gas in airbox

[madmax-im]

went to take the bike out ...started it up and it idled on 1/2 choke then eventually no choke...then it died and restarted with 1/2 choke...parked it so I could clean her up and I see gas dripping from the bottom of the air filters...where do I start?

[IanDMacDonald]

Same as me. Pull the carbs and check the floats and needles.

[madmax-im]

Same as me. Pull the carbs and check the floats and needles.

well that aint happening because i dont have the proper tools and i have no grip strength in my right hand...plus I dont have any means of synching them afterwards...I dont think even the local XSives here have the means to synch carbs...so the most I could do is tap the float bowls and see if that works...

[Donmystic1]

Tap the bottom of the carbs while it is running.

[jetmechmarty]

I've had the float hangup issue a few times. I think that might be fixed now. a good smack on the side of the #4 carb with a dead blow hammer turned off the leak every time. My boot heel would work in a pinch.

Apparently, your hand is the first thing needing fixing. I have a similar issue there as well. Good luck!

[CaptonZap]

went to take the bike out ...started it up and it idled on 1/2 choke then eventually no choke...then it died and restarted with 1/2 choke...parked it so I could clean her up and I see gas dripping from the bottom of the air filters...where do I start?

Was it on the side stand?
If it was, put in on the center stand and try again.

CZ

[madmax-im]

ok some background...I've had this bike 3 years this weekend and ever since then there have been a handful of times wwhere I will start the bike with 1/2 choke and let it idle for a few mins...but it isnt truly warmed up and then if I turn it off..it seems the start up circuit gets stuck and the bike struggles to restart ...this is what happend this a.m. so the pilot circuit gets stuck and flooded the carbs which then leaked to the airbox...I think...anyway aafter 30 mins I was able to restart the bike and get it to idle and warm up properly...pulled the air box and am cleaning it out...the ssponge filter was pretty filthy...for now its recleaned and reused new one will be coming soon...but why the cold start circuit gets stuck like that has always puzzled me

[madmax-im]

Was it on the side stand?
If it was, put in on the center stand and try again.

CZ

I was sitting on it keeping balanced

[MPittma100]

Flooded

Gas in the air box can only get there if one or more of the float valves leak. In the case of a Standard petcock, you are never sure if they are really off unless you modify them. Pull the fuel lines off of the petcocks to determine if they are leaking.

If one or both of the petcocks leak (even just a little) and one or more of the float valves is also leaking, the only thing that will stop the leak is when the tank becomes empty.

It is a good idea to let the bike run itself out of fuel when preparing to store it. don't leave fuel with ethanol in the tank.

Leave the air box cover off to determine which carb is leaking. Check the oil for gas contamination.

[madmax-im]

Thanks Mike....I will check the petcocks...its running now and seems fine so i will keep a close eye on it as well...

[fredintoon]

well that aint happening because i dont have the proper tools and i have no grip strength in my right hand...plus I dont have any means of synching them afterwards...I dont think even the local XSives here have the means to synch carbs...so the most I could do is tap the float bowls and see if that works...

Hi max,
I'm with Marty, first thing to do is get your right hand fixed. That's the hand that works the front brake fer chrissake!
Happened to me a few decades back, except I'm a leftie and that's the one that quit. My problem eventually went away on it's own or perhaps a summers-worth of clutch operation was therapy enough but what I'd do NOW is take my dodgy hand to see a Doctor, a Chiropractor and a Physiotherapist.
See each one separately and don't mention seeing the others because that only triggers their inter-speciality rivalry and you don't want to waste most of the visit listening to each of them badmouthing the others.

[madmax-im]

carpal tunnel and arthritis have teamed up and this issue has been present since last year before XSSE rally...I have seen my primary care Dr and I am scheduled to see the orthopedist on the 20th of this month...i expect to have some type of surgical procedeure to alleveiate this....in the meantime I have been prescribed some drugs...of which some work better than others but nothing you want to keep taking for a long time.

[madmax-im]

the real reason I had trouble this a.m. is because Swamp girl got wind of the fact that I had exprerssed interest in selling her off for a more modern mistress...so she decided to throw me a curve...
BTW checked the petcoks and they do not leak...I think its possible a float bowl(s) got stuck...I did tap on them pretty good...I took her out for a 20 mile shakedown and she is fine...

[DiverRay]

the real reason I had trouble this a.m. is because Swamp girl got wind of the fact that I had exprerssed interest in selling her off for a more modern mistress...so she decided to throw me a curve...

There is a VERY GOOD reason bike are like a woman! Window shop, and it'll cost you!

[madmax-im]

while I'm am keeping her, she will have to re learn to share the stable because I plan to get a 2nd ride just unsure at this time how I'm gonna swing it...Swampy hasnt a clue yet...I took her out and spoiled her with a full tank of premium ethanol free gas...she's lovin that...