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Hello all, i will try to keep this short. I am a newbie so bare with me..have 2000 Shadow 600VLX, rode fine, idled fine for first 80 miles after I got it. Forgot to pull choke out to start up one night..just used start button, it started, then I realized about the choke button and pulled it out...engine stalled. Tried to restart with choke out, nothing, cranks, but doesn't start up...thought it was flooded, followed manual and opened throttle, started up and idled for about 30secs then faded out and shut down. Left it for an hour, start with open throttle and it stayed on for 1.5 mins. then petered out. Checked forums, thought it may be dirt in tank. Drained tank and almost removed it...there was no debris coming out, just fine particles...but while draining, I played with petcock button, on reserve it drained, turn it off, it stopped, turn it to 'on' it stopped draining...I assumed that I had just ran out of gas.(the drained fuel was .9 gallons...so I assumed it was just reserve and I had no gas) so I stopped and put it all back and filled the tank with 2.5 gallons of new gas.It didn't help, still same problem...put petcock on "ON", turned ign key to "ON", gear in neutral, start button....nothing...stays on for 30secs with throttle start...PLEASE HELP...I will always be a newbie if I can't ride...Thanks in advance..sorry it is so long.

one thing, if your bike starts up with out the choke, you shouldnt need to pull it out.

are you getting spark? plugs fouled?

I am assumming that there is spark because it stays on at times for a min or so...if there were no sparks would the engine start at all?...I will check the plugs tonight..Thanks.

NorthernPete wrote:one thing, if your bike starts up with out the choke, you shouldnt need to pull it out.

are you getting spark? plugs fouled?

could the choke cable be stuck open now?

hmm...I will have to look...

Dragoon wrote:could the choke cable be stuck open now?

could it be that the screen is clogged or somewhere in the petcock valve, the "ON" position has a clog?...I am going to drain the tank again tonight, cause its full now, and see what kind of flow I get from the "ON" position.

Hi all, thank you so much for the great responses, and in one way or another they have all been helpful because you guys are looking at the problem from all angles, its like getting a lot of different Doctors' opinions before going into surgery. So thank you all. I am learning a great deal and believe that this is going to be a lifelong passion. Anyway.

I came home and tried to start her up without the choke. Just thought I would keep pushing that button until she started...she did after a few tries then shut down....so just looked around the engine more...so and smelled gas...so I followed to wear it was leaking, first thought a cracked hose because it was pooling near the bottom of one, dried it off...not the hose, followed the clearest gas trail...led to bottom of carb area...

Searched google, for leaky carb, well if the valves are stuck a light tap will usually jolt them back...tried it, and the bike starts up, warmed her up for a few minutes, took for a spin...putters in 2nd but stays on and rides ...needed this done ASAP cause i needed new tires, front tire had foot long deep crack on side wall...made it to tire place this morning, asked owner about cleaning carbs and the putter/hesitation, he said to try SEAFOAM and higher octane gas first to clean it out and see what becomes of it....and he said to check the plugs as well.

What are your thoughts on this? and again, thank you all for your help.

Gumout with REGAIN. The Regain is the key in this fuel system cleaner. The truly best available and used by pro racers. It is very concentrated and one bottle is designed for 14-20 gallon tanks, so use it over several tanks at a slighly higher ratio. It comes in a clear bottole with REGAIN clearly listed on it and is amber in color.

Good news and good luck.