Bike won't turn over, carbs leaking

[joemaniaci]

So literally as soon as I pulled in my garage, the engine died. I figured I might have just stalled it getting over the 1 inch incline as slowly as I take it. So I tried starting it up to be sure and it would no longer turn over. Checked fuses and they all look good, even swapped in the spare ignition fuse just in case. I have all my lights and everything, it just won't turn. I don't even here the starting clicking. Any suggestions? It was also raining the whole way home and I ran an errand, so I riding in the rain for about an hour before I got home.

As I started disassembling things, I noticed I have two float bowls leaking. Mind you, this bike sat for seven years before I disassembled/reassembled the carbs without any issues last fall. Even took it out to California and back. So what did I do wrong?

Mind you, I didn't do the responsible thing of getting the carbs synced once I had it all together. It didn't even have 15k on it so I figured what the hell.

Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday, I can have the carbs off, I can take pics if necessary. Looks like if you ordered the carbs 1-4 from left to right, it's float bowls 1 and 3.

EDIT: Looking up carb flooding issues, I also forgot the left tube between the main air box and the middle black plastic chamber box thing wasn't on all the way. So I am guessing that could have introduced dirt into at least the left two carbs. When I rebuilt the bike, I did take the gas tank out and clean it as best as I could and put on a new fuel filter. But I guess it might be take for a new filter already considering it sat for so long.

[triton28]

Sounds as though either the engine stop switch or the starter lockout switch is malfunctioning. Try bypassing them one at a time.
Fuel leak sounds float related.
Every problem has to show up sometime, and usually, it is when there is no reason for it to have occurred.
Dave

[joemaniaci]

Sounds as though either the engine stop switch or the starter lockout switch is malfunctioning. Try bypassing them one at a time.
Fuel leak sounds float related.
Every problem has to show up sometime, and usually, it is when there is no reason for it to have occurred.
Dave

Well the internets say that flooding floats/carbs is due to dirt. So I am hoping it just needs to be cleaned all out again. I had to clean my clutch and brake reservoirs a dozen times before they stopped getting crummy.

Will try to figure out how to bypass the switches.

[joemaniaci]

Well that was easy enough, dirty kill switch solder connection made a short.

Just need to clean the carbs and that will be that.

[SgtSlag]

The carbs should always be synchronized, after servicing. It is the only way to be sure they are working properly: one carburetor per cylinder, and they operate independently, for the most part, hence the synchronizing necessity.

With regards to cleaning the carbs out, the easiest method is to use SeaFoam every month, as per directions, adding it to the fuel system. With regular use, it will prevent varnish build-up within the fuel system/carbs. It is an inexpensive Preventative Maintenance routine. It runs around $7-$10 per 16 oz. can, depending upon sales. I've used it since 2006, without issues. I've only had the carbs worked on once, after purchasing the bikes (plural), to get them cleaned up, and synchronized; then I do the SeaFoam PM routine, and I've gone multiple years without carburetor issues since. YMMV. Cheers!

[joemaniaci]

The carbs should always be synchronized, after servicing. It is the only way to be sure they are working properly: one carburetor per cylinder, and they operate independently, for the most part, hence the synchronizing necessity.

With regards to cleaning the carbs out, the easiest method is to use SeaFoam every month, as per directions, adding it to the fuel system. With regular use, it will prevent varnish build-up within the fuel system/carbs. It is an inexpensive Preventative Maintenance routine. It runs around $7-$10 per 16 oz. can, depending upon sales. I've used it since 2006, without issues. I've only had the carbs worked on once, after purchasing the bikes (plural), to get them cleaned up, and synchronized; then I do the SeaFoam PM routine, and I've gone multiple years without carburetor issues since. YMMV. Cheers!

Well I took my carbs apart tonight finally and they were as clean as can be. What I think happened is this bike sat for 7 years. So I think the gaskets shriveled a little and allowed the floats to leak a little. So I'll just order some replacements.