84 200X Hard Starting.

[GTO]

I have restored a 84 200X, it doesn't start easily cold, will not start with the choke on at all. Hot starting isn't much of an issue.
Carb has a rebuild kit in it, jets are correct. Carb floods with initial filling of the fuel bowl(out of overflow pipe) but doesn't flood when running or after engine is shut off. Spark plug is sooty black.
Ignition timing is correct. Valve clearance is correct. I did not rebuild the engine as a hot compression test was +/-160 psi.
I don't seem to have any air leaks I sprayed WD40 around intake boot with no change to the revs, also when revved up revs don't hang for a while before dropping when letting go of the throttle.
Float and needle seem to be working when blowing through pipe and working float up and down by hand. I did a test with a clear pipe on the drain pipe to check the fuel level and fuel level looks too high to me?
But I can't see how this can be a the plastic float isn't adjustable, so how do I adjust it?

[shortline10]

What brand carburetor kit did you use ?
The only float valve that works decent are OEM or shindy brand , all the other generic brands will throw the float level off or leak .
It doesn’t take much to foul out the spark plug either .
Sort the carburetor out first , no leaks , properly tune it and hopefully that solves your problem .

[350for350]

I agree with shortline. The overflowing gas and the sooty spark plug tell you where to start looking. Also the fact that you don't need the choke to cold start the engine adds to this. I know that the jets that come in the Shindy rebuild kits are supposed to be good. Other brands aren't. They might have the right number on them but the actual sizes aren't right. After being burned by an aftermarket main jet that was in my 350X carb when I bought the trike, I don't use any aftermarket jets anymore. If I can't clean up and reuse the OEM jets, then I order new OEM jets from jetsrus.com. The jets that come in the rebuild kits get thrown in the trash. Maybe I'm too paranoid about jets, but at least I don't have to wonder if my jets will work correctly.

[GTO]

Thanks for the replies, I actually didn't buy the kit myself, previous owner must have as parts inside look new cannot be the originals, I have gone ahead and ordered a Shindy kit off eBay.
I will report back once it arrives, it usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks to get to here.

[oldskool83]

starts hard in cold...lean and prob need to adjust valve clearances.

[350for350]

That is a bed thing about being in South Africa. I can see where it would take that much shipping time.

[GTO]

That is a bed thing about being in South Africa. I can see where it would take that much shipping time.

Yes, I ordered a new Maier rear fender last year shipping cost was more than the fender!

[GTO]

starts hard in cold...lean and prob need to adjust valve clearances.

Valve clearances were too tight when I got it, I adjusted them but that made no difference.

Also it will not start on full choke.

Spark plug is sooty black.

Also in the photo above the fuel level is over where the float bowl joins the carb from what I know it should be at the joint or up to 5mm below?

Thats what it says in my 1985 Suzuki DR600S Service manual although that is a total different bike.

[shortline10]

Don’t forget to polish / clean the float valve seat , I use a q-tip chucked up into a drill with a little carburetor cleaner , this will insure a good seat for the new valve .

[oldskool83]

Do yourself a favor as much as this will upset a few people. Run a plastic fuel tank and when you are done riding drain the fuel from the bowl of your carb. Today's gas is not real gas...there is a good bit of corn in it which is cool but also gums things up. I have no kept 1 machine with fuel in the carbs since 2014....everyone starts after a few kicks even if sitting 1 year. This will greatly help you. If you are riding it everyday no need to but 90% of us are not.

[GTO]

WOW what a difference, I installed my Shindy carb kit today, first thing I did was turn on the fuel and wait to see if there was a drip out of the overflow pipe, no drip. Then I tried to start her on full choke and after a few kicks she fired but stalled(the weather is hot here so probably don't need full choke)), she would not fire on full choke before. I then tried her on half choke and she fired and ran. She runs so much better now, I readjusted the air screw as per manual, turn clockwise until engine stalls and then turn out 1 turn. Thank you all for the good advise.

[GTO]

Looks like I spoke too soon, I tried to start her about 20 minutes later and she would not start. I checked the spark plug it was still sooty black but hadn't cleaned it after fitting the Shindy kit. I burned off the carbon with a small propane torch, I only found out about this method the other day from a Youtube video. She fired up first kick after cleaning the plug, also plug stays clean now even after running for a while.