starting problems

[robw]

Hi all, my son's rd125lc has become a pain to start. It only starts from cold by bumping it. Once warm it starts most times by kicking. I have stripped the carbs down quite a few times, as I thought it was flooding. I have noticed that fuel is bubbling out of the right hand rear drilling on the carbs, when it is kicked over. My first thoughts ate that the float valve needs replacing, or that the crank case oil seal is leaking.
Any suggestions
Cheers Rob

[paulsx]

Check the float and float valve first, take the carb off and set it up in a vice/ workmate and connect it to a fuel supply and see what happens. They can sometimes seal for a little while and then leak, most often when you have left the tap on and gone away.

Failing that it could be worn piston/ rings or crank seals can be an issue. For the cost of a gasket set I would whip the top end off for a look.

[museumman]

If you take the sprocket/generator cover off you might be able to see if the left crank seal is weeping. I bought a lot of these bikes in good un-molested condition and 9/10 the crank seal was the cause of non- or bad starting (once the carb was clean)

You can change it from the outside by punching a hole in it and yank it out using self tapping screw.

[robw]

Cheers for all the suggestions. I will gradually work my way through them
Cheers Rob

[rob99]

How are the lights on a night are they nice and strong and is the battery getting a good charge

[bigkenx]

I had this years ago on my 125 lc and it was the generator not producing a strong spark when kicked over I think I replaced the flywheel as well because it had lost some of its magnetism

[robw]

Checked the reeds and adjusted them. I also changed the fuel tap, now starts first time, every time.
Rob

[broughton71]

spot on mate