Just joined the forum and glad to see there is lots of useful advice available.

I have just bought a 1997 Beta Techno 250 as a non-runner and I thought it would be easy to fix but I was wrong. The guy I bought it from reckoned there was a fuel problem because it had a spark. The woodruff key had sheared and I was hoping a new one would solve the problem but no such luck. It will run for a few seconds then die. I have cleaned out the carb and made sure the jets are clear and put in fresh petrol. Also put in a new spark plug. I have read about all the stator problems with Betas but I don't think that is the problem. There is power generated for the fan and there is voltage coming out for the trigger and the CDI power. I suspect the CDI unit but before I cough up the dough for that, does anyone have any other ideas? Do they always need choke from cold and do you pull up the choke and leave it or just pull it up for a few seconds before starting as someone mentioned in another thread?

Thanks,

Stuart

Stuart, not sure about that year but all the Rev3's I had you most of the time needed choke to start and then knock it straight off, are you sure the carb is really clean? you need to take care with the jets,plenty of carby cleaner through it and blow out with an air line. Are the reeds ok? and are the carb settings correct? jet size/float height/needle setting. Make sure the woodruff hasnt bust again on your first kick to start it, if its bust theres a good chance it will fire but stop once the wheel starts turning and goes out of the correct time. Make sure the stator is set in the correct position as well if youve had it off, the Lampkin site may have the correct position

Edited June 28, 200917 yr by The Addict

Thanks for the info Addict. I took the jets out and made sure I could see through them so I think they are OK. The mixture screw is about 1.5 turns out, don't know if that is correct. Will check the jet size but I would have thought that only affected higher speeds, not starting. The stator was marked so I put it back in the same place and I did think the woodruff might have sheared again but it is OK. The problem seems like fuel because it seems like when it does start it then runs out of fuel but then it is so erratic it makes me think it is an electrical problem.

Kill switch can be git on Betas mate, disconnect and try again, are the reeds ok?

Gday, Also make sure you have a good free flow of fuel through the fuel tap. Take the fuel feed pipe off the carb and run it into a bottle. You should get a solid stream of fuel that doesn't slow down or dribble. This will check the tap isn't blocked, the hose from the tank and the tank breather which runs inside the frame down to the rear wheel via a small hose. Take the front cover off around the filler and you will see what I mean. Also check there are no kinks in the fuel feed hose when its fitted to the carb.

Cheers,

Stork.

Disconnected the kill switch already and the fuel flow seems fine. It doesn't even run long enough to empty the carb which seems strange. Still suspect the coil or CDI.

Good luck with sorting the bike fella,let us know what was causing the probs wont you

I am away working for a couple of weeks but I think I will try a new CDI unit when I get back and let you know how I get on.

Stuart

Glad to say my Beta is now running great after putting in a new CDI unit from Lampkins. They provided a superb service which I hear is usually the case.