Bike wont' start after winter storage

[Bluesman]

Hi all ~

Tried to fire up the old bike today, but she just wouldn't turn over.

It has been stored for the last 18 months in an unheated garage with a full tank of gas treated with sta-bil. (It was not on the road last year - knee issues)

Every other time this bike is out of storage, it will crank 20 times, then it will catch with a little putt-putt-putt then fire up to life.

This time there wasn't even the hint of the bike wanting to fire up. Only the starter cranked.

The fuel cock was on, I pulled and cleaned each of the plugs, I checked the air filter...My only thought is the gas might be bad? I drained the float bowls (just to make sure the carbs were getting fuel) and the gas was a light amber color. Shouldn't it look like piss?

My understanding is that when gas goes bad from age it doesn't smell like gas anymore, it smells like varnish. This gas smelled like gas, but I thought the color was strange.

Anyway...thoughts? I am thinking my next step is to drain the full tank of gas and try some fresh 93 octane...

Thanks,

[Jim]

were you charging the battery with a battery tender? if the bike was stored in an unheated garage, and the battery froze, then it's probably done.

[GixerJockey]

Bad fuel is the most likely culprit. After 18 months I'm sure it's gone to hell. It probably doesn't even smell like gas anymore. It probably has a rancid, unpleasant smell. And the color has likely turned dark.

Drain the old gas as a starter. Your next step is to disassemble the carburetors and give them a thorough cleaning. The pilot circuits are almost certainly gummed up with green slime from the stale fuel.

[tonup]

Shouldn't it look like piss?


Thanks,

Depends on what you drank the night before! Prestone, amber bach or the goose. I believe you have fuel issues or consumption issues. Your carbs need a good cleaning regardless.

[Ericthejet]

After the repeated cranking attempts what condition were the plugs in? Wet or dry?

[Paul_E_D]

pilot jets are plugged. They need to come out for a good cleaning with carb cleaner AND compressed air.

[Doc]

pilot jets are plugged. They need to come out for a good cleaning with carb cleaner AND compressed air.

Those holes are wee!

[richw]

sQurits of starter fluid when cranking see if she pops.

There probably water in the bottom of that tank not gas.

Get rid of it responsibly big rain today will help you be responsible

[obsolete]

Just like everyone else said. Drain your gas and clean your carbs.

[Bluesman]

After the repeated cranking attempts what condition were the plugs in? Wet or dry?

Dry - and the battery was in the house on a tender.

And this might sound like a stupid question, but where do you shoot the starting fluid? I remember in my 1970's shitboxes you would fire it into the top of the carbs, and fire would shoot out once the car turned over!

I realize I need the carbs cleaned. Thoughts on seafoam to at least get some of the gunk out and get her moving again?

Thanks,

[Doc]

The carbs should not be all that hard to pull and clean on that Nighthawk. Give it a go!

[beet]

Sell ta me

[butcher bergs]

sQurits of starter fluid when cranking see if she pops.

No.

Starter fluid strips the oil off the valves....not a good thing since the bike hasn't been run for an extended amount of time. Too many squirts and you're doing valve guide seals at the very least.

[Sheppo]

I would suggest pulling the carbs, removing the jets and running a wire through them. Carbs sitting that long need more than carb cleaner and a blast of compressed air. If you are not comfortable doing that. I am sure some one from here would be more that happy to help you out. Dry plugs = no gas into the engine. I wouldn't use starter fluid either. Bergs it spot on with that.

[Bluesman]

Success!!!

After emptying the tank, adding 1/2 gallon of fresh gas and about 5oz of seafoam, she finally fired up after three days of cranking. Kindest thanks to everyone who helped me out :-)

I warmed her up, turned off the choke, and she is idling and throttling up through the rpm band normally.

I will continue to use the seafoam at 1oz per gallon for the next several tanks of gas, but is there any point to taking the carbs off at this point to clean them? Again, good idle, good throttle.

[Sheppo]

Success!!!

After emptying the tank, adding 1/2 gallon of fresh gas and about 5oz of seafoam, she finally fired up after three days of cranking. Kindest thanks to everyone who helped me out :-)

I warmed her up, turned off the choke, and she is idling and throttling up through the rpm band normally.

I will continue to use the seafoam at 1oz per gallon for the next several tanks of gas, but is there any point to taking the carbs off at this point to clean them? Again, good idle, good throttle.

I would rather pull the carbs, than trust a chemical. I have seen plenty of plugs jets and for the couple of hours of work to have total piece of mind to me it's worth it.