Bike won't catch after winter rest

[innominate]

Hi,

My CB500 wont start after sitting for a few months.
Battery is fine and the starter motor turns without a problem.

Does not catch though.
I noticed I had left the fuel tap on by mistake all winter.


What should i check, step by step to get it to start running again?


I would guess (with my limited knowledge) that something could have blocked the carbs?
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[the grim reaper]

If it's turning over, my first guess would be fuel. How long has it been stood for? Modern petrol goes off in a matter of weeks, I would recommend cleaning out the carbs, draining the tank and trying fresh fuel. If that doesn't work, take the plugs out and see if they're wet with fuel or not. If they are then you have an electrical problem.

My guess would be fuel though.

Cheers

Grim
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[carvell]

Take the carbs off, give them a clean, put them back on.

I had exactly the same problem - this will fix it.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[Superlight]

Sounds about right - once the volatile parts of the fuel have evaporated, you're left with 'gunge' in the carbs.

When you lay a bike up for a while, it's worth draining the tank (or at least running it down to reserve) and the carbs (run the engine with the fuel tap off), or use a stabiliser additive. That should help with getting it going again come spring.

I assume somebody's done the "how to store a bike" guide here before? I couldn't see it, but I admit I didn't look far.
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[mchaggis]

My VT is being a bastard to start when it (the weather) gets cold. It works fine when it's warm, but give it anything much colder than five degrees and it decides to go on holiday. It had been stood over the winter and half of last year too, so I guess stripping and cleaning the carbs is something I really should have done already.
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