1. Do not write your email to me IN CAPS. If you  do so, I will print out your question and do terrible things to it.

2. Do not request a personal email response.  Since I get thousands of questions each month,  trying to answer them all would cut deeply into my leisure time, which I value more than your current state of confusion.

3. Try to spell at least in a semi-correct fashion. If you choose to mangle the English language, expect no mercy from this quarter. You might be mocked severely.

4. Do not ask for me to send you copies of my many manuals and literature. I am not in the library business, nor do I want to spend the bulk of my day at the copy machine just because you're too lazy to ask your dealer, or look around a bit.

5. Don't bother me with truly stupid questions, like how to get 50 more horsepower for a buck and a half

6. Now that you know the rules, think carefully and have at it!

Oh yes … I’ll leave your email unedited, for what it’s worth.

                                                 ***

Subject:  writing rules

Hello, Rick.
I’ve been a fan for many years. I too have problems with individuals who can’t seem to spell or use proper punctuation. I’ve held on to this “Rules For Writer persons” that maybe you’ve seen. If not, feel free to publish this as a Public Service Announcement.
Kim Pinnell

1.       Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects.
2.       Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3.       And don’t start a sentence with a conjunction.
4.       It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
5.       Avoid clichés like the plague. (They’re old hat).
6.       Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
7.       Be more or less specific.
8.       Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.
9.       Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
10.     No sentence fragments.
11.     Contractions arent necessary and shouldn’t be used
12.     Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
13.     Do not be redundant: do not use more words than necessary: it’s highly           superfluous. Don’t use no oxymorons, neither.
14.     One should NEVER generalize.
15.     Comparisons are as bad as clichés.
16.     Dont use no double negatives (see 13).
17.     Eschew ampersands & abbreviations. etc.
18.     One-word sentences? Eliminate.
19.     Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
20.     The passive voice is to be ignored.
21.     Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words however           should be enclosed in commas.
22.     Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
23.     Kill all exclamation points!!!
24.     Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
25.     Understatements is always the absolute best way to put forth earth shaking           ideas.
26.     Use the apostrophe in it’s proper place and omit it when its not needed.
27.     Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell           me what you know.’
28.     If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Resist hyperbole,           not one writer in a million can use it correctly.
29.     Puns are for children, not for groan readers.
30.     Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
31.     Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
32.     Who needs rhetorical questions?
33.     Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatements.
34.     Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

                                                 ***

Subject: is this a 350 or what?

Rick,

Please look at the bike in this link and tell me what it is. You will be
settling a bet.

Thanks,

Paul

I went right to the source on this one:  Matt Cuddy, a man who knows more about the Honda Twins than is mentally healthy.  Here are Matt's comments:

Yes, it's a 1968-1969 CL350 with 1970-71 pipes. You can tell it's maybe a 60's motor because of the "Type 1" stamped in the points cover. That or someone changed the points cover, it's a crap shoot unless you check the engine number. Also, it's got a 68-69 seat, with a 1970 tank. Clip ons too.  It's shot, that's why it's parked. Remember, Honda 350's used no cam bearings, cam rode in the aluminum head. Very expensive to fix and good heads are getting scarce as snipe hides. Such a deal. I wouldn't give $50.00 for this POS

                                                 ***

Subject: The Herky Jerky on a '74 DT 360

Hey Rick,
Your alright dude.
OK now that my nose is brown but my fenders are not.
Here's my delima's....
I just bought my 30 year old dream & the dude I bought it built this thing up like new. That's his thing he get's off on the restoration & sells it. So this puppy is new...piston, rings, clutch, seat, grips, I mean everything. I'm breaking it in. But...There's always a but it seem to leak a little oil out'a that decompression thingy & I can't seem to dail in the carb. The bike seems to do this herky jerky thing & sounds like the engine doing this Hum hum hum thing at the sametime it almost sounds like a old gas engine when the valves knock when ya got some crudy fuel. all this takes place at about 3000 RPM's. Is it because I might be suck'n air in at that decompression thingy? can I get rid of that thing by stick'n a nut in it's hole?
Or doe's have something to do with the carb? or Is this whole thing my pair-i-noi-a & I just gotta ride it & let everything seat in?
Alan
Dude help me out here...an ed-jah-ma-kat'ed guess from someone who breath'ed to much 2 smoke To someone who's bruised his foot kick'n over this thing would be so cool .....................Thanx

Wow, you got a real strange beast here, so we went right to the source:  Matt Cuddy, who actually owned and rode one of these things.  Apparently, the DT360 was the first year they dropped the “R” from the bike.  It came with the MX frame, a way too small carb, a horrible squish band in the head and a proclivity toward running horribly lean at … you guessed it … right around mid-range, or 3000 rpm as you noted.  These bikes detonated terribly and spit huge chunks of aluminum into the bottom end.  The sound you hear is the sound of your motor on its way to a painful demise.  The real cure is to contact Paul Thede at Race Tech (www.race-tech.com) and find the proper jetting and other critical fixes.  As to the leaking decompression  release, the cable that actuates it is hooked to the kickstarter, which makes it automatic.  If the cable is routed too tight and in bind, oil will seep out.  Hope this helps.

                                                  ***

Subject: Dirtbike at Off-Road.com: Don't Ask!

krisz sent you this Dirtbike at Off-Road.com link:

Message:
I have a very hard time starting 250yzf. when it starts this is what it looks like. also as soon I take the choke of, it stalls. Please help iam new at this kind of stuff. Please watch this small video.thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFU09tYakwQ
Krisz

Jeezus, now that's a "lean condition" if I ever saw one. Big air leak/aftermarket pipe/plugged jets/etc.
 
With a situation where the headpipe is turning cherry red, I'd say it's about to explode. Fire shooting out the pipe also leads me to believe that the exhaust valve(s) are warped. In fact, that might be causing the whole problem when you think about it.
 
Lastly, I know someone with a nice CR500 for sale.  No valves.

                                                 ***

Subject: Mommy broke it

Hi Rick,
My husband and I bought our son an older model, maybe early 90's Yamaha 50. 
My husband is currently serving in Iraq, active duty Air Force.  So, here is
my problem, I know nothing about the bike except how to make it go and now
its not.  It ran fine for about 20 minutes then we shut it off to switch
riders and we cannot get it started again.  My husband does not come home
until November and I would hate to leave it sit until then.  This is what I
do know, it has a brand new spark plug, the right gas, the gas is turned on,
but thats all it.  Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
Lindsay

I take it you're talking about a PW50, which has a rocker type on/off switch kill button.  If one of the young riders leaned on the bike and hit the switch, that's your answer.  Check that first, and if that doesn't work, then it's time to get your hands dirty.  Using a spark plug tool, remove the spark plug.  Then hook the plug back up to the spark plug wire and place the threaded part of the pug against the head or barrel of the bike. Then have one of the kids push the kickstarter through. If everything is right, the plug should spark at the tip.  If not, email me back and we'll take it from there.

                                                  ***

Subject: RE: Mommy broke it

Wow,
What I gathered from your website is that I would get ripped a new one for
asking stupid questions.  You have been very helpful and nice.  I am sure
that you will probably hear from me again, I am sure the bike will have its
problems in the future.  You may, at some point, regret responding to my
first email. :-)
Have a great day.
Lindsay

>From: Richard Sieman <superhunky@prodigy.net.mx>
>To: 'Aaron and Lindsay Shaver' <allshaver@hotmail.com>
>Subject: RE: Mommy broke it
>Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 11:47:09 -0700
> 
>Now that's what I call a real Mom!
>Rick
> 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Aaron and Lindsay Shaver [mailto:allshaver@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 11:42 AM
>To: superhunky@prodigy.net.mx
>Subject: RE: Mommy broke it
> 
> 
>Thanks so much for responding.  I didnt expect to hear from you so quickly.
> 
>I did figure it out.  It was the spark plug.  And yes I did get my hands
>very dirty.
>Thanks again.
>Lindsay

                                                 ***

Subject: Three Wheeler Feedback

my name is aaron and i own a 350x 3-wheeler i have owned dirt bikes and four wheelers and to be honest with you all i have been hurt less times on my three wheeler than on dirt bikes and four wheelers
i have sold my dirt bikes and four wheelers but i still have my three wheeler and the reason is BECAUSE IT'S ALOT MORE FUN TO RIDE anyone can ride a four wheeler and if you know how to ride a bike you can ride a dirt bike it just goes alot faster than your old husky

the reason i like me three wheeler so much is because you have to know what you are doing and you have to be careful just as you do on any off road cycle if you act stupid on anything chances are you are going to get hurt you wouldn't take a 90 degree curve doing 100 mph in you old four wheeldrive truck would you? of course not that would be stupid chances are you're gonna get hurt every atv has it limits just dont push the limits and dont push your luck

i almost tore my leg off once on a 250xr dirt bike i had i caught my knee on a small tree and before i knew it i was being pulled off my bike i was trail riding once and hit a wet log with my front wheel and my bike went sliding and i went face first on the ground shortly after that i sold my bike i wasnt doing anything stupid just riding and that is what happened the truth is dirt bikes are more dangerous than any atv you cant lay a four wheeler or a three wheeler over just from hitting a wet log you're going to go over it so if they are going to outlaw three wheelers than they should outlaw dirt bikes as well

i have climbed hillls on my three wheeler that men on fourwheel drive four wheelers wont even attemp to climb im not trying to step on anyones toes or make anyone mad but the fact is that THREE WHEELERS ARE ONLY AS DANGEROUS AS THE RIDER IS STUPID and thats the truth love or hate either way you'll get over it!!!!

you get me in the woods on my three wheeler and i dont care what you're ridding you are not gonna be able to touch me if you know how to ride one you cant be touched you can slide arourd trees by shifting you weight and you can get the front wheel up alot easier to go over logs and rocks i have been riding three wheelers since i was 5 and bought my first one when i was 15 and i still own it today

so to all you trike riders out there keep on riding and dont let anyone talk sh*t about us trike riders they are just mad because they cant handle them and we can
aaron

Ah yes, you summed it up beautifully when you made the statement:  THREE WHEELERS ARE ONLY AS DANGEROUS AS THE RIDER IS STUPID.  In my 40 plus years of off-road riding, the single stupidest group of any people I have ever run across have been at the controls of three wheelers.  It seems that people who had no dirt bike riding skills took to the three wheelers in droves.  Yes, the landscape was cluttered with bozos in flip-flops, t-shirts and shorts, all riding three wheelers two up or more.   Rarely did they every get out of sight of their truck or trailer, and more often than not, most of the riding consisted of donuts in the parking lot.  It also led to a new emergency room tragedy, the ATV break.  You see, the rider would run over his foot, breaking the lower leg, then the tire would stretch the limb, only to have it snap back and let the broken bones knife into the leg muscles.  Nice, huh?   Last thing, Aaron: if you ride like you write, you would be a hazard on the trail.

                                                 ***

Subject: 1982 rm125

Hello sir, I'm very honored to write to the infamous Super Hunky. I'm 14 years old and after a year of shoveling, cutting grass, and cleaning houses i finally acquired enough money to purchase my dream bike. This bike is an 82 Rm125. After a talk with the seller I convinced him to lower his asking price from 700, to 500 dollars. I also confirmed that the bike had a complete over haul including the bottom, and top end. The reeds, and water pump where also replaced. My question is: did i over pay? i also have another question the bike smokes allot if i rev it up whilst idling, and it is a brownish white smoke. The smoke problem gets a little better when I'm actually riding it, so I'm very confused. The bike rides fine though, with no splodge around the pipe. The bike has never fouled a plug yet but Ive yet to ride it for more than 20 or 30 min due to the fact the i respect my fathers orders which is: ride the bike legally, at Thomaston Damn (a local dirt bike trail funded by the state of Connecticut) Please help me out sir, i would really appreciate it.  Also i was wondering if i should be able to touch the gear lube with my finger through the fill hole. 800 ml is stamped on the bike so that's what i put but cant touch the lube.
Dan

Sorry I took so long to reply, but I just got back from several weeks in Australia.  The price you paid for the bike was fine.  When you get an older bike, you buy on condition, rather than year.  I would not be concerned about a bit of smoke when first starting the bike, or during warmup.  The fact that the bike runs clean when it’s warmed up is normal.  Take a look at your plug;  it should be tan or chocolate color.  Re the gear lube:  change it often and put in the correct amount and don’t worry about being able to touch it with your finger. Good luck and good riding.

                                                 ***

SUBJECT: YOU AND YOUR RESPONSES

He ricky buddy, remember me?

I was the guy that you responded to negativly and you said that I had a
lame quad. Ohh, yeah, now you remember! I have one favor to ask of you, be kind to your customers, and they will treat you with respect! If you are
not kind to them, they you are forced to have an email sent to you as I am
right now. There are a number of people who feel the same way I do about
the way you respond to our questions.
Greg

Greg, I will continue to respond to slackers and morons in an abusive manner.  Why? Simply because they deserve it and it might shock them out of their pathetic little mental ruts.  For those who choose to ask a rational question, I will bend over backwards.  And for what it's worth, for every email like yours, I get hundreds saying that they get a solid laugh from the boneheads.  Therefore, I am responding in kind to my readers.

                                                   ***

SUBJECT: KDX 200

hello my name is josh and i own a KDX 200 we never got the manual for it and i cant find the year of the bike but my problem is that it was riding good and now it wont shift the only gears we have are 1st 2nd and neutral. if you have any idea what the problem could be please let me know.
Josh

The problem, Josh, is that you are lazy and not even trying.  I am stunned that you don’t even know  the year of the bike that you bought.  That is just simply stupid.  You can find the year of manufacture by simply looking at the metal tag on the steering head. By the way, the steering head is located directly behind the number plate, so you don’t have to look around the rear fender.  All things considered, you would probably be better off with just neutral.  That way, you wouldn’t drive like you write:  out of control.  Ah yes, the problem.  Split the cases and check the gears for damage.  If that’s too much, you could always just sit in a corner and drool a lot.

Or, you could take Matt Cuddy’s advice, which  is eye opening indeed.  “Please remember; since the KDX was designed for slow Eastern woods-type riding, some model years only came with two gears (1st and 2nd).

The other 4 gears were for "demo" purposes only, and evaporated after a few weeks of use, using Kawasaki's patented "electrofusion" process.

You can purchase the other four gears from any reputable Kawasaki dealer for a nominal sum. Tell the parts man you don't want the "demo" gear cluster, as they will quit working after a few weeks (again). Also, be careful when opening the package containing the new gears, as they are manufactured from a material that catches fire when exposed to air.

Since all KDX's were pretty much the same, Kawasaki omitted the year model as a cost saving measure.

Now you know.”

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1975 YZ360B

hi rick
i have a 1975  yz 360b,frame motor and wheels no tank or seat can you tell
me what its vaule is as i no it is rare.
regards
daryl

I'll need more information from you to figure out the value.  Stuff like:  does the bike run, does it have good compression and spark, are the forks straight and not rusty or pitted?  If you've got a poor, non-running beater, then it's worth not much more than a few hundred as a parts bike.  Get back to me.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1972-76 SUZUKI TS 400

Hello Rick
15 years ago my father purchased this dirt bike for me.  I was able to ride
it for a week before it bit the dust.  I have started a renovation of the
bike and have ran into a few problems I could use your help with.  #1) I can
not figure out the year of the bike. I was able to get the numbers
TS4003-21865 from the engine block.  #2) I have been looking for gasket sets only to find that they are no longer in production and I cant seem to locate a warehouse with some just sitting around.  I found a gasket set on ebay and the fella says he knows they are good for the years 73 and 74 but not any other.  Do you think that they would work on any of the TS 400 models in that timeframe?

And #3)  Where can I find an exhuast?  The only thing I can think of is old dirt bike salvage yards but I would not even know where to find one?  Think you could point me in the right direction?  This bike has much sentimental value to me and any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks Rick
Kyle Jansen
Cuba, Illinios

Your best bet is to contact someone with tons of vintage Suzuki experience.  That would be Tony Boswell at (what else?) Vintage Suzuki.  His email is: info@vintage-suzuki.com  The site address is:  www.vintage-suzuki.com   Phone number is:  760-806-4564

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1989 XT 350

Hello,
I have a 1989 Yamaha XT 350.  I realize that these bikes have limited adjustment from the factory and have a lean jet setting causing a hesitation. I heard that there is a plug in the bottom of bowl of the main carburetor that you can drill out and have access to an adjustment screw.   I cannot verify this anywhere, and was just wandering if you had heard of it before I start drilling on my perfectly good carbs.  Also, If I place a shim under the needle of the main carb, would this help with my hesitation any by making it richer?

Thanks,
Zac

Yup, there’s a plug in the side of the carb that’s some sort of epoxy.  Scrape it out (carefully) with a small knife blade.  Underneath you’ll see a straight slot that should also be cleaned out.  Then you can adjust the mixture with a small screwdriver.  In the XT, this is done to keep people from tampering with the idle/starting circuit.  And yes, you can definitely put a washer or shim under the needle and it will help richen the mid-range.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1983 KTM MX 250

Hi Rick,
I'm 15 yrs. old and got my first mc bike this last Christmas. It's a 1983 KTM MX 250. The problem is that I ended up in a lake of mud and can't find any pistons kit or rings. Any idea where I can find these?

Thanks,
Troy Hawley

You’re not trying, kid.  Just about any KTM dealer would have the parts.  Failing that, you can always contact Wiseco Pistons at Wiseco Corporate Headquarters / Manufacturing / Distribution Warehouse
7201 Industrial Park Blvd. • Mentor, OH 44060-5396
Toll Free: 1-800-321-1364
Phone: 440-951-6600  or  www.wiseco.com

                                                 ***

SUBJECT: ALOHA FROM HAWAII

Glad to see your are still around your site sure brings back a lot of memories I was born in So Cal but left in 1971 to go in the Navy after high school and did 4 years and got out in 1975 planning to go to college and race full time.

LOL the California I knew as a kid had filled up with millions of PC turd fondlers from places like Goonville Ohio and other bizrarre places dragging along with them large women in stretch pants and kids with bad teeth who didn’t know dick about stuff like how to make a Yamaha 80 into a desert racing bike nor skate board or surf and so I went back into the Navy and stayed till they elected Bill Clinton.

And since I refused to work for a puto, I retired here in Hawaii, as California was now totally alien to me. I live on the Island of Lanai in Maui county and we have a population  of less than 3,000 and only two paved highways, 2 lane.   So I was itching to get back into riding and a friend who still lives in Riverside hooked me up with a guy who sold me a really nice 84 XR 500.

This was in 97 or so and I enjoyed it as it was set up for desert and I actually had to gear it down some as I didn’t need that much top end. I passed my friend on his XL 650 like he was creeping along and he was doing 85 on one of our many dirt roads.  Well it was a great bike for wide open spaces, but I wanted a two stroke like back in my youth, so I went to Honolulu and saw a KDX 220 for the first time in 1999 and had to have it!

Since I now had money(Something I never had back in the 60's and 70's) I made this bike the best, FMF Burly Torque pipe, Pro tapers, Scotts steering dampner, all kinds of works aluminum guards; the thing was a great bike! I couldn’t believe how the after market products just bolted on no trimming and filing like the old days?

Even the riding gear is now great, MSR pants, boots that actually last, helmets that are comfortable. It was so much FUN having a 30 some square mile island to ride on, in fact you can even ride on the beach here ala Malcom and Steve On Any Sunday.

But all good things come to an end I suppose, as I was trying to figure out how to get a Gas Gas Trials bike over here in 2000, when I at the age of 47 had a brain aneurysm.  How does one prepare for crap like that? I was in a coma for 6 weeks and the day they wanted to pull the plug on me, I woke up.

It has been a life I never expected since then and the thing I miss the most is riding and as soon as I started walking again, I bought a 4x4 Suzuki 400cc quad to ride? But the stupid doctors without my knowledge had given me massive doses of Steroids, which made my spine collapse in 2003 and I spent 3 months on morphine IV's till I was able to have a new form of surgery which allowed me to walk again.

But now that I have critical osteoporosis, bikes are out till I get the bone strength back up.  Right now I’m on all sorts of quack cures to try to reverse it.  I went from the skeleton of an 87 year old man back down to 53 or so but I ain’t out of the woods yet.  If I get them bones down to say 25 year old strength, I will go out and buy a YZF 250 to celebrate with.

You would love to ride on this island, as it has it all. It was great reading about the past not too many kids today can thrill at having black legs for a week from wearing a new pair of Mexico’s finest leather racing pants, or have a pair of bright Yellow Heckle Boots! 

Since I now gather you left LA and moved to San Dawg, which I bet is coming hosed up as we speak, I remember how I used to take my 74 CR 250 out the West gate of NAS Miramar and get nuts all day as I worked nights. Then in 76 I lived in Poway and used to ride a Montesa 250 Scorpion through the hills to the FRA at the top of Pomarado road and drink beer and watch football? No way you could do that today?

Just before my aneurysm I flew back to So Cal in 2000 to participate in one of Team Crash's Bachelor Runs out by Giant Rock and it blew me away to see Wal Marts in land I thought would NEVER be used totally alien people now living in the canyons of the Cajon pass and that stupid cement mountain out by Corona was almost gone?

 My Son is currently going to UCSD on the GI Bill and he and his wife and my grandson now live in Poway where I once lived I took a trip there on google earth and recognized nothing during my 21 years in the Navy.
Hunk I traveled all over and never saw anything that compared to the So Cal of my youth; its a shame its all gone?

This is why I love this island as it only has 8 cops 3 stores and I gas station with the internet its now possible to get anything I need if only the body would cooperate, Be well and never forget we were part of a good thing.
Don Dickensheet
Lanai City, Hawaii 

Don, your story is an inspiration.  I, too, had something like that happen, but not as severe as you.  I had three heart attacks, a stroke, prostate cancer and a total knee replacement … all within two years.  By the end of all that, I was weak as a kitten. So I hit the weights.  At first, I could only bench press a bare broomstick. Not too long ago, I did a 230 bench press.  Not near my best, but progress nonetheless.  So my advice to you is never give up and train like a mad man.  For your info, I now live in Baja, where I’ve been for 14 years.  I can ride out of my garage without any black helicopters swooping down.  Visit my site at www.superhunky.com and good luck.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: TW200 LEAKER

Hey Rick,
Wasn't sure if this was the correct place to send questions but here it goes.   I have a 1989 Yamaha TW200.  It has been leaking gas from the carb overflow when I try to kick start it when it is cold.  It flows out pretty steady, so I have to shut it off and turn it back on again to try to start it.  It starts and then shuts down when the gas flows out.  It starts after a couple cycles of doing this then no problems after that (runs well, no leaking).  It is pretty annoying when a bunch of fuel flows out each time.  Any ideas?
Scott

Indeed.  Why don't you get off your dead butt and take the carb off your Big Wheel (god, I hate those things) and replace the float needle and seat.  Either that or remain annoyed.  One other option:  please remember, that's a safety device built into the fabled Yamaha "Big Wheel" preventing it from reaching an unsafe speed, causing injury to the rider or innocent bystanders.

A common cure for this is to install a 6 volt aquarium pump (or similar device) to the float bowl overflow tube, and run the outlet side of the pump back into the gas tank. That, or to a beer can duct taped to the frame. You can also run the outlet side of the pump to a hose that runs to another bike's gas tank, and have the ability to re-fuel another bike while riding, kind of like an Air Force KC130 Tanker.

You have been blessed with a real opportunity to be creative here. Don't blow it.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1980 HONDA CR125 CARB

Hi Rick
I'm restoring a 1980 Honda CR125RA.  I'm pretty much finished, along the way I've had the barrel re-sleeved back to standard, new piston etc,
the thing is the only carb I've got is a (as new) Mikuni TM-2 34mm flat slide unit which is a perfect fit.

I just need some advice on a starting point jetting wise so it runs okay while I'm breaking it in.  The standard carb was a 34mm Kehlin with a main jet of 175 and slow jet of 60,  the mikuni comes with a 280 main and a 50 slow jet,now I know the Kehlin jets are measured by size and the Mikuni by flow,
the 175 = 410 mikuni and 60 = .670 mikuni but I believe the mikuni runs a higher float level and needs to be set leaner,

where do you think the best place to start would be, standard Mikuni 280 or richen up 300 350 ??

I may be able to source the standard carb in the future but if I can get it to run well on this one I'm thinking in the end it would be a better carb to run when the jetting is fully sorted, any advice is much appreciated and thanks for your time.

Simon
in the UK.
  
Don’t even think about this swap.  You’ll spend a fortune in jets and untold hours trying to get it correct.  Stay with the stock carb.  Trust me on this one.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: DIRTBIKE QUESTION

Hello, I am 13 years old.  I own a 1999 CR80 and I was wondering if you
could help me with a problem?

When I ride my bike, it works just fine, until I hit full throttle.Then it bogs out and loses a lot of power. I have cleaned the carb, checked the float level
checked the reeds, replaced the head and base gasket and yet it still boggs out on me when I hit full throttle.

I have missed 2 of my races this season so far because of this problem.
If you have any ideas on what is wrong with it, please tell me.
Thanks
 No Name
             
It’s entirely possible that you have a badly worn top end.  After all, your bike is over eight years old.  Check that first.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: EURO BIKES

Rick,
What are the chances that any of the European manufactures of the 70s would try to make a comeback?  I am tired of seeing the same old big 4 Jap bikes. I would love to see a Maico or lets say Bultaco between a Honda and Suzuki !! I almost had a stroke when I first saw the commercial for Can-Am.My wife says I am stuck in the 70s!!!
Bud

Just about the only Euro bike you’ll see will be KTM.  Unfortunately, the good old days are gone.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 2007 CRF250R POPPING

Dear Rick
Many thanks for a great forum.

The bike is a 2007 CRF250R and the problem (or non-problem) is as follows. I checked the valve clearances after a few rides (exhaust valve clearance quite tight) and while I was about it decided to adjust the pilot screw and needle clip to the manufacturer's recommendations (we are at 6000ft here in Johannesburg).

Well, the midrange seems to be a bit snappier but there is a popping noise from the exhaust every time I shut off quickly. I assume that this has something to do with the leaner mixture and fuel igniting in the exhaust. Must say the bike feels very crisp and sounds healthy, question is if the popping is something to worry about and whether I should go a little richer again, bearing in mind that I have set the pilot and needle at manufacturer's recommendations ?

Thanks again
Bryan Jones

At your altitude, you should consider leaner, rather that richer. Also, it sounds like your valves desperately need adjusting.

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SUBJECT: 1979 HONDA 80

Rick;
My son and I have been working on this bike, we can get the bike running but it will only run with the throttle wide open and it will not rev out, there is a new OEM carb on it, new plug, timing seems to be ok but don't know how to check. When trying to adjust the mixture needle it appears to make no difference. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Eric and Brennan

My bet is that the bike  is simply worn out.  Bogging like that often indicates a badly worn top end.

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SUBJECT: YZ250 BAD ROD
                                               
Hello Rick,
I just recently purchased a non-running 1996 yz250.The crankshaft seized and bent the connecting rod.I am currently having a hard time locating a crankshaft kit and wondered what other year yz engines would go into my frame.Am willing to make some mods if necessary.
Thanks for the time.
Ray
Akron, Ohio

I’ve been to Akron and can assure you that any Yamaha dealer has a crank kit in stock.  Failing that, pick up a copy of Cycle News and you’ll see any number of cranks and rod kits for sale.
piston and rings. 

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: LUNACY OR GENIUS?

Rick;
There's this guy I know with an '02 KTM EXC 520.  He's fairly intelligent, but tends to over-analyze things, and does some really stupid things from time to time.  Anyway, I had, oops, I mean he had the suspension redone by the good folks at Enduro Engineering a while back.  Revalve, heavier springs, new seals, the works. 

The guy's still not quite happy with the fork, though.  He went to the heavier fork springs because the stockers just seemed to bottom out way too much, but thinks maybe it's sprung too stiff now.  It pushes in the corners more than he'd like, and the front end doesn't really settle in as much as it should. 

So the other day, this guy told me about an idea he had.  Now keep in mind, he's read your articles on springs, spring rates etc.  Anyway, he got to thinkin' "what if I replace one of the new springs with an old one, ya, know, run one old one, and one new one?"

Now is that the dumbest thing you've ever heard, or what?

Geez, if you put this in your column, don't use my name!
 
It’s a deal Glen.  Whoops. Well, this “guy” is actually on the right track.  There have been a number of bikes over the years that have run different rate springs in the forks.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1977 MR 175 QUESTIONS

Hey Rick,
I'm 16 years old and my father and I recently aquired another old dirtbike for our collection. It's a 1977 Honda MR 175E that I found in my friends old barn. I convinced him to give it to me and know I have a bike with MANY missing parts.

The major missing part is the exhaust pipe, and after doing much research, I can not figure out if this bike has the exhaust pipe going down underneath the frame, or up the right side. I have found out that the 1976 MR 175 has the pipe going up the right side, but I am not sure the 77 world be the same. I am trying to buy a pipe, without spending much money, and I was wondering if you would know the answer to my problem.

I also am missing a carburator and it would help if you might know the type it needs.  Your help is greatly appreciated.
Shawn Ireland
Quebec, Canada

Since it's obvious that you have access to a computer, open up Google and type in 1977 HONDA MR175 and you'll swamped - literally swamped - with sources of information about your bike.  In  fact, here’s a picture of your bike.

                                                         
                                                  ***

SUBJECT: YZ 85

Dear Rick Sieman
I have two problems.  The first is I know nothing about motorbikes and the second is that I live in France and my command of the French language is pretty rubbish.  I recently took my son's YZ 85 (2003) to the Yam dealer as, although it wasn't smokey, there was an oiley substance dribbling down the exhaust after each outing.  They said it was an over oiled air filter - which was true, but they also said that it needed a new piston and rings - also probably true. 

However, they are quoting and additional 218 euros ($250) for "traitement cylinder".  I thought at first that meant a re-bore, but apparentely that's not possible with a YZ.  It must therefore mean that the cylinder needs re-plating, or maybe I'm being ripped off for unnecessary work that I'll never see.  So my question to you is, could the cylinder need replating if the engine is running well? 
Regards
Harriet Whitehouse

Harriet, my dear.  A bit of smoking when first started is normal for most any two stroke bike, which yours is. Also, it has four years of riding on it.  If the engine is running OK, then tell those “surrender monkeys” to go pound sand.  If the top does indeed need replacing, find a place similar to LA SLEEVE,  and have the barrel re-sleeved. 

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: TS/TM400 QUESTION

Rick,
I acquired a 76 TS400 that was a major rustpile, and have rebuilt it into a neat little streettracker. Unfortunately, like the T500, the TS400 was pretty-well neutered by 1976. I've been trying to find a port map for an early TM400 (or even TS400) but haven't had any luck. I want to give this bike a kick in the pants. I have a Jemco pipe on it, and I also have a reed valve setup that I had made, but it hasn't been much help with the stock cylinder. The engine runs pretty well, but it just doesn't have the power it should. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Lane Pipkin
Goose Creek, SC 

If want to really turn your bike into a monster, then slide on a TM-400 barrel.  You can use the TS pipe and ignition, but should use the carb from the TM.  For the most power, use a barrel from an early-70s TM Cyclone.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: MAICO 250 & CR 250

Dear Rick,
First of all thanks for having your very informative web site and all the tech data you share from over the years. I've been a big fan of your writings since the early seventies. Your old Dirtbike days always had me laughing.

I have an interesting problem that you may be able to answer. I have an 1981 Maico 250 and a 2002 Honda CR 250. Both have a similar problem or it may just be a characteristic of what I'm doing.  If I let either bike just idle stationary for say 20 to 30 seconds and then turn the throttle full open, a cloud of smoke large enough to kill every mosquito within 200 feet pours out the exhaust. Both bikes will clean out in about 5 to 10 seconds and then run fine.

The Honda is bone stock and starts easy and runs great. The Maico, my favorite of course, has a 38mm flatside Mikuni, with Honda 250 reed valves, (shorter manifold), stock cylinder with new case seals and has great compression and the leak test proved negative. It also starts very easy and idles perfect. The Maico has a 310 main jet and a #40 pilot jet. Could this but a common jetting problem or just the fact that I'm letting them idle for too long?  For jetting purposes I live in Florida which is only about a millimeter above sea level and of course warm all the time.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and answers you might have.

Long time fan,
Allan Santor

After thinking this through  carefully, I’d like to hazard a guess.  The fact that both bikes use the same premix from the same  can, your smoking problem could very well be caused by the oil ratio, or the oil itself. If you’re using a normal two stroke oil at 20:1, there’s your problem.  Go to 32:1 or even 40:1 with a clean burning synthetic. Give this a try and get back to me.

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SUBJECT: CLUTCH PROBLEMS WITH 1986 SUZUKI PE250

I have a Suzuki that has a clutch that does not engage. I had it running not
too long ago and now the clutch will not engage at all. I manually worked
the clutch arm without it attached to the cable and get about 1 and a half
inches of movement but the clutch will still not engage. I can start the
bike in neutral and try to work the clutch to get it loose and it still does
not work.

Any Idea's? I did pull the cover off and check the clutch plates. None of them are broken or warped and the friction plates are not abnormally
worn. I really need some help.

Thanks
Joe
Texas

Best guess is that the tangs (ears) on the clutch plates have made grooves in the clutch basket and a plate/or plates is hanging up right there.

                                                 ***

SUBJECT: 1991 KX250

Hi, Rick im in need of your help.I'm tony from Pennsylvania I have 1991 kx 250,it's completly stock.It fouls plugs . Sometimes it will just be at idle when it fouls.I tried b7,b8 both had the same outcome.it burns through fuel  like mad.even before the hill climbs.the ratio is around 32:1 synthetic and race gas.the powerband will not come into play ontill you either wait forever or you give the clutch a quick squeez.

The bikes not dripping gas.I tried changing the carb and the pipe but e nded up with the same results.I tried the air screw it made it slightly worse.The compression is 175psi.Where do i go from here?Im completly stumpped.The bike was hardly ridin,i have it three weeks and im lost. I could use some  guidence....  Please and Thank You  Tony

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1980 KX 80

Rick
im werking on a reel basketcase hear, 80 won't top out after new wiseco pistin kit and sleeved cylinder, i want it 2 B poppin wheelies and it wont, help. 

--------------------------------------

No really, I enjoy your column.  Fascinating that new lingo the young crowd uses.   But honestly I am working with a 1980 KX 80.   New standard wiseco kit with newly sleeved cylinder.  Carb appears to be a clean as I can get it.  Starts great, idles great ... has a very hard time "cleaning up" though.  Seems to pull some harder with the air screw several turns out.  I have seen some of your articles about air leaks and reed valves not seating.  Any chance on this little bike?

thanks,
Joel Kingston

The older KX80s had a genuine reputation for leaking in the cases halves.  I’d do a pressure check on the lower end first.

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SUBJECT: OFF ROAD RELIABILITY

Rick,
I've been reading your column for decades. I have never had a question that wasn't already expertly answered by you. I feel I have gotten quite a thorough education. I've always been an enduro guy and ridden bikes like XT's and DR's and KDX's. I was looking at the new WR 450 for my next ride.

I know you say the new 4 stroke motors go about 30 hours between refinancing the house but I wondered if the WR motor had any better longevity. I know it's almost the same as the YZ-f motor. What's your take on the off-road version ? Same question for KLX 300 or 450.  I would buy one if I thought I could get 150 hours out of it without a head and valve replacement. My old DR350 must have had 350 hours of dirt riding on it and was still running strong.

Thanks for the years of education.
BTW, Don't I get a diploma or something ?
Jim

The WR is delivered in a milder state of tune than the motocrosser.  The MXer makes it’s power at 13,500 rpm.  By having less revs, you get longer lifespan.  I would not buy a KLX 300;  it’s a boring, slow bike.  For enduro riding, consider one of the new KTM two strokes.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: 1974 YAMAHA MX 360

What is the top speed on a stock MX 360.
Sandy

Off a cliff, it would reach about 150 miles per hour.  On the dirt, with stock gearing, figure about 68 mph.  However, with a larger countershaft sprocket and a smaller rear one, you could reach 90 or so.

                                                  ***

SUBJECT: KTM BOG

Rick:
I saw this question posed to you on Off-Road.com

“SUBJECT: KTM
Hello Rick, 
I recently purchased a used 2004 KTM EXC and am experiencing some hesitation problem which I think is associated with carburation tuning. The bike starts fine and cruises fine. The problem is when the throttle is rolled on hard it hesitates and unless it is backed off does not pick up RPM. If the choke is out, all hesitation is gone. If you have any suggestions to tune this, please pass them on.
Laurinda Roberts”
 This was your answer.
“My best guess is that your bike is jetted too lean.  Or it could be something simple like some crud in the float bowl.  If there is, your bike would react like that.”

Your right on the money! The KTM’s are brought into the U.S running very lean, so they can meet the smog laws, the real fix for this problem is a James Dean jetting kit & a Honda 450 carb diaphragm. All the information is in the Jetting section over at KTMTalk.com.
I’ve done these mod on my KTM 525Sx & it really wakes it up!
Howard Lobel
Aka Big Maico
 
Thanks for the tips. We’ll pass it on to our readers.

                                                   ***

SHAMELESS PLUG
Sitting right here in my well-lit office is a small number of the very first issue of Dirt  Bike Magazine. They're in mint condition and ready for the collectors out there. Cost is $150, including shipping, and each issue of Volume 1, Number 1 comes autographed by the editor - me.   This makes the ideal  gift for someone who enjoys living in the past.

                                Here's the source:
                                Rick Sieman Racing
                                4492 Camino de la Plaza #1251
                                San Ysidro, CA 92173
                                Check or Money Order OK - No plastic
                                Order one today and keep me from a life of crime