Bike will idle but won't accept any throttle

[thedude]

Hey all,

So I'll give the full story as to how this all went down for clarity reasons. I took my '99 Rebel 250 out to give it a wash today. While I was washing I noticed that my petcock was switched to reserve (I brought it home a few days ago and had switche over right around the corner from my house and forgotten about it) the closest source of gas that was available to me was the Jerry Can in my garage, so I finished up the wash and started to ride home. About 1/2 block from my house it died out on me. I pushed it (shamefully) home and put it in the garage. I returned about 45min later to take it out, gasse it up with the J-Can and started it up. It idles fine, but whenever I give it any throttle it sputter and dies out. What can I do about this.

For some backstory at the end of last season I had a problem with the bike refusing to start. I replaced the sparks and it started running again, although it was a little rough. It has been running pretty good for the last few weeks up until now. I appreciate any help that you guys could offer. Thanks!

[SLaP]

How long has that gas been sitting in the Jerry can?

[thedude]

How long has that gas been sitting in the Jerry can?

A couple months.

[anark]

Drain the gas, drop the floatbowl (rebel 250 is a single?) off the carb and pull the jets out and give it a good cleaning. Sounds like a clogged main jet.

Probably bad gas and particulate matter in the gastank.

Allan

[SLaP]

^ +1

While you are at it, install an inline fuel filter to prevent those particles from gettin in the carbs again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DiiK3GKWtsiE

While you have it apart

- inspect and clean the air filter
- inspect fuel hoses and manifolds for cracks/leaks

And remember... Have fun!

[thedude]

Thanks or all the info guys, I'll give those a shot eithe tomorrow or Monday, gotta find the time. Any idea where I can get an inline fuel filter for a rebel, or are there universal options?U

[SLaP]

Make sure to get a filter that fits a 1/4" fuel hose.

Where abouts are you located?

Flying Squirrel
http://www.fsmotorcycle.com/fuel-c-966.html

Flying Squirrel Motorcycle
388 Carlaw Ave #102D
Toronto, Ontario M4M 2T4
416.889.8769

or

Royal Distributing (Guelph, Innisfil, Whitby, Sudbury)
http://www.royaldistributing.com/mai...PageNumber=206

or Canadian Tire, Home Depot even

[thedude]

Make sure to get a filter that fits a 1/4" fuel hose.

Where abouts are you located?

Flying Squirrel
http://www.fsmotorcycle.com/fuel-c-966.html

Flying Squirrel Motorcycle
388 Carlaw Ave #102D
Toronto, Ontario M4M 2T4
416.889.8769

or

Royal Distributing (Guelph, Innisfil, Whitby, Sudbury)
http://www.royaldistributing.com/mai...PageNumber=206

or Canadian Tire, Home Depot even

Hahaha, up until 3 months ago I lived around the corner from flying squiril motorcycle and didn't even know it was there. I'm near dufferin/bloor now but I'm in the east end fairly often, I'll check it out next time I'm nearby. Thanks bud

[Spiider]

An inline filter can cause more problems than it is worth...I would say don't bother.
Do everything else mentioned and rinse the tank a bit with fresh gas to get out any remaining particles.

The filter sock on the top side of the petcock should stop anything that would bother the carbs, check and make sure it is still in place and working well, no holes etc.

[cbcanada]

Drain the gas, drop the floatbowl (rebel 250 is a single?) off the carb and pull the jets out and give it a good cleaning. Sounds like a clogged main jet.

Probably bad gas and particulate matter in the gastank.

Allan

Agree with this

[Spiider]

Popping or backfiring at idle is probably a symptom of it being lean. If your airscrew is on the airbox side close it a bit.
What you can do is warm up the bike, set it to a fast idle, and adjust the airscrew to the max rpm (by ear in your case).
Once it is adjusted for max rpm...that's it for the airscrew.

Also, it won't be the main jet...the main is responsible for 1/2-full throttle more than anything else.
The pilot/slow jet is responsible for the idle to 1/4 throttle....then the needle from 1/4 to 1/2 or so...then the main take it to redline.
(They all overlap a tad.)

[SLaP]

^ +1

See the video below, this guy explains carburetor operation and the adjustment process very well.

How to adjust the jets on motorcycle carburetors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y836ZPjvoMI