Moto RenzoJetting database

Dell'Orto PHBE 36 – jetting & tuning

Two-stroke sports range (motocross/enduro sizes 34–36 mm); jet needles of the U series. Fitted from the factory to 13 documented models from Aprilia, KTM.

Dell'Orto PHBE 36 (example picture)

Dellorto PHBE 36

Two-stroke sports range (motocross/enduro sizes 34–36 mm); jet needles of the U series.

Complete carburettor

We don't stock the complete PHBE 36 at the moment. The individual parts are listed below.

Fitted as standard to

All figures at a glance (table)
Factory jetting PHBE 36 at a glance
ModelYearMain jetPilot jetStarter jetNeedle (clip)AtomiserSlide
Aprilia 250 raff. acqua19811755080U 3 (2)270 AV60
Aprilia 250 Cross (Motor Hiro)19811685580U 10 (3)270 AV50
Aprilia MX 125 Cross (Motor Rotax)19821585580U 12 (2)270 BN40
Aprilia MX 250 Cross (Motor Rotax)19821626280U 12 (2)270 BN50
Aprilia MX 125-84 Cross19831656080U 3 (3)272 BN40
Aprilia MX 250-84 Cross19831606080U 12 (2)270 BN40
Aprilia RX 125-84 Regolarità1983966080U 3 (3)272 BN40
Aprilia RX 250-84 Regolarità19831184080U 12 (3)270 BN40
Aprilia RX 125-8519841684080U 12 (3)270 CF50
Aprilia MX 250-8519851585880U 12 (3)270 BN40
Aprilia RX 125/86 (Rotax LC)19851105580U 12 (3)272 CF30
Aprilia MX 250-86 (Rotax LC)19851056580U 12 (2)270 BN40
KTM 125/III Cross H₂O19832105070U 3 (2)270 CF40
Factory jetting PHBE 36 at a glance (swipe sideways)
ModelAprilia 250 raff. acquaAprilia 250 Cross (Motor Hiro)Aprilia MX 125 Cross (Motor Rotax)Aprilia MX 250 Cross (Motor Rotax)Aprilia MX 125-84 CrossAprilia MX 250-84 CrossAprilia RX 125-84 RegolaritàAprilia RX 250-84 RegolaritàAprilia RX 125-85Aprilia MX 250-85Aprilia RX 125/86 (Rotax LC)Aprilia MX 250-86 (Rotax LC)KTM 125/III Cross H₂O
Year1981198119821982198319831983198319841985198519851983
Main jet17516815816216516096118168158110105210
Pilot jet50555562606060404058556550
Starter jet80808080808080808080808070
Needle (clip)U 3 (2)U 10 (3)U 12 (2)U 12 (2)U 3 (3)U 12 (2)U 3 (3)U 12 (3)U 12 (3)U 12 (3)U 12 (3)U 12 (2)U 3 (2)
Atomiser270 AV270 AV270 BN270 BN272 BN270 BN272 BN270 BN270 CF270 BN272 CF270 BN270 CF
Slide60504050404040405040304040

“–” means: not fitted on this model, or not documented in the source.

Not running right?Pick the symptom, we show the part responsible.
Pale, greyish-white plugs; flat and gutless at the top end; overheating
Throttle rangefrom ~1/2 to full throttle
Responsiblemain jet
What to dotry one size larger
Runs better on choke; popping/banging on the overrun
Throttle rangeidle to ~1/4
Responsiblepilot jet + mixture screw (check for air leaks first)
What to doricher: larger jet or screw further out
Hesitation/flat spot when opening the throttle
Throttle rangetransition idle → needle
Responsibleneedle position, pilot jet
What to dorichen, check function
Surging/leaning out at steady speed and mid throttle
Throttle range~1/8 to 3/4
Responsiblejet needle (clip) and atomiser
What to doraise the needle one notch (clip lower) = richer
Sooty black plugs; burbling running; smell of fuel; high consumption
Throttle rangenarrow it down: idle ↔ mid ↔ full
Responsibledepending on range: pilot jet / needle + atomiser / main jet
What to doleaner: smaller jet or needle lower
Gets worse the hotter the engine runs
Throttle rangeusually idle/part throttle
Responsibleoverall setup too rich; also check float level
What to dolean it out, check the float height

Always change in single steps (“one or two jet sizes, then check the plug colour”), judge only on a warmed-up engine and make just one change per test ride.

These notes do not replace a proper check. When in doubt use a lambda meter, a dyno or a specialist workshop – an engine running lean for long periods can be damaged.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

What does the atomiser do and why does it matter so much?

The atomiser (also called the needle jet or emulsion tube) is the sleeve the jet needle runs in. Together with the needle it governs the mixture in the part-throttle range — exactly where you ride almost all the time. Experienced tuners rate it at least as important as the main jet: a single step (say 262 to 264) changes how the bike rides noticeably. With Dell'Orto the number is the bore and the letters are the design (e.g. AB, AR).

Discussion: caferacer-de

What does the needle clip position do?

The needle hangs from the throttle slide and its taper opens up the cross-section in the atomiser. Move the clip one notch down (needle sits higher) and the part-throttle range gets richer, one notch up (needle lower) leans it out. The factory figure counts the notches from the top. The needle position acts roughly between 1/4 and 3/4 throttle — not at idle and barely at full throttle.

Discussion: caferacer-de

How do I set the mixture screw correctly?

As a starting point the Moto Guzzi workshop manuals for the carburettor models consistently give 1.5 turns out from lightly seated. Fine tuning on a warmed-up engine: turn the mixture screw on each cylinder slowly until the engine runs at its smoothest and fastest, then correct the idle speed and synchronise both carburettors. If the engine only runs cleanly at well over two turns, the pilot jet is usually too small or the circuit is dirty.

Discussion: 2-ventiler.de

The engine hesitates when I open the throttle — why?

When the slide is opened quickly the mixture leans out briefly. PHF and PHM have an accelerator pump for exactly that — if the engine hesitates, its pump jet is often blocked, the diaphragm is damaged, or the idle-to-needle transition is too lean. On carburettors without a pump (e.g. VHB, PHBH) only a clean transition setup helps. Check the mundane causes too: float level, fuel supply, worn slides.

Discussion: 2-ventiler.de

Do both carburettors need the same jetting?

Yes. Both cylinders need the same set of jets, and the factory figures always apply per carburettor. After every job the pair belongs synchronised (same slide lift, same mixture screw setting), otherwise one cylinder runs richer than the other and the plug colour becomes unreadable. Unequal jetting is almost always a sign of a previous owner tinkering.

Discussion: 2-ventiler.de