HELP, first ride of year, bike tries to die when taking off from scratch and slow acceler.

stephen2us

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Okay last year my petcock messed up and was leaking gas.. I fixed the petcock, replaced inline gas filter, and drained oil, replaced filter. I took her for a ride, and everything was perfect again, and it has sat until now.

Today, I started her up for second this year, and the first ride. . What I noticed after riding a few minutes was I had very bad acceleration. Than I noticed in a stopped position in 1st when taking off, it would want to die and struggle as I gave it acceleration even worse. So, with this detailed timeline, and it riding perfect before it sat, what could have happened, and what are my options.. i'm not a mechanic, but I'll give it shot.

thanks all,
 
Probably bad gas and the carbs could have varnish in them.

I try to run only non ethynol fuel in my bikes and also all yard equipment. It costs a little more but got tired of gummed up carbs......
 
Probably bad gas and the carbs could have varnish in them.
I try to run only non ethynol fuel in my bikes and also all yard equipment. It costs a little more but got tired of gummed up carbs......

I agree, todays gas has a hard time staying fresh in a tank/carb over the winter or non riding season (the gas evaporates from the carb leaving a varnish (additives) behind that will plug jets). Drain the old gas from the tank, clean the carbs, fresh gas and you should be good to go.
 
Ok.. small update... drained gas.... added some ethanol free with some seafoam (heavier than 1 ounce per gallon) as i thought I would try and "clean" carbs... it's definitely running better at higher gears (ALMOST normal), but the as I take off from stopped position, it's still dying or coming darn close... Could this be the heavier dose of seafoam? now that it is "seafoam heavy" and it's in the carbs, bowls, etc, should I let it sit a few days before adding more ethanol free gas to even it out? thanks all !!
 
I would just pull the carbs and clean them. Its not hard to do and also can check the float level at the same time.

The seafoam will help but wont get everything out and could dislodge crud that may get stuck in there if there are deposits in the bowls.
 
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