trouble idling after warm

[luckynumberxs11]

Ok, so i broke down and had the bike shop near me sync my carbs for me. I am not ready to tackle that issue yet. When i picked it up and rode it home it seemed to be running better than ever. However, i hopped on the road the next day to go get the emissions checked. After a few miles, i came to a stop and the bike died. I started it up again but it would not idle. I was able to keep it running enough to get home, but every time i came to a stop, i had to give it a bit extra throttle to keep it from dying again. I saw someone else recently had a problem with this, but i never saw an answer as to what was causing it. I cleaned the tank vent last night to see if that was the problem, but i dont know yet because when i started it today it was having trouble idling even before warming up. I also noticed that when i moved the bike, a significant amount of fuel leaked out of the airbox. I am going right now to do the popsicle stick oil test to make sure i dont have gas in my oil. But what should i do?

[luckynumberxs11]

p.s. the only plus side of this problem is i have an excuse for my girlfriend as to why i am eating a popsicle before dinner

[bikerphil]

First, don't drop the stick in the crankcase or you're screwed. Second, what year is your bike? It'll help knowing which carbs you have to diagnose your problem.

[luckynumberxs11]

its a 79 special... and i did the popsicle stick test, the oil (very slightly) lit. But im not quite sure if it was the oil or the actual stick. If there is gas will it completely light, or just kinda fizzle?

[bikerphil]

If it ignited at all, I would say it's possibly contaminated. Don't run it like that, bearing shells could become ruined. As for the problem itself, could be worn float valves, dirty float valves, plugged vents (don't use compressed air to clear them, float damage will occur), sticking floats, etc. Try a half can of Seafoam fuel treatment in the gas, you might get lucky. Also try tapping the float bowl(s) of the offending carb with a socket extension to free a stuck float. Dump the oil from the pan and put in some cheap 20W50 till you get your carbs working properly. Oil is cheap, engine rebuilding isn't.

[luckynumberxs11]

Will do. Is that a safe bet as to whats causing the idle problem?

[luckynumberxs11]

And side note bikerphil, i saw your photo link is broken. i have not been able to access the member photos page for a few weeks now. Any idea if thats being worked on?

[bikerphil]

Anytime you have fuel leaking out the air box, there is some form of carb problem. Also, check your spark plugs, they might have fouled up from excessive fuel.