Glayne

I would be interested in whether you find it much easier to start with a lower compression head or insert. Mine was a pain in the ass to start (280) until I learned the sharp fast kick required.

I'm located in British Columbia Canada. Ethanol just became mandatory here over the last year? I have been using marked fuel for years, it used to be non ethanol and also labeled marine fuel because of the lack of ethanol and road tax. (short version) I wonder if there is something in the marked fuel now to keep the ethanol okay for marine that is messing with my stuff.

I had never had a fuel petcock issue, up to this year had never even removed one from a fuel tank. This year I have had a leak on the petcock of a 2001 KX65, a petcock leak on a 2004 WR450, a petcock leak on a 2005 DRZ125 a petcock leak on a 1996 Big Bear 350, and the float bowl is now leaking overflow on the Big Bear as well, something to do with the float seat, will see this weekend. I use marked fuel so it is easy to see where the fuel is leaking from. Something is going on with the fuel around here. I am no chemist but I suspect something is eating the rubber and if it is not the ethanol it must be some additive that goes along with it. And yes I am considering changing to a much less convenient and more expensive fuel.

Ethanol, or something in the fuel is f****ing with my older petcocks and other carb parts. Really is causing a bit of grief, old small fuel systems that never caused problems are ganging up on me. I can only suspect it is the ethanol, hard to stay on top of, I must have 20 small engines around the house.

I agree with Tr1AL, seal kits can be a gamble. I had an 02 TXT Edition and tried a seal kit that came with the bike from previous owner for the rear brake master, it was a fail. Cross referenced the number on the master on the interwebs and found a match with a new master for a Ducati on Ebay for a real decent price, perfect fit. On my 02 TXT I recall having a very similar VIN to yours, I still guess the VIN is from an 2002.

VIN is an 02, motor is a Pro and is the first year of the Pro if it is the original motor. The first years of the Pro had more problems but they must be sorted by now. Looks to be in good condition!

I would put a bunch of hours on it before thinking of changing sprockets. 1st is already very low, as is 2nd and 3rd, I would not want the spread between 1st and 4th any tighter. If you need to go slower than 1st, slip the clutch, that is what it is designed for.

mercy...

I don't think playing with the throttle will help. Mine starts cold with choke, no throttle. What is missing is the *sharp fast kick* Yes I understand opening the throttle opens the slide and allows more air past the piston helping clear the mixture of fuel that is not within ignition parameters. If the kick is not *sharp and fast* enough the venturi is likely to also bring in more fuel, in my opinion. Yes the rolling back in gear trick works good, but no better than neutral once you have the kick figured. After a crash or a stall I may use the roll back if there is no hurry and terrain allows. When I shut off my bike I find neutral and when I want to re-start it I use a *sharp fast kick* Gas Gas would have never sold as many bikes as they have if it was designed to roll back/clutch/kick/release clutch/roll back/clutch/kick... In my opinion. They can be goofy bikes, not that goofy. I had the starting woes as well and wanted my 02 TXT Edition back when I upgraded. Certainly not now although I had great times with the TXT. Butch, is there a trials club anywhere nearby you? Someone there would certainly have the knack, or as I call it the *sharp fast kick*

I do know the wide open throttle trick to clear a flooded engine, I would not suggest it in this case, possibly only after a good tip or flip over on these Gassers. Choke on, no throttle for cold start.

I had a hard time with mine when I first got it (2012), wanted to trade back to my old bike, also considered a low comp head and going to a Dellorto carb from the Keihin since I had good luck with the Dellorto carb on a previous (non pro engine) gasser. I did go up 1 size pilot jet, can't recall what size that was. I don't use any fancy fuel, 90ish octane in Canada, non ethanol if I can, 70ish-1. (Europe/Spanish/Gas Gas calculates octane different than North America) Choke for cold start like any other 2T, engage kick lever so there is resistance then *FAST SHARP KICK* (engaging kicker prevents damage)(Leaning on something will help) Gasser starts first or second kick, cold or warm. Very happy with the Gasser and glad I didn't mess with the head or replace carb. Had a chainsaw I could not start on Sunday after I ran out of gas and re fueled, must have flooded (climbing arborist saw PITA to pull the spark plug). First pull Monday it started, so there can be those circumstances after trying too hard as well.

I also ride a Gasser 280, I would not bother with a flywheel weight as I do like the sharp delivery for some scenarios, that is my favorite attribute of the 280, also I don't want to be trying to slow down any extra engine inertia. If I was to change the gearing I would probably drop a few teeth in the back to give a little more range in the lower gears which would also smooth things out a bit while still being able to spool up quick.

Some bikes tend to get stuck clutches when sat for too long, take the bike for a slow put around for a few minutes working the clutch in and out and giving it small feeds of throttle and they will unstick. Happened to my kids KX65 last week for the first time ever for me.

I am also more concerned about mechanical parts than plastic, but it does become quite a bummer when fenders and such things consist more of zip ties than original plastic and your pristinely maintained scoot looks and deep in your mind feels like a pile of **** because a 30$ part is made of unobtainium. Kinda looks like the dogs breakfast when the plastics that you can get have much different decals and colours as well, no need to ask me how I know. Have never ridden a 270, I quite like my 280 and definitely would not trade it for a 250 or 300. *Huh, this website blanks out the S word with *s* Gonna have to be more creative in the future!

Some of the best service/parts availability/prices and shipping times have been from across seas, (guess that's where Gassers come from). From Europe to Canada in under a week a bunch of times, lots of times I can't get stuff shipped within this country that fast.

Most parts are out there, they are not getting any easier to find. Some parts are shared with other bikes or common bearings/seals to other things. Compression should be around 150psi. If you are worried about finding a piston for it call around and see if there are pistons available for it. I suspect a piston will be one of the easiest parts to find, plastics may be some of the harder stuff to source. Few years ago I had an 02 edition, always found what I needed eventually, sometimes a bit pricey. It's more of a hobby once you're chasing parts. BTW I think that's a good looking bike, I like the frame and the graphics!

No problem, Any pictures? I had an 02 Gasser 250, it was great!

Surprised nobody has hit this one out of the park for you, If I remember correctly I'd say yours is a 1999 250cc, I did not research this, could be wrong. It would likely go for around 1000$ here in Canada.

Our 2016 Evo JR has 7/8" bars. I'm sure yours does as well.

FWIW, I find they are more fun to drive when the body isn't immaculate...

You can always stall it to a stop as well... Share some rain here as well, we have been short on rain for years. Butch, like the square body in the background!

I would run the 90 octane non ethanol in a heartbeat. European fuel (as stated in your manual) has different octane rating than American fuel. I believe 98 RON is close to 93 in the states. 90 non ethanol at 70 or 80:1 will be good. Maybe 70:1 better for trail riding.

Anyone that is good at tig welding should be able to easily tig the magnesium, will just have to find someone with some magnesium filler rod. Actually had a magnesium clutch cover welded yesterday, no big deal. Next time I'm tempted to try it myself, problem is that I'm very mediocre with the tig... and many other things...

I thought the same thing when I purchased my 2012 Gasser, my 02 Gasser did not need as much of a pull. I bought the fast tube, then noticed that it already had the fast (white) one! I got used to it, did not take long, although it feels much different than any of my other bikes. As mentioned above a rev and dump or clutch slip can get you a lot of power really quickly.

My GasGas does not go far on fuel, far enough but I have to pack some for an extra reserve because the reserve does not go far either. I see you mentioned some brands but have you looked at a TRS X Track? I bet that is the bike for you...