Motorcycle Repair: Honda xl 185 1987, honda xl 185, jet orifice

Question
Hi Bill,

Do you know what may cause this bike to become hard to start lately? When I do eventually get it started it constantly cuts out until it is at operating temperature.
The only way I could get it to start yesterday was to spray an aerosol of ether into the air cleaner.
The bike gets very little use and I wonder if that has something to do with it.
I would appreciate your comments.

Regards,

Bruce


Answer
Bruce, you have to use a fuel stabilizer in the gas tank, if you are not going to run the engine every couple of weeks, minimum. Today's gasoline just evaporates too quickly, leaving deposits behind which generally plug up the idle jet, which keeps the bike running at low speeds and also helps add fuel when the choke is put on. Plugged jet = hard starting and poor running at low speeds. Drain the carb bowl and clean out whats in there. Hopefully, you don't have permanent, non-removable idle jets. You will have to get a small wire to push gently down inside the jet orifice, along with some carb cleaner in order to clear that passage.

The other thing, often overlooked is that the valves need adjusting every so often. They are only .002" to begin with and they will tighten up over time, causing compression loss.

So, fresh fuel, clean carb and air filter, adjust the valves and put in a fresh plug to bring it back to life and normal running again.  BTW, some of the CDI ignition bikes have a mechanical spark advancer that should be checked for normal advance/retard operation. If they get sticky or seize up, then you have fixed ignition timing at all speeds, which is not a good thing..

Bill Silver