After short inactivity, no 1 does not idle

[Incubus]

I got a new job about three months ago, and this regular working crap has really messed up my riding schedule. Now. during the prime riding season of the year, my XS11 sat idle for about three months. It was not winterized (an interesting concept. Why would anyone prepare a bike to sit during the winter when it is in the mid-70s most every day?) and had about a half tank of gas.

I finally had a chance to take it out today. It started hard, but then seemed OK. Except I have to keep the throttle cracked a little to make it idle. I figured I would just turn in the idle screw a hair and it would be fine. After it cooled, though, I started it and went to set the screw. Before that, however, I checked the pipes and No. 1 was cold.

The main jet is fine. During my ride I did not notice any lack of power and the engine was smooth - except when it tried to idle. I am surprised that anything would get gummed up in so short a period of inactivity (how do you folks up in the frozen arctic hinterlands manage to keep these running?). I figure it is either the small jet, or perhaps that enricher circuit in the bowl.

So, you who are better at these than me and are forced to stare through frosted windows at their hibernating scoots, which do you think it is? I think I can get the No. 1 bowl off without pulling the rack, but I will pull the carbs if necessary.

This bike has been absolutely hitch-free since I finished rebuilding it 30 months ago. Completely reliable and trouble-free. I figure someone who HAS to park their bike for months on end every year probably has had to face this issue. Usually I ride year round and the gas in the tank never has a chance to get old.

TIA.

Patrick

[bikerphil]

Friend of mine down here has a 79F that he hadn't ridden in about 2-3 months. Had 2 cold pipes (3&4) so I took the carbs off and removed the bowls only to fine a clear gelatin substance plugging them up. Fuel nowdays sucks and needs a stabilizer if it sits even a short 3 month period. Could have been a bad tank of gas, who knows.

Maybe check your spark plug/cap/wire first.

[DGXSER]

Here in the Midwest where my ride sits a while and the temps do get cold, I make sure to get a few miles in every couple weeks. Even if it means getting cold for ten miles worth. Just a way to keep things going.

[Incubus]

I checked spark and it was fine, Phil. That's what made me think carbs. It probably is the gas. And it sat on its kickstand for three months (I never planned to park it. It just happened), so I guess the major impact from fuel would be on No. 1.

[bikerphil]

Try a strong dose of Seafoam, run it some, then let it sit overnight and then try it again. If the fuel stinks I would change it, JAT

[BA80]

As has been suggested run some seafoam or other quality cleaner through it before you tear into it. Being in automotive repair I have access to professional strength fuel rail/injector cleaner and that stuff will clean out just about anything.

If you can get your hands on a can of this stuff......



Valvoline fuel rail cleaner.

Put a half a can per tank of fuel for 2 tankfuls and I can almost guarantee it'll clean anything in there out.

[skids]

No 1 sometimes fouls on one of my bikes. Try cleaning the plug, then rap on the no one carb body to see if that helps. Sometimes the float or fuel valve sticks. It is worth a try because it is easy.

[ViperRon]

As in previous thread pull the plugs on all carbs. Just because is one today does not mean it can not be 3 more tomorrow. After pulling the plug drain your tank and rinse it out. Put good gas with healthy does of some good level carb cleaner like Sea Foam in the gas. Set up a good tray drain for the drain plugs and turn on the gas to prime and let it run for a bit to flush what can be flushed out. Turn off gas put pulgs back in carbs. Turn on gas to prime give it a minute to fill the carbs. Turn gas off let it set till tomorrow and drain the carbs again and I bet after the second flush when you start it up things will be better. You know the bike ran fine before and you know it has not been setting long enough to scale but you do not have any Idea if any of the current gas in the tank is good. Gas now expecially discount regular from any vendor you do not know what you have but as mentioned gelling up and separation of chemicals is a norm these days. You just need to loosen and flush the crap out.