irishjohn

I just finished putting my '76 KT 250 back together, however I can't get her to run. Rather she starts 2nd kick, runs about 10 seconds with the choke on then quits. I've tried fiddling with the mixture setting, no luck. Good spark, good fuel supply to the carb. Suggestions??

That's it, thanks.

Does anyone make a long ride tank which would fit an'03 TXT 280 Pro?

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. This will be my over winter project as soon as I finish putting my KT250 together. Pat, any reccomendations on how thick of a plate you used to reduce the compression? On your mod for the intake track, did you continue to use the original carb or substitute something else? This engine now has a Mikuni carb installed, I believe it is a 38mm model. I wonder if you could acheive the same effect by suing a smaller model, such as a 32mm? It looks like it would be fairly simple to make an adaptor to do this. Regarding narrowing the sub-frame, think I can do a bit of a cut and paste to narrow it. I also wonder if I could graft a sub-frame on from a donor bike. I have a couple of spare frames, (TY and KT) which might be suitable but will need to take some measurements this weekend. IJ

I recently purchase BSA 441 Victor as a basket case at a garage sale. The bike appears to be about 90% complete but at some time has had some modifications to use as a scrambler. I would like to build it back as a trials bike to use in pre-65 competitions. The frame is appears to be stock and it has a 19' front wheel. Any suggestions on frame or other mods and sources for BSA parts would be appreciated.

Is there a proper way to adjust the internal clutch mechanism on a '76 KT 250? I am in the process of rebuilding one and want to make sure it is properly adjusted.

Success, sometimes a BIGGER hammer is the correct tool.

My bad, it is a '76.

I am rebuilding a KT250. Among the spare parts the bike came with is a spare engine in which the piston is stuck. I believe the rings have rusted to the cylinder wall. Anyone have a good way to break this free?

I am in the process of restoring a '77 KT250. Anyone know where I can find a set of new sprockets?

Kreem has worked very well on all the metal tanks I have used it on. It is critical to remove as much rust as possible if the tank is rusted. I would not use it on a fiberglass tank. My experience in using it on a '75 Bultaco tank was less than successful.

30 years ago when I competed in trials, I ran a mix of 32:1 in my Sherpa T's. The reccomended ratio of 80:1/100:1 for my GasGas XTX 280 Pro, is so much leaner than what I am used to. Does the fact that it runs a plated cylinder and is water cooled enter into the equation? Am I also correct that the main bearings are not lubed by the fuel/oil mix like older 2 cycle engines?

I am curious why the GasGas trials bikes use a reccomended 80:1/100:1 ratio when their enduro bikes use 32:1/40:1?

I recently purchased a mostly complete KT250 which I intend to restore to ride vintage events. I am have collected most of the missing bits, along with a donor bike. There are few parts I need to replace with new, sprockets, cables, swing arm bushings and shocks. Anyone have a source for these parts. I plan to run premix and remove the oil pump, where can I obtain a single throttle cable which would work with a Domino slow throttle assembly?

I'm using 80-1 mix, but I definitely need to find some higher octane fuel. The jets and float level all check out, I'll play with the fuel screw. What other tips do you guys have regarding maintainence or operating?

Jon, you are my GasGas Obi Won! Thanks for the tips. The differences between my Bultacos, KT250s, Tys, Montesas and Ossas really is unbelieveable. I was putting around in the yard today and loaded the forks to loft the wheel, very little throttle and I was on my back! Even my 350 Sherpa T did not have this much torque. I have to learn to ride all over again. Any comments on the engine noise? Will the gas octane induce knock? I haven't found a source for 100 octane fuel as yet. With the hurricane fuel shortage scare, 87octane was all I could find.

What is considered normal engine noise on a TXT 280? After getting this one started (read my previous post), I putted around a bit in the back yard. The engine seems to make more noise than the whirring/exhaust sound I expected. Maybe it needs a ring job. A friend of mine suggested it could be caused by the carb not being properly adjusted. Second, can someone walk me through the adjusting process for the clutch. Mine engages strong but seems to not totally disengage. Lastly may I say, using the GasGas as an indicator, I am a bit shocked how much trials bikes have changed since I last road 30 years ago. On my short put around the yard, I felt like someone from the Bronze Age trying to drive a car. This is going to be fun, I have to start from scratch and learn how to ride all over again!

Yep, the previous owner put the floats in upside down. Turned them over, started second kick! Thanks for the help, Jon.

I have deterimined that I an not getting any gas to the carb. All of the jets have been cleaned and cleaned again. Air and gas flows through freely when it is apart. Put it back together and no gas. Is there an up and down side to the 2 fuel floats? Does the rounded side go up or down? Maybe I have put the floats in wrong and they are shutting off the gas?

Thanks Jon, I'll check those out and let you know. This may be a stupid question so bear with me. A buddy of mine said the GasGas required a different starting technique, kicking back on the started rather than down. Was he having me on? Can't see this would make any difference but, over the years I have owned enough bike which strange quirks to at least ask.

Need some help here. I just purchased a 2003 GasGas TXT 280 Pro. The previous owner let it sit for 9 months with gas in the tank and carb. Needless to say that went bad. The bike wouldn't start however the price was so good, I figured it wouldn't be a problem sorting it out. When I got her home, I drained the tank, disassembled and cleaned the carb, cleaned the air filter and check the spark plug. I am getting pretty good spark although I believe the plug should be replaced as it looks like it was fouled previously. I mixed up some new gas, put everything back together, but no go. I've double checked everything. What am I missing? The fuel line has one of those inline filters in it and yes it is installed the right direction. Suggestions????

After a 30 year hiatus, I want to get started back in riding trials. I am restoring a KT250 and have access to a '03 GasGas. Are there any riders in the Lexington region? Meets in KY?

Thanks for the site reference.

I am in the process of restoring a basket case kawasaki KT 250. Can anyone tell me how to bypass the ignition switch and just set it up with a kill switch?

After about a 30 year hiatus, I am getting back into Trials. Things sure have changed since I used to compete back in the early 80's. I am afraid I may be a bit long in the tooth for to learn the new style of riding. However, I hope to compete in vintage events in the Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee area. At the moment I am rebuilding a basket case Kawasaki KT 250 which was given to me. Years ago I started on Yamaha TY's then switched to Bultaco Sherpa-T's. I had the opportunity to do a bit of riding in Ireland and Cornwall year's past. Looking forward to participating in the forum.