Arnold111
XS650 Member
Hello everyone, I have just joined this group, although I have been visiting it from time to time over the past year and a half.
I have a 1983 Yamaha XS 650 Heritage Special with 14,000 miles that was primarily ridden by my ex-girlfriend. After our relationship ended, I had to put the bike into storage. It was supposed to be short term storage, but ended up being for about 13 years. Yes, I made the mistake of storing it with some gas in the tank, and without any preparation for long term storage! I'm not very knowledgeable about the mechanics of bikes, but am keen to learn.
In 2013 I was able to get all my bikes out of storage and attempted to get the Yamaha running. I used the internet, YouTube and this forum for information and guidance.
The first things I did was to remove the carbs and clean them - well, I thought I had cleaned them, but I don't think I did a very good job! After putting it back together, the bike did not start - not surprised! I was unable to work on the bike again until recently (March 2015). This time, I took off the carbs again and did what I think was a thorough clean and rebuild. I ordered 2 rebuild kits from Mikes XS which contains a Push-in Float Valve assembly with O-Ring, Carb rubber passage Plug & Float bowl Gasket. I cleaned the carbs well with carb cleaner. I removed all the jets and made sure they were clean. I put it all together carefully and still the bike would not start. If I squirted some carb cleaner into the carbs, it would run for a few seconds and then die.
So I figured the diaphragms were bad as even though they didn't have holes, one was dropping down too fast in the chamber when I tested it. I ordered two new diaphragms from JBM Industries, installed them today, but still the bike won't start. Before starting it, I drained all the gas from the tank with the intention of doing a vinegar tank clean, but the gas came out very clean. I removed the petcock and looked inside the tank for signs of rust or debris and there was nothing- it looked pretty clean, just a tiny amount of surface rust in one spot of the tank - and the petcock screen filter was clean.
In addition to the above, I also did the following work since March:
1. Removed petcock and rebuilt it with a petcock rebuild kit (it was leaking fuel when I filled it with gas in 2013)
2. Drained engine oil and replaced. Oil filter was clean.
3. Bled the front brakes - there was a lot of gunk in the master cylinder.
4. Replaced the spark plugs with the correct size NGK plugs. Also replaced the spark plug caps with new ones from Mikes XS, as one had a small crack. There apparently is a spark - I know this because a mechanic who came over to help me get my Harley started, tested it and found there was a spark.
5. Fitted a new battery
6. Put on new tires on both wheels
When I squirt carb cleaner into the carbs, the bike starts up, runs for a few seconds and then dies. If I put a lot of carb cleaner in (i.o.w. a good longish squirt), it will run for about 5 seconds. Just to clarify, I have stock air boxes, but whilst doing all of this work, I have left them off, as they are a pain to work with. So when I try to start the bike, I do so with the air filers off.
Gentlemen and ladies, what am I doing wrong here? I would appreciate some direction as to what I should do to check what's preventing the bike from starting?
Thank you very much in advance - I know that the knowledgeable and generous members of this forum will help me get my bike going!
I have a 1983 Yamaha XS 650 Heritage Special with 14,000 miles that was primarily ridden by my ex-girlfriend. After our relationship ended, I had to put the bike into storage. It was supposed to be short term storage, but ended up being for about 13 years. Yes, I made the mistake of storing it with some gas in the tank, and without any preparation for long term storage! I'm not very knowledgeable about the mechanics of bikes, but am keen to learn.
In 2013 I was able to get all my bikes out of storage and attempted to get the Yamaha running. I used the internet, YouTube and this forum for information and guidance.
The first things I did was to remove the carbs and clean them - well, I thought I had cleaned them, but I don't think I did a very good job! After putting it back together, the bike did not start - not surprised! I was unable to work on the bike again until recently (March 2015). This time, I took off the carbs again and did what I think was a thorough clean and rebuild. I ordered 2 rebuild kits from Mikes XS which contains a Push-in Float Valve assembly with O-Ring, Carb rubber passage Plug & Float bowl Gasket. I cleaned the carbs well with carb cleaner. I removed all the jets and made sure they were clean. I put it all together carefully and still the bike would not start. If I squirted some carb cleaner into the carbs, it would run for a few seconds and then die.
So I figured the diaphragms were bad as even though they didn't have holes, one was dropping down too fast in the chamber when I tested it. I ordered two new diaphragms from JBM Industries, installed them today, but still the bike won't start. Before starting it, I drained all the gas from the tank with the intention of doing a vinegar tank clean, but the gas came out very clean. I removed the petcock and looked inside the tank for signs of rust or debris and there was nothing- it looked pretty clean, just a tiny amount of surface rust in one spot of the tank - and the petcock screen filter was clean.
In addition to the above, I also did the following work since March:
1. Removed petcock and rebuilt it with a petcock rebuild kit (it was leaking fuel when I filled it with gas in 2013)
2. Drained engine oil and replaced. Oil filter was clean.
3. Bled the front brakes - there was a lot of gunk in the master cylinder.
4. Replaced the spark plugs with the correct size NGK plugs. Also replaced the spark plug caps with new ones from Mikes XS, as one had a small crack. There apparently is a spark - I know this because a mechanic who came over to help me get my Harley started, tested it and found there was a spark.
5. Fitted a new battery
6. Put on new tires on both wheels
When I squirt carb cleaner into the carbs, the bike starts up, runs for a few seconds and then dies. If I put a lot of carb cleaner in (i.o.w. a good longish squirt), it will run for about 5 seconds. Just to clarify, I have stock air boxes, but whilst doing all of this work, I have left them off, as they are a pain to work with. So when I try to start the bike, I do so with the air filers off.
Gentlemen and ladies, what am I doing wrong here? I would appreciate some direction as to what I should do to check what's preventing the bike from starting?
Thank you very much in advance - I know that the knowledgeable and generous members of this forum will help me get my bike going!