Bike sat unused too long and doesn't run well

Message

shadowchaser · Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:58 am

I recently bought a 2005 Sabre with only 1950 miles on it. The previous owner just didn't ride it much. In fact, it sat for more than a year unridden when I bought it. He drained the gas from the tank and replaced it but it still runs rough. It spitts and sputters and is a little sluggish on acceleration. Lots of popping from the exhaust. I replaced the plugs but that didn't fix the problem. Any suggestions on what to do to make it run smoother? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:13 am

I would guess that the bike sat with fuel still in the carbs. That fuel probably gummed up and turned to varnish and is now clogging the jets.

Yank the carbs and strip and clean them. Spraying carb cleaner may or may not (probably not, but you may get lucky) get the jets clean, you may have to carefully use something to manually clean the small passages. Don't use anything metal to do this, any scratching or gouging will screw the jets. It has been suggested that heavy fishing line can be used, and I think that's a pretty good idea.

shadowchaser · Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:16 am

Oh, I forgot to mention...I'm not much of a mechanic so whatever I do I will have to have done at a repair shop. I just don't want to go in looking like an idiot and pay for things not needed.

BuzZz · #4 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:30 am

If it's just a carb cleaning, there should be no parts involved (maybe a small gasket or 2 to mount them, maybe not), just labor.

Johnj · #5 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:10 pm

shadowchaser wrote:I just don't want to go in looking like an idiot and pay for things not needed.

Dude, you just bought a motorcycle. At this point you should be several km on the other side of paying for things you don't need.

BuzZz · #6 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:40 am

Johnj wrote: Dude, you just bought a motorcycle. At this point you should be several km on the other side of paying for things you don't need.

That's true....

And KM? You coming over to the logical side of measurement? Awesome... bring the rest of the States with ya, eh?

Amdonim · #7 Unread post by **Amdonim** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:49 am

Miles are bigger, and therefore better (by Texas logic anyway).

BuzZz · #8 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:02 am

Amdonim wrote:Miles are bigger, and therefore better (by Texas logic anyway).

Uh-huh... ain't that sorta supporting our side of the argument?

Johnj · #9 Unread post by **Johnj** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:27 pm

I wish we'd just get it over with and go metric. It's so easy.

#10 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:51 pm

Johnj wrote:I wish we'd just get it over with and go metric. It's so easy.

+1

Heck even HD and Polaris/Victory are going to metric fasteners. (Although Polaris loves to use Torx fasteners.)