250r no powerband

[1984_250r]

I recently purchased a 1984 250r for fairly cheap but it needs some work. The engine fires up right away and idles very well. its runs good from low end to mid but it wont go into the powerband. i check the compression and was 165psi and just cleaned the carb and still no luck. any input would be appericaited

[Xpress]

Exhaust leak somewhere?

[1984_250r]

Nope, i just sealed up the exhaust at the cylinder and seems well sealed. could a cdi cause this?

[Chazz of Blades]

Wouldn't think so. Give some more detail, will it smoothly rev up through the gears, just no power? Does it bog down?

[code200k]

check/play with your jetting

[1984_250r]

It will fire up first or second kick, seems to idle smooth. the low end seems to be pretty strong, this is the first time i have driven a 250r so i don't know exactly what a strong running 250r feels like. it just does not want to rev right out. it has that feeling of a cold 2 stroke where it wont pull high rpms. Today i replaced the plug and put new fuel in and mixed it 32:1. i rode around for about 20 min then checked the plug and was fairly light coloured but today was a little cold. it is completely stock to my knowledge.

[Xpress]

Are you letting it warm up before you try to run it hard?

Also get us a video, that can be more helpful.

[1984_250r]

Yes i let it warm up. i currently do not have a video camera. by the look of the plug it looks possibly a little lean. when i am driving it and began to get on the throttle it still smokes a fair bit even after its hot.

[Daddio]

I would guess it's either the jetting or possibly the throttle isn't opening up all of the way. If it is lean, it won't last too long.

[1984_250r]

I checked the carb and looks to be opening right up. any recommendations on a jet kit to buy?

[mxer346]

How are the reeds?

[1984_250r]

I have not checked the reeds yet, do you think that could cause similar symptoms?

[mrmello]

My guess was a reed as well until I see it has been mentioned.

Pull the reed block and see whats happening there.

[1984_250r]

Ill have to check the reeds. if there was a bottom end leak or carb boot leak, it would cause it to idle high right?

[beets442]

Check the whole intake system,clean airfilter?,clean main jet, clean reeds or get new ones, check exhaust and make sure there are no mouse nests? air mixture set right? throttle slide opens all the way, then check the jetting. Did the PO have it running right before you got it?Any Mods?

[1984_250r]

I have checked the air filter and cleaned the carb. have not checked reeds. I bought it off a friend who had it given to him..he only had it for about 3 weeks and rode it once and lost interest in fixing it. it was not running well when he had it either. He did not know much about it. it all seems stock. Today i had the pipe off and all seemed fine. when idling it puffs perfect O's all the time..don't think that really means anything though.

[Auto_Demon]

when idling it puffs perfect O's all the time..don't think that really means anything though.

lol mine does the same thing

[beets442]

plus check for air leaks around the intake.

[1984_250r]

Okay so i just opened the carb again and checked the jets. it has a 148 main and 50 pilot..i checked reed valves and they seemed to be in okay shape..i double checked the serial number and it turns out to be a 1982, not a 1984...dont know if that makes a difference in figuring this out though.

[Auto_Demon]

no the motors are the exact same on the first and second gen, the only difference is the carb

[WIkid500]

make sure the silencer isn't clogged with oily carbon filled goo. my moped wouldn't run worth a trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro, i gutted the pipe and she ran like a scalded dog.

[1984_250r]

Tomorrow i will check the silencer for carbon build up, it doesnt seemed plugged when running but who knows, i ordered new reeds that i should have next week. While i had it running today i noticed instead of the carbon being black it was a creamy white...anyone know what would cause that??

[falloutboy]

it sounds like a lean condition. once you have your new reeds on, try going up a couple sizes on your main jet

[1984_250r]

Alright well today i played around with the carb a bit, tried a few different needle heights, a few different jets..i did not go any richer tho. still no improvments. all changes didnt seem to have any effect on the bog.

[Dirtcrasher]

You said yourself " I did not go any richer tho"..........

[D-dub]

factory jetting on the 82 was a 158 main and a 50 pilot needle clip in 3rd position

[1984_250r]

I went from 148 to 142 mains. and tried a few different needle heights. doesnt a 2 stroke rip like hell when its lean?? When i put a pretty good load on the engine say, ( 4th gear doing 15 mph ) and began to get on the throttle its seems to pull the gear very well until it gets into the higher rpm then it seems to chock itself and just bog.

[mrmello]

Got a snake light???

Pull the plug and have a look at the top of the piston, I have a feeling that there is a hole in the top of it

[Dirtcrasher]

If he keeps dropping the main there may be............

DON'T mess with jetting if you don't understand it; get some help!

[1984_250r]

It has 170 psi compression i really doubt there would be a hole. The trike runs awesome down low, starts first or second kick. i have a pretty good idea on jetting its just i got the trike running like this and im trying to find a jet that will let it rev out then i can start dialing in the carb.

[D-dub]

If it has 170 pounds comp...all is not stock

[Dirtcrasher]

Ok, so a good idea on jetting right? You went down, not up I assume because you didn't have any larger jets. Then you played with the needle which was most likely not needed. Try a fatter main and see what it does. If the air box is open, close it up and see what happens. Check your ignition for rust/contamination..........

[mrmello]

Ok missed the compression at 170, no hole in piston..... yet....

If the plug is whitish like you said earlier then you are playing with fire dropping the main. You are already running lean so you should be going up not down.

Did you actually pull the reed block out and check that they are not cracked, worn or lined up? You cant see that very well unless you pull the reed block.

Start from stock jetting at your altitude and go from there.

[1984_250r]

Alright ill have to check the ignition, what plug would you recommend? its currently has a b8es.

[1984_250r]

yes i pulled the reed block, it still has the steel reeds which all seemed to have a good seal. i bought a new set of reeds anyways but im waiting on them to come in.

[Dirtcrasher]

The plug is just the end of the ignition; What does the stator look like?? Some of them get rusted up and the corrosion affects how they run.

Did this EVER run well, did you make exhaust and or air box/filter changes??

Stock jets work fine for stock setups. Unless your on Mt. Everest, it shouldn't be bogging down that bad. Air leaks can cause lots of issues, esp. crank seal leaks on a 2 stroker........ Or intake/carb boot leaks. If nothing has changed, you may want to look into that.

[1984_250r]

I bought the trike running like this. I havent looked at the stator yet. Are there any ways to test to see if there is a bottom end leak?