Will not run - probably carb problems

[CNF2002]

I'm at my wits end with this bike now!

The bike had sat for a quite a few months during the winter season. I intended to ride it, but somehow never managed to. So now I am trying to sell the thing, and I can't get it to run. It ran like a champ before it sat.

If it sits for a while, it will run for 30 seconds or so and then sputter and die. Then it won't start for a while, but turns over strong. I figure it has to be a fuel issue. I put some fuel stabilizer and cleaner into the tank; no dice. I pulled the tank, drained it, put new fuel in it, pulled the carb, sprayed it out good, put it all back together and...still the same.

Not sure I have the tools/skill to completely disassemble the carb and soak it. Any ideas of where to go from here? This thing isn't worth much to begin with and probably not worth anything if not running! I can't spend the money on a mechanic to fix it because that would pretty much defeat the purpose of selling it!

Thanks for listening

[Gadjet]

have you checked the air filter?

another problem might be a clogged tank vent. try running the bike with the gas cap open and see if that works.

[techyguru]

Sounds like it's taking a while to refill the carb bowls. I'm guessing before the carbs. Try pulling the gas line and aiming it into a gas-can or bucket to see how fast it comes out.

If it's slow it could be in the petcock, clogged fuel filter or tank vent. If the petcock has a prime position try that, open the gas cap, replace or try quick without the filter.

If the fuel flows freely from the line the it's probably something in the carbs.

Could be air, spark or compression too. Does it smell like gas(running very rich)?

I'm just guessing from what I've tried to fix my bike, it's finally running great after fixing half of the above.

[CNF2002]

Thanks for the tips. I cannot believe I didn't think of something as obvious as the fuel filter! The air filter is nice and clean.

On my to do list for this week: Blow out tank vent; remove and clean out petcock; replace spark plug; replace fuel filter.

Now that I think of it (starts after sitting for a while, slowly dies, dies with any throttle) it sounds just like a clogged fuel filter. I am having my fingers crossed!

Thanks for the tips. Anything else I should check? My wife fears that once I get it running, I won't want to sell it .

[adrielm]

I'd previously done the "spray carb cleaner down every nook & cranny" route with my carbs, but finally had to really give them a good cleaning this spring to get my bike to its previous running condition. Found some jets that were clogged on 2 out of the 4 carbs. Some compressed air and careful cleaning took care of it.

[kennydude]

heyy
well, i really honestly dont know much about bike maitence and repair (im tryin tho!) but i found some videos on youtube on carb cleaning. if it is a carb problem, and you want to clean em out check out the vids.. its impressive really, the dude does it with one hand while filimg with the other. to bad about the avril songs in the back ground
hah

later!

[CNF2002]

Update...

So far I have cleaned the carbs (twice), cleaned the fuel strainer, changed the spark plug, put fresh gas in it, cleaned out every single rubber tube I can find, cleaned the petcock, gave it a new battery (it was nearly dead), cleaned the air filter and air box, adjusted the throttle cable, and prayed a LOT.

And this stupid #$(# bike still will not run! I'm completely out of ideas.

What it does...if you let it sit for a while, it will start after cranking the starter for a few seconds and run horribly for about 15-20 seconds until it slowly dies. ANY throttle at all will kill it. Then it is impossible to restart.

[ofblong]

have you adjusted the choke at all? Gas is on right??? lol The only other explanation would be a shorted wire somewhere.... I am sure some of the more knowledgeable bike mechanics can give more advice.

[CNF2002]

It's an autochoke. I guess something would be wrong with it. I don't know how I could check that.

[fireguzzi]

Try to check the compression.