she won't start

[canuck cruiser]

Forgive me fathers for I have sinned

you see I am one of those idiots who know better but don't learn until it happens.

I laid my bike up for the winter without draining the gas or putting conditioner in it. Pretty stupid I know.

She was starting all spring although running rough and not increasing in revs with the choke opened. today it won't start at all. I put new gas in the tank (without draining the old stuff) and it came pouring out of the overflow tube.

What do you think?
When the petcocks are opened and there is fuel in the tank should gas come out if there is no gas line attached, or is it vacuum?

Is that enough time for varnish to start to form in the carbs, if so does anyone have a good source for disassembling them for cleaning?

I just want to ride, help me out.

Thanks for your help guys.

Jason

[dragxs11]

You have a standard model, which means that included in the petcocks is a vacume diaphram... so no, gas shouldn't flow unless you select PRI for prime
Various people clean carbs various ways. Some soak them in solutions, others just start tearing the bowls off. I think we got historical threads for carb cleaning

[Hammerhead1st]

Yup, sounds like a teardown from the Petcocks down...clean it all up, throw it back together, ride like hell and outrun ol' man winter!

Refer to the tech tips for carb cleaning info, it's very informative and clear.

[79XS11F]

If it's only been a single winter I would try a fuel system cleaner additive first. Varnish will start even over a single winter but it will not be like we see in poorly stored bikes that sit for many years.
Rob

[Crazcnuk]

I never DRAIN my bikes, over the winter. In fact, I make sure the tank is full when I park it for the season.

Otherwise the tank will condense a fair amountof water over the winter.

I've also never used conditioner.

Up here the winters can go from end of Sept to April. I would run some carb cleaner through it, thats about all I ever do.

[canuck cruiser]

thanks

maybe I should add some more info.

this is what I did before I posted the orignial thread. My big problem right now is that it won't start.

1. put a bottle of carb cleaner in the tank.
2. filled the tank.
3. pulled the airbox (I was going to spray some degummer directly into the carbs)
4. tried to start with no luck, it will turn over but not fire up, killed the battery.
5. noticed gas pouring out of the overflow put tube into gas can to collect
6. pulled carbs and gas poured out of the float bowls woo hoo.
7. put carbs back on and still no go, not even a hint of a start.
8. put the battery on the charger overnight and hoping it will work this morning.

So I can't get it to start to get the carb cleaner through it. I would start all spring but run rough, and when I opened the choke it would not rev higher. If I gave it a shot of throttle it would rev up then come down and die.

so that's about it.

Thanks again for all of your help. You guys are great

[Stralya]

Carb cleaner

You need to get a can of carb cleaner and spray some directly into the carbs.

[John]

Spraying directly into the throat of the carb doesn't do anything except clean the slider and the throttle plates. You must remove the carbs, and remove all of the removeable jets and needles. The small orifices that ring the inlet to the carbs are just for air, and they can be cleaned while still in the carbs. The main jet, nozzle (emulsion tube), pilot jet and pilot needle must be removed to ensure proper cleaning. Do not over look the starter (choke) jet that is in the float bowl it self. It is very small, and can plug easily. Use a very fine strand of copper wire to clean out it if the carb spray alone won't remove the blockage.

[canuck cruiser]

great day for a walk

OK so I got it going but idling was a no go, I took it out for a quick ride to give the carb cleaner a chance to do it's thing.

It started to blow white smoke and losing power. it died about 1K from my house. While pushing it home I noticed that pipes 1 and 3 were not hot and 2 and 4 were blistering.

I started searching for some info on this but Iam sure someone has experience this already. How can I test this out to see why they may not be working.

Thanks,

Jason

[TopCatGr58]

Jason,

Cylinders 1 and 3 are not linked or have anything in common, either with the ignition system, OR the fuel supplies, sooo.....
it looks like a trip into the carbs may be emminent!

But you may want to let the cleaner sit in the carbs overnight, and try again tomorrow. Also get another set of spark plugs!
First start it, IF it will idle, good, then wait a few minutes and check the pipes for heat(Safely), IF it can idle, any cold pipes are probably clogged pilot idle circuits. Now open it up like for below to test the mains.

But if it won't idle, then try to keep it revved above 3K rpm so you will be getting into the mains. Have a fan blowing across the engine to keep it from overheating. After a few minutes, check the pipes again for heat. IF any are cold or not sizzling, then you've got fuel/tarnish clogging the mains, and the seafoam may not work!

The carbs really aren't as scary as people make them out to be!
Good Luck!
T.C.

[AlanB]

Hi Canuck,

If 1+4, and 2+3 were paired, it would point to ignition problems; that is the pairings for the coils.

If 1+3, and 2+4 are acting together, the problem is almost definately carb-related!

AlanB

[canuck cruiser]

cleanin time

Thanks so much guys.

I am going to disassemble the carbs tonight and clean the according to Maans instructions. can't wait.

The only thing i don't see there is where to set the screws and jets when replacing. I have searched the site and can't find anything on that. Don't want to have to rip them apart twice or three times if I can do it right the first time.

Really glad to hear it's more than likely a carb problem, those electrical gremlins scare the hell out of me.

Thanks for any help you can give. I can't wait to ride her again.

Jason

[DiverRay]

You should NOT have to replace any jets, just clean them. The pilot screws, on the front of the carb, should be set to 1 1/2 turns out from a SOFT seat.
Once done, you will need to sync the carbs.

[canuck cruiser]

bad wording

thanks Ray,

My choice of wording was ppor.

What I meant by replacing them is when i put them back in after cleaning. Do you just put the jets in until they are seated and the pilot screws are the only ones turned out from the soft seat?

thanks for clarifying

jason

[DiverRay]

Jason,
Just get the jets "snug". they need to be tight so they don't loosen up, but you want to be able to remove them again at a later date.