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Is it an air leak?

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:54 pm
by wax
I have just been out for a ride on my reed-valves rapido 250. Very nice it is too. Pulls well from no revs and is a pleasure to ride, up until a point.......

After about 2 miles, the revs start to climb and it seems to lean-up. At this point I put the choke on and tootle home. This has happened a few times now, at around the 2 mile mark in the journey. Does this sound like an air leak? I was told that the LTH manifold rubbers were suspect, so I sealed that with loctite, but the problem continues. Could something be expanding and causing an air-leak? I am at a loss as to where to start looking.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:06 pm
by mick1
Spray an aerosol (easy start, carb cleaner, etc) around the suspect area.......if the revs change you know the aerosol spray is being sucked into the engine, which will confirm an air leak.

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:36 pm
by Darrell Taylor
did u change the carb jetting from piston port settings to reed valve settings or has it only ever been a reed motor?

what carb and jetting u running

after 2 miles are you just starting to open it up or reaching a longer stretch of road and just starting to load up the motor

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:45 pm
by wax
I purchased the motor from a good mate of mine. It was 'slung' together by AF rayspeed. It did 2 miles before nipping up on him. I sent it to Harry Barlow for a check over and rebuild, with an upgrade to reed valve.

I popped over to sunny Leicester for Harry to jet it up for me and all seemed well. I just don't think it got fully upto temp on the road test.

Is it more likely to be on the intake side rather than the exhaust side of things?

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:51 pm
by wax
All the miles have been tootling around town so far. No open throttle as yet. I thought it might be a dodgy carb, so I swapped the main jet, atomiser, needle and pilot from my Vespa to check, but it's still the same. Both are phbh 28mm.

it starts great, then runs great after the choke is turned off, then it all goes Pete Tong.

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 11:42 pm
by Darrell Taylor
give harry a shout as he may put his finger straight on it or do a leak down test for ya
the phbh 28 what main jet/pilot jet/atomizer/needle /slide etc

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:25 am
by phil23fair
I had a similar problem on my Rapido 250. It turned out to be a leaking mag flange gasket.

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:22 am
by fastfrog
wax wrote: After about 2 miles, the revs start to climb and it seems to lean-up. ... This has happened a few times now, at around the 2 mile mark in the journey. Does this sound like an air leak?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
classical crank seal issue....

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:57 pm
by Mag
or blocked breather in the fuel cap

Re: Is it an air leak?

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:07 pm
by fastfrog
+1 ;)