Just tried starting the bike after a couple of months. It started on the 5th attempt and it was running for about 2mins on choke and revs were rising nicely. Then it started to splutter and drop to 3 then 2 cylinders and cut out. Now it will only fire on 2 or 3 cylinders and runs for a couple of seconds before cutting out.
Does this sound like its sucked some crap into the carbs and blocked a jet or should i be looking elsewhere? Would prefer a dodgy coil or plug than having to strip and clean the carbs..

 

Just had another go and its only firing on cylinder 1 & 2. Nothing from 3 & 4 and they're on different coils so its not them, must be fuel. Is there anything that would stop fuel getting to carbs 3 & 4 apart from dirt blocking the jets?
Cheers.

 

Have you pulled the plugs for a look yet? See if they're wet before you go pulling the carbies apart. Could be a bit of water formed from condensation in the tank so try pulling the pipe and running some fuel through. Give the bowls a good sharp tap too in case the float valves are stuck.

Let us know how it's going.

 

Cheers Lads, will check the plugs first. Still have nightmares after the last carb rebuild....fingers crossed its an easy fix.

 

Sounds to me you may have had a bit of water in your tank.

Water is heavier than gas, if you have any in the tank it would be the first thing to hit the carbs.

Drain the tank and carbs and refill with fresh gas(add a dose of Seafoam while your at it.

 

+ 1 on draining the tank and carbs man .... check the auld tank for signs of rust too
she might be a little rusty inside.

 

No idea Steve...Maybe the rest are just hanging back 'til we've got some more to go on...I don't really want to find out where they actually are though. Sometimes it's better not to know.

 

I had a similar issue last Spring. After storing the bike with carbs run dry and Stabil in the tank, the 1st start had the bike running on 3 cylinders. After checking for a spark and fuel to the cylinder not firing I added carb cleaner to the tank and after a few short miles the problem cleared.

 

Well actually you two seem to go 2 up so well together 3 would have been a crowd ! I reckon