Reed valves... arghhhh!

[mikerg250]

Hi there, I replaced my snapped reed valves with some new ones recently and have had trouble ever since. I put in the same brand as last time (boyesen 2 stage reeds) and when i put it all back together it will start fine, run well for about 2 minutes then drop a piston, like theres no gas getting to it. i have stripped it down cleaned everything including carbs like 5 times now and everytime the same thing happens but on a different piston. i have no idea why it keeps happening, is it possible the reeds are slightly different weights or something? any help would really be appreciated thanks.

[Racey Rider]

As no-one else has answered,,
Sounds a bit of a mystery. cuts out on different sides?
Could it just be a lack of fuel flow? A blocked tank vent would cause it to run out of fuel after a few minuets. When it cuts out, open the fuel cap to see if that helps.
or rust blocking the fuel tap filters.

Racey

[F5 Dave]

Donncha just hate that when a fault crops up after you do something seemingly unrelated?

If it starts fine then end of story, it's not the reeds, they are fine.

Your problem is fuel supply. I suspect you have kinked the line to the carbs & if you have a fuel filter inline then this is the most likely cause. May need to start with new lines if they have collapsed of gotten hard & kinked. Also pull the fuel tap out & check that filter & check the petrol cap breather.

Didn't say what bike but I am old enough to remember those RG250s with the wolf colours. Hmm, maybe your name is a hint if I was awake. In which case they had a separate breather at the front right didn't they? so easy to check that isn't blocked. Obviously you have cleaned the carbs & blown through/disassembled the petrol feed?

[mikerg250]

Hi again, thanks for the replys. ok i have checked all the filters, fuel lines and breathers, and found nothing blocking them or any cracks, i have even taken the tank off and poured fuel straight into the line that goes to the carbs with no result. I've pulled the float bowls off and found fuel in both of them. sorry my post before was a little confusing i meant it would run fine only after i had pulled everything apart (like barrels etc) and put it back together again, and only for a minute or so. after that the piston will lose power (like its not firing), and will be like that till i strip it down and put it back together again. to make it even more confusing, it swaps cylinder every time i do this (yep it is an rg250 which is a paralell twin 2 stroke). so thats why i think its not the carbs but the new reed valves. Im really stuck for ideas so anything would be apprieciated thanks

[stanko]

My money is on a lack of fuel as well. Try this run it till it stops then srtaight away disconnect the fuelpipes at the carb end. Now check the carb bowls for fuel level. I think you can do this with a piece of clear tube connected to the fuel drain at the bottom of the carb. arrange th tube so it heads for the top of the carb, then open the drain screw and check the level in the tube.
I had a carb (TM28 same as yours) on my bucket that did the exact same thing, I fixed it by fitting a different carb after giving up in desperation. The reeds are a red herring

[Tim 39]

hmm all I can say if none of this helps and you have nothing elseto try, maybe try getting the standard suzuki reeds and see what happens, but usually reed trouble will result in it either not starting at all or vey hard to start.
Have fun
Tim

[xxblackbirdxx]

Could have a look since we are in the same city. send me a PM and i could come round and have a look. have worked with a few two strokes in my time and would be glad to lend a helping hand

[mikerg250]

Thanks for the help, i have now fixed the problem - the reed valve seat things had an uneven surface because of an old gasket, i sanded it down and relpaced it without a gasket and its now running... for the moment anyway, at least my carbs are spotlessly clean.