only one cylinder

[iowaxsive]

I have a 80 xs11 and have had it for years, love it. anyway I tried to ride her this year and nothing. I had the carbs all cleaned up and a new battery. It fires off but only the #2 cylinder gets hot. I pulled the plug off #1 and it fires while the starter is running but as soon as it idles it stops firing and only runs on #2. The plug was wet and black. Please help I am frustrated.

[fxrer]

Been sitting for a year? If it ran OK before, and not now, sounds like your carbs have gummed up, varnish in the floats, etc.

As I have learned the hard way, one of the first places they gum up is the bottom of the float bowl where the enricher circuit jets are located. Do a search (on the left) for enricher jet, and you’ll see where it is located.

You need to pull the carbs and clean them paying special attention to those enricher jets. Lots of posts on this issue.

[Dragonrider]

Fires until it starts? Sounds like ballast resistor problems...shorted or unplugged...

Under the tank...left side of frame, outside rail.

Check 'em out.