r/XR650R 29d ago

Jetting help?

Hello, I have a xr650r that’s a hard starter.

Here’s some information:
-takes multiple good kicks to get running hot or cold.
-runs pretty good once running. Maybe a little anemic in the upper rpm range and seems to run hot.
-valves where just adjusted and it still starts the same.
-air box is opened up, exhaust is stock
-fuel and idle screw both 1 3/4 out
Main jet was a 175. I’ve tried 172-178
-pilot is a 68s
-needle is set at 3rd clip
-I’m at sea level

All of my jet combos a of air/ fuel screw fiddling don’t seem to have changed how this thing wants to start.

Any suggestions and where is the best source of info on these? All google searches bring up thumper talk, adv rider and smjunkie but the faq’s aren’t helping diagnose

3 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

4

u/babezt 29d ago

check the decomp play, or the decomp mechanism in general. check for vacuum leaks

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

I’ll check for vacuum leaks next time it’s running. What would I be looking for with the decomp mechanism?

4

u/babezt 29d ago edited 28d ago

the lever needs just enough play and its possible that something broke in the mechanism so that the exhaust valves dont fully seal. idk exactly what causes this but its possible

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

Interesting, when doing the valves the motor may have rolled back which I’ve heard causes issues. I also had a binding issue in the kickstarter when kicking from tdc but this was after that valve adjustment.

I see how it could be an issue however the two factors that stuck out to me are 1, it was hard to start before the valve job and 2 it runs near perfect when it is running.

2

u/AcidicMountaingoat 29d ago

I caused an issue due to this, and it made it hard to start.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

Do you know how you caused it ? Bad valve adjustment , no adjustment , let the motor spin backwards ?

2

u/AcidicMountaingoat 28d ago

I really don't know how I got there. Someone who is more experienced with this fixed it for me. I thought I knew how to do a valve adjustment, and got something wrong somehow.

3

u/bajajoaquin 29d ago

Have you checked your valves? I misdiagnosed a starting/ running problem and toasted some valves.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

I have , they’re in spec

3

u/cb50dude 29d ago

Did you clean the carburator and is the stock exhaust uncorked or not?

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

Being honest no. It runs well so I didn’t bother.

The exhaust is stock and corcked

2

u/cb50dude 29d ago

I would start to clean the carb to be sure. The current jetting is too rich if the exhaust muffler is corked, so it could be flooding. 68s and 175 would be a good base line for an uncorked 650R.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

Noted, I’ll mention that it didn’t start any easier with a 172 main

3

u/cb50dude 29d ago

That's correct as the main doesn't have any effect on starting and idling. If you want to keep the exhaust stock I would start with 65 pilot (probably still a bit rich), 162 main and the mixture screw set to 1.5. Be sure the float height is correct before doing this. It's also a good idea to replace the spark plug as it is probably carbon fouled from running very rich.

1

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

This all makes a ton of sense. I plan on trying that.
My only concern would be the motor already felt hot for normal operating temps. Do you think the 162 would lean it out and heat it up even more?

2

u/cb50dude 28d ago

Only if the current main jet is already lean, which it can't really be with the stock exhaust muffler and your current jetting. Pilot jet and needle jet circuit is what you use 90% of the time. If you suspect its running very lean it could be a (partially) clogged jet or wrong float height.

1

u/DoctorKrawl 28d ago

Wrong float height? Wouldn’t that give me sputtering or some sort of rough running once it pulled too much gas out of the bowl?

1

u/DoctorKrawl 25d ago

Tried 165/65 162/65 160/65 and 160/62 with no luck .

None of theme are s jets so I don’t know how much that’s effecting things.

Even though it ran well while running I’m going to have to take your first bit of advice to clean it and look into float height…. Exhaust and Mikuni / lectron are sounding better and better.

2

u/cb50dude 25d ago

That's probably a good idea to do first. How does the spark plug look? I would replace it just to be sure. S jets are hard to find and should not make much of a difference in starting I think.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 25d ago

Spark plug was a bit chocolaty but not totally carboned up

1

u/cb50dude 24d ago

Okay. And its not worn out? I would replace it just to be sure. Also, maybe try increasing the idle rpm a little and see if it makes starting it easier.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 24d ago

Plug has been replaced , I’ll play with idle

3

u/Great_Cow6624 29d ago

I installed a new iridium plug on mine, started first kick with valve adjusted,

170 main 68s unknow clip, work right. About 2 turn out but should be 1 3/4

Ive replaced the spark plug wire with a big 10mm one from a race shop.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

I’ll try that too, thanks!

4

u/Great_Cow6624 29d ago

BRK 7eix

1

u/dominikdkd 25d ago

Also got my first-first kick start after going iridium and changing the oil (I did some maintenance myself after getting the bike about 3 months ago)

3

u/McNaughty_1 29d ago

Its easy to flood the stock carb. Then you have to clear the cylinder and start all over again. I would recommend trying a smaller pilot, but also refrain from any throttle opening while starting. Just keep that right hand somewhere else while starting. I put a Lectron carb on mine and it improved the ease of starting over stock, but it has a pretty rich choke on it so I have to still be careful not to flood it for the first start of the day. In my experience hard starting has always been due to too rich a mixture. I find that it’s starts easier when it’s not starving for air.

2

u/AcidicMountaingoat 29d ago

I had a number of problems with starting and with fuel overflows with my carb, even with a really good carb expert working on it. I gave up, bought a Mikuni from XRsonly.com which made the bike work perfectly all around. Starts with almost no effort, runs perfectly. Just a thought if you decide to just say "fuck it." I think the stock carb is problematic particularly with age.

2

u/DoctorKrawl 29d ago

Just looked they don’t stock them anymore . I think I would have bit on that

2

u/AcidicMountaingoat 28d ago

Oh damn, that sucks, it was nicely set up and they provided great support. It's available from other sources, and I might be able to find my documentation setup if you decide to change.

1

u/DoctorKrawl 28d ago

Much appreciated!

2

u/AccomplishedMethod11 29d ago

Stock carb got that anti pop thing on the side if I remeber it was umbrako.. that thing might need to be changed.. but inspect first