Basket Cases

[Julz]

I am having the same problem with my KT. It will only run on choke and bogs on idle without. I have cleaned out the float bowl, cleaned the idle jet, and now - no go at all. I will try to check the float level again this weekend, as I have been told that they will only fire within a certain fuel mix range. Any other suggestions welcomed...

[Greg Harding]

My HT lead rests against the fuel tank weld seam and I've always wondered how much of the spark energy leaks to earth via the fuel tank!!!

Hi Everyone,

David, probably a good think that the tanks are rubber mounted and use a non conductive fuel line!!!

Ross and Julz, re idle problem, my advice is to check the carby has no blockages or restrictions in any jets or circuits. Fitting the floats upside down may effect the float level when fitted the correct way.

Decided to post a photo of original spark plug cap fitted to FrankenKT, much better than the bulky cap I was using.

IMGP7062.JPG (151.18 KiB) Viewed 6210 times

[Julz]

Ross and Julz, re idle problem, my advice is to check the carby has no blockages or restrictions in any jets or circuits. Fitting the floats upside down may effect the float level when fitted the correct way.

"Upside down the float you have fitted, the float level may affect" you say... hmmmm

Many thanks from your young padawan... Master Harding

Check the passageways for restrictions in the force.... I will

[Julz]

Thanks for the advice on the KT idle issues Greg. Cleaned and checked main and pilot jets, adjusted float level, tweaked idle screw and idle mix screw. All running fine again.

[straightpipe]

Hi All, Believe i'm also on the track of Carb gremlins. Pulled carb out, removed float bowl. Lots of scale, but also something missing !. Carb also has a hose clip holding the small pin which locates the Throttle valve (cylinder thingy). Nice !. Luck = i have a second Mikuni VM26 from another project KT250, will try that. Cheers Ross

[David Lahey]

After 40 years, my venerable Yamaha TY250A finally needed some attention to the swingarm bushes, so while the swingarm was out I gave it a coat of paint. The gusseting on the A and B models is quite basic compared with later models, but it has never had any bending or cracking problems

[Mark K]

That's just wrong David. Now its way too pretty for the rest of the bike. Why can't the rest of the frame get the same treatment, and then all the bolt-on bits get a clean and polish before being put back? Actually, I just pictured my little orange beasty, and tried to imagine just how much work it would take to make it look pretty. Don't bother answering.........

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

David, your "A" model is in really good nick, wonder how many others are still with the original owner after all those years. My "B" model came to me with an already broken swingarm. Here is a photo of it

IMGP7151 - Copy.JPG (164.99 KiB) Viewed 5960 times

with a 175 swingarm which is pretty much how the "C" model onwards gussets were made.

Jordan, here is a photo of the clutch arm on my TL250, I added to the length to get better feel and less effort. The first bit made an improvement but not quite right, so I added another bit and it made the clutch have quite good feel and less effort again while still having enough lever travel clearing my fingers with the clutch disengaged. The next step will be to do a neater welding job with less pieces and I will probably go to the maximum length available (just clear of the crankcase).

IMGP7152.JPG (136.77 KiB) Viewed 5960 times

Other mods are to the brake pedal which is quite low and can't be raised because of clearance for the kickstarter, so I cut up a footpeg and welded the strap (15mm) on top and out a bit to make it easier to find.

Here is The Heavy Old Non Directional Appendage in action at SQTA's Jiggi trial on sunday

greg.JPG (233.26 KiB) Viewed 5960 times

Thankyou SQTA, Sherie and John for an excellent weekend, really enjoyed the Sticki Jiggi mud!

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Just sharing my latest acquisition, not new to me as it has been in my bikeshed for a couple of years and in storage for over 20 years! Richard has been for a couple of rides on my loan bikes and I offered to get the Fantic going for him. Spent a few hours freeing up and cleaning the carby and similarly on the ignition which at best had a very weak spark. Searched the net and emailed FM350 at Classic Trial, who was very helpful explaining that all parts are still available including ignitions, but the later CDI units were a better choice as they are more reliable. Chris also gave me a price on all the parts needed to get the Fantic rideable, all of which he had in stock. Informed Richard, anyway a lot of water has passed under the bridge and nothing was happening, so I offered to buy it. Very happy with the deal and probably about time I got busy on getting it going for the Twinshock Masters 2013 ITALIAN theme.

IMGP7181.JPG (95 KiB) Viewed 5855 times

IMGP7184.JPG (108.31 KiB) Viewed 5855 times

IMGP7182.JPG (204.48 KiB) Viewed 5855 times

Have only ever ridden 1 Fantic that belonged to Don Duck (TY CHALLENGE) a 240 Proffesional and have to say I was very impressed and think that the ITALIANS knew how to build bikes For All Natural Terrain In Competition!

[David Lahey]

It must be the year of the Fantics because local CQ rider Brian Crozier had his first ride on his Fantic 240 at a Rocky Trials Club event 2 weeks ago. He has been fixing it up over the past couple of years and as you can see it is now in fine shape.
Greg, Mark Casswell will be very happy with having an ITALIAN THEME at Conondale this year