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I recently bought a 86 gpz900r. It was stored with a full tank of fuel and don't think they put and fuel stabilizer in the tank. I have not drained the bad fuel out and put new in it yet as it is still cold here. I did go ahead and add so stabil so it would hopefully not get any worse.

I have driven the bike on the bad gas and did pretty well, but I have to use starting fluid to get it started the first time when it sits for a few days. Also once it is running, the choke has to be in almost a full choke position. It will only idle after it warms up. The last time I started it, it would not go all the way thru the RPM ranges. It would bog out at approx 6k.

Is it my best bet to go ahead and pull the carbs and clean them real well after I get the tank empty, or could I get lucky and it be alright with new fuel. If I pull the carbs, will they need to be sync'd.

Were should the choke be in a normal running situation. All the way open once warmed up.

Also is it possible there is something wrong with the petcock not letting the fuel to start flwing at start up?

In the next few months, I plan on doing plugs and any filters I can get ahold of.

I am very mechanicaly capable so doing the work myself is not an issue, I just have never worked on a bike.

Thanks for all of your help in advance.

your carburetor jets are stopped up from old gas.
you might be able to drain the tank and refill with fresh gas and some carb cleaner in the tank and clean them out but it is highly unlikely.you will probably end up pulling carbs and cleaning them.the fuel filter may be gummed up also. it is on top of the fuel valve and valve must be removed from tank to clean.as for the choke position when running i have got a 900 eliminator with the same engine and i use the choke to crank it and hold it closed for less than 30 seconds then push it off and let it run for a few minutes and go.

Drain the tank and fill it with fresh gas along with a full can of SeaFoam. You may get lucky and that'll be all it needs to get goin' again, otherwise a complete carb cleaning will be necessary.

Thanks for the help. I am just hoping I won't have to tear apart the carbs.

I will try to keep you posted.

Thanks!

Ok, another question along the same line here. I finally got the gas out of the tank. Refilled with new gas and some cleaner. The bike runs great once it is started. Can run wide open choke, figured out the idle knob was not adjusted correctly. It will now idle at 1000-1500 without a problem.

Here is my question. The first time I start the bike, I have to use ether. I do not want to continue this as I don't want the bike to become "addicted" to ether for starting. Once I get it started, it will start up later in the day, but once I let it sit over night, same thing.

I did notice yesterday when I tried to start it, it will start and run for about 30 seconds, then I have to pull the ether out.

Is this a possible petcock issue or clogged filter (I have not gotten to cleaning that yet). Plugs are also on the near horizon. Should it start with the petcock in the on position or do I need to move it to PRI for starting.

My battery is a little weak, so that is also a bit of my issue, plan on getting a new one soon!

Thanks for your help..

DO A COMPRESSION CHECK. IF OKAY, CHECK VALVES...MAYBE TIGHT AND LOSING COMPRESSION.

move the fuel valve to prime any time it sits for more than a day.
when you stop after a ride the heat from the engine will cause some of the gas in the float bowls to evaporate quicker.

I think I got lucky on this one. I started it up and ran an entire can of carb cleaner thru the engine and slow and mid range RPM's. It has started fairly quick and without using the PRIme on the petcock.

Thanks for all of the suggestions on this.