First start-up of the year a no-go.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Prime

ok,now im getting two different answers,do I drain the floats and put on prime,or I know the floats are filled now,do I put on prime,or ON,and try starting again.or just put on prime and make sure there's no leaks,and if no leaks,turn to on and try starting.I'd like to to get some sort of sequence to firing this puppy up without burning my garage with all contents down.

"IF" everything is just like new, and all needles are working like new and everything is sealing like new (and it is on some bikes) then "prim" will just fill the carbs to the right level to start the bike. You said gas flowed out the air box and the bike would not start. i am guessing that everything is not working as new No shock on an antique bike. The info I gave was to make sure your bike didn't back fire and burn to the ground. Drain the air box and overflow from carbs, shut off the fuel flow till you get the bike to fire and burn up the flooded fuel, then start the bike with the least amount of gas in the carbs as needed and let the vacuum open up the fuel flow as the bike needs it, your bike, your call

[Schming]

Move your bike OUT of your garage to start it and obtain a proper fire extinguisher JIC

Dry everything thats not supposed to be fuel laden.

Make sure your spark plugs are in good shape.

As stated, turn to prime and observe for a minute, no leaks, turn to on, choke it and try starting, if it still leaks you may have to pull the carbs to do some Spring cleaning.

Oh...and don't drain the carbs empty anymore

[DGXSER]

If your planning to store the bike for an extended period of time, a couple months or so, I would drain the carb bowls to keep the fuel from gumming everything up in there. Yes, you will need to use PRIME to get fuel in the bowls to let the bike start with. As others have suggested, I would definitely be tapping on the bowls as they fill with fuel to keep the sticking float from occurring.

For shorter storage times, I add SeaFoam to the tank of fuel and then ride it a mile or two to make sure the bowls have got the SeaFoam gas in them.

[Schming]

I've had good luck over the years adding a few ounces of seafoam every other tank full and never have to drain anything and my bikes always start after sitting for months at a time.
I use the same treatment in my snow thrower and lawn maintenance tools which are only run annually and they always fire right up.

[Cuda 69]

Thanks all, for the tips,#1) I usually never drain the carbs,usually just add seafoam(which is in the tank)and run for a short time,and put away.#2) I usually start the bike ever couple of weeks(which I did not do this year) Oh well my bad,I checked the carbs tonight on prime,and it doesn't appear to be leaking.I will try starting when the battery is charged fully. With fire extingusher by my side. The reason I drained the carbs,is because it was recommended on here.I know,if something is working,don't change it......

[Rasputin]

I have run the carbs dry every year since I bought my 79SF. Our winter sleep is from late Oct to at least April and usually May. I have always just turned them to prime just before I hit the starter button to until the bike fired a couple of times. Then I switch it to on.
While some may disagree, I find that if I leave it on the side stand the gas will run out of the carbs into the airbox if there is a problem. If it is on the center stand then I find it seems to like to run into the motor instead. No matter how hard you look for leaks short of xray vision you will not see it. I always thought that having it on the center stand would be better for prime and it probably is in the long run, but to test for leaks I say try the side stand once the bowls are full. Airbox off will show you much quicker if the carbs are leaking.
Like I say many will disagree but if leaking carbs are a problem the side stand is your friend to keep gas out of the oil.

[Schming]

Thanks all, for the tips,#1) I usually never drain the carbs,usually just add seafoam(which is in the tank)and run for a short time,and put away.#2) I usually start the bike ever couple of weeks(which I did not do this year) Oh well my bad,I checked the carbs tonight on prime,and it doesn't appear to be leaking.I will try starting when the battery is charged fully. With fire extingusher by my side. The reason I drained the carbs,is because it was recommended on here.I know,if something is working,don't change it......

Years ago, like you stated, I used to start my bikes and VW woods buggy in the cold months but learned that these "grocery getter" heat and cool cycles do more harm than good.
This practice also leads to, especially in an aluminum engines crankcase, condensation, so I put 'em to sleep and leave 'em there til Spring kicks in.
Unless temps go above 40*F and I can ride to fully warm the engine, bikes stay parked in the MC

Good Luck getting your bike started, let us know how you make out.
P.S. You may want to pick up a pack of Hot Dogs also ;-)

[CaptonZap]

Years ago, like you stated, I used to start my bikes and VW woods buggy in the cold months but learned that these "grocery getter" heat and cool cycles do more harm than good.
This practice also leads to, especially in an aluminum engines crankcase, condensation, so I put 'em to sleep and leave 'em there til Spring kicks in.
Unless temps go above 40*F and I can ride to fully warm the engine, bikes stay parked in the MC

Good Luck getting your bike started, let us know how you make out.
P.S. You may want to pick up a pack of Hot Dogs also ;-)

Boy, you old farts know all the good stuff.
You might also add that if the MC is heated, you might also go down and turn the petcocks to prime for a minute or so every month, just to keep the gas in the bowls from evaporating and leaving the varnish behind. You can drain thick gas in the spring, you can't drain varnish/ gum.
AOF, CZ

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

+1

I have run the carbs dry every year since I bought my 79SF. Our winter sleep is from late Oct to at least April and usually May. I have always just turned them to prime just before I hit the starter button to until the bike fired a couple of times. Then I switch it to on.
While some may disagree, I find that if I leave it on the side stand the gas will run out of the carbs into the airbox if there is a problem. If it is on the center stand then I find it seems to like to run into the motor instead. No matter how hard you look for leaks short of xray vision you will not see it. I always thought that having it on the center stand would be better for prime and it probably is in the long run, but to test for leaks I say try the side stand once the bowls are full. Airbox off will show you much quicker if the carbs are leaking.
Like I say many will disagree but if leaking carbs are a problem the side stand is your friend to keep gas out of the oil.

+1, back when I had "prim" I found that having the bike ready to start, choke on full, batt charged, tank full of fresh gas, then I would turn to "prim' and hit the starter button, as soon as she fires up, turn to "on". Don't have to worry about anything leaking into the motor

[skids]

Unless temps go above 40*F and I can ride to fully warm the engine, bikes stay parked in the MC

;-)

OK, you got me... what is an MC?

[CaptonZap]

OK, you got me... what is an MC?

Come on Skids, your English should be better than that.
It is "a" M(an) C(ave)

CZ

ps Or motorcycle cave

[BA80]

OK, you got me... what is an MC?

Come on Skids, your English should be better than that.
It is "a" M(an) C(ave)

CZ

ps Or motorcycle cave

Y'all crack me up.

[CaptonZap]

Y'all crack me up.

My all time favorite was a quote from Pogo, which went;

"Do you herd sheep", my grandma asked, my grandpaw jumped in fright,
"Your grammer's wrong" he quickly cried,
"Have you heard sheep is right"

CZ

[Schming]

How would you know your reading writeing written right ?

For all you know you could be reading writeing written wrong all your life.

[Cuda 69]

ok,a happy update,went out to the mc and tapped on the bowls for good luck,turned fuel on,and hit the starter,,,,, the old girl woke right up,runs like a champ,and no leaks. Makes for a great Friday. Thanks again for all your help.