30’s and needed to move...
You can go with the 5.5 slide setup if you’d like as well. I’ve run the 5.75 slide in the upper 30’s and needed to move the clip on the needle one position and put one side bigger pilot in it.
Tuplavee wrote:
Ok AJ, you were right. It's better, feels very different. I'd say crisp, smooth and not so "exciting" on 0 - 3/4 throttle, goes longer on...
Ok AJ, you were right.
It's better, feels very different.
I'd say crisp, smooth and not so "exciting" on 0 - 3/4 throttle, goes longer on high revs.
Plug color after three sand track sets was about perfect for my understanding.

Did my PB gps laptime on my local track so cant be bad...

Current setup:
RON95E10
50:1 Castrol
PV yellow 1,5 turns in
AS 1,5 turns out
Slide 5.5
MJ 490
PJ 32,5
Needle 6BFY43-75 , 2nd clip (42-75 in order but might not change)
S4 needle jet
Tested at 100m / 23 Celsius

Thanks for crawfishoo for overseas shipping of the slide&jets
Have you tried to put a 500 main in it yet? Between the 490 and 500 I was able to pick up a few mph with the extra top end over rev.
Tuplavee
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FI
7/12/2022 5:21am
AJ565 wrote:
Have you tried to put a 500 main in it yet? Between the 490 and 500 I was able to pick up a few mph with...
Have you tried to put a 500 main in it yet? Between the 490 and 500 I was able to pick up a few mph with the extra top end over rev.
Put 500 in for today., even better. Also changed to red PV spring...👍
2SmokeCJ
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Browns Valley, CA, USA
7/12/2022 9:14am
Hey AJ or anyone else who knows. Will the 125 jetting on the first page work on my 22’ TC 125 with a full fmf kit?
FGR01
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7/12/2022 10:49am Edited Date/Time 7/12/2022 10:52am
2SmokeCJ wrote:
Hey AJ or anyone else who knows. Will the 125 jetting on the first page work on my 22’ TC 125 with a full fmf kit?
I'll try to summarize the 28 pages in a manner that should help with your 22-TC125.

Answer is yes, the jetting is a very good starting point for your bike. I have a 2021-TC125 and am running a close variation of page 1 (my exact specs on later posts throughout)

"Do I really need to buy the slide, etc ?" - YES, you need all the parts to do it right. The slide is the most important part. You are wasting your time dancing around the real issue if you try to shortcut without the slide.

Also, there is a known prob with the 2022 model 125/150. Some bikes just don't seem to jet correctly. Some users on here have tried swapping to known good carbs which seems to fix the prob. So, there is a hypothesis that there is something inherently wrong with some 2022 stock Mikuni carbs that will not allow them to run correctly no matter what jetting.

FMF system - yes, no problem. I am running full-FMF on my bike. I have also used stock, and Bill's. There is very little jetting difference between any of them. It's really just small fine tuning which you'll be doing anyway based on what fuel, oil, and ratio you use and environmental conditions.
2
2SmokeCJ
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7/12/2022 11:30am
2SmokeCJ wrote:
Hey AJ or anyone else who knows. Will the 125 jetting on the first page work on my 22’ TC 125 with a full fmf kit?
FGR01 wrote:
I'll try to summarize the 28 pages in a manner that should help with your 22-TC125. Answer is yes, the jetting is a very good starting...
I'll try to summarize the 28 pages in a manner that should help with your 22-TC125.

Answer is yes, the jetting is a very good starting point for your bike. I have a 2021-TC125 and am running a close variation of page 1 (my exact specs on later posts throughout)

"Do I really need to buy the slide, etc ?" - YES, you need all the parts to do it right. The slide is the most important part. You are wasting your time dancing around the real issue if you try to shortcut without the slide.

Also, there is a known prob with the 2022 model 125/150. Some bikes just don't seem to jet correctly. Some users on here have tried swapping to known good carbs which seems to fix the prob. So, there is a hypothesis that there is something inherently wrong with some 2022 stock Mikuni carbs that will not allow them to run correctly no matter what jetting.

FMF system - yes, no problem. I am running full-FMF on my bike. I have also used stock, and Bill's. There is very little jetting difference between any of them. It's really just small fine tuning which you'll be doing anyway based on what fuel, oil, and ratio you use and environmental conditions.
Thanks for the reply man, it helped a lot.
1
dwight955
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Hillsboro, MO, USA
7/23/2022 9:38am
I have two questions about these jetting specs. I have a 2022 MC125 that did seem to run rich. I got all the parts listed on page 1 of this thread, installed a new jet block gasket checked float level, seemed in spec, put Al new jets and parts on, started bike up and had a big bog between 1/3 and 1/2 throttle. I couldn't smooth it out with needle clip position, so I put stock jetting back. Bike runs rich as before but bog is gone. Then I heard of these KTM 125/150 engines maybe having sticking powevalves could this cause bog? Also does the white pigtail map adjustment effect the jetting. Sorry about this being so long, I did not intend to write a document. Just trying to be accurate.
Thank you.
AJ565
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San Antonio, TX, USA
7/23/2022 1:54pm
dwight955 wrote:
I have two questions about these jetting specs. I have a 2022 MC125 that did seem to run rich. I got all the parts listed on...
I have two questions about these jetting specs. I have a 2022 MC125 that did seem to run rich. I got all the parts listed on page 1 of this thread, installed a new jet block gasket checked float level, seemed in spec, put Al new jets and parts on, started bike up and had a big bog between 1/3 and 1/2 throttle. I couldn't smooth it out with needle clip position, so I put stock jetting back. Bike runs rich as before but bog is gone. Then I heard of these KTM 125/150 engines maybe having sticking powevalves could this cause bog? Also does the white pigtail map adjustment effect the jetting. Sorry about this being so long, I did not intend to write a document. Just trying to be accurate.
Thank you.
This is a known problem with the ‘22’s. Go back a couple pages and it doesn’t matter the jetting or carb people are having problems.
jcp411
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Denton, TX, USA
7/23/2022 3:56pm Edited Date/Time 7/23/2022 3:58pm
dwight955 wrote:
I have two questions about these jetting specs. I have a 2022 MC125 that did seem to run rich. I got all the parts listed on...
I have two questions about these jetting specs. I have a 2022 MC125 that did seem to run rich. I got all the parts listed on page 1 of this thread, installed a new jet block gasket checked float level, seemed in spec, put Al new jets and parts on, started bike up and had a big bog between 1/3 and 1/2 throttle. I couldn't smooth it out with needle clip position, so I put stock jetting back. Bike runs rich as before but bog is gone. Then I heard of these KTM 125/150 engines maybe having sticking powevalves could this cause bog? Also does the white pigtail map adjustment effect the jetting. Sorry about this being so long, I did not intend to write a document. Just trying to be accurate.
Thank you.
Put a Keihin 38 pkw on it and all will be good! I have a 22 ktm 125 did all the mikuni changes slide too. Still had a bog. Bought a keihin and the bike runs great. I think there’s something wrong with the air screw on the mikuni cause no matter how much i turned it made no difference. Bad casting who knows but i wasted way to much time messing with it.
86rustbucket
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Metamora, IL, USA
8/22/2022 7:02pm
2019 TC250
Running the jetting specs on page 1, with the exception of 60:1, 1.5 gallons 93 pump with 0.5 gallons of VPR and Motorex cross power 2T oil
Bike has been running awesome, until yesterday….
About 800 ft elevation, central IL
Bike has a ProCircuit pipe, ProCircuit 304 silencer, VForce V4 reeds, vented airbox cover
Just did a top end at 58 hours, ran a few local races & practices, then a regional, then our motos at the ranch, the bike has not been babied, we are at 73 hours and ran into a overheating issue yesterday, pulled the top end and found signs of detonation on the head. Big score on the exhaust side of the piston next as shown.

Question is, are we jetted too lean or is it the mix 55:1 vs 60:1 an issue (I would think 55:1 would be more prone to detonation from a lean condition)

FGR01
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Fantasy
8/23/2022 11:28am
2019 TC250 Running the jetting specs on page 1, with the exception of 60:1, 1.5 gallons 93 pump with 0.5 gallons of VPR and Motorex cross...
2019 TC250
Running the jetting specs on page 1, with the exception of 60:1, 1.5 gallons 93 pump with 0.5 gallons of VPR and Motorex cross power 2T oil
Bike has been running awesome, until yesterday….
About 800 ft elevation, central IL
Bike has a ProCircuit pipe, ProCircuit 304 silencer, VForce V4 reeds, vented airbox cover
Just did a top end at 58 hours, ran a few local races & practices, then a regional, then our motos at the ranch, the bike has not been babied, we are at 73 hours and ran into a overheating issue yesterday, pulled the top end and found signs of detonation on the head. Big score on the exhaust side of the piston next as shown.

Question is, are we jetted too lean or is it the mix 55:1 vs 60:1 an issue (I would think 55:1 would be more prone to detonation from a lean condition)

yeah the difference between 55:1 and 60:1 is negligible.

My first thought is you developed an air leak. Jetting doesn't change itself and suddenly "go bad" and unless environmental conditions had a drastic change that would explain it, it's likely an air leak. Being summer time, if anything the bike should be getting richer from the weather, not leaner.

The carbon pattern makes me think you developed this lean condition (likely air leak) rather recently and suddenly. It looks like there's the original carbon with some piston washing around the edges, like you'd want to see.. and then the clean edges started also getting carboned recently from the newfound heat.

Another thought... that wrist pin got really hot. I'd either swap pistons and pins more often and/or drill some oiling holes in the pin bores in the piston.
86rustbucket
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8/23/2022 11:59am
Thanks for the input FGR, one of the things we did right before Loretta’s was added the vented air box lid and the VForce reeds. I’m thinking of going back to the stock reed block just in case we are pulling excess air in there and non vented cover, especially as we get closer to cooler months and denser air.
FGR01
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8/23/2022 2:13pm
Thanks for the input FGR, one of the things we did right before Loretta’s was added the vented air box lid and the VForce reeds. I’m...
Thanks for the input FGR, one of the things we did right before Loretta’s was added the vented air box lid and the VForce reeds. I’m thinking of going back to the stock reed block just in case we are pulling excess air in there and non vented cover, especially as we get closer to cooler months and denser air.
Yeah, you might be on to something with those 2 changes. Also, in the process of putting on a new reed block you might have not gotten it sealed up well. I've had some issues with some V-Force in the past. Make sure you've got the right gaskets in the right places and then put a thin coat of Moto-Seal or some other highly gas resistant sealant on the gaskets. Let it tack up a little before reassembly.
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AJ565
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8/23/2022 7:27pm
I’d say that vented cover was the cause. I have a rad valve in my bike and it didn’t change the jetting at all and I have around 30 hours on that. I’ve never tested this jetting with a vented cover since my 2018 didn’t come with one.
1
JB722
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Sebastian, FL, USA
8/24/2022 5:37pm Edited Date/Time 8/24/2022 6:30pm
Hey guys, I guess I’ll post here also. I picked up a 19 125sx that had been sitting for a few years. Found the jet block gasket was trashed and replaced it. Bike still ran like trash. Ordered the went down on the pilot, that helped. Installed the 42-74 needle and that almost 90 % cleaned up the mid range. This past weekend I installed the 5.0 slide and went up to a 490 mj but left the s7 needle. The bike ran absolutely perfect until it didn’t. I lost the bottom rod bearing at the end of a 30 min moto.
Mods: gizmo mods reed block
Fmf shorty that came with the bike
PJ: 32.5
Needle 42-74 pos 2
Needle jet: s7
Slide 5.0
Mj: 490
Amsoil dominator 32:1 Sunoco leaded 110/rec90 50/50
The track I was at is fast, and deep sugar sand. I’m at sea level in Florida temp was about 95*. I run B class towards the front in harescrambles, local moto, and the bike was wfo most of the time. I’m trying to avoid this again lol. Do I go straight to a 540mj and go from there? The bike never once hinted it was lean, and pulled clean from bottom to the top with zero bog. I prefer to stay with 32:1. The piston and rings looked great to be honest, rings were free as can be. Bike will be back together by the weekend, as I got the crank back today. Just looking for opinions so this doesn’t happen again lol.
AJ565
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8/24/2022 6:35pm
It probably wasn’t a lean lock or the I’d expect the piston to show signs too. Since it’s been sitting a long time there’s a chance it could have had some pitting on the bearings from flash rust since it’s humid there. Maybe it sucked a little sand. You never know what could have been in the bottom end just floating around.

That said, a few pages back there is some other 125 jetting that others have had luck with. You can put a 540 main jet in, but as digger has pointed out before that the carb isn’t capable of flowing that so it doesn’t matter if it’s in there or not that small bore is only able to pull so much fuel. One of these days I’ll go back and find it and update the first page.
JB722
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Sebastian, FL, USA
8/24/2022 7:51pm
Right on. Thanks AJ. I expected the plug to be ghost white but it’s not bad at all. I was in a rush splitting the case and didn’t really look at much. Getting a better look at the piston now that I’ve got it back with the new rod on the crank it’s got some definite signs on intake and exhaust side of lack of lubrication but I’ve seen worse. I was told this bike had a new top end at 30 hours. I’ve put 8 on it and pulled 50 hour pistons out of my wife’s 150 that look 10x’s better. The previous owner also used one time use filters that are junk. The same filters I’ve had previous experience with not enough oil on them and sucking dirt. Nevertheless here I am lol. Actual crank side bearings feel great. Wrist pin and bearing are showing signs of lean/not enough oil also and the guy that did my crank today agreed.


FGR01
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Location
USA
Fantasy
8/24/2022 8:26pm
JB722 wrote:
Hey guys, I guess I’ll post here also. I picked up a 19 125sx that had been sitting for a few years. Found the jet block...
Hey guys, I guess I’ll post here also. I picked up a 19 125sx that had been sitting for a few years. Found the jet block gasket was trashed and replaced it. Bike still ran like trash. Ordered the went down on the pilot, that helped. Installed the 42-74 needle and that almost 90 % cleaned up the mid range. This past weekend I installed the 5.0 slide and went up to a 490 mj but left the s7 needle. The bike ran absolutely perfect until it didn’t. I lost the bottom rod bearing at the end of a 30 min moto.
Mods: gizmo mods reed block
Fmf shorty that came with the bike
PJ: 32.5
Needle 42-74 pos 2
Needle jet: s7
Slide 5.0
Mj: 490
Amsoil dominator 32:1 Sunoco leaded 110/rec90 50/50
The track I was at is fast, and deep sugar sand. I’m at sea level in Florida temp was about 95*. I run B class towards the front in harescrambles, local moto, and the bike was wfo most of the time. I’m trying to avoid this again lol. Do I go straight to a 540mj and go from there? The bike never once hinted it was lean, and pulled clean from bottom to the top with zero bog. I prefer to stay with 32:1. The piston and rings looked great to be honest, rings were free as can be. Bike will be back together by the weekend, as I got the crank back today. Just looking for opinions so this doesn’t happen again lol.
All that AJ said... plus, did you cut the extra notch on the front side of the slide? If not, you should be on a 35 or 37.5 pilot. 32.5 with no notch is going to be pretty lean at sea level. That is what I was running last weekend at 4500ft with 90% humidity !

You definitely will want to be in the 510-540 range on the main going WFO in sand at sea level. As AJ said, Digger will tell you that after 510 or so going bigger doesn't much help since the needle-jet or carb orifice itself becomes the limiting factor. But I will tell you I can definitely feel a difference from 510-520, 520-540.. and even a little bit 540-560.

Don't be afraid to try going a little richer on the needle also. Basically experiment so you know what's what. When the temps or elevation drop, I will run a 43-74 on (2) or even the 42-74 on (3).

The thing is all these settings are with an S4 which is slightly leaner than the S7. Combining these pilot or main suggestions with the S7 might make it too rich.
digger
Posts
800
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Upstate, NY, USA
8/25/2022 12:30am
JB722 wrote:
Hey guys, I guess I’ll post here also. I picked up a 19 125sx that had been sitting for a few years. Found the jet block...
Hey guys, I guess I’ll post here also. I picked up a 19 125sx that had been sitting for a few years. Found the jet block gasket was trashed and replaced it. Bike still ran like trash. Ordered the went down on the pilot, that helped. Installed the 42-74 needle and that almost 90 % cleaned up the mid range. This past weekend I installed the 5.0 slide and went up to a 490 mj but left the s7 needle. The bike ran absolutely perfect until it didn’t. I lost the bottom rod bearing at the end of a 30 min moto.
Mods: gizmo mods reed block
Fmf shorty that came with the bike
PJ: 32.5
Needle 42-74 pos 2
Needle jet: s7
Slide 5.0
Mj: 490
Amsoil dominator 32:1 Sunoco leaded 110/rec90 50/50
The track I was at is fast, and deep sugar sand. I’m at sea level in Florida temp was about 95*. I run B class towards the front in harescrambles, local moto, and the bike was wfo most of the time. I’m trying to avoid this again lol. Do I go straight to a 540mj and go from there? The bike never once hinted it was lean, and pulled clean from bottom to the top with zero bog. I prefer to stay with 32:1. The piston and rings looked great to be honest, rings were free as can be. Bike will be back together by the weekend, as I got the crank back today. Just looking for opinions so this doesn’t happen again lol.
This is a known problem, rod seizure on the big end , On those bikes. I know of at least 4 bikes that have all done the same thing as yours. One of them has had it happen twice this year.
I do not thinks it’s a jetting related issue. I think it’s simply a manufacturing issue. They are all still using oem cranks. One of the 125’s is using a Keihin setup and the others are still on the setup Mikunis , similar to yours.
JB722
Posts
9
Joined
8/24/2022
Location
Sebastian, FL, USA
8/25/2022 5:39am
Thank you guys. The 32.5 I had in there with just the needle before the slide because that’s what it took to pull clean off the bottom. When I changed the slide it never felt or sounded lean and never bogged so I left it. I’ll swap to a 35 and maybe try clip 3 on the needle also just to see where it’s at on heat cycles on the stand. I had gotten confused on the needle jets when I was looking and mistaked the 125 for already having the s4 when I was looking at the 150 jet table so I never ordered it. I will order one as well as a few other needles to play with also. I’ll definitely start with atleast a 520 main and maybe go from there. I’ve always favored being on the rich side of jetting, and once I’m
Done with heat cycles I’ll be doing plug chops this time. Do you guys think it’s necessary to bump to 40:1?

I’m aware of the big end bearing issue on the newer ktm’s. The guy that does my cranks also does them for a local shop that does a lot of mod bikes aswell. They noticed the 22+ had a metallurgy problem with the rods as both were getting trashed. They would install a pro-x before ktm knew they had a rod problem and the bike would be fine afterwards. Another local guy was having issues with other brands doing the same, he kept losing the big end bearing with motorex at 32:1. This guy is an ex factory Honda mech for the amatuer team. He had switched to a castor based oil and never had a problem since. Don’t know if any of it has any resonance or if it was all just a coincidence as it ranged from an 85 to a few 125’s also in about a 10 hour span.

Again, thank you guys for the response and help.

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