Vader 125cc vm22 problems

Tex · 03-30-2023, 02:02 PM

Hi all, first post, bought an X-pro X7 with 8 miles on it on Monday, not running of course so I got a great deal. I deleted all the emissions junk and put on a vm22 knockoff, it won’t idle, it’ll crank with the choke, idle way up a few seconds and dies when I cut the choke off, it also hiccups badly when it does idle. Doesn’t really matter where the pilot jet is but I can get it to idle somewhat at 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 out but it’ll die when I give it throttle input, the gasket on the engine to intake side ends up covered in gas at this point so it seems like maybe it’s dumping a crapload of fuel? I don’t have any other jets other than what came in it, but I’m wondering if maybe I have an air leak issue first and foremost because the gasket shouldn’t get wet with gas if it’s making a seal right? I barely get any time to work on it as I work 2 jobs and was hoping some of you smart clone guys can help me troubleshoot this. I’m pretty good mechanically, but I’m not used to anything carbed, I work mostly with diesels and fuel injection. My brother is a whiz though so I’m gonna have him work on it today and send him here to this post to get an idea of where to start. Thanks -Barrett

Tex · 03-30-2023, 02:39 PM

I know part of my problem is I’m having to pull the carb to adjust the pilot jet, I want a nibbi but the wife don’t want me spending that much. If I could adjust while it’s on the bike it would make this whole process a whole lot easier.

**JerryHawk250** · 03-30-2023, 02:59 PM

You might need to check float height or if float valve is not leaking letting too much fuel into the carb.

Tex · 03-30-2023, 03:08 PM

I actually haven’t pulled the bowl off yet, it should be level when turned upside down correct?

**JerryHawk250** · 03-30-2023, 03:11 PM

Yes.

Tex · 03-30-2023, 03:18 PM

We will pull it off this afternoon and have a look at it and see if it’s possible that could be the problem.

**JerryHawk250** · 03-30-2023, 03:25 PM

Does the carb mount level or at an angle? If at an angle you will have to adjust the float level for the angle.

dirtbkr188 · 03-30-2023, 03:42 PM

When you take the bowl off to check the float level, see if your pilot and main jets match the ones in the picture below.
Also, is the VM22 Mikuni-clone you installed one you had lying around, or one you purchased new?

dirtbkr188 · 03-30-2023, 04:06 PM

You also might want to consider one of THESE to make tuning the VM22 a lot easier

Tex · 03-30-2023, 05:28 PM

The previous owner had bought it and handed it to me still in the box, I did not personally purchase it, it actually sits at a slight angle when mounted, not exactly sure how I’d set the floats to compensate, but this makes sense as the idle sometimes changes when I stand the bike up off the kickstand

Tex · 03-31-2023, 01:05 PM

So I rode it for the first time today, just around my place, didn’t want to take it on the highway, it runs perfect with the choke on, idles right where it needs to at about 1500 rpm, so some things I’m going to do first, replace the gas with some good quality 93, try and clean the carb and see if it’s a possibility the pilot jet has a blockage, and replace the petcock and fuel filter. I’ll try these first and I’m hoping everything works as should.

Tex · 04-05-2023, 03:36 PM

Is it possible a big enough exhaust leak can make it run awful?

dirtbkr188 · 04-05-2023, 04:25 PM

Yes, if the exhaust isn't fully seated in the exhaust port, it creates a lean condition, causing the bike to run hot.

03-30-2023, 02:02 PM	#1
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	Vader 125cc vm22 problems Hi all, first post, bought an X-pro X7 with 8 miles on it on Monday, not running of course so I got a great deal. I deleted all the emissions junk and put on a vm22 knockoff, it won’t idle, it’ll crank with the choke, idle way up a few seconds and dies when I cut the choke off, it also hiccups badly when it does idle. Doesn’t really matter where the pilot jet is but I can get it to idle somewhat at 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 out but it’ll die when I give it throttle input, the gasket on the engine to intake side ends up covered in gas at this point so it seems like maybe it’s dumping a crapload of fuel? I don’t have any other jets other than what came in it, but I’m wondering if maybe I have an air leak issue first and foremost because the gasket shouldn’t get wet with gas if it’s making a seal right? I barely get any time to work on it as I work 2 jobs and was hoping some of you smart clone guys can help me troubleshoot this. I’m pretty good mechanically, but I’m not used to anything carbed, I work mostly with diesels and fuel injection. My brother is a whiz though so I’m gonna have him work on it today and send him here to this post to get an idea of where to start. Thanks -Barrett
	0

03-30-2023, 02:59 PM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,581	You might need to check float height or if float valve is not leaking letting too much fuel into the carb. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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03-30-2023, 03:11 PM	#5
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,581	Yes. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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03-30-2023, 03:25 PM	#7
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,581	Does the carb mount level or at an angle? If at an angle you will have to adjust the float level for the angle. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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03-30-2023, 02:39 PM	#2
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	I know part of my problem is I’m having to pull the carb to adjust the pilot jet, I want a nibbi but the wife don’t want me spending that much. If I could adjust while it’s on the bike it would make this whole process a whole lot easier.
	0

03-30-2023, 03:08 PM	#4
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	I actually haven’t pulled the bowl off yet, it should be level when turned upside down correct?
	0

03-30-2023, 03:18 PM	#6
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	We will pull it off this afternoon and have a look at it and see if it’s possible that could be the problem.
	0

03-30-2023, 03:42 PM	#8
dirtbkr188 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 521	When you take the bowl off to check the float level, see if your pilot and main jets match the ones in the picture below. Also, is the VM22 Mikuni-clone you installed one you had lying around, or one you purchased new?
	1

03-30-2023, 04:06 PM	#9
dirtbkr188 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 521	You also might want to consider one of *THESE* to make tuning the VM22 a lot easier
	1

03-30-2023, 05:28 PM	#10
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	The previous owner had bought it and handed it to me still in the box, I did not personally purchase it, it actually sits at a slight angle when mounted, not exactly sure how I’d set the floats to compensate, but this makes sense as the idle sometimes changes when I stand the bike up off the kickstand
	0

03-31-2023, 01:05 PM	#11
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	So I rode it for the first time today, just around my place, didn’t want to take it on the highway, it runs perfect with the choke on, idles right where it needs to at about 1500 rpm, so some things I’m going to do first, replace the gas with some good quality 93, try and clean the carb and see if it’s a possibility the pilot jet has a blockage, and replace the petcock and fuel filter. I’ll try these first and I’m hoping everything works as should.
	0

04-05-2023, 03:36 PM	#12
Tex Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 9	Is it possible a big enough exhaust leak can make it run awful?
	0

04-05-2023, 04:25 PM	#13
dirtbkr188 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 521	Yes, if the exhaust isn't fully seated in the exhaust port, it creates a lean condition, causing the bike to run hot.
	0