V Star 650 - Carburetor Jet Cleaning

Today I'm working on Dell's bike, "Otter Chaos." It is a 2000, Yamaha, V-Star 650, Classic.
Last time I worked on this bike, I replaced the battery. But it was hard to start, and when it finally did start, it would die whenever I popped the throttle. I deduced that the carbs needed to be cleaned and said I was just going to put Seafoam in the gas and run it through.
Well... I changed my mind.
I'm going to take the carbs apart and clean the jets.
It is a known problem with these V-Star 650 bikes, that, if they sit for a few months, the jets will clog up. So let's rip into the carburetors, clean the jets and get this bike running.

[@tonyvandyke7588]

My guy! You are a hero! I’m about to give this same procedure a shot. Your video is the best I’ve seen.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my videos and find them helpful.

[@lloydbushnell]

What a legend. Cheers, mate.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my video

[@twinbrookacres]

Nice video. I have to clean my carbs every year. Last year i pulled the carbs right out of the bike. This year i am working on them in place like you did. I just needed a refresher on the process. Your directions are clear. Thanks for sharing. - Rick

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Glad my video is helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@Heroesworkshop]

You’re a legend, sir.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

A legend is a bit strong, but thank you.

[@margiekeith]

CHB, you nailed it. I isolated my problem was in the front cylinder/carb. Thanks to your excellent video, I was able, with some significant effort, to access and remove the screws. Once that was done the rest was a breeze. One of my jets was totally blocked. No wonder it had no power. Thanks for the idea and the video. She’s running like a scalded cat!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Thanks Keith, it always makes me feel good when people say my videos helped them. Mean the world to me.

[@philspaseo2377]

Would the front header turning blue and maxes out at 60mph be indicating that the front carb my be clogged?

[@philspaseo2377]

Would you recommend seafoam or Techron fuel cleaner?

[@ChefHikerBiker]

I would look at the air fuel mix. My first thought is that you might be running lean.

[@philspaseo2377]

@@ChefHikerBiker where is that located?

[@anthonya824]

Right on! I love the results at the end and your reaction. Thank you for a helpful video, and congrats on your success.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Thank you and thanks for watching and enjoying the video.

[@fatman7992]

Thanks my brother! You helped me out with this one!!!!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Glad I could help

[@petercardarelli7891]

Good job. Iam doing this later this week..my friend just passed and left me 04 yamaha xvs65 classic. Nice bike.been sitting for awhile. Just finished going through the whole bike..started right up easy..just need to clean out the pilot jet. Just running on main jet right.when cleaned i know its going to run sweet..good video

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope riding the bike will keep him close to your heart.

[@vetal_esher]

Good job, i'm preparing to change these jets too - w/o removing carbs, now i see it's possible (never tried).

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Let me know how it goes.

[@vetal_esher]

@@ChefHikerBiker all went fine, there was jets installed without any markings, #90 both suspected, now replaced with correct jets with numbers engraved. Thanks for the video, again!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Glad to hear it went well.👍

[@johnharrington4757]

Thank you i scored an XVS650 from a little old lady who could ride anymore. It had been sitting for about a year and runs but studders and hesitates on acceleration. It even tops out at 55mph right now. So im gonna try this. And thanks for not taking the tank off.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Sounds like a sweet deal. I hope this works for you in getting that bike on the road. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@philspaseo2377]

Did you figure it out

[@cward094]

Great Video ....I own a 2001 V Star 650... iam in the process of cleaning my carburetor Jets on my V Star !!! Nothing like being ur own basic mechanic to save on a repair bill !!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Yep, if I can do it and save a few bucks, heck yeah

[@cward094]

Whts the best way to remove stripped Phillip head screws on the carburetor float bowl screws ? I have two screws that stripped out on me

[@ChefHikerBiker]

I guess I would try pliers. Hopefully you can get a good grip on the head of the bolt.

[@Danvito13]

I will be having a second attempt at this in the coming days as my bike isn't running as well as it should. First attempt I tried to removed stripped heads (looks like the previous owner tried and chewed them up good). For this attempt I have got a new JIS screwdriver (impact if needed). I really don't want to have to get a grinder out under the fuel tank or dismantle the fuel tank at all if I can help it! Thanks for the video, I did't know about the draining screw!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Use a good penetrating oil on the bolts and give it time to do its thing. I like "3 in 1" or "Blaster". 3 in 1 is my perfered penetrating lube. It is more like an oil and comes in a dripper bottle.

[@godsmackfan87]

Great work bro I always have a sense of accomplishment after fixing a car or bike it’s an amazing feeling

[@ChefHikerBiker]

It is, I love it. Thanks for watching!

[@nmauros1]

Excellent views of the jets

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Thanks. I didn't think it was that good because my hands were always in the way. But, I guess that is to be expected when working in a small space.

[@ronerie]

Next time use the right bit. NOT Phillips, but rather J.I.S. driver or bit. Very similar to Phillips, but made to fit Japanese Phillip style heads, as all Japanese screws are J.I.S., which stands for Japanese Industrial Standard, as you found making this video, the Phillips driver was sloppy fitting, but the correct J.I.S. bit will fit just like it's made for it, heh, heh. The Japanese just had to be a bit different, and still are. The drivers can be found online easily. Nice video, interesting, thanks for sharing !!!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Yes , I know about JIS. I typically don't have an issue with using a standard Phillips screwdriver on a JIS screw head, but that screw was already damaged. And as you can hear in the video, all the bolts were very tight and corroded in place; which didn't help either.

[@nmauros1]

Great video, thanks a lot for the information

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Thanks, and thanks for watching.

[@123jarebear]

Great video, it worked for me

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Excellent!

[@earlstephenson1260]

Oh,by the way I have a Kawi. 1600 Nomad. 2006. Love her.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

👍They are a great ride.

[@hollysundaylady]

I Love her to

[@earlstephenson1260]

Nice job! Smack it out of the park.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Haha

[@JOSHRLAND]

What are the stock jet sizes? If anyone knows.. I’ve got a big air intake and running rich but if only cuts out at top end. Plugs are black so it’s rich. I’ve got 158 mains in it and 40 pilot thanks in advance

[@ChefHikerBiker]

I want to say the pilot is a 20 and the main is either a 90 or 92.5, but I'm not absolutely certain.

[@philspaseo2377]

Do you need to adjust the float heights or sync the carbs after you clean these jets like this? Also would you need to replace the gasket after you remove the bowls?

[@ChefHikerBiker]

No on both questions.

[@susanm4255]

So I have a 1999 V-Star, and you've inspired me to try this on my own. Like Dell's bike some of the screws are insanely tight, (I did the oil change and air filter already, watching your video) and some of the ones holding the carburetor bowl in place are already stripped. They are philips, not the allen heads that you had. I've sprayed them with WD-40 already but they don't want to budge, and I'm afraid I will strip them further. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks in advance.

[@ChefHikerBiker]

A couple ideas come to mind. My first suggestion is to get an extractor set. Which means you will need to drill out the head and a little bit into the shaft before using the extractor. Another idea is to keep spraying a penetrating lube on it until it breaks free. Another thought is to take it to your shop and pay the professionals to work on it.

[@707snowflake]

Use some vise grips on the screw head to break free the screws

[@ChefHikerBiker]

I've always had bad luck with vice grips. I tend to chew up the head

[@androm1557]

I have a 2005 Yamaha V star and it dies out after a couple seconds when I cold start it, and if I choke it it won’t start at all unless I crank it several times. Could doing this fix the problem?

[@ChefHikerBiker]

It might. Let me know if it fixes the issue

[@retrorewindllc9363]

I got looking up in mine & they've put sum kind of wire holder right over one of the float screws, it's like right behind this metal thing I'm gonna have to bend up & out of the way, other than that looks straight on like u did.. did u run into the metal wire guider hiding a float bowl screw too?

[@ChefHikerBiker]

I'm having a hard time picturing what you are talking about. But I think you're talking about a wire on the outside of the float bowl. If it is what I'm thinking, it is the idle screw clip. Mine is missing, and does not have that wire clip. You shouldn't have to bend it, it should come off when you remove the float bowl screw. Let me know if I'm right and send me a photo through Facebook messenger if I'm wrong.

[@retrorewindllc9363]

@@ChefHikerBiker no it's not the idle screw one. The right carb, upper left screw, Right Infront of it is this little black metal wire guider, I mean it's like in the way of that top left screw on right carb, looks like I can bend it up out of the way but I haven't seen it on others... Just wondered if had to mess w anything like that, no big deal, talk bout a bad spot for that but I imagine Yamaha knew that lol. Your vid is super helpful btw!!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

Yeah, sorry, I can't imagine what it could be. Maybe something aftermarket that was put on by a previous owner.

[@retrorewindllc9363]

@@ChefHikerBiker who knows, just something else in the way, looks factory tho, they can bend but still, hate doing stuff like that!! Ty so much for trying to help me!!!

[@ChefHikerBiker]

No problem, thanks for watching and glad you like my stuff. Stay safe out there.✌