New (to me) GZ250

[kaput]

Hi,
I recently bought a used 2005 GZ250 for $700! Its a bit rusty and needs some work but I got it running with a new battery. I saw the manual here and thought I may be able to get some help here. I have some Idling problems, I took the carb apart today, cleaned it and put it back together again (2x cuz there was an extra part left over the first time) , cleaning helped a bit I think but I am still having issues. Is it normal not to get a normal Idle on this bike untill 15 minutes of riding? I am seeing others having this problem. I will try adjusting the valves tomorrow. I have never worked on or riden a bike before this one but had a 65 VW bus for years which always needed some kind of repair. I actually sold it last summer and am happy to have something new to tinker with :2tup:

So if anyone can point me to some typical tuneup stuff that may help me get this bike up to snuff that would be cool.

Also I have an exhaust leak, I put new seals on the pipes where they connect to the engine but i can not seem to get the pipes to butt up to the engine, the metal pieces (that attach the pipes to the engine) just bend rather than making a tight seal. seems to be too soft. Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.
-=Kaput=-

[alanmcorcoran]

I am one of the people having the problem. Easy fixed his with a new air filter. Mine apparently required more thorough cleaning of emission system (???) I haven't picked it up yet - maybe tomorrow. I will let you know. I see you are in CA as well so we probably have the same emissions set up. Mine won't idle for shit until it's warmed up for about 15 minutes too.

I think there is typical tuneup stuff in the manual. I'd check and probably replace the spark plug, definitely change oil and oil filter, and I would recommend you thoroughly inspect the tires. At four plus years, probably neglected ones, they may be in bad shape. The idling is an annoyance, but bad tires will kill you.

Also, try putting some seafoam in the next few tanks and get some long rides in. Sometimes you just have to heat things up and get some gas through the thing. Try not to leave the choke on too long - that can make the carb and plug worse.

I'll give you a full report on mine fter I get it (if it is even fixed!). My issues did not surface until about 500 miles after I think I put too much oil in it.

[kaput]

Thanks for the advice,I actually tried to blow the air filter out today but my bottle of air was empty. The filter looked clean but i am sure it couldnt hurt to replace it. I was just reading some posts that says the tool kit has a wrench for for the spark plug (my 2 deep sockets wouldnt fit) My tires are actually in great shape. I am hoping that all this little stuff will do the trick although that is usually not the case. I will probably pick up a plug and filter tomorrow.
-=kaput=-
P.S. I thought there were no smog requirements for motorcycles in CA??

[alanmcorcoran]

Check that tube in the bottom of the air box for oil - and make sure the cap is on it. There is a "wrench" for the spark plug in the toolkit but you should be able to get one at a parts store if you don't have it. My filter looked okay too, but after Easy's post, I am wnodering about it. I don't know about CA smog, but Easy said ours are different. I am pretty sure my Stratoliner also has extra CA emissions crap on it too. Refers to it in the manual. I'm in favor of clean air, but there is usually a damn good reason why this stuff is not put on all bikes. I've never read "extra emissions equipment installed on car: Boosts gas mileage, increases horsepower and... the chicks really go for it!"

[Easy Rider]

Try not to leave the choke on too long - that can make the carb and plug worse.


But DO leave the choke partly on until it will idle properly without it.
They ARE cold blooded and do require some choke for at least the first 15 minutes.
If everything is operating normally, you can tell how much choke you need by setting it where the idle speed is just a tad higher than normal; as it warms up, the idle speed will increase and you adjust the choke in tiny steps to keep it from idling too fast. After 10-15 minutes, you will have it adjusted all the way to OFF.

Yes, probably a good idea to change the air filter.......and note that, unlike any "normal" design, the GZ filter collects dirt and debris INSIDE the filter.....where you can't see it !!!

And lastly, regardless of how your tires LOOK, they are coming up on 5 years old and are getting HARD now. You really should replace them in the next 12-18 months.......unless you have an "old granny" riding style and never lean into a corner.

Welcome to the loony bin! :biggrin:

[Easy Rider]

but Easy said ours are different.

Near as I can tell, the current models only have a charcoal canister to collect fumes from the gas tank. That doesn't degrade anything EXCEPT you have a slightly smaller gas tank AND the canister can plug up if you fill the tank too full OR leave the bike laying down on the ground for very long.

My guess is that raw gas in the canister would then be sucked into the engine, making a rich condition similar to what a plugged air filter would do.

[alanmcorcoran]

It's possible to fill up the tank too full? (???) I always fill up the tank too full.

[kaput]

Is there supposed to be oil in the air filter? There is a little bit in mine but I do not know if I want it there or not.

Also, can anyone suggest a good place to buy parts online? My local shop wants 30 bucks for the filter. I saw another online for 22 but they wanted 15 shipping.

Also, the PO told me the rear tire was new and it looks it...how can I tell if the front one is ready for replacement besides tread (cuz that looks good to me) but I would guess that it is at least a couple years old.

I put about 50 miles on the bike today going around town, lots of fun! Thinking about a surfboard rack...is that possible?

[alanmcorcoran]

I have a little bit n mine and I don't think it's hurting anything - how does it run? If it's running rough, it's worth a shot to try a clean one.

I've used BikeBandit, but I think you'll find that the shipping is a bite everywhere online. I think the key is to buy a bunch of stuff at once.

I have seen people on bicycles with surfboards, but I think you are asking for trouble - the surfboard will act like a sail and wreak havoc with your stability. Wouldn't put anything bigger than a boogie baord on my GZ. If you went with a trailer it could work, but, probably not very convenient.

I like your avatar picture.

[patrick_777]

Oil is common in the air filter. If there's a LOT of it, then it could be an overfill problem and you can blow a seal (heh).

Try www.bikebandit.com (http://www.bikebandit.com) and www.cheapcycleparts.com (http://www.cheapcycleparts.com)

Both of them are cheap and have very good reputations for customer service.

[Easy Rider]

It's possible to fill up the tank too full? (???) I always fill up the tank too full.

Yes that is how you (possibly) get liquid gas into the evaporation canister.
Stop doing that. :poke2:

[Easy Rider]

Is there supposed to be oil in the air filter? There is a little bit in mine but I do not know if I want it there or not.

Also, can anyone suggest a good place to buy parts online? My local shop wants 30 bucks for the filter. I saw another online for 22 but they wanted 15 shipping.

Also, the PO told me the rear tire was new and it looks it...how can I tell if the front one is ready for replacement besides tread (cuz that looks good to me) but I would guess that it is at least a couple years old.

I put about 50 miles on the bike today going around town, lots of fun! Thinking about a surfboard rack...is that possible?

1) A little oil residue inside the plastic air box is normal, since there is a crankcase breather tube coming in there.....but there should NOT be any oil on the paper filter itself.
2) Don't know about online parts; my local shop offers 15% discount if you order online and pick up in the store. Air filter comes to about $23 that way.
3) Unless the tire was in the sun a LONG time, it should last 5 years or so for a conservative rider. Check the side wall for cracks as well as checking the tread. Poke at the tred with a finger nail and compare the feel to the new rear. If it feels a lot harder, that is not a good sign.
4) Surfboard rack.....???? :crazy: Most anything is possible, I guess, but I think you would blow away in a light breeze on the GZ with a board in tow, regardless of how you mounted it.
Good luck with that !!! :popcorn:

[patrick_777]

It's possible to fill up the tank too full? (???) I always fill up the tank too full.

See this post/thread: viewtopic.php?p=10207#p10207 (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10207#p10207)

Yes that is how you (possibly) get liquid gas into the evaporation canister.
Stop doing that. :poke2:

:plus1:

[kaput]

The bike seems to run fairly well, I just want to get rid of the flaky Idling. The engine seems strong otherwise, I just feel like an idiot stalling at stop signs. I rode around for a half hour this evening and the problem basicly goes away after that amount of riding. It can also sound a little "click clacky" in the first few minutes wich seems to vanish after 5 minutes (thinking maybe the valves) Also the engine had a bit of dirt/oil on around the cyllender head wich I am hopeful can be contributed to the valves as well.

There were a few drops of oil in the filter, it did not seem like a lot and otherwise looked pretty clean.

I am thinking that the filter is not the problem. The PO was in the military and stationed overseas for 2 of the 3 years he owned it and it was registered nonop since october. He filled the tank but I am wondering how much old gas was in it. I think the valve adjustment, new spark plug, oil change, and a new tank of gas will be cheaper and most likely more helpful.

Also, I live about 1/2 mile from the beach so I am not worried about getting blown over, but maybe better to put on my bicycle.
I see scooters carying boards all over town, I figure it should work somehow.

By the way alanmcorcoran, that is my dog "Kaput" down on the dog beach jetty, glad you like the pic. :rawk:

[alanmcorcoran]

kaput,

Your problem is identical to mine and, although it seems like a minor annoyance, it can be dangerous. I burnt a hole in my pants after stalling in a left turn lane and having to quickly push the bike uphill through the intersection. ALso, I got in the habit of goosing the throttle at stops so I wouldn't stall - not really too smart. I also ended up becoming an expert in push starting the bike so to conserve battery power (lots of stalls and difficult starts.) In short, I added a lot of risky routines to work around the stalling. The bike is fun to ride again now that it is fixed.

Based on my experience at the dealer, I am guessing that it is your carburetor and possibly the emissions thing. They did inspect and adjust my valves, so it could have been that too, but I really think it was the carb was never properly cleaned. Unfortunately, I don't think any of these is easy to service one's self. Easy fixed his with a new air filter, but mine has the old one and I don't think that was my problem. (At least I think I have the old one??)

[mr. softie]

Kaput...

Old gasoline can really make your engine run crappy. Even fuel that has been sitting for a couple months will cause hard starting and idle problems as well as diminished power output. I had to run my snow blower with the choke half on just to keep it running last week because of fuel that had been sitting in a gas can for three months

The worst case occurs when old gasoline forms "gum" or "varnish" that plugs or restricts the small passages and orifices in your carburetor. The idle circuit in the carb is susceptible to this. Then your bike won't idle right till the carb is cleaned properly. If not totally blocked the circuits will sometimes "self clean" with a product like sea-foam added to some NEW fuel.

If you suspect the fuel in your GZ tank is getting weak empty all of it it into your car tank where it will mix with a much larger quantity of fresh fuel and be burned up. Fill the GZ with all fresh fuel. If you store the bike for weeks at a time without running it the addition of Sta-Bil etc is recommended.

I am only 150 times further from the nearest beach than you are

[kaput]

I think I will drain the tank as suggested into my truck. I actually took apart and cleaned the carb pretty well and it did not even seem like it needed it. I did clean 1 really gummed up hose. Jets all looked clean already but I went ahead and cleaned them again, my VW experience came in handy there. I will let you know tomorrow how the gas, plug, and valve adjustment treat me. Worst case, it dosent make any difference. :techy:

-=kaput=-

[Easy Rider]

It can also sound a little "click clacky" in the first few minutes wich seems to vanish after 5 minutes (thinking maybe the valves)

Also the engine had a bit of dirt/oil on around the cyllender head wich I am hopeful can be contributed to the valves as well.

There were a few drops of oil in the filter, it did not seem like a lot and otherwise looked pretty clean.


In most cases, hearing the valves when cold is a GOOD thing. That probably won't go away.

We have been discussing "oil" on the head just in the past few days. Have you seen those posts? It probably isn't oil at all.

If there is ANY oil at all evident on the paper part of the actual air filter, you should seriously consider changing it. Like an iceberg, there might be a lot more there than you can see.

Stabil is good but be careful not to use TOO much. It can cause rough running if you do.

[5th_bike]

Is it normal not to get a normal Idle on this bike untill 15 minutes of riding?
Yes, it doesn't idle well (smoothly) until it's nice and hot. But you can reduce the choke after driving away, and shut it off completely after about one mile, normally.
Also, can anyone suggest a good place to buy parts online?
mrcycles dot com, I ordered some misc. stuff once and they had everything, shipping was very reasonable.

Stay away from 'suzukipartshouse dot com' they seem the cheapest but after you fill in their online order form, they add on a homongeous amount for shipping... :pissed: I alt-F4ed them...