Honda xl 250 degree

[hughguzzi]

Hi all - after a bit of advice or ideas !! my son's xl 250 degree (grey import xl 250 with dohc, 4v, water cooled, electronic ign,) its got a non standard can. got some camchain rattle, he fitted a hid 'unit' in the headlight.
Problem is occasionally, seemingly for no good reason it dies. sometimes when not warmed up, other when been riding for a while - rain or wet not an issue.
Engine struggles as if for lack of fuel and sometimes it picks up again, sometimes just stops. Will start again and run fine. Most times he goes out it does this once or twice but runs perfect otherwise. Every time I take it out for a spin its fine even when going steady, ragging it, or fiddling with electrics !!! Ive stripped the carb and cleaned it out - wasnt bad at all, checked electrical connections and sprayed wd, spark plug ok, choke ok. i'm a bit baffled ! need to sort it before he comes to grief on it because the engine dies unexpectedly.

some ideas to try out ??

 

[richie]

Hi all - after a bit of advice or ideas !! my son's xl 250 degree (grey import xl 250 with dohc, 4v, water cooled, electronic ign,) its got a non standard can. got some camchain rattle, he fitted a hid 'unit' in the headlight.
Problem is occasionally, seemingly for no good reason it dies. sometimes when not warmed up, other when been riding for a while - rain or wet not an issue.
Engine struggles as if for lack of fuel and sometimes it picks up again, sometimes just stops. Will start again and run fine. Most times he goes out it does this once or twice but runs perfect otherwise. Every time I take it out for a spin its fine even when going steady, ragging it, or fiddling with electrics !!! Ive stripped the carb and cleaned it out - wasnt bad at all, checked electrical connections and sprayed wd, spark plug ok, choke ok. i'm a bit baffled ! need to sort it before he comes to grief on it because the engine dies unexpectedly.

some ideas to try out ??

CDI.....

 

[hughguzzi]

CDI, i was kinda hoping that wasnt the case as its likely expensive, thats if I can even find one ! spares for these and suppliers are like rocking horse poop.
Is it possible to test a cdi unit ? I thought when they went that was it, rather than random faults ?

 

[Neil W]

Motor and possibly cdi is from a nx250 dominator if that helps, that said i've run a xl125 rc on a xl250rc cdi with no problems

 

[deaninkl]

Long shot, but I use to have a CB400/4 exact same symtoms, turned out the be a piece of the baffle rotted off and was occationally blocking the exhaust flow. after stoping it would be fine till the next time.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

In tank filter blocked??

Runs out of fuel. Stops. Then when it gets sloshed about, the fuel washes the clog off the filter.

Until next time.

Or does it have a "vacuum" fuel tap? Could be a perished hose.

 

[dod]

vacuum tap

I think the reserve position on the Honda vacuum taps works without the vacuum. Vacuum only required to open the tap when 'on'.
I have a similar problem on my VT500 Ascot, occasionally stops for no reason when I turn tap to reserve OK. Yes I have plenty of fuel in the tank. Have yet to investigate more fully

 

[hughguzzi]

Cheers for the suggestions, 1) exhaust blockage - has a very 'open' exhaust, but to make sure I refitted original, still cuts out. 2) fuel tap - not a vaccuum tap, have checked and cleaned out tank and filler cap , tap filter, flows well, still cuts out. Have fitted new battery, cleaned electrical connectors, removed carb for a second clean out this time with carb cleaner and airline, So maybe the cdi - but why so random and works fine again after restart ??? Poss spark plug ?