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I'll preface this by saying that I know my way around bikes and carbs and am typically pretty good at tuning them, but this issue has me stumped.
The bike: 1986 Suzuki RG250 two stroke oil injected twin that I imported from Japan. It has Mikuni flat slides with pod filters and stock exhaust. In Japan it was at similar elevation and was someone's daily rider that got put in storage for a few years until I bought it. I got the bike here, fully cleaned and rebuilt the carbs (not changing anything) and went through everything else on the bike (everything you'd do on a new-to-you or fresh from storage bike).
The bike runs and rides MINT. Idles perfect, doesn't foul plugs, no flat spots, zero hesitations...it's awesome. EXCEPT it doesn't cold start for shit. I'm talking choke on, cranking the throttle, 500 kicks and it's not even thinking about starting. A squirt of ether and it stumbles to a start and if you can keep it running for ~30 seconds you're good to go for the rest of the day.
With the fact that it was a regular rider previously, I've resisted changing anything, thinking it might be a problem that would fix itself. I've now gone through this process a bunch times and put about a tank of fresh gas through it with no improvement. Because it runs so well everywhere else on the spectrum, I'm scared to change anything. And because it's a cold start issue only, it makes trial and error a pain (you basically get to try one theory per day).
Anything jumping out at anyone? My next plan of action is to fatten it up a tiny bit and see if that makes any difference.
I have absolutely no help to offer whatsoever, but I would love to hear more about the importation process! What it cost, how long it took, paperwork to jump through etc.
'02 Ducati 998, '08 Ducati HyperMotard 1100S, '14 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Hah, yeah I've done it a few times and have seriously considered making it a more serious side hustle. There are plenty of people importing mint, high-dollar bikes that look good in your living room (https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/ and http://www.moto2imports.com/, among others), but I'm convinced there's a market for the "working man's grey market bike"...that is to say a cheap rider, maybe a little rashed, needing tires, whatever.
Anyway, yeah, the bikes can be had pretty cheap. I typically buy them on Yahoo auctions. This RG was like $700 IIRC. Granted it's pretty crusty, but Iconic sold a nice one recently for about $10k. I have a contact in Japan who can do some or all of the work for you. In my case, I pay him to collect and crate the bikes and bring them to the boat. For that he charges somewhere around $5-700. Shipping and tax varies widely, but a very rough estimate would be like $1200 per bike usually (I'll dig up my paperwork on the last two I brought in and confirm). I run all my bikes through the Vermont registration process, which is as easy as it gets. Tax and reg fees are usually <$150/bike. From there I can legally sell to anyone and they'll get a title (if they're in a title state).
So all in on this particular bike I'm probably at like $3-3500 and it's probably worth $5k because it's not perfect. Not super lucrative for the headache entailed, but the more you do, the better the economics work out. I'd like to a 20' container with about 20 bikes in it, but that's more capital than I really care to invest right now.
Sounds very tempting! I may ask you for your contacts. <evil grin>
The starting issue: are the choke plates synched up? If it's cable operated, is the cable functioning properly?
Edit: just remembered about the flat-slides. I don't know anything about them. Never mind.
Last edited by dontpanic; 04-21-21 at 05:37 PM.
Go fast. Have fun. Repeat.
which carbs specifically? Look here for the basics. https://www.mikunioz.com/tuning-tips...v=7516fd43adaa
I think your idle circuit is not tuned for the weather we have now.
My gut feeling is that one of the pilot circuits are just clogged up still. Even with a really good cleaning, it's easy to have a little crud blockage somewhere.
Have you blown them all out with compressed air too?
I feel like that usually helps to move things once loosened up with cleaner.
Or maybe there's another port/passage you've missed somewhere?
I'm aware of Iconic; their stuff is usually pretty amazing. But, of course, you pay for it. I don't think I was aware of Moto2; they had some cool stuff on their website.
Honestly I'd probably be looking at the popular stuff: Aprilia RS250, RVF400, or RGV250. I assume everything has to be at least 25 years old to import it?
If you ever want to talk about the economics of it, let me know...So all in on this particular bike I'm probably at like $3-3500 and it's probably worth $5k because it's not perfect. Not super lucrative for the headache entailed, but the more you do, the better the economics work out. I'd like to a 20' container with about 20 bikes in it, but that's more capital than I really care to invest right now.![]()
'02 Ducati 998, '08 Ducati HyperMotard 1100S, '14 Subaru XV Crosstrek
I'd check for an air leak/ lean condition. Perhaps you're onto something with fattening up the tuning a bit.
if it sounds like this you are o.k.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/5787...4266451681772/
Gino
HAWK GT Racer Expert #929
2012 CCS LRRS ULSB Champion
2012 CCS LRRS P89 Champion
2008 CCS ULSB National Champion
ECKRACING Bridgestone Street & Competition Woodcraft MOTUL On Track Media Pine Motorparts Vanson Leathers
I bet you filled the tank with e10 gas. JA-pan does NOT use ethanol, especially in 30+ year old bikes. Drain the tank and try 100% gasoline. Low effort, no carb drama.
Where you located?
I too am interested in joining this side hustle. Wanna join forces?
You didn't answer which model carb it is? The RS has a cold start circuit of some sort. If that's the model you have, I would start there. Since it runs well after you finally get it going, I'm not sure if a clogged pilot is the issue.
I do aggree though that pressurized air is needed whaen cleaning carbs that have sat with fuel in them these days. Maybe try again and blow everything out?
You can bring stuff in that's younger than 25, but all the cool stuff is older than 25 anyway.
There are occasional deals on Iconic. They recently had a KR250 (2 crank shafts!) that went to $3900 but didn't hit the reserve.
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I'll grab the model, but I think you're right that it has that cold start circuit, which maybe I don't know enough about.
If you want to get absolutely nothing done for the rest of your day, click on this: https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/list1/26308-category.html
Conversion is about 100:1
Did you get this thing going yet?
'02 Ducati 998, '08 Ducati HyperMotard 1100S, '14 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Yeah I've been ripping it around for a bit...kind of finally fixed itself. I'll have it out for a decently long ride later this week.