Reeds? explain to a Newbie

[Mrlockdown]

Got no clue as to what reed are or what they do or why they are important?
How do you test function? what effect on tuning do they have?
What are the symptoms of faulty reeds?
Please read my post about my demon possessed 84 250r
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=21278

[250rAL]

Reeds perform the same function as the intake valves in a four-stroke but are a lot simpler and don't have an actuating mechanism. They are simply flat pieces of thin metal or fiber material that allow air into the cylinder but not back out. They are located in the intake tract between the carb and the cylinder. If you remove the carb and look down the boot towards the cylinder, you can see them. I'm not sure of the symtoms of bad reeds, but if they haven't been replaced recently, I would do it. I noticed a difference when I replaced the aftermarket reeds in mine with new ones of the same type. They will cost about $25 and are easy to replace.

[C W.]

when the reeds dont seat flat on the reed cage the motor will be very hard to start cold. or worse hard to start all the time.the reed cage is what the reeds are screwd to.always replase reeds with aftermarket fiber type reeds incase with a breakage type failure and you suck one in it doesent trash the moter