Today I replaced the vacuum port cap on the carb intake boot.

A few days ago it was nice so I rode to work. When I started the bike to go home, it made a little pop just as it fired and I could tell something was suddenly amiss in the fuel mixture. It popped a bunch while engine braking (which it very rarely does) to the stop sign a couple hundred yards away, and promptly stalled as soon as I stopped. It was unhappy about restarting, but finally did so with full choke. Same thing at the next stop sign. I switched to reserve with no effect and decided to stop at the gas station just up the road to see what I could see, and I needed gas anyway.

In the couple minutes It took to get there, I got the idea that it was behaving as though there was a big vacuum leak. I wondered what could have broken. I gave it a look over at the gas station and thankfully I fairly quickly noticed the end of the brass vacuum port poking out. The cap had dry rotted and the tip cracked and fell off. Ah ha. That would indeed make for a big vacuum leak.




So I dug around in my tail bag and found the roll of electrical tape I keep stashed in there. A couple minutes and a couple burned knuckles later, I got the port mostly taped over. The bike started right up and ran mostly normally the rest of the way home. I wasn't sure how long my tape job would last but it was still there and only a little melted when I got home.

I happened to have a leftover plug from something else that fit, so I put a new one on. I'll also add this to my "replace annually" list with the fuel line, filter, brake fluid, etc.

It seems to be used on some 2002+ Japanese models; a hose runs back to some sort of valve that sits on top of the air box.

..I worked on my '01 XT225 this afternoon. I adjusted the valves. I've never done that before so was a little apprehensive about doing it. It turned out to be okay, I watched a youtube video before I tried it. The valves did need to be adjusted so I am really glad I did it......I'm pretty happy with the bike and that I'm able to work on it myself.

I worked on my '01 XT225 this afternoon. I adjusted the valves. I've never done that before so was a little apprehensive about doing it. It turned out to be okay, I watched a youtube video before I tried it. The valves did need to be adjusted so I am really glad I did it.

I then changed the spark plug. The gap on the old one was a little big but I think the color looked okay. The new plug had the correct gap already. After that I changed the oil and filter. The old filter was dirty and the oil was dark so I am glad I did that too. I also put in a new air filter. I soaked that in some filter oil first. That stuff was messy and hard to get off my hands. I'm going to wear latex gloves the next time.

I have a old document holder that I am going to use as a tool tube. It is green so I painted it black last night. I made a little bracket for it to put where the factory tool box was and used hose clamps to attach it. The paint wasn't fully cured so it got scratched up in a couple of places but I don't care, I still think it looks okay. I'll repaint it this winter.

The bike ran well when I took it out for a test ride. It might even have just a little more power when I revved it out, it is hard to say for sure. I only had it out for a little bit and it might just be wishful thinking. I'm pretty happy with the bike and that I'm able to work on it myself.