gummed carbs or valve adjust? Thoughts?

[tsg2c]

Got an 07 250 that I try to start and ride a mile or two at least every couple of weekends during colder weather, but recently when I started it to ride after thorough warm up, when I pulled choke off the bike stalled. It now only runs with full choke and even so tends to stall out when I come down to neutral from any gear it stalls out. My local shop says gummed carbs, but I just find that hard to believe since I try to fire it up and run it regularly. Plus I drained the bowls and the fuel looked completely normal. I'm guessing valve adjustment b/c I've yet to adjust valves and I've got 1,000 miles on it, but they are telling me I shouldn't have to do that for several thousand more miles. Is that true? I thought these were notorious for needing frequent valve adjusts. Anyway, just looking to get a feel here, I don't want to get taken for $200 on something I might not need. Any thoughts? I'm a fairly mechanically inclined girlie so I think I could do just about anything if I could nail down what exactly it is.

Tonya Sue

[Lawn Masters]

carbs are your culprit more than likely. 99% of the time when it wont run on anything other than choke, thats the issue. focus primarily on cleaning the little jets and getting any sediment out of your carb bowls. how your fuel LOOKS when draining it means jack squat.

[BlackKarma]

carbs are your culprit more than likely. 99% of the time when it wont run on anything other than choke, thats the issue. focus primarily on cleaning the little jets and getting any sediment out of your carb bowls. how your fuel LOOKS when draining it means jack squat.

Dito! Pilot jets ..clogged,crap in the bowls.Had to almost exact same problemo a few weeks ago.I pulled the carbs.The bowls didn't look that bad just wiped them out.The mains were fine,the pilots however were about 25% clogged.I got a small wire and rimmed'em out.Then soaked them in acetone for a few minutes..mains also.I eyesynced the carbs..best to do at night looking at the carbs from the adjusting side in front of a lamp.

Installed everything back and boom on first lick.Choke was used for only the first 2mins,then I had to adjust idle.Purred like a kitten....Mines a 2004 250 Ninja,6000 miles on her.Peace out....P.S. the carbs are a pain to get out if it's your first time.GET a manual.And go to NinjaWiki for some great tips and pictures.Be Patient when doing carbwork...LOL

[nomadfool]

Agree it sure ain't the valves. Who came up with that idea? Sounds like it's time for..............SEAFOAM!

[Lawn Masters]

Yep. pulling carbs with a stock airbox isnt easy, but its possible. btw I dont suggest pod filters for the 250. you'll actualy see a LOSS in power on that bike, despite the significantly simpler servicing of carbs.

[tsg2c]

Okay, thanks so much for the posts. I've got a Yamaha V-star 650 too and have never had to clean carbs so I was just a bit hesitant. And I did check out NinjaWiki, I definitely don't want to do this, well worth paying someone else. Thanks again!