Help needed with POR apache 125 2008

[weebop]

My first bike I got recently as one that had been sitting for a while.

Getting into it
I changed the lock, charged the battery.
Then to the engine and getting it started

The throttle and choke were completely stuck - cables were rusted and grimy.
So I changed those out and cleaned the carb which was disgusting.
Try starting the bike and it doesnt run.

Take the spark plug out, its fine but sparking inconsistently.
Change the spark plug and charge the battery again.
Doesnt start
Check spark plug - its wet
Try squirting fuel in the air intake - engine runs
Also, given I was turning it over a lot, there is a steady drip of fuel out of the bottom of the carb, I think from the float overflow.

So I'm thinking its timing at this point.
But I'm not certain, and I also dont have a great idea of how to change the timing. I think it can be done without taking the engine off, although, I am unsure even which side to attack from.
I am still skeptical about if it is even the timing.

Any help is much appreciated

*update*
I bought a new carb and battery, then installed those.
The spark seems to be stronger, and the new carb isnt leaking. Although the spark is inconsistent. Feels like I will try to start it, wont work, take the plug out, test for spark, no spark click the button for the starter motor, then test it again, there will be a spark, then repeat.

Also, I am not sure the plug was truly wet, there was no obvious fluid around the end by the gap, but what I think I was talking about was just grease on the threads.

-EDIT- 11/2/19

Ok, so update for those of you who are interested.

I had some time at the weekend and did as some had advised, left the carb alone but cleaned the petcock and tank, making sure the hose from the petcock to the carb was completely clean.

Call me stupid 'coz I probably deserve a lot worse, the variable sparking was because of the kill switch, I had the bike turned off (via the kill switch), which was why the spark wasn't always working.

So sorted that out, still not going.

Sunday comes and I think f*** this, put some of my carb cleaner in the air intake, and this mother f***** starts!
There's a small problem with the throttle, so it started at full, ended up cutting itself out.
Then with a bit of love, and more of that carb cleaner, I managed to get her started again, and even had a bit of a ride around.

Anyway, thanks for all the help, ultimately, I'm still not sure why she wasn't going, but whatever I did, it worked!

[P.]

Unlikely to be timing. Wouldn't touch it in that way at all.

I'd be checking that battery is strong, coil/HT are clean and tidy, snip a little bit and make sure it's all solid.

How is the carb looking.

[jaffa90]

From what you say the carb is flooding (as you know).
I would find out why the needle valve is not seating properly or the float has a hole in it which i doubt.
Twisting the throttle on start up will make it worse.

[pbt]

[Robby]

Does sound like, for once, the carb actually is the problem.

Does it have a fuel filter?

Two likely possibilities:
1. The tank is full of rust and general crap, which is getting down into the carb. The carb was clean after you cleaned it, then very quickly dirty when the shit from the tank got into it. Clean the carb again, and fit a fuel filter.
2. You didn't clean and set up the carb properly. You need to dismantle every single part, clean it, then reassemble as the factory manual. If you don't know the right settings, then I would guess at two turns out for the mixture screw, and needle clip in the middle position.

It's pissing fuel because the needle valve in the carb isn't sealing.

[bikenut]

As said, when cleaning the carbs, start at the FUEL FILLER CAP and work your way to the actual carb. A no brainer really but we all have to start somewhere eh.

Do you have a wiring diagram for this bike, you will need one so get/find one, or work out where all the wires go and make your own. Parts diagrams and exploded views can help you so much.
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[weebop]

[jaffa90]

""""I installed a new carb, so I hope fuel isnt the problem now."""

Providing the fuel is filtered / clean before entering the carb!

Also if you kick start the bike you may get a stronger spark.

[stevo as b4]

Sounds like you and mechanic are talking different languages when it comes to timing as one of you is talking about ignition timing and one of you about valve timing.

You say your spark seems intermittent, how are you verifying this? You don't have any way to check ignition timing and both it and valve timing can't really change on their own, or unless the engine has been stripped and re-built, and even then the ignition will be CDI and they'll be no adjustment as it'll run a fixed pick up coil and the curve will be determined by the CDI box.

If you see a spark at the plug when grounded to earth properly and the engine is turned over then I'd forget about ignition faults as as others have said make sure the fuel system is ok?

A wet plug is likely to be from flooding, so as Robby said dirt in fuel or carb is probably what's stopping it running, but running the battery down with loads of cranking won't be any help.

[P.]

Putting a new carb on won't fix the issue.

The issue being it's Chinese and is likely to have started rotting. What I'd do is take the pipe that goes from tank to carb and put it into a jar and see how the flow is and what comes out.

Then check inside the tank, any rust or dirt etc is going to give you issues.

[bikenut]

when cleaning the carb, start at the fuel filler cap, i wonder why?????

spark intermittent, a ohv or ohc type engine????
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[c_dug]

I assembled one of those from new in 2007/2008 as it goes, delivered in parts in a crate from China. I always thought they'd missed an O from their brand name. Not to piss on your bonfire or anything, but genuinely surprised and impressed that there's still one on the road!

Anyway, me and my friends abused the absolute shit out of the one I assembled which I expect may be part of the problem you're having with yours, they were one of the cheaper Chinese imports at the time, pretty much bought exclusively by 17 year old lads who thought it looked cool and knew nothing about bikes.

Credit where it's due, the one my friend had kept running despite the multiple crashes, and him running it out of oil, but 11 years is a long time for a bike like that.

Good luck!
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[bikenut]

get a wireing diagram and a red noen plug cap, research about those then come to your own conclusion, your mech friend will have one, if not he needs some unless he has £3000 worth of sun or similar......look for a bad connection
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