GGrider

Hello! My 86 450 came with blue discoloration on the top half of the pipes. I'm wondering how this happens, does it indicate someone mistreated my Reb, and can anything be done about it? I've noticed it on bigger bikes too and have been told it's caused by running too rich and that it's a "good thing". ?????
tanks!

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Guba

Blue near the cylinder indicates too lean. I don't have a 450, so I'm not sure if all 450's have the same issue or not. Hopefully someone with a 450 will chime in. But I would get a manual and and adjust the carb myself. I can't remember if you stated you had different pipes or not, but usually people who put on different pipes from original stock end up rejetting.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

GGrider

Thanks GUba, As far as I know they are stock pipes. I have not changed anything on the bike. It certainly acts like it's running lean...stumbling and stuttering. Have added Seafoam and will see if things improve. Don't want to take the carbs off but can't confidently ride the bike as it is..fortunely I have other bikes I can ride til the Reb gets better. tanks again!

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flitecontrol

Have you tried adjusting the air/fuel mixture screws?

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2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
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northbiker

how about starting from the basics. i found that i forget to check basic normal signs that my engine is giving me. have you checked the spark plugs? they are the first sign of how the engine is running. the second thing is what has changed? is everything stock? if not you should buy a repair manual and give it a nice tune up. third how many miles are on it and how old is the bike? cleaning the carb and replacing the jets are a great step(if they are needed) toward making sure your bike is running well. also check your petcock (if its a rebel thats where the filter is for the fuel) clean out anything that might be inside the filter. there should be a filter inside the tank requiring you to remove the petcock to check it and there will be one inside the actual petcock. if those are clogged it will make it run lean no matter the condition of the carb or jets. if all those things are good to go then i would start thinking about changing out your jets to make it run more rich. or even just adjusting you fuel to air mixture like flitecontrol said. hope this helps

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GGrider

THanks Everyone~! Nothing new on the bike, did all the basic maintenance and checks when we got it and before riding it, was running perfect after Jack sent us a CDI unit last Fall. If the Seafoam doesn't work and an inline fuel filter stays clean...I'm thinkin' the CDI unit Jack sent may be bad. Hard to believe considering all I've read about it and I trust Jack. He's been a god-send! I know you can't repair CDI units so I'm sure he sent one he'd tested and trusted. These things do go when they go though!
I'll change the idle screw next and see what happens!
have a great day All!
GG

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