Carb question

[baddest65]

here's a question for you guys. i have a 1992 suzuki GS500E. it's been sitting around for a few months and i havtn't started it. the battery's dead and even with a fresh battery, i cant get it to start.(i'm still a rookie when it comes to bikes, i still can't figure out how to use the choke.) anyway...if the bike's been sitting for a while, is there a possibility that the carb might have gotten clogged or dirty or something? i called a bike shop and they said they could get the bike running for just a few bucks, unless the carb was clogged because it had been sitting for a while. i decided to ask you guys so i don't get ripped off. also, i heard that you can jumpstart a bike with a car battery, is that true? thanx!

[duckman]

you can short out the bike if you jump it from a car

[ZX6R]

My friend had a honda magna that was sitting around for a couple of months. All we did to get it fired up was replace the battery, clean the spark plugs and shot some starter fluid straight into the cylinders. Started up great, then we shot the carbs up with Carb cleaner and the thing runs like a champ.

[mrhello]

You say it wont start, what will it do? Do the lights work? Will it turn over at all? Does it even crank? Etc.

You can try to jump it by using and unstarted car battery (attatch wires, do not turn on car). I too have heard you can damage a bike by using a running car battery, but I have never seen an actual damaged bike, just heard it might happen. But, that would only be if the bike just needs a battery, but you say you tried a fresh one. (I have used a car battery many times, with no problems, as have friends).

Many things can be wrong. The fuel pump might be out, is the fuel switch on run/reserve/off? (if you have a fuel switch) Carbs clogged, rust in tank clogging fuel line, etc.Is the ignition on, and the switch on run? Is it in gear?

Maybe some more details and we can help.

[baddest65]

ok guys, the lights do work when you crank it. the engine does turn over, but it doesnt seem to want to start. gas tank switch is in the "on" position. i think it's a lack of gas to the carb. sometimes it runs for like half a second, but then turns off again. i turn the key with the clutch in, in neatral. there isnt any visible rust in the tank. like i said before, i'm a rookie. i dont have the owner's manual, so can you guys describe how i can get to the carb so i can put some starter fluid in there? thanx again guys

[Wolf]

After sitting for only a couple months, I wouldn't think the carbs could have clogged. When I got my 1st bike (75 Enduro 250) I found it was easier to just push it down to the dealer (I was 15 at the time) and pay them $100. They located and fixed all the problems for me. 1 day later I was able to ride it home.

[mrhello]

I would also be inclined to say it is a carb problem and lack of fuel. Unfortunately that be due to several reasons. One thing is the fuel filter, check it.

If the fuel line and pump are working, then next thing would be to check the carbs. I dont know anything about GS's so your kind of on your own there in regards to removing body work. Once you get there it could be so many things I dont know where to start. Jets or Mains could be all messed up. The more I think about it, your almost better of just dragging it to a local shop and havig them go over it. Hopefully they can just fix it for under a bill, maybe some jets are clogged. Then again, you may even have some sediment in the fuel switch valve. I had a problem once where debris built up in the reserve tube, and on when low on gas the bike would die.
But if the carbs need to be rebuilt, then your looking at a lot more.

Then again, if you can get to the carbs and see what your dealing with it may be alot more easier to find the exact prob. So bascically I cant help you, sorry man.

[afmsquid]

Cleaning out the carbs is not that hard at all. Just take them out and spray the insides with carb cleaner. Make sure you tape up the manifolds, so nothing gets in the engine while your carbs are out.