Mukini vs Keihn

[Jacksons Daddy]

Which one do you prefer? Pros vs Cons? I have 1980 CB 125s. Trying to decide on which one. Has a Keihn on it now, but not working right, thought I would just put a new one on, any help?

 

[fresh_c]

Both manufacturers have many different models. Which are you considering?

 

[Jacksons Daddy]

Mikuni VM22 24mm..it's on eBay.

 

[rockcitycafe]

how is it not working right? what have you done to the bike?

 

[Jacksons Daddy]

When I got the bike, the gas tank and carb smelled like varnish. So I flushed the tank out with fresh gas and took the bottom bowl of the carb and soaked in sea foam cleaner. I didn't take the jets out, cause I'm not experienced enough to do that. I put everything back together and tried to start it, nothing. I have spark and good compression. The bike will start and run for a few seconds with starting fluid, but that's it. I took the carb off and I couldn't smell any gas, like the carb wasn't getting any fuel. I made sure the petcock worked and was on, and I saw fuel in the clear fuel filter, coming from the tank to the carb. Hope that helps. Thanks

 

[cxman]

get someone either a more experienced member or mechanic

to strip and ultrasonically clean the carb for you

switching carbs wont be a direct bolt on you will have to fool with plug chops and jetting

and it sounds like this might be more than you want to do whereas just rebuilding the stock carb

will get you up and running

where do you live ask for some help

 

[rockcitycafe]

it sounds like the carb needs to be thoroughly cleaned, chances are your primary jet is completely blocked, and at starting, the engine isn't getting any gas at all. grab a rebuild kit, remove all the old jets and o rings, soak the carb body in carb cleaner, then scrub it out with some paint gun cleaner brushes and paint thinner, and put it back together with the rebuild kit. buying an aftermarket carb with no experience in tuning is going to turn into a different kind of nightmare and a lot more $$ than a rebuild kit

 

[Jacksons Daddy]

Ok that's sounds good, what is a good rebuild kit? From Honda or aftermarket? What's a good website that has good parts?

 

[rockcitycafe]

I think keyster is the brand I usually get

 

[ApriliaBill]

Get used to carb. work. Luckily a CB125 is an easy one to work on. I hate carb. work, I suck at it and it drives me nuts, but that being said, I've bought a lot of bikes cheap over the years, because p.o. buggered the carbs. I get them home, take them apart piece by piece, take pics, put them together wrong, pull them apart and put them back together again and usually get a pretty good result.

I know this isn't true for all, but almost every used bike I've bought, the p.o. told me something was wrong, it was usually b.s. and ended up being the carbs. The old, "it ran fine when parked" ? Usually the carbs. You youngsters with yer video/pic taking phones have it a lot easier than us old ham fisted guys. Learning how to rebuild a carb. is almost mandatory if you're into old bikes. It's not as hard as it sounds, and if I can do it, then pretty much any ape can do it. My wife tells people "he may not be very smart, but he can lift heavy stuff"...

 

[kopcicle]

Wilma or Betty ?

~kop

 

[surffly]

Making changes to the bike or modifying it in any way before you are capable of maintaining it stock is a terrible idea.

Personally I will only use honda OEM carb parts.
They are cheap and easy to find.
Get the factory manual, not a clymer and try and fix it yourself.
Or find a professional and pay them from time to time to fix your bike.
Or buy a modern 250.

Carb work is going to be something that you will need to figure out if you want to play with old bikes.

 

[OJ]

If I can kind of rebuild a carb so can you. Use photos as notes so you remember how to put it together.

 

[Jacksons Daddy]

Wilma or Betty ?

~kop

Betty..... Definitely Betty

 

[Jacksons Daddy]

Thanks for all the info and comments, I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, I just put off things like a carb rebuild, cause I know its going to be challenging. So I have been hearing aftermarket rebuild kits are junk, and to only buy Honda kits. Any thoughts?

 

[surffly]

My thought is for the same price why risk it?
While you are at it, give the bike a nice tune up.
Sit with the manual, it walks you through a tune up step by step.
New plug, new air filter(not a freaking pod!) points and condensor.

 

[cxman]

and dont forget to post your location in case you need some help

 

[Bert Jan]

When I got the bike, the gas tank and carb smelled like varnish. So I flushed the tank out with fresh gas and took the bottom bowl of the carb and soaked in sea foam cleaner. I didn't take the jets out, cause I'm not experienced enough to do that.

If you never try, you will never gain the knowledge now do you? Pull them apart and put them back together. No rocket science and if you're really lost, check cmsnl.com for detailed fiches on how to re-assemble them.

Do it!