How to clean motorcycle carbs
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
In this video I show you how to clean your carburetors. I am performing this service on a Kawasaki Ninja 250r.
The ninja has dual carbs - the procedure is same on most carbs.
Most of the times when your bike does not start after not being run for a while, or does not idle without choke, the culprit is clogged pilot jet(s). If the bike starts and idles fine, but dies when given gas, the culprit is clogged main jet(s). I will also show you how to adjust your air / fuel mixture screw.
So watch the video to become a carb expert and save hundreds of dollars by doing this service yourself.
Thanks for watching
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Good video! I'm a mechanic myself. I can tell you that you missed cleaning most important part, the float valve. If it's clogged with debris or stuck closed the bike will not run at all no matter how clean the jets are. To do that, remove the pin that holds the float in place, remove the float valve and make sure the hole is clean, the valve is clean and that there's no liquid inside the float itself. Put it back together and you're done.
@cadenkreuser9554
5 жыл бұрын
Leonardo Armendáriz is it necessary to clean the air flow screws?
@brntroutguy
2 жыл бұрын
agree
I have a 2005 Ninja 250 which would only run on full choke and I couldn't give it gas. I knew I had a fuel problem because I left gas in it for not quite 2 years. I followed your video step by step on my laptop while I was in the garage working on my bike. First off, let me say that I know NOTHING about bikes especially nothing about carburetors! I found out after taking the jets out that the top hole on the right side carb's main jet was plugged and the top hole on the left side carb's pilot jet was plugged. I cleaned everything up exactly as you show in the video and put the bike back together. My bike fired right up!!! She idles! She revs! She runs like a Champ! I can't thank you enough for uploading this video. It was a real help and I truly appreciate it :) Thank You!
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
1984sFinest Awesome. Glad my video was useful to you. That's how I learned everything I know about motorcycles. +1 for KZread
@DanielTompkins187
9 жыл бұрын
1984sFinest I left my 2006 Ninja 250R in a garage with a full tank of gas and the petcock set to on for 8 years and funny enough it started up and revved great with fresh gas and seafoam in it.
@alecfleming373
5 жыл бұрын
My brother brought me an old like 94 or something 250 ninja to fix... Top end has been done, wish me luck on carbs.
@Malibus_Most_Wanted
5 жыл бұрын
leaving it sitting for over 6months can gunk a carb
@extremeencounter7458
4 жыл бұрын
Did you also drill out the air fuel mixture screws? I'm kind of scared of messing something up by drilling them
Just wanted to thank you for posting this video. My Triumph Thruxton would not idle without choke. I followed your steps and they worked. She now runs like silk. Cheers
Thanks for the video! I am working on my 2007 Ninja's carbs right now and I watching a bunch of videos on the subject. Yours is the best!
Cleaning my carbs as I watch your video, Thank you for this!
I've been learning more and more over the past few years since I've been riding how to work on my own bike. I have a bike that set up for a year just as the one in this video. Only way it will stay running is in the choke on position (again just like the one in this video). I've tried running Seafoam and Gumout added to my fuel but looks like there's no way around doing what your video CLEARLY demonstrates. Well explained and demonstrated sir!!!! If all of your video demonstrations are like this I will definitely have to subscribe!
Great video, Tito! Clear to understand and simple to follow, it's given me increased confidence to tackle my carbs... given that I'm not at all confident with these kinds of things. Cheers :-)
Fantastic video, very in depth and easy to follow. I plan to do this on my 1991 kawasaki 600r thats been sitting for 2 years over the weekend and will be using this video as reference.
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching.
Hell yeah, I knew it was a pilot jet. My throttle is stuck and the bike won't run without the choke being fully on the second I dropped the choke to half down to nothing it kills out. Not to mention I can't get past 60 on the freeway without its sputtering with hesitation. This video is great help for referencing thank you man!
Thank you for this instructional video. I have a 4 cyl Kawi and I am going to remove and clean my carbs! I will let you know how it goes. What a GREAT GUY YOU ARE FOR TAKING TIME TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Subscribing now! YOU ROCK!
@hunterzero9895
Жыл бұрын
How did it go?
Bought a zzr250 tonight and the bike seems to be having the same problem, looked at electrical and everything seems fine. Will give this a go tomorrow, thanks for the video!
I will be following this video on when disassembling my ninja 250 very soon! Thank you very much for this step by step and explanation video. Was looking for instructions like this for few days now. Thank you again!
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
You are welcome. Thanks for watching.
Thanks, this video helped me get my wife's bike running again!
Great Tutorial! My wife's 250 Ninja has been sitting for a few years and sounds/idles like crap. Can't wait to clean it up!
Thanks for the video it was very helpful!
Great video, really simplified things!
this video is awesome!!! Thanks for posting
Thanks for the video! Incredibly helpful!
Thank you so much for this video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i have to say its by far the best carb cleaning video out there that goes step by step, i also have a ninja 250 that didnt want to start, at first i changed the spark plugs thinking it was that then drained out the old gas put new one on and nothing happened also put sea foam and nothing happened . so my last option was taking out the carbs and cleaning them. and voila!!!!!!! it worked , fired right up, although i did have to use a starter fluid inside the air filter box . and i do want to add ..... to not put carb cleaner on the diaphragms since this will cause it to warp , instead use light wd40. also for the best carb removal i found was the easiest was DIY JetKit install/re-jet- Kawiforums
Awesome vid! Thanks for the info.
Really helpful video. Thanks!
Guy is not a professional... but gets the job done! love the video! thank you!
@kylemcweeny878
2 жыл бұрын
How? He did it perfectly
Very helpful! I took my bike in this year to get it done and it was expensive. But no more I will do it myself! Thanks for the video
@ebay111978
10 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Working on your own bike is so much fun and satisfying. Not paying high priced mechanics is just the gravy.
Excellent video, thank you!
Very informative guide thanks
I'm about to go pick up a 1995 Kawasaki Ninja ex500 this weekend. The current owner rode it once and now it doesn't do anything when you try to turn it on. It's been sitting for about 2 months. There's a couple of things I need to fix or replace but I'm definitely going to try to clean the carburetors first. Thanks for the video
I followed this and was able to bring my motorcycle back to life. Thank you so much for a truly excellent video. Awesome!
New rider here. Awesome video much love
@ulicesalcantar1274
6 жыл бұрын
Scott Anders Music same bro I have the same bike but yellow as this guy
Thanks for this video! I got my self the same bike and It helped me a lot.
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. Glad my video helped. I am currently working on a cafe scrambler build on a ninja 250 - build video are being uploaded as it progresses. Don't forget to check them out.
Ive got its big brother the Ninja 400 ... was running like a complete pig and very difficult to start ... you a life saver ....!
@chrism8366
4 жыл бұрын
The ninja 400 is the ninja 500's big brother?
@michaelblaskovich9854
3 жыл бұрын
@@chrism8366 that’s a 250 lol
Thanks for the video you saved me a ton of money!
@ebay111978
8 жыл бұрын
awesome. glad my video helped.
fantastic video, really helped me out.
@ebay111978
10 жыл бұрын
Thank you - appreciate the comment
Very helpful. Thank you!
thanks so much. Great guide.
great video. I have an ex250 that won't start. getting spark. think carbs messed up. I will follow your guide. thank you.
very nice vid bro thanks
well, finally found an easy video to follow.........I'm going to do this!
thank you so much this has help me alot honda 86 vfr interceptor 6-16-14
@ebay111978
10 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Glad my video was of help to you.
this was great thanks!
Well Done!..One of the best "How to clean Motorcycle Carburator" videos on You Tube..Thank you Tito!
Good video!
Awesome video
Great video, I think I have the same problem. I only have one carb which should be easy. Thanks and subbed
this is the best video
Nice! Thanks buddy
Good video
Hey Tito Sean help me please, I have a kawasaki 250 2007 the bike has only 200 miles because It was sitting for a while, everything was working fine until one day while the bike began to fail and dies, then turn on and when I started to gave it gas the bike dies and doesn't want to start again.... you think it is the carbs? Thanks
thanks a lot man this video helped me so much I did exactaly what u did and walllaaa my bike runs amazing and I did it all in about an hour or two would highly recommend to anybody cleaning there carbs
@ebay111978
10 жыл бұрын
Glad to be of help. Thanks for watching.
nice vid!
great informative video but i just watched it because i wanted to see what the carb looked like :)
Hey while cleaning the top end of the carb which way are the vacuum boots supposed to go? The boots have a center hole and another hole on the one side!
Nice video, if you have a pri setting on your petcock turn there to prevent getting fuel lock since theres no gas in your float bowl. The other thing I would suggest is remove the float while your in there the needle and seat is important to not cause over flowing fuel as you mentioned...
Thanks!
I did but i use a fuel feeder and on the gas line from the tank is not going down so it not getting gas it has a small piping that the hose goes to both carbs does it get clogged also if so how can you unclog it
My bike needs this done. Not tryna do all that. What is a good shop in Chicago?
Thanks Tito !
Nice vid thx
Hello, my son in law has a 250 ninja in my basement with the carbs half off. I see the primer line has a T in it but one line off the petcok. Could you tell me where the T goes ?
My bike starts, idles low, cuts off with choke or throttle applied. Or it will eventually bogg down and die. My question is that since my bike will start but barely would i be ok just pulling the main jet and pilot jet cleaning them and putting it back on?and also as far as the mixture screw if i dont feel comfortable drilling to get to them can i just leave them alone since they are blocked off anyway? I dont have a drill either way just basic hand tools. i am limited on time and need my motorcycle since it is my only transportation i so i was just going to pull the carbs, pull the main and pilot jets ONLY clean them and put them back into the carbs and put the carbs back on the bike.
Is this method of cleaning the carb the same for a Kawasaki zx9r??
Thank you.
I have an '06 ninja 250r (blue) with same problem. I'll let you know how it goes.
If one were to use non-ethanol gas, such as a non-ethanol premium, and properly maintained the air filter would this mostly eliminate the need to clean these carbs?
Good video. Nice instructions. Can these instructions work for a 1989 Kawasaki ex250 as well. I'm guessing yeah of course but just asking just in case .
@ebay111978
10 жыл бұрын
Yes - the carbs on all pre 2008 ninja 250s are 99% same. As a matter of fact, most carbs are very similar to each other. Once you know how to work/clean one, you can do it on any carb.
Nice video - very helpful - thanks!
how did you learn all of this? you a magician
@ebay111978
5 жыл бұрын
haha - thanks. I've owned over 400+ bikes in the past 20 years or so I have been riding. And I've learned from various youtube videos myself. I enjoy working on all my bikes so it is an ongoing learning journey.
was it not starting before ? my honda cbr does the same thing when i try to start it just like the last part
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
Nope. This bike had been sitting for 2+ years so would not start at all before carb clean.
in the event i cant get one of the jets out (fear of stripping the threads) would spraying carb cleaner into the jet hole and letting it soak be effective ?
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
Very likely not. I use a vice grip and a tiny screwdriver to get the pilot jet out. The pilot jet is usually in there pretty tight.
Ok about the same as lawn mowers or go karts great thanks so much
nice video i the 500r and its been sitting for about 5 yrs and it will not start what do you think i should do
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
The ninja 500 is very similar to ninja 250. I would first clean out the carb. Follow the video, carbs on both these bikes are almost identical. Drain out the old fuel from gas tank. Put it back together and it should start with fresh gas. Good luck.
I have Yamaha Virago, looks like I'm learning tomorrow.
Let me give a little bit more information yesterday they had it started for me with new gas and it with the tank off of it I put a new gas in the fuel line then they hickle finally started however they had to keep the throttle on of course my question is does it sound like it is just needing gas tank clean cars being cleaned and just regular tuneup also I'm buying this bike for $425 it's in great condition he said he just wants to get it out of the yard he was asking a thousand I explained him all the work I had to do to it and that's the price I talked him down to it I'm asking your advice because I really appreciate your feedback
Great job, my zx600 E is a 1993 and has 100 k miles on it. Recently it started to idle very bad and shaking. Do you think this procedure will be the solution? Thank you.
@ebay111978
2 жыл бұрын
If the bike had not been sitting and started idle bad and shake, it could just be water in gas. If that does not work, check valves and throttle body sync. There are videos on both in my channel. Different bike but procedure should be mostly similar
Gonna try tht
Nice video... I am going to try tomorrow I have the same bike in black, How long time you spend doing that?
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
I have done a few of these so from start to finish takes me 3-4 hrs. Hardest part is separating the carbs from the bike.
@Jhova_teran
9 жыл бұрын
Yes I think that will be, maybe do u made a video about that...?
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
Robinson TeranP I haven't yet. But will definitely put it down on my to-do list. Thank you for the suggestion.
You completely skimmed over re-seating the CV Slide diaphragm which seems to be the trickiest part, for me. Any tips/tricks? I’m stumped..
I'm buying an old 2007 ninja that's been sitting for years. The battery is new, tubing is connected. I can hear the starter working, but it sounds like it has an empty tank even with fuel. This is my best guess for how I need to clean it. Anything else I should check out or try? Thank you for the video
@ebay111978
2 жыл бұрын
Change out the oil. It is not uncommon for gas to get into engine case after bike sits for a while. Congrats on your purchase
@HarmlessOSRS
2 жыл бұрын
@@ebay111978 @Tito Sean yeah good idea, I'll get some fresh 10w-40 in there. I'm not used to working with carburetors but in this market I'm happy to learn anything new. Thanks for the video I'll tell you if this helps!
Thanks for the video man. However, the metal shavings would bug the heck out of me... Lol
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
haha - good point. thanks for watching !!
hey working on my byke hwen I was cleaning the main jet 1 big spacer a tiny washer & small o ring that came out what's the right direction to installed
@ebay111978
8 жыл бұрын
o ring washer spring
@te69penene
8 жыл бұрын
+Tito Sean thank' s
Careful on the diaphragm with carb cleaner. Carb cleaner with expand the diaphragm material and you will have a heck of a time getting it to seat. BUT if you wait for the carb cleaner to flash off. Can take a couple hours.
Thanks for the replies..... Yeah fixing this Learner bike for my friend has revealed the hardest/ time consuming air filter to remove ive ever seen. Instead of traditional 2 things to remove to get to air filter this gzx needed 13 things to remove..... Crazy design. If they made the giant air box for a 250 just 1cm thinner (which would still make it about 97% same size and sure no effect on performance ) you would be able to lift it up out of frame. I got it out on weekend. Amazed to see melted holes in it and wasnt even connected to carb i just cleaned out. So if i dont glue up melted holes in origional air box and i dont buy a replacement air filter that looked like a black dish sponge desintergrating? Do you have a video showing what you did to the airbox/battery holder when you put the K&N filter in? Do i buy KnN r-0990filter? And if i put that on that just holds itsself to the carb. How much and want parts of the battery holder/ air box do i cut off?
On my ninja it runs fine execpt when i go full throttle it sputters and boggs down. I do sometime feel loss of power in mid range at normal throttle. Could that be my carburetor
@ebay111978
6 жыл бұрын
Yes - if exhaust and airbox is stock - clean the carbs.
Overall good overview, but I keep seeing videos like this one that the person used carb cleaner in a spray can. there is a few big problems doing so. 1, if the carbs are older, it can cause the rubber O rings between the carbs to fail. if you must use a spray can, separate all carbs and remove ALL rubber parts. The 2nd probably is that this spray can stuff will etch the brass parts. This can lead to the float value to stick, open or closed. Also leading to build up of junk faster in your jets. Both of these situations can lead to your bike burning up in flames. Using a good carburetor soak to clean them. At minimum, spray your parts and use a air hose and blow out the spray immediately to lessen the effects on your parts.......
Would the carburetor be the same in 87 honda manga ? Thanks
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
TheHardik112 Basic principal would be the same
Tito. so i am buy in a 87 ninja 750r looked at it today great shape. been setting for a 2 years. they shot got it running today long enough so i could hear it..sounded good. my question is this i most likely need to do this plus a tune up correct? and do you think that's what the issue was it not starting
@ebay111978
6 жыл бұрын
mack johnson correct. I would clean the carbs, replace oil and change plugs to start
@m.j.photography5804
6 жыл бұрын
Tito Sean it will also need a new battery which is no big deal...i will keep u updated. thank you for the help
@m.j.photography5804
6 жыл бұрын
i also forgot to mention rust in gas tank i need to get that cleaned
@ebay111978
6 жыл бұрын
mack johnson yes definitely want to clean that first
@m.j.photography5804
6 жыл бұрын
Tito Sean do u have a channel for that ?
Where does that plastic hose connects too mines came off
►►► Thank you, I had cleaned for 2nd time the same model bike carb but I never removed the SCREW-PILOT AIR, so I still having a little problem lacking power and I guess is due this part... I will try it again. Regars
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching
Would this be the same procedure for a Ninja 500 as well?
@ebay111978
2 жыл бұрын
Yes it would. The ninja 250 and ninja 500 carbs are almost identical
@samuelmartinez2639
2 жыл бұрын
@@ebay111978 thanks!
I recently bought a 03 ninja 500 with low miles, battery is new, the choker cable is moving, the guy said the carburetors were recently cleaned. Normally it should turn over even on cold weather. I keep cranking the bike until the battery dies with no luck and eventually I resort to jumping it with a car until it does run. The bike runs good once it does but when I leave it off for several hours it does it again, the choker doesn't seem to help much. Any suggestions?
@ebay111978
6 жыл бұрын
rmtheg234 sounds like the carburetors were not cleaned right they need to be recleaned
@rmtheg234
6 жыл бұрын
Even with the choke on, it seems to not do anything, I see the cable engaging though, but you could be right, it probably wasn't cleaned enough. This bike has only 2500 miles on but it was on storage and not often used by the original owner. I happen to be the 3rd.
@ebay111978
6 жыл бұрын
rmtheg234 yep. Take them off and clean them again. They will be very similar to the 250 carbs shown in this video. A well cleaned and dialed-in carb should start bike with very little choke.
@rmtheg234
6 жыл бұрын
Alright, and might as well replace the air filter and spark plugs while i'm at it, thanks for the help!
When taking the gas tank off do I need to take the gas out first or will it be contained?
@ebay111978
6 жыл бұрын
Jonathan Chau you can turn petcock to off position and it should be fine. You don't have to remove gas.
Oh man... your information is right, but seeing you use an adjustable wrench on your jets is sketchy, but very, very informative.
What wire are you using for the jets?
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
Alex Scholefield any electric wire with small strands will work. I twist 2 strands together and it works well
@ronzogo
3 жыл бұрын
Get a torch tip cleaning tool, you'll have all the sizes you need there.
What should this bike idol on once cleaned n fully working. ATM i get very uneven rev rate n bike cuts out eventually unless i set it at 1800-2000.But just having bought this as a cheap, porly maintained Learner bike to fix up for my friend. Im guessing oil, air, petrole filters n sparks plugs have all been cleaned/ replaced. That it should be set idol at about 1600?
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
A well tuned bike should be able to idle well at 1000 or 1100 rpm. Check the rubber boots and all rubber seals in the carb. At times if there is a leak in any or they it will cause idling issues.
@ACTIONDANhero
7 жыл бұрын
Whats "rubber boots" ?
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
the rubber boots between the carb and engine and between carb and airbox. even minor cracks on these will cause the bike not to run right.
@ACTIONDANhero
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Yeah today i took the fuel tank off to get in there and replace the air filter and pull out n clean the carbs. And i was amazed to find the air filter box with a melted hole in it and 2nd these 'rubber boots' from the carbs are not even connected to the air filter. It looks like a previous idiot owner got the air filter loose but couldn't work out how to remove it n has just sold it hanging seperate. I guess that explais why it runs uneven and a little louder than i expected. Im used to unscrewing and lifting an air filter box 'up' from the bike easily (usually under fuel tank) with just a couple of screws n nothing in the way. But on this gpx 250 it seems due to the tight frame. That i cant take the air filter box out upward, or from left or right or forwards. So im guessing and have started to try n remove the air filter box from behind by removing the rear 3 parts to the mud guard. I have taken battery out etc..... Am i on the right track or was i ment to be able to remove it upwards somehow? The air filter box seems wider that the frame is above it.
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
you are on the right track. the airbox is a pain to take out on this bike and comes out from the back and side after removing a bunch of stuff. Since you are taking it out it might be a good idea to replace it with a K&N pod style filter. With a 110 main jet the bike will run and sound much better. I am working on a 250 scrambler build right now and I did that on it. Videos are on my channel - it is a much recommended mod.
I have a 2012 ninja 250 when I close the choke my pull back the throttle my bike dies. If I do this should it help?
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
Jordan Bagnell yes carb clean is what you need
@jordanbagnell9444
7 жыл бұрын
Tito Sean okay thank you
Hey man I have an 02 ninja 250 I just got for graduation but I have to do a carb clean. Any tips for getting the carb back on the bike ? It seems like that will be the hardest part
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
Congrats ! spray a little WD40 on the carb boots - that will help in sliding them on
@shredallday84
7 жыл бұрын
+Tito Sean hey I actually woke up and my dad ended up cleaning the carb out last night. The bike sat for a long time but the bike won't idle. It'll run and ride but getting it to idle in neutral is just not happening. Any idea. It's definitely a carb issue but the carb was cleaned. Any idea?
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
Probably carb not cleaned well enough. It it won't idle, your pilot jet is still clogged.
@shredallday84
7 жыл бұрын
+Tito Sean it idles for about 30 second max and then just stalls out
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
I would give the carbs a good cleaning again
I knew you were gonna say without further ado. Lol idk i just hears it coming good video tho
Can you contact me? I have a question regarding that main fuse red connector. It seems it's missing one of the 4 gold connectors
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
please send me your email address, I will send you a picture of how it is supposed to look like
@marlenelaravillegas
7 жыл бұрын
Tito Sean la_grrrla69@hotmail.com
@ebay111978
7 жыл бұрын
sent. If you have a broken connector you can order a replacement solenoid. they are pretty cheap. I included a link to the part in the email
and how can you check if your getting fire i know a few thing I've tried but got no where lol
@ebay111978
9 жыл бұрын
Take the spark plug out of a cylinder. Plug it into the spark plug wire, ground it to engine and hit the start switch. You should see spark jump on the plug.
What does the clear hose go to in the middle of the carburetor
@ebay111978
Жыл бұрын
That is overflow. You really don't need it. It can be discarded or routed down. It does not connect to anything other than the carb
@mikebenson1104
Жыл бұрын
@@ebay111978 what should I do if the bowl screws are too tight?
@ebay111978
Жыл бұрын
@@mikebenson1104 You would need to use something like an impact driver to get them off. You can also spraying penetrating oil
@mikebenson1104
Жыл бұрын
@@ebay111978 thanks I fixed it. Let my friend ride it and now it's leaking again after he wrecked it
Thanks for the video. However, I may suggest that you remove the diaphragm before you spray carb cleaner around the jets. The rubber can be ruined by the cleaner, and they're expensive to replace.
@ebay111978
10 жыл бұрын
Good point. Thank you
@kylemcweeny878
2 жыл бұрын
16 dollars