thanks to all that replied and gave me some pointers. i got up this morning and decided to take the carb off after finding out it doesnt have a fuel filter?(strange) took the carb to bits cleaned all the jets, adjusted the needle valve, put it all back together, crossed my fingers and it fired up lovely. it may sound easy when i put it like that, but it was dark when i finished, and doing it in the snow was no fun at all believe me lol. but i felt good after, all the frostbite seemed worth it. all it cost me was a can on wd40 and a can of air. great?. i have only just logged on, but your suggestion was right sallan81 and fordmad!,it was the carb. thanks to all of you that took the time to answer my thread. many many thanks.