debugging long term storage fuel issue

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Mar 10, 2007 | 10:01 PM

RoadKingon

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debugging long term storage fuel issue

So I offered to store my friend's 99 FLHR custom here in Florida when he got called up for a tour. Long story short --- his battery was way undersized and finally got a full sized one for it today. It hasn't start for the past 5 months. It had stabilize in the gas but the gas is probably a year old now.

The bike will NOT idle unless the choke is all the way out, even when warm.

Once the choke is OFF the bike dies UNLESS I'm giving it at least 1/2 throttle. Runs very strong at 1/2 to whole throttle. dies below that.

The bike ran fine before the battery died and it sat for 5 months. So, from you all who store over the winter -- can you please help me debug this situation:

1. should I drain off the gas and refill with fresh? Can this happen entirely from stale gas?
2. should I remove the carb, disassemble and soak/clean the jets? Is this a good idea? do I need new gaskets or are the factory carb gaskets re-usable?

We had a used dirtbike that had racing gas dry/completely block the primary idle tube and we had to replace the jet because the opening was so small. Are FLHR carb idle jets small as well?

Thanks,
Tony

Mar 10, 2007 | 10:12 PM

TexasRedneck

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RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

The fact that ya had Stabil may save you - it may be nothin' more than some excess moisture in the fuel. Ah'd drain the tank an' then take her out fer a run - if it doesn't clear within a tank or two, then you kin think 'bout carbs. Also - run some gas additive on them two tanks...

Mar 10, 2007 | 10:16 PM

electaRICK

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From: Upstate New York

RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

5 months isnt that long,,, plus you dont have cold weather like here,, so there shouldnt be much condesation, try riding it for a while, cap or 2 of dry gas?

Mar 10, 2007 | 11:25 PM

04harleyboy

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From: Southeastern Michigan

RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

I say plugs and new gas, you should be alright after that.

Mar 11, 2007 | 12:08 AM

curmudgeon

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RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

Are both jugs getting warm? Before you get in too deep, it may just be a fouled plug.

Mar 11, 2007 | 12:19 AM

RoadKingon

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RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

Okay -- it's siphon time and with fuel cleaner in a few gallons of 93.

He had just put some platinum plugs in on that last tank. How quickly can a '99 foul a plug if it's got bad gas?

Mar 11, 2007 | 01:56 PM

dog155

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From: Windham,Maine

RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

You can foul plugs almost immediately.After she is back together and running again see if both cylinders are getting warm.Like the last posts stated it has not set long enough for the gas to go bad.

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Mar 11, 2007 | 10:03 PM

RoadKingon

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RE: debugging long term storage fuel issue

after siphoning the entire tank I got 3 gallons of fresh 93, started it, and rode around. It's not as bad -- still won't idle though. I need to put the throttle lock on at 1/8 twist.

checked the plugs -- tan/orange color. I cleaned them up with light sandpaper. still idle problem.

when it's crusing at constant speed it feels like the engine is only hitting on one cylinder, lawnmowerish. only smooths out at 1/2 throttle and then it runs like a drag bike. at constant speed I get a pop once in while on partial acceleration. To me it seems that one of the pipes is building up unburnt gas and then igniting it from the other pipe the flume gets there.

would a dirty/blocked carb idle circuit do that?

after running it I pulled in and the IR temp was 10-15F warmer on the FRONT cylinder (I would have expected it to be cooler).

ran it about 15 miles on the new gas. Would have ran longer but I'm afraid to burn up something with the missing. Is it a wise idea to run a bike longer than 15 minutes when it's missing and popping a bit?