how do you get a bike started after a year of no use

[Guest]

Having problems starting bike not used for a year. It'll turn over but not fire up. Can smell petrol coming through to carb, and there's actually a small drip from it but after a lot of turning over, nothing , so battery has died.

Would this be stale petrol and possibly blocked carb jet? Caused by gum from unleaded formed over the year? So, is it always vital to replace old petrol for startup after no use? So, what would the best way forward now? Thanks

[Mr Fro]

What bike, how old, was it running when you put it away?

[eastanglianbiker]

need more info

[fq-craigus]

Drain flush and replace the fuel, check plugs, could have flooded?

[Guest]

It's a 2000 Suzuki VL125 Intruder, er, with a carb that runs on petrol as I mentioned, as a lot have, and an ignition system with sparkplugs which they all have, just a basic simple motorbike really, what more info is needed? My silly arse friend shouldn't have left it without laying it up, I know, but it's done. Was running well when left..

Trying to get a handle on this, and asked a ? about fuel condition, haven't got that, with only good straight info from Craigus, which I'll follow. Thanks

[Mr Fro]

Okay dokes Dave - if it's dripping fuel from the carb then you've probably got a sticking float valve which will flood it a bit. If the plug is a bit wet after you've tried starting it then that's sealed the deal.

Best thing to do is whip the carb off, remove the bowl (and emulsion tubes, needles and float if you can) and get a bit of spray carb cleaner through it (I get mine from Amazon).

Let us know how you get on!

[RantMachine]

I didn't do anything special to lay up my 125 before leaving it sat in the garage for the year and I had similar troubles. My solution? Bumpstarting. Lots and lots of bumpstarting.

Emptied all of the fuel out, then got a fresh batch in a jerry can and added some Redex. Then started bump starting, several days in a row, over and over each day until I was too tired to do any more until the next day, and finally trying the starter a few times, then charging the battery every night so it was good for another round the next day.

Day one I got a very brief and pathetic splutter out of it, just firing one time then dying again. I think it was day three that it finally started firing three or four times in a row before fading and dying, then when I went to the electric start at the end of my pushes for the day I got a little bit of life - again, spluttered out, but only after a little while. Cable tied off the sidestand switch and put it on the stand so I didn't have to hold it up, then had one hand reaching under the tank to play with the choke and the other hand on the starter (and the throttle), took a few attempts at making tiny adjustments to the choke as and when required and giving it a bit more or bit less throttle. Kept at it for a few minutes until it was warmed up and seemed happy enough to run without my assistance, then gradually eased off the choke and let it run a while longer. Finally gave the throttle some welly, then took it for a little spin around the estate. Behaved perfectly after that, like it had never been off the road!

My neighbours probably though I'd lost the plot, running up and down the drive pushing a motorbike then jumping on it and rolling for a bit

[Mr Fro]

...Cable tied off the sidestand switch and put it on the stand so I didn't have to hold it up, then had one hand reaching under the tank to play with the choke and the other hand on the starter (and the throttle)

 

So basically you gave your bike a reach-around and it started playing ball. I'll keep that in mind next time mine plays up.

[RantMachine]

Worked wonders!

It was the logical progression, I guess... I already spend a worrying amount of time talking to my bike...

(Usually "dammit why do you keep letting me down!")

[Guest]

OK guys, thanks for the info