[suprchick]

Hello, new to this forum and my 2007 CRF150R. My husband says it's a step up from my trusty old TTR125, but I haven't had a chance to try it out as we can't get it running right. Difficult to start, idling high with and without the choke on, stalling as soon as you try to rev it or revs and then dies. Been reading up on jetting and changing pilots, but how do you tell what pilot it has now? Can't see any numbers on it. Any ideas? Thanks!

[staffy24]

best to buy a complete set of jets and replace and clean carb if it has been sitting the fuel will be of and will need replacing and carb drained BEFORE you try to start the bike. the diaphram will be kaput but first flush fuel check for air leaks in air box boot, clogged exhaust, bad plug ect also valve clarence may be out checking this is not hard and there is a how to on this site good luck

[crfsonly]

welcome to CRF's Only and to your new ride. it definitely is a huge step up from your TTR125. i highly recommend the JD Jetting kit we offer to get thee carb issues resolved. once you get the carb jetted correctly you'll love this bike!

again, welcome!

ken

[Keith72]

Can you give us a little history on the bike? Do you know what the previous owner did as far as modifying the engine? My girlfriend rides the exact same bike and she loves it. I will look at what she is running for jetting tomorrow and report back. Jetting kit might help. However if the bike sat for a long time with gas in it your best bet would be to replace the jets that are in it now with new ones. Cleaning them especially the pilot is a waste of time. You should be able to get a pilot and main jet for less than $15 or so. As for what size jets are in it now each jet should say on the side what size it is. I know the numbers are difficult to read but its there. A plugged or dirty pilot jet can make these bikes a bear to start and turning the idle up or having the fuel screw open too much will just make it worse. I will be happy to help with getting it going for you.

[crfsonly]

the stock jetting and needle on the 150r is absolutely horrible. that's a very large carb for the 149cc displacement so they are almost always way too lean...hence they are very hard to start, high and hanging idle. you can replace the jets you have in it...if they are the stock jets you'll likely be in the same situation you're in now.

if you want other jetting recommendations check the jetting database in the 150R section. you'll get some ideas of what others are running and how it's working for them.

as keith mentioned, the fuel screw will help with starting, idle and off-idle response. so, start it at 1 3/4 to two turns out. any more and it's an indicator you need a larger pilot jet.

ken

[Keith72]

Just looked at my notes. She has a 45 pilot and a 140 main with the fuel screw at about 2 open from lightly seated. Her bike likes to have the throttle held open just slightly when kicking it over to get it to start. So that pilot is probably a little rich or the fuel screw is open a little too much. But it runs like a top and she doesnt complain so I dont mess with it. I will look to verify that those are still the jets that are in it.

[suprchick]

Thanks for all the help. My husband finally got it running today well enough so I could ride it. I do like the power it has compared to the TTR 125 but miss the e-start button dearly. I guess you can't have it all. It still needs some improvement with the jetting, so will probably get a kit. Sure backfires and bangs a lot when I'm off the gas going downhill. Is that normal or a pilot jet issue as I'm off the throttle?

[Keith72]

What is the current jetting? You are probably a little lean this time of year.

[suprchick]

Keith, back to my original problem, how can I tell what they are? Unless I'm missing something, don't you have to take the carb off the bike, which seems to be a real pain to do, and then take it apart to get the jets out??

[Keith72]

No, all you need to do is spin the bottom of the carb towards you so you can access the 17mm drain bolt on the bottom. The pilot and main jets are right on the other side of the bolt. You will see that there are two band type clamps the need to be loosened to rotate the carb (one on each side of the carb)

Turn the fuel off, loosen the flat head screw driver float bowl drain on the bottom/side of the carb, after the fuel is drained from the carb remove the drain plug on the bottom to access the jets.

The main jet can be removed with a 6mm nut driver or socket(shouldnt be very tight just snug)

The pilot jet can be removed with a flat head screwdriver, needs to be a narrow screw driver that will fit up into the recess the pilot jet goes in. You will see what I mean when you get it opened up and look inside. (shouldnt be very tight just snug)

All of this can be done with the carb attached to the bike. Its very easy. Just take your time.

[crfsonly]

and once the jets are out the size of the jet is on the side. small but readable.

ken