XT225 Poor Acceleration

[sonjagael]

We just crossed the sahara with two xt225s and are currently in Dakar. One of them is now accelerating poorly. Low end seems fine but in 4th gear and above, midrange to top end acceleration is far weaker than before. I just serviced them and cleaned out all the sand from the chains, tightened the chains, cleaned air filters and changed the oil.

We just drove through a lot of sand so I am wondering if something got in the carburetor. Anyone have any ideas as to the cause of this considering the driving we've been doing? And also how to fix it...I have never messed with the carburetors so this is new to me.

Thanks for the help!

Gael

[Walkabout]

Hi Gael,
I don't know about your bike (it sure makes a change from an XT600!) but there are quite a few technical advice sources, such as:-

XT225 Home 2006

XT225 Serow Riders in the UK/USA

I agree with your basic line of questioning: what has changed, especially recently, that could have caused the fault?

You could try changing things over between the two bikes (this is often quoted as a great reason to travel with 2 or more bikes of the same type). e.g. swop the carbs over and see what happens. If you go down this route, swop one thing at a time and look for the effect!
Also, just have a good look at both of them first, compare, and see if there are any obvious differences, such as a split carb to cyl rubber.

Mid-top end range could be caused by "that part" of the carb which operates at full throttle, depending on the carb type/design (hopefully one of those links has good first hand info).

It could also be an electrical problem, so don't discount anything just yet!

Good luck,

[The Cameraman]

Hi Gael,

as Walkabout has suggested, come on over to our site at XT225 Home 2006 and raise your question in the bulletin bards and I'm sure you'll receive an answer.

Carbs arn't difficult to work on, just be systematic in your approach and use plenty of carb cleaner!

Of course you could always do a write up on your adventure, as the group would love to hear of your travels.

Good luck.

[sonjagael]

thanks for the response guys. I am a member of xt225.com and usually go there for help but for some reason I can't access it from here. I thought the site was down or perhaps some issues with the DNS server from senegal. Who knows. I checked the spark plugs and they were very used, replaced them on both bikes. That helped a little. Considering all the sand, I think something just got in there and I need to clean them thoroughly. I am just a little worried since I have never messed with carbs before.

I plan to do a full trip report soon. We have come all the way from the east cost of the US. Shipped to Barcelona and then down from there along the coast. It's been great so far.

Speaking of XT600's, tons of them around here. I've seen at least 10 just in Dakar and several down the petite cote as well.

We're off tomorrow to Casamance, then Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin and then perhaps as far as South Africa.

We'll keep you posted and I'll get some pics up in a trip report soon.

Thanks for anymore help on the issue.

Gael

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Walkabout

Hi Gael,

XT225 Home 2006

XT225 Serow Riders in the UK/USA

such as a split carb to cyl rubber.

Good luck,

Reading both of those sites (but I can't remember which one said what!):- one of them reckons that the intake rubber can be perished at 5 years old+.
Possible cause?

This site has the line diagram for your carb and it has a rubber diaphragm (could be splitting?): as per the cameraman, it is not too complicated:-
Engine Assembly: Carburetor

[AliBaba]

Beside the diaphragm-issue I would have swapped coil and ignition leads.

Compare the compression on the two bikes (press down kick with your hand), does the oil smell petrol?

[Brian E]

I wouldn't strip the carb as the first job, First check compression and also check the clutch worn clutch's first start by slipping in high gears at high rev's.

[yhprum]

If you have the time, and your two bikes are the same, you could swap the carbs from bike to bike, coils and so forth until you isolate the offending part. Then you can take corrective action. Be sure if you do this, there are not any gaskets that you might need. I have only seen a 225, so I cant offer much other help other than make sure the tank is venting properly. you could test this buy cracking the pettol tank cap open a bit when you are in the RPM range you're having problems in.
Good Luck, Steve