my day

[ducatiman]

Resurrected an Echo SRM-210 line trimmer, non-starting/running, left sitting a long time. Required a full carb refurb, fresh fuel, spark plug and air filter. Now a runner, reliably starting on 1st pull. My neighbor (the owner) appreciates it.

[ducatiman]

saw this sitting in my neighbors driveway....a kids toy ATV, powered electrically. Of course not running, laying outdoors for years. I offered them a *free* resto, which was fully successful. Ordered a new, correct battery....one broken wire repaired, the (not working) forward/reverse switch disassembled and cleaned....BINGO! She's fully operational in both high and low speed AND forward and reverse configurations! The headlights are even working! Total success.

[ducatiman]

follow up to kids ATV post above.....the lady owner advised me her 8 or 9 year old niece will be the rider. She's been bugging her Auntie to fix or replace it! I asked her to advise me when she comes over...I really want to see the thing in action!

PS....the seat is back on, pic was taken with it removed.

[Omnitech]

Originally Posted by ducatiman

follow up to kids ATV post above.....the lady owner advised me her 8 or 9 year old niece will be the rider. She's been bugging her Auntie to fix or replace it! I asked her to advise me when she comes over...I really want to see the thing in action!

PS....the seat is back on, pic was taken with it removed.

This is what hero's do.

[ducatiman]

thanks for your positive comment

[ducatiman]

I recently "inherited" (from a neighbors outdoor garbage heap) a Craftsman 22" push mower, obviously being let go due to a non-starting condition. The owner, seeing me looking at it, joined me and explained someone purposely put sugar in the fuel tank. He said "its yours for the taking". I obliged and thanked him.

Since then, after a new starter cable, blade and air filter purchase....oil change, fuel tank cleanout, 2 or 3 carb cleaning/tweaking sessions.....its FINALLY starting (reliably, I might add) on 1st pull..... consistently.
Total success.....a keeper!

[Bob KellyIII]

that's COOL ! little victories add up ! I used to gather up old mowers free for the taking
and therefore never ever had to buy one.... but I quit doing that when I moved here (there wasn't any !) so I bought a electric one that still works after 3 years it was a Harbor freight Atlas 80v electric mower that is also self propelled.... and it's still going
no starting issues no oil changes or gas problems...it works when I want it to !!!!! AMAZING ! the only thing that made me really have to think about it was the batteries for it were over $100.00 each..... and I needed 2 of them one for the mower and one for the weed trimmer..... but as far as lawn stuff goes man I am sold on electric !
all in all I think I spent $399 for the mower $120 for the trimmer and $200 for the batteries and charger..... that is a bunch of money for me for lawn care...but I bit the bullet and did it and boy am I glad I did ! best thing besides the Hercules tools I ever got from them..... those electric tools are fantastic ! and the batteries last a long time
no problem with having to stop and recharge ! I just charge when I am done !
.....
I'm a believer now ! LOL
(because I hate extension cords!)
....
Bob......

[ducatiman]

https://www.ex-500.com/threads/a-tru...37#post-955537

I actually posted this to EX500 forum .... a repair on my EGo electric mower
A full replacement of the heart of the electrical system due to an internal failure. cost? $120 total, cheaper than replacing the entire mower, fo' sho'.

[ducatiman]

Marine (boat) carbset dropped off by a former co-worker friend...carb #3 failing to fill...look at pic #2

Keihin! same brand as your EX!

[ducatiman]

marine use Keihins fairly simple to work on...cleared the cause of fuel blockage on #3 carb, cleared pilot jet as well.......onward to 1971 MGB carbset next up.

[ducatiman]

1 down today, 1 to go tomorrow on the MG carbs

(note the innards are just as clean as the outside AND I've retained all previous settings too)

[ducatiman]

a set of 250's completed today, both wet tested and slide lift tested perfect.
These'll be fine runners, i'll wager.

[ducatiman]

1971 SU carbs offa MG auto finally done, picked up by owner

[ducatiman]

self-installed Metzeler tires on my Ducati a couple days ago.....currently working on a neighbors Troy-Bilt 27 ton Log Splitter. Briggs & Stratton engine, parts missing, hasn't been started in years. I'm gauging the ability of the engine to run PRIOR TO ordering all the parts needed to get it fully operational. A broken spark plug cap/wire must be fixed in order to check spark. Carb is cleaned, ready to rock. We'll get there, no rush. Currently await shipment of cap/wire replacement parts.

[ducatiman]

currently on a set of 250's......wet testing revealed fuel levels set way too high, and I corrected. Aftermarket pilots screws swapped for stockers too. Otherwise all the usual stuff.

[ducatiman]

refurbing/cleaning a carb from a Yamaha 250 single sitting with fuel loaded for 3 years according to owner. I have no doubt he's correct.
When done, i'll offer up a comparitive pic or 2.

[Bob KellyIII]

LOL most of the bikes I worked on when I had my shop looked just like that ! it'll clean up just fine if you can get the jets out without breaking them off in the carb body !
back then carb cleaner actually worked !
Bob.......

[ducatiman]

agreed, finished them today

[ducatiman]

put in a position today where I needed to get a Honda Generator EU3000 running immediately for a friend/neighbor. A carb clean and fuel purge did the trick, now starting 1st pull every time! And yet ANOTHER Keihin version carb was used by Honda!

Thankfully, no parts needed! No pics, too busy.

[ducatiman]

todays project a carb clean/get running on a Redmax blower with a Walbro WYA model carb, starts in 1 to 2 pulls, accelerates fine without any stalling or other issues. Before/after pics

[Bob KellyIII]

LOL never cleaned that machine in it's life !
good work Gordon !

[ducatiman]

never cleaned? no doubt TY Bob

[dcj13]

Gordon, I've always admired your craft, your before & after pics, and reading the accolades you receive from your satisfied customers.

That being said, I have a philosophical question for you (and everyone else) about repair versus replace.

First, a little about me... At my local tavern, I've seemed to become the go-to guy for all things two- and four-stroke yard care implements: mowers; weed eaters; hedge trimmers; blowers; tillers; chainsaws; etc. Usually, the problem is caused by skanky gas and years of non-use. My strategy is to verify spark and see if the engine pops over with a shot of starting fluid. If it does, then I make the decision whether to dive into fixing the carburetor/fuel filter or not. It's so easy to buy a new aftermarket carburetor for $15 on Amazon that includes new fuel lines, fuel filter, gas tank "grommet," air filter, spark plug, and 1 or 2 primer bulbs, as opposed to disassembling the existing carburetor, soaking the parts, reassembling it, etc. I checked Amazon yesterday and saw that I can buy a new pair of aftermarket carburetors for the pregen Ninjette for $74, including fuel lines and adjuster. While I haven't had to deal with a motorcycle carb, I've had 100% success with the cheap Amazon carbs.

My philosophical question for you folks is how do you decide whether to clean and rebuild a carburetor, as opposed to simply removing and replacing the errant carburetor(s) with a(n) aftermarket carbs?

[Bob KellyIII]

can you post a link to these $74.00 ninja carbs please.... i've never seen carbs for the Ninja that cheap.... I did find $250.00 for one which makes it $500 for both...just a few years back ........ and they were just cleaned up old carbs.not new.
not saying your lying... i just haven't found cheapo Amazon carbs for the Ninja yet because I'ed be willing to try replacing the carbs they are a terrible design in my book.

[ducatiman]

I advocate cleaning/reusing every factory tuning component within a cleaning/refurb procedure, with obvious automatic replacement of ALL "consumables" (gaskets, orings, float valves) thus saving both further investment and time awaiting replacements. I stock ALL those "consumables", BTW.

I'd suggest to avoid all "carb kit" tuning components (unmarked jets, for example)

I'll submit the $74 el cheapos you reference are actually Far East replacements, hey the choice is yours, however the stockers ARE capable both of refurbishment AND perfect running. Provided all other required maintenance is up to date (valve clearances,petcock maintenance) you'll be in great shape doing a FULL REFURB. Custom Carb Services will assure it!

[dcj13]

Gordon,
Thank you for your response and opinion: if I were having carburetor problems with my Ninjette (which I sold 8 years ago, and which the current owner is still enjoying, problem-free), I would hire you to rebuild them!

[dcj13]

Bob,
Here's the Amazon link:
MOTOKU Carburetor for Kawasaki Ninja 250R 1988-2007
https://a.co/d/4yfiFhx

[ducatiman]

Bob owns a 2012 model.......according to the sellers specs (88--07) is NOT applicable.

[Triple Jim]

We've had people come here to ninjette.org who bought a cheap carb set, installed them, and then posted questions about why the engine is bogging in midrange, lacks power, etc. I got the feeling that the cheap aftermarket carbs have incorrect jetting and possibly other problems.

[ducatiman]

Originally Posted by ducatiman

self-installed Metzeler tires on my Ducati a couple days ago.....currently working on a neighbors Troy-Bilt 27 ton Log Splitter. Briggs & Stratton engine, parts missing, hasn't been started in years. I'm gauging the ability of the engine to run PRIOR TO ordering all the parts needed to get it fully operational. A broken spark plug cap/wire must be fixed in order to check spark. Carb is cleaned, ready to rock. We'll get there, no rush. Currently await shipment of cap/wire replacement parts.

troubleshooting and repairing the Troy-Bilt log splitter all done......runs/performs perfectly.....note the attached photo with the GIANT pile of split wood (just done today) My neighbor is the owner of the machine, he has health issues and can't do any manual labor. My bud Tommy (in pic) and I did it all!

[ducatiman]

Today, I opted to replace both rear rotors (along with new brake pads) on my '09 Toyota Matrix S. All went well, it is set and awaits final bleeding tomorrow.

[ducatiman]

refurbed a set of 250 KEIHINS for a member here today. A few issues found, needles incorrectly assembled in slides, worn/incorrect orings, fuel levels needed correction, etc etc. These'll be fine runners going forward.

[ducatiman]

2 chainsaws (non-starting) dropped off by a bud.....the latest 250's sent back....I believe I'll be on these today

[ducatiman]

Craftsman chainsaw completed, actually used it today. Required extensive carb rebuild, setup and adjustments. One more to go!

[ducatiman]

On a very poorly designed Homelite chainsaw today. To remove carb, loosen 2 bolts, slide carb back....stops at the handle.....ok remove handle which requires throttle/cable removal....one thing leads to another on this POS.

[ducatiman]

a fellow members 250's arrived today, as well as a set of CB1000 4 bangers.
250's up 1st as i've got to order carb kits for the 1000's.

pics'll follow.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by ducatiman

troubleshooting and repairing the Troy-Bilt log splitter all done......runs/performs perfectly.....note the attached photo with the GIANT pile of split wood (just done today) My neighbor is the owner of the machine, he has health issues and can't do any manual labor. My bud Tommy (in pic) and I did it all!

I can relate to splitting wood. This will be gone or nearly so by the end of the heating season. The splitter is my neighbor's. Most years when I borrow it I start by doing something like cleaning the carb or installing new wheel bearings, or putting tubes in the tires. This year the plastic fuel inlet on the carb was cracked and dripping, so I drilled and tapped the carb and installed a brass barb. I don't mind maintaining it, since I'm the main user, and he stores it all year until I need it again.