First 2-smoke, first Gasser, first ride, first PICS !!!

[sevenfourate]

So; ive only been off-roading since last January (25+ years of motorcycling mind) and im ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT.

**WHY THE HELL DIDNT I DO THIS EARLIER **

In this short time ive had:

XR400 (Loved it - not sure why i got rid to be honest)
WR250F - Got it for leccy start. Wish i hadnt bothered. Bored me stupid.
KTM 500 EXC - Stupidly quick for the UK lanes i use. Too much - too soon.

So now ive just taken delivery of my first (Off-road) 2 stroke [2006 Model EC 250], and after a few tweaks, a service and check over with all new oils, plug, HT lead, air filter and a good greasing of bolts, pivot points etc; today was our first adventure together. Just a few local green lanes here in the UK - so nothing very scenic, and all fairly flat and boring - but we had a blast none-the-less

Full ride-out with friends tomorrow, and if i see anything scenic i'll get some snaps. Then im looking to do a few races / Hare and Hounds events with a friend - which was the purpose of this machine. (Easy + cheap maintenance hopefully).

Ive not actually cleaned it since ive had it, and it was already muddy in these pics. Not sure why it looks so 'clean'., because it really isnt !

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No problems at all so far apart from one:

The "breather pipe" than comes from the front of the cyclinder (2006 model bike) was looking tired so i decided to replace it. Upon pulling it off, it became obvious the old one was nipped tight and wouldnt have let anything through.

I laid a piece of rag under the nipple on the barrell overnight until i got a new hose. When i went to fit new breather hose, there was a few drops of oil on the rag, and even now after a small run out on the bike, its still dropping the occasional spot of oil.

I suspect its been 'blocked' up for a while, but is this anything to worry over ?

Cheers - Ride safe all.

 

[desertgasser300]

By far my most favorite year for the front fender and headlight. Good looking bike.

If it is on the left side by the large PV cover where you have the "red" hose, it is nothing to worry over. That is normal.

 

[sevenfourate]

By far my most favorite year for the front fender and headlight. Good looking bike.

If it is on the left side by the large PV cover where you have the "red" hose, it is nothing to worry over. That is normal.

Yup: The hose that was kinked and i pulled, i replaced with the red one you've picked out that comes from a nipple on the front of the barrel. Appreciate that - what exactly is it venting anyway ?

Thanks for compliments about the bike. Its a 2006 - but has 2010 plastics fitted, later wheels, stand, switchgear and other parts. First impressions were really good, apart from a front brake that needs bleeding badly and a fishtailing of the rear end when 'on the pipe' (Im guessing from a worn rear tyre).

Still, i'll ride tomorrow and get those two little issues sorted next week.



*****Ive also got quite alot of oil-splurge out the back of the exhaust. Im running Putoline MX5 synthetic @ 50:1.

Should i be trying to reduce that ratio to 60:1 or is it better to accept the splurge and run a little higher ratio to protect the engine ???

 

[houndog]

748, My EC300 Man. says 2T synthetic @50:1. As I stated in the poll thread I would never run a 2 stroke of any type with any oil at that ratio. Right now I'm jetted and running Dominator at 28:1. I'd be using Red Line but it's just so expensive. I have no spooge at all.

Now, as has been thoroughly discussed many feel no need to run such rich ratios. Read the thread....notice who rebuilds and who does not. I'm not an inexperienced rider/owner by any stretch. When I say my EC300 runs "as new" I mean it and I certainly know what I'm talking about in that regard. I've been riding 2 strokes for over 40 years. I'm at >5,600 miles and have only replaced the head o'rings because I thought they were leaking. Probably were not. That is it. No PV cleaning, no de-carbonizing anything, nothing. I use synthetic oil in the CC and change it often, way more than needed....every 10 hours, maybe?

Starts 2nd kick every single time, pulls like a truck from idle to rev limit and has never fouled a plug.

I really do not care what folks do but for the life of me I just don't understand how so many ignore the fact it has been proven that more oil properly jetted makes more power. It certainly will extend the engine and to a "realist" like me it makes no sense to skimp on oil. It is not that expensive. I expect to get >10k out of my 300 before I do a damn thing to it!
I know what piston noise is, I know what a crank going south feels and sounds like. How do I know? because all my buddies who used "Golden Spectro" at 50:1 were always rebuilding their engines. I ran Yamalube 20:1
I NEVER had a 2 stroke "wear out" or suffer a catastrophic failure except in my CR250R......The Bunny was bad ass....built to the gills and insane....she was old and still kicked ass but 105 degrees, following my wife on a CFR150 through tight woods for 25 miles (!) did her in. She lost the big end bearings.
Just as I entered the parking lot! Good thing too. It was so hot I almost passed out pushing her the 50 yards to the truck! That failure was certainly not oil related and the piston and cylinder looked perfect, ecxept from the gouges from the pieces of bearings .

So my vote is for more oil, not less

You might want to replace the packing if it is oil soaked.
Ed

 

[motopsycho87]

Alright mate! I'm Ipswich, so if you wanna harass the Thetford locals let me know as I have an awesome route from Bury St Edmunds to Hunstanton!

I have an 06 300 also, fuckin' awesome bike, running 32:1 motul 510, no spooge at all.

I completely agree with the argument on more oil, there is no evidence anywhere that less oil is better, and numerous studies proving otherwise.

 

[sevenfourate]

Alright mate! I'm Ipswich, so if you wanna harass the Thetford locals let me know as I have an awesome route from Bury St Edmunds to Hunstanton!

I have an 06 300 also, fuckin' awesome bike, running 32:1 motul 510, no spooge at all.

I completely agree with the argument on more oil, there is no evidence anywhere that less oil is better, and numerous studies proving otherwise.

Good-day fellow East Anglain Gasser !

I've only done lanes fairly local to me. A bunch of us were meant to go to Thetford a few weeks ago (Me for the first time). Forecast was rubbish and a guy who was meant to be taking 4 or 5 us and our bikes called-off......so a friend and me who were then kind of stuck; spent the day at my work, modifying his boat trailer to turn it into a 2-bike trailer. He's now offshore for 3 weeks, but i believe its just about finished !

I'd love to meet up at Thetford sometime. My friend with the trailer has a Gasser 300 EC too - so that would make 3 of us. Almost a "Club-meet" in these remote parts ! I'll PM you my mobile number in a moment.

And interesting about more oil - and jetting to suit. Thanks to Houndog too for the write-up and explanation.

Anyone of you UK'ers know any 2-stroke 'specialists' for carb setting up in the East ????

 

[Garytee]

Check out these:
Essex Greenlaners - greenlaners.boards.net
Green Lane Cafe facebook page

The lads that i ride with organise ride outs on these pages. I have no van or trailer at the moment so am dependent on lifts - it's a bit of a slog doing an hour's ride to get to lanes.
There's also practice days with Enduroland & Endurokent and GH M/C's in Colchester run practice days at Chappel.
I dare say we'll meet up somewhere


2004 EC 200

 

[sevenfourate]

Check out these:
Essex Greenlaners - greenlaners.boards.net
Green Lane Cafe facebook page

The lads that i ride with organise ride outs on these pages. I have no van or trailer at the moment so am dependent on lifts - it's a bit of a slog doing an hour's ride to get to lanes.
There's also practice days with Enduroland & Endurokent and GH M/C's in Colchester run practice days at Chappel.
I dare say we'll meet up somewhere


2004 EC 200

Thanks very much - I'll have a look on those sites.

Lets hope we meet-up soon. Soon as we are 'mobile' with this trailer, no reason why we can't organise a meet-up

 

[nambo-trev]

By far my most favorite year for the front fender and headlight. Good looking bike.

If it is on the left side by the large PV cover where you have the "red" hose, it is nothing to worry over. That is normal.

I love the looks of the front end too, they can try and make something better and just make it worse sometimes. I hated the change to the headlight and fender in 11 but the older bikes just make me smile everytime I see one.

 

[sevenfourate]

I love the looks of the front end too, they can try and make something better and just make it worse sometimes. I hated the change to the headlight and fender in 11 but the older bikes just make me smile everytime I see one.

Thankyou Trevor - i'll take that as a compliment, to bikes of my 'shape'.

Its got its own 'unique foibles' as a whole bike for sure. But that silhouette sure is a looker in my opinion too !

 

[Jakobi]

I'm with Trev. The 09/10 headlight and fender tickles my fancy most. When I get to fitting the 2011 plastics I think I'll be leaving these parts off.

 

[sevenfourate]

Are the later ones THAT bad.....Or are the earlier ones just a little more eye-pleasing ?

If i post a picture up, can someone else with a later model do the same ? Its all new to me......

 

[Jakobi]

Just google different years and you'll get the idea. 07 was a bit chunky and agricultural looking. Then they were like yours through till 2010, then went to the more ktm style light.

 

[sevenfourate]

Just google different years and you'll get the idea. 07 was a bit chunky and agricultural looking. Then they were like yours through till 2010, then went to the more ktm style light.

I can Google as easily as the next man........

(It was to get a discussion going really !).

Never mind.............

 

[motopsycho87]

Good-day fellow East Anglain Gasser !

I've only done lanes fairly local to me. A bunch of us were meant to go to Thetford a few weeks ago (Me for the first time). Forecast was rubbish and a guy who was meant to be taking 4 or 5 us and our bikes called-off......so a friend and me who were then kind of stuck; spent the day at my work, modifying his boat trailer to turn it into a 2-bike trailer. He's now offshore for 3 weeks, but i believe its just about finished !

I'd love to meet up at Thetford sometime. My friend with the trailer has a Gasser 300 EC too - so that would make 3 of us. Almost a "Club-meet" in these remote parts ! I'll PM you my mobile number in a moment.

And interesting about more oil - and jetting to suit. Thanks to Houndog too for the write-up and explanation.

Anyone of you UK'ers know any 2-stroke 'specialists' for carb setting up in the East ????

If you need any help at all with jetting etc give me a call. Been working on vehicles since I was teenie, working on bikes since I was 17, I don't think a day goes by where I don't tinker with it a little bit. I've got tonnes of jets too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/stage6-Ke...t-set-35-58-slow-jets-psntuning-/400591612142 - set of pilot jets

http://www.psntuning.co.uk/scooter_parts.php?prt_id=1637 - set of main jets (check, you might want a set lower than this!!)

If you have a look of spooge, it is ALWAYS down to rich jetting, low compression or right hand crank seal. As mentioned, I am running 32:1 with no spooge whatsoever, personally I would just try putting in 32:1 for a start, this will lean your jetting out slightly, it may ride better or worse (if it is still rich then you will have a surplus of oil, the bike will load up).

How well does the bike idle?

 

[sevenfourate]

If you need any help at all with jetting etc give me a call. Been working on vehicles since I was teenie, working on bikes since I was 17, I don't think a day goes by where I don't tinker with it a little bit. I've got tonnes of jets too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/stage6-Ke...t-set-35-58-slow-jets-psntuning-/400591612142 - set of pilot jets

http://www.psntuning.co.uk/scooter_parts.php?prt_id=1637 - set of main jets (check, you might want a set lower than this!!)

If you have a look of spooge, it is ALWAYS down to rich jetting, low compression or right hand crank seal. As mentioned, I am running 32:1 with no spooge whatsoever, personally I would just try putting in 32:1 for a start, this will lean your jetting out slightly, it may ride better or worse (if it is still rich then you will have a surplus of oil, the bike will load up).

How well does the bike idle?

Im mechanically minded - im an Engineer by trade. However; im not an automotive Engineer and im definately not a carb expert.......Especially on 2-strokes.

I had a play with jetting on my XR400 (successfully i might add) !, just about got there on my WR250F, and also sorted a TPS problem on my KTM 500. But 2 strokes is all new to me right now.......

Im trying to get my head round 32:1 being a leaner mixture than 50:1 ! So your saying the mixture with more oil in it, is leaner as it has a lower percentage of fuel in it and therefore burns hotter ?


Bike wasnt very that easy to set-up to idle - I did read-up something about the pilot jet is too small (?) as standard, and the air mixture screw is almost all the way in, but actually idling wise now its pretty clean and strong. Never stalls and doesnt hang and the choke works fine...

 

[djroggen]

More oil means thicker fuel, and that equals leaner jetting. Less fuel can make its way through the jets.

 

[sevenfourate]

More oil means thicker fuel, and that equals leaner jetting. Less fuel can make its way through the jets.

Thankyou. Does that mean an offset of running say 36:1 compared to 50:1 would be better MPG ?


All the info i can find says fuel tank capacity on a 2006 EC 250 is 9.5 litres.

As my tank is completely full right now (I mix up 10 litres at a time with 200ml of oil) this means theres approx 190ml of oil in there @ 50:1 ratio. Few quick calculations show:

50:1 = 190ml of oil for 9.5 litrres
36:1 = 263ml of oil for 9.5 litres
32:1 = 296ml of oil for 9.5 litres

Wonder if i should remove 73ml of fuel and then add 73ml of oil to get that tank to pretty much 36:1 ration to see how that runs, and see if i get less spooge, and if its a little 'crisper'..........

 

[motopsycho87]

I just do mine at the pump, if I put in 2549ml then 2549/32 = 79.65 or 80ml.

Personally I doubt changing the premix ratio that little will do much, you are talking about a 1% ish change, you can't buy jets that are 1% different to eachother (there is always an argument that changing premix changes your jetting, but if you do the math, it's crap).

Answer these questions and I should be able to help you out. (the more information the better)

How well does the bike idle?

How does the bike ride up to mid throttle?

If you hold the throttle still at mid throttle, does the bike lurch and sputter a little from the exhaust?

At full throttle, does the bike rev to the moon or appear to lose power before it feels like it should?

When warm, does the bike smoke at idle, full throttle and anywhere in between?

When you decelerate do the revs 'hang'? (take a long time to drop)

After a nice long run, does the bike's idle drop significantly compared to cold?



And if you do know them

What pilot jet?
What air screw setting? (turns out from stop)
What needle and what clip? (clip from top, top=1 bottom = 5)
What main jet?


You've said the idle screw is almost all the way in, that denotes lean idle, thus adding more oil will make it worse. You can pull the choke slightly when the bike is warm to see if it helps the idle, this will 100% confirm lean idle.

That being said, if you are getting excess spooge, then perhaps the needle has been raised to compensate for a weak bottom end?


And yes, your statement "Im trying to get my head round 32:1 being a leaner mixture than 50:1 ! So your saying the mixture with more oil in it, is leaner as it has a lower percentage of fuel in it and therefore burns hotter ?" is 100% correct, the difference to viscosity is negligible.

 

[eviljim]

I love your rear light, don't suppose you know where it is from?