I knew not to let a bike sit to long, now I need to hunt for the error!

[Niels B]

Had all my bikes out for the first time since the spring, can’t stand the summer heat down here in FL
All 4 bikes have battery tenders ( learned it’s cheaper than buying 5 new batteries once a year).
‘05 BMW R1200GS - no problem started and ran perfectly - just replaced oil and alternator belt as well.
‘75 xs650b - started an ran like a dream
‘78 xs650e - battery need to be replaced - not enough juice to crank the engine.
2nd ‘75 XS650B cause me problems - need further investigations. It ran fine in the spring but now causing me to swear.
Gas on - open petcock, fuel overflow from carb, got that stopped with a little tapping on the carb float bowl, choke on - prime a few times - started and died almost immediately - and that kept on like that - checked spark plugs - all good - but it still will only start for a brief moment - then die - I know it gets fuel as I have clear gas line and filters.
Anyone have this experience after bike sitting for 5 months ?
Think I’ll take the carb off and check that all is good.
Never get bored here - but I could have been without this problem !

 

[Adamc]

Had all my bikes out for the first time since the spring, can’t stand the summer heat down here in FL
All 4 bikes have battery tenders ( learned it’s cheaper than buying 5 new batteries once a year).
‘05 BMW R1200GS - no problem started and ran perfectly - just replaced oil and alternator belt as well.
‘75 xs650b - started an ran like a dream
‘78 xs650e - battery need to be replaced - not enough juice to crank the engine.
2nd ‘75 XS650B cause me problems - need further investigations. It ran fine in the spring but now causing me to swear.
Gas on - open petcock, fuel overflow from carb, got that stopped with a little tapping on the carb float bowl, choke on - prime a few times - started and died almost immediately - and that kept on like that - checked spark plugs - all good - but it still will only start for a brief moment - then die - I know it gets fuel as I have clear gas line and filters.
Anyone have this experience after bike sitting for 5 months ?
Think I’ll take the carb off and check that all is good.
Never get bored here - but I could have been without this problem !

Yep, take the carbs off and clean out the varnish and any other sh*t. Lube everything and replace carbs. Check usuals and try a start.

 

[Niels B]

Give me a reason to try out a set I refurbished a while ago, or maybe even a set of linked BS38’s, will solve some of the sync issues with the twin throttle cables .

 

[Niels B]

a little up-date turned out that the '78 started up fine today, however a weak ground connection caused the starter relay to only click, hence i thought it was a weak battery - today i decided to give it a kick (although my right knee is suffering from my youth skiing and riding 1920-1940 era HD's - they could kick back or skip the engagement altogether almost causing overextension of the knee ). found the ground on the right fwd turn signal was loose, tighten it up helped but still drag a bit getting full effect to the starter - need to search for other weak ground wires - pain in the ass!
and not to mention a little dripping from the bottom filter mount - guess i'll have to get the oil out and make it clean and add a new gasket, and last some clutch re-adjustment, dragged pretty bad when i took the first couple of ride and still does to some extend when it's hot.

tomorrow is another day