Yamaha Virago carburettor problem

[secretloser]

I know its a popular issue, but here goes anyway....

About 18 months ago, I acquired a 1994 virago 535 as a project. It was bought for me as a gift and it was mot'd and running at the time of purchase, but had zero history. The mileage is approx 18k.

The bike is mechanically sound, but cosmetically scruffy so I set about improving it with a full respray, fitted Jardine slashcut pipes and did a few other mods. I gave the engine an oil and filters service.

The bike went like a train, started willingly and pulled smoothly for the first couple of hundred miles. I came to start it one morning, it fired, spluttered to a halt and refused to start ever again....i went through electrical, ignition and fuel systems and all seemed ok which lead me to the carbs....

I though it odd that when the bike turned over, I could smell petrol vapour coming from the exhaust. I removed the carbs (which looked like they'd seen some spanners previously) and discovered that the pilot jets were blocked with white powder....

After I cleaned them all out and refitted the carbs, the bike ran sweetly again (although I am aware that they need adjusting and balancing)

A couple of hundred miles later and the symptoms are back, but no blockage this time. I have tried a so called specialist, who's best suggestion was "get a second hand set from ebay mate...." very helpful...

So I'd basically like to know what to do next, as I've spent way too much on the bike now and although it looks great, it doesnt really fit my 6'2" frame, so it needs to be sold.....

All help appreciated....

[MarJay]

If I were you I'd remove the fuel tank, drain it and examine it for rust and contaminants. If its not too rusty then I'd clean it with Marine Clean and Metal Ready but I wouldn't use POR15 on it as this seems to cause more problems than it solves.

I'd then rinse it with water, dry it with a hairdryer and fill it with fuel. Then clean the carbs again (with carb cleaner and compressed air) then replace the fuel tank and see if the problem goes away.

I had the same problem with my FZR400 recently, and followed the procedure above to sort it. If the tank is very rusty then I'd consider looking for a second hand tank on ebay as I've not had much luck repairing holed and very rusty tanks.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.