I have a 00 400ex. Last week it was having problems starting. after several minutes with different choke setting etc it finally was running. i was high idling it and noticed the header pipes were glowing red, so I shut it down. Has this happened to anyone else and whats the cause? I have heard of replacing the pilot jet so I did that and installed a #40. Is the glowing from running too rich or unburned mixture in the exhaust system? I am going to call my dealer to see what they say but figured I would get a better response here.
Slimedog
88 QR250
00400ex

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If your head pipes were glowing red you were running very lean. If all you've done was change the pilot jet I can't think of a good reason why it would do that. Is the bike stock or is it hopped up? Good luck and post back if you find the problem.

Ride hard

Chet

 

Chet's right. Way lean. If this is all stock and nothing has been changed you could have a obstructed pilot circuit, or too small of a pilot or your air screw isn't adjusted right. Chances are a obstructed pilot circuit. Good luck.

 

A banshee huh, yeah he would be putting new rings and brakes on the thing insted, and if a banshee ran as lean as his EX did you wouldnt have a engine left to put new rings in... Anyways if you had to play with the choke to get it to run sounds like the float level or a cloged pilot or main jet..i wouldt run it much if it is that lean.
Joe