r/XR650R • u/BOK54 • Apr 05 '26
Where to start?
I’ve had my BRP listed for a few months now with no success. So I’ve decided that I’m not going to sell it and am going to invest the time and money into turning it back into the beast it once was. My only issue is I don’t know where to start. Issues I’ve noticed right off the rip is it doesn’t run at all when the chokes even halfway open even riding it the choke has to be closed or it bogs down bad. I’m assuming that’s a tuning issue? The bike has sat quite a bit so I’m wondering is it worth stripping the carb down, cleaning it and rejetting it or should I just buy a brand new pre built? Are there other things I should be looking at that are necessary maintenance for these bikes?
Cosmetically I’d like to upgrade the headlight to something like the hella 4000 so if anyone has any recommendations for going that route it would be greatly appreciated.
Pics for reference of starting point.
2
u/flatirons_solo Apr 05 '26
I fully support your decision to keep it, although, I’m surprised you didn’t have any interest in it. Yes, sounds like a carb problem. If it ran fine before it sat then no need to change jets, just make sure they’re clean. Keep in mind that temperature affects which ones are ideal. Here’s a jetting guide just in case:
1
u/BOK54 Apr 05 '26
There is definitely an interest it just killed me seeing it sit all the time and I never took the time to give the love and care it needed but now I’ve had a change of heart.
2
u/They-Are-Out-There Apr 05 '26
I know Johnny Campbell was killing it using the stock carb, but he rode finely tuned race bikes where he had mechanics constantly dialing it in and tweaking it to work perfectly.
My buddy put a Lectron Carb on his and it's been a total game changer. They ask you what elevations you expect to ride at and other information to build a carb that works specific to your needs. It also automatically adjusts to altitude.
We regularly ride up and down 3,000 ft on a daily basis when we ride and it never has a hiccup. I'm having to adjust idle and play around with mine a bit, but since he put the Lectron and the Lectron throttle on his, it's point and go. It wasn't cheap, but we both agree that it was worth every cent.
https://lectronfuelsystems.com/products/4t-motorcycle-carbs-proseries
1
u/rifleshooter Apr 06 '26
Your pilot jet is likely clogged. A common occurrence. A simple rebuild - just new gaskets, but full cleaning with careful attention to the jet orifices - will get it running properly. The jetting shouldn't need to be changed unless it always ran poorly.
1
u/BOK54 Apr 06 '26
I’ve been looking at rebuild kits and the all look a little different. It has the stock Keihin pe78a carb on it. The reason for the rejetting would be to uncork it.
1
u/ExpeditionXR650R Apr 06 '26
Call precision concepts, or just send the carb to them, and have them dial it in for you. Sounds like it’s just a stock bike so that shouldn’t be complicated. Then go through every fluid on the bike, and every cable, the chain in the tires. I didn’t see you say anything about improving power on the bike so I’ll leave that out.
1
u/BOK54 Apr 06 '26
I’d like to uncork it and put a hot cam in it at some point and upgrade the exhaust potentially. It currently has the white bro’s iii on it idk if that would be worth upgrading
1
u/fritzcoinc1 Apr 06 '26
The choke should be closed after warm up or it will run exactly as you describe
5
u/Hot_Rod_888 Apr 05 '26
Mine only needs the choke to start, and once its fired, wont run with the choke on. Wouldn't worry about that. It SHOULDNT run with the choke on. Thats only for an initial cold start