Help, problems with my CBR

**ricksta** · 13th April 2005, 19:04

Hey guys, i just got the bike on saturday and after a few days driving i've noticed a few problems... i find that sometimes while waiting at the traffic lights or intersections i have my bike in gear with the clutch pulled right back but it sometimes dies

so i have to rev the bike... am i spose to rev the bike when i'm not moving? or is there a problem with the bike itself?
also... the bike gets hot very easily... especially when i'm in traffic (having to stop and go all the time)

i'm new with bikes so i have no idea if its me thats causing the problem or is it the bike?

thanks in advance guys

**Coyote** · 13th April 2005, 19:06

Does the bike lose revs then stops?

**bugjuice** · 13th April 2005, 19:13

has the idle been adjusted too low? There's a * shaped black plastic knob near where your left knee would be, which adjusts the idle speed. Can't remember which way is which, but it'll be obvious when you twist it. Turning it one way will raise the idle speed, the other will lower it. Try that and see what happens. If that still doesn't solve your problem, then might be a bit more than that. Post back and we'll see I guess..

As for the heat problem, CBR250s are known for their toasty ways. Just have to be sure that the bike has had a recent radiator flush and is clean in there, and that the fan works too. can check that by letting it stand and idle by itself (when you sort the idle out!), and the fan should start spinning up when the temp goes up. I think it kicks in about 3/4s up the temp gauge, or check it when sat in traffic..

**ricksta** · 13th April 2005, 19:24

Originally Posted by alarumba

Does the bike lose revs then stops?

yes

Originally Posted by bugjuice

has the idle been adjusted too low? There's a * shaped black plastic knob near where your left knee would be, which adjusts the idle speed. Can't remember which way is which, but it'll be obvious when you twist it. Turning it one way will raise the idle speed, the other will lower it. Try that and see what happens. If that still doesn't solve your problem, then might be a bit more than that. Post back and we'll see I guess..

i just went and check that knob ur talking about... i couldnt see any knob on either side of the bike except for the fuel knob (on, res, off) other than that... no other visible knobs.

As for the heat problem, CBR250s are known for their toasty ways. Just have to be sure that the bike has had a recent radiator flush and is clean in there, and that the fan works too. can check that by letting it stand and idle by itself (when you sort the idle out!), and the fan should start spinning up when the temp goes up. I think it kicks in about 3/4s up the temp gauge, or check it when sat in traffic..

i bought the bike from Red Baron and they service every bike that they're about to sell... maybe they didnt service it that well... damn it.

The bike is an 1988 model but its only done 15K

**Coyote** · 13th April 2005, 19:27

Originally Posted by bugjuice

has the idle been adjusted too low? There's a * shaped black plastic knob near where your left knee would be, which adjusts the idle speed. Can't remember which way is which, but it'll be obvious when you twist it. Turning it one way will raise the idle speed, the other will lower it. Try that and see what happens. If that still doesn't solve your problem, then might be a bit more than that. Post back and we'll see I guess..

Thats what I was going to say

NEVER UNSCREW IT ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS A REAL SHIT TO SCREW IT BACK ONTO THE CARBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't stress that enough!

BTW, the attached picture shows what the thing looks like, at least on the RR

**bugjuice** · 13th April 2005, 19:30

Originally Posted by ricksta

i just went and check that knob ur talking about... i couldnt see any knob on either side of the bike except for the fuel knob (on, res, off) other than that... no other visible knobs.

i bought the bike from Red Baron and they service every bike that they're about to sell... maybe they didnt service it that well... damn it.

The bike is an 1988 model but its only done 15K

The knob might be tucked a little under the frame. It's on the same side as the fuel tap, but a bit further forward, should be mounted on the engine left side (as you sit on the bike).

If the bike was bought not too long ago from RB, then I'd bet a ball that it's been well serviced, so I wouldn't worry too much about that then, and just have to get used to warm legs in traffic. That's what they do, cos they perfer the open roads to the city. Still awesome little bikes tho, I used to have one..
15k is increadably low for an '88 too, good find if that's the case!!

**bugjuice** · 13th April 2005, 19:33

Originally Posted by alarumba

NEVER UNSCREW IT ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS A REAL SHIT TO SCREW IT BACK ONTO THE CARBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't stress that enough!

BTW, the attached picture shows what the thing looks like, at least on the RR

what was that? didn't quite hear you.. Nice one on the pic

yeah, forgot to mention that too. Was in my head, but forgot to type. It's very *very* easy to unscrew it accidently. So just twist slowly and listen carefully to what the engine is doing. If it goes down a little, leave it a sec and see if it stays or picks up. If it rises, then you're on the right track..

**ricksta** · 13th April 2005, 19:52

Originally Posted by bugjuice

The knob might be tucked a little under the frame. It's on the same side as the fuel tap, but a bit further forward, should be mounted on the engine left side (as you sit on the bike).

If the bike was bought not too long ago from RB, then I'd bet a ball that it's been well serviced, so I wouldn't worry too much about that then, and just have to get used to warm legs in traffic. That's what they do, cos they perfer the open roads to the city. Still awesome little bikes tho, I used to have one..
15k is increadably low for an '88 too, good find if that's the case!!

went for a second look and found it

... the knob was a little loose.. i could twist it both ways very easily but then i got a bit hard to twist...

umm i had a little play with it and it was a bit hard to tell the difference.... but the rev pointer stays at 1K rpm (out of 20K) this time and the engine didnt die at all... i think i have it on the right setting... but we'll see tommorow wether it works on not when i take it to work.

thanks for the help guys... i might take it back to RB and have it checked on saturday or sunday if the problem doesnt stop.

**GROOMER** · 13th April 2005, 19:54

Originally Posted by ricksta

Hey guys, i just got the bike on saturday and after a few days driving i've noticed a few problems... i find that sometimes while waiting at the traffic lights or intersections i have my bike in gear with the clutch pulled right back but it sometimes dies

so i have to rev the bike... am i spose to rev the bike when i'm not moving? or is there a problem with the bike itself?
also... the bike gets hot very easily... especially when i'm in traffic (having to stop and go all the time)

i'm new with bikes so i have no idea if its me thats causing the problem or is it the bike?

thanks in advance guys

Try pulling upto the lights in neutral. If it doesnt die like it has been, then more than likely the clutch needs adjusting out slightly.

**ricksta** · 13th April 2005, 19:59

Originally Posted by GROOMER

Try pulling upto the lights in neutral. If it doesnt die like it has been, then more than likely the clutch needs adjusting out slightly.

good point there! thanks.

**k14** · 13th April 2005, 20:13

Turn it clockwise to increase the idle. The idle for CBR250's is 2200rpm +/-500 so if its at 1000 its way too low. Just turn your bike on and keep turning it clockwise till you notice the idle going high, like up to 5000rpm then slowly turn the knob the other way till it is around 2000rpm.

Mine sometimes dies when it is cold just after starting it. Are you using the choke to start it??

**bugjuice** · 14th April 2005, 13:05

you get this fixed yet?

**FEINT** · 14th April 2005, 14:57

Originally Posted by k14

Turn it clockwise to increase the idle. The idle for CBR250's is 2200rpm +/-500 so if its at 1000 its way too low. Just turn your bike on and keep turning it clockwise till you notice the idle going high, like up to 5000rpm then slowly turn the knob the other way till it is around 2000rpm.

Wow, my CBR idles at 1000rpm as well and it doesn't stall. I didn't know they were suppose to idle at 2200 +/- 500rpm...