Starting procedure - 250 Monza

[halfpast]

Well, I finally got a battery for my new-to-me 250 Monza, and it fired up on the second kick after not running for at least a month. However, it wouldn't hold an idle and then wouldn't start again.
As I am a newbie to the world of bevel singles, I ask my fellow brethren for advice on how to start the darn thing.

I can safely say this: I am getting spark, and the fuel petcock is open.

Also - is the choke closed when the lever is pushed toward the rider, or away?

Thanks in advance. I'm happy to provide more information as needed.

[Eldert]

a Monza should have a UBF 24 dell orto carb . on this carb the choke is on when the lever is pushed back so you lower the chokeslide into the carb throat .


Eldert

[halfpast]

Thanks Eldert! Upon reading old threads it seems like the choke on this carb/ bike doesn't have much of an effect. I think I'm going to focus on making sure I'm kicking the bike over at the right position, with the right amount of 'tickler'...

[Nick]

If you want your bike to start easily, idle smoothly and run well, ditch that stock carb and put on a Mikuni, Amal concentric or other more modern carb. Wrap the stock carb in a plastic bag and keep for the day when someone who will seldom if ever ride the bike wants to do a 'perfect restoration.'

If you're actually planning to ride the bike, the two most important mods you can make are to upgrade the electrics and fit a modern carb.

[cooperplace]

with my 250, the most important thing is to wear very heavy solid boots. It gave me the mother of all kickbacks about a year ago and my ankle still hurts. My 350 has less compression, my 450 never kicked back like this, and my 900 is easier to start.

[halfpast]

Thanks for the suggestion, Nick. Any specific carb from Amal or Mikuni I should look for?

[cooperplace]

VM26. Talk to Chad at Sudco.

[gregwils]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I followed your advice. Called Chad and ordered the VM26-8074 and compatible manifold - $235 + shipping.

[JimF]

I have the Mikuni on a 250 narrowcase. The jets that Chad recommended were a good starting point but I bought others and made improvements.

With the Mikuni the bike starts easy, idles perfectly, accelerates great.

The bike came with that tuna-can shaped dellorto air filter which I attached and because it says DellOrto on it and most people read that and look no further at the carb behind it.

I kept trying to put an air filter on the SSI29 but it would wreck the ability to start the bike and it's ability to idle. The Mikuni works fine with the restricted air flow from the filter.

[gregwils]

Good to know. I have some personal commitments that will prevent me from digging into it until the first October, but I will likely reach back out to to inquire about jetting and other improvements.