big red 250 sticky shifter after sitting many years

[atc007]

After the carb is spotless John, I take a bit from a screwdriver,a good glove,and adjust the idle as high as it will go on the air screw. That's your engine telling you exactly where it is the happiest,re adjust every 30 degrees or so. Usually twice a year,but all carbs are a lil different. Then adjust your idle screw back down and wa la, that part is set. If it still won't run right,it will need to be soaked in good carb cleaner.

[cirose]

Cirose, where do you have your pilot screw at now ?
You have fresher knowledge then I do about them,,,, I need to adjust mine but thought I would start with your recent exsperiance.

Thanks, john

hey john my pilot screw is between 1.5- 2 turns out. i set it at 2 when i put the rebuild kit in and fine tuned it a bit from there with the bike running. basically i just turn it either way a bit until i feel i have the best throttle response. as for the spring going in the pilot air screw that could be possible, my old one didnt have one but it may have been missing.. i put the original needle in when i adjusted the clip position, the new needle is definetly different then the old one, but then again everything in the old carb was different size also... i ordered a kit for an 86 but maybe i have a different carb. the vent lines are definetly 86 though.

the old needle tapered sooner then the new one from the clip seat. seems like the bike would be richer with the old one

also im going to pull apart a spare motor today and see if i can figure out my shifting issues

[jeswinehart]

Good info, thanks cirose !
Yes, let us know what you find out about the sticky shifter,,,,

[cirose]

Got the engine cover off it and found the stud broke as you said.
Ruined the gasket of course, the stud was broke off deep in the case. Went to drill a hole in it for the easy-out. Some how the drill ended up threading the broke off peice in deeper until it fell inside what i think to be the transmission or in by crank bearings not really sure. I was lucky enough to get it out with a small magnet through an oil passage. Everything is back together just waiting for gasket to dry

[atc007]

Man,I'm sorry. I should have said to be careful not to lose it in the tranny!!!!! For removing pieces like that,you want the left hand drill bit/easy out all in one.Hopefully you'll be back in business now.

[jeswinehart]

Wow, what a skillful extraction with the magnet !!! Good job !

[cirose]

It was a learning experience for sure. Hopefully all works well. Also here is a pic of the spring, o ring, washer and a jet I couldn't figure out a place for in the 86 carb. Seems to run great without it? Lol

[atcmatt]

The spring, washer and Oring go on the mixture needle screw. The jet is a starter jet for the later model carbs.

[jeswinehart]

I was thinking pilot screw (my o ring + washer are missing in my parts carb),,, but yeah,,,, one of the 2 areas mentioned.

[cirose]

I was thinking pilot screw (my o ring + washer are missing in my parts carb),,, but yeah,,,, one of the 2 areas mentioned.

Float bowl has to come off to get the pilot screw off or no

[jeswinehart]

Nope, pilot screw is on the outside,,, towards the jug.
I ended up running a wire drill size # 68 inside mine, blowing air u into it, hitting it with carb cleaner and repeated process again for good measure. Using your info you provided ~ it idles !!! Not a perfect idle but I can walk away from it and its is putting away when I come back so success.
I have had that carb off 3 times, thought I had it "cleaned out" the first time,,,, oh heck no.
Near as I can figure my barn find 250 bigred had been sitting 15-16 years.
Anyways, I found it easier to pull the crank case vent hose off and tuck it back out of the way, push up the one carb vent hose to get it out of my way,,,, all so I could fit my hand in there better with a itsy bitsy flat tip.
Got mine sold to a fellow board member I ride with regularly for a family member of his to ride

[cirose]

good to hear you got it running. been there done that, this time i went with the full rebuild kit, my bike had a stutter i couldnt get out of it with the pilot screw, i think the float needle/seat thingy was on its way out.. the full kit wasn't expensive either. 20 bucks CAD to my door i think i paid.

also just had the 85 out for a rip on the beach. shifts great and i dont see any oil leaking yet. hopefully thats the last time i have to open up the side case again!