Topic: Suzuki GT 250

[jx25]

So I find myself with a 73 Suzuki GT 250.  She's a snappy, loud little beast, but she has problems.   

Here are the problems:
When the bike is sitting anywhere gas drips out of the exhaust pipes 
Gas drips out of the carbs and is all over the rear of the motor 
When you first take off gas pours out of one of the exhaust pipes
When its running she smokes more out of one of the pipes than the other
She'll fire up ok, then it'll sit for like 8hrs then it'll take forever to start up again (the kick starter doesn't "return" i believe the spring is broken/missing)
You'll be driving along, then she'll start losing power but if you downshift and keep the rpms up and keep snappin the throttle she'll keep going for a little bit but it'll eventaully shut off.  so it loses power while driving and shuts off.


My main concern right now is the gas pouring out of the exhaust

I replaced the spark plugs but wasn't able to get it out and try it before the white stuff came(snow).  The PO, my buddy "cleaned the carbs", not sure what that means??

So any suggestions as to where to start and what might be the gas problem would be greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking the carbs will need to be looked at again.  Is it possible that one cylinder isn't firing all the time hence less smoke and gas pouring out of the exhaust? I'll have to check the compression.

I've looked for service manuals with no luck, so if anybody knows where I can find one to download or buy that would be very helpful.  I'm watching ebay but I'm only finding parts manuals.

Thanks for the help
Jon

[kirkn]

Sounds like several DIFFERENT problems goin' on.

For the fuel not shutting off while sitting - the petcock is leaking thru.  Rebuild, replace or splice in a manual shut-off valve (as from a lawnmower shop) in the line.

Also, the carbs' needle valves are not shutting off.  Go thru them again and check for debris, damage to the needle tips, damage to the needle seats.  Repair or replace as needed.

While you're in the carbs, check / reset the float levels.  One or both may be set too high, trying to flood the motor.

As for the losing power and shutting off, that could be minor, like carbs just starving for fuel (trash in lines, etc) to gas tank not venting, etc.  Or it could be major, like the motor is trying (and succeeding) to sieze due to incorrect oil/fuel ratio, overheating, etc.

I'd fix the carb fuel shut-off issue first, including float level, etc. then tackle the possible siezing.

For a manual, perhaps someone over on the VJMOG forums could help.  Quite a few fellows in the Suzuki sub-forum with the early two-stroke twins.  http://vjmog.com/forums.html

Good luck, and post some pictures of the little gem if you can.

Kirk

[scartail]

1+

I have a Suzuki T20 myself. Nice bike (though in pieces right now).

Anyway, sometimes the fuelcock rebuilt kits are prices. You might find that a generic fuelcock is cheaper. As I recall, the thread on the tank are M22. Some Harleys have the same thread.

Regarding the valve and seat, if their in ok shape, but not sealing. You can using some polish and a q-tip and smooth out the seat. Similarly, you can put the valve on a drill, and with some polish clean them up, clean up the conical surface.

I'm thinking your fuel problems are related to your starting problems (flooding)... like kirkn said..

[Hush]

Sounds like the "PO" who "cleaned" the carbs did not know what they were doing.
I'd remove them and check them out again, could be he put something back in wrong.
Owned a few Suzi twins T350 and a couple of Titan 500's....cool bikes.