Help from people that know carb'd bikes

[vaa]

I'm trying to bring back a Suzuki Marauder back to ridable condition. The bike is a 2002 that was sitting for a couple years. I replaced the battery added some fuel and tried to start it. No go. Checked fuel flow and there was an issue. The petcock was clogged and upon further inspection the tank was pretty rusty inside. I replaced the petcock and fuel filter, cleaned the tank. The bike starts but runs rough. I'm almost positive it needs the carbs cleaned. My biggest concern is that there is gas coming from the air vent hose on the rear carb. I took it for a quick spin but it left a trail of gas and I got gas all over my leg. Is the carb clogged and it's sending the gas out the airflow line? The bike does seem to be running on both cylinders. I'd much rather do the work myself if it's just a dirty carb.

Thanks

[OreoGaborio]

sounds like a stuck float to me.

Pull the carb off, drop the foat bowl, check the needle valve.

[Ryno]

The float, and or needle and seat is most likely your issue. They get gunked up and bowl keeps filling with fuel.

[Eric Baker]

Yeah for sure definitely start with a major cleaning of the carbs. If it's back been sitting more than a few months, it's gonna be pretty dirty and have clogged jets.

[vaa]

Thanks for the fast replies. I'll try to clean them tonight and report back.

Thanks
V

[Stromper]

Blow out the fuel hoses

spray gummout down the hose then a air blast if you can.

once running get a can of seafoam for the next 2 tanks

[vaa]

So I bought some Gumout and Seafoam. I went to take the carbs apart but decided to run the bike to drain the fuel in the lines first. It started right up and idled smooth. No fuel all over the place and no bumpy idle. I added more fuel and the Gumout and Seafoam and took it for a few little rides around the block to run some more fuel thru it. She ran great. Backfired a few times but that was my fault, choke was out. I'm totally impressed that after sitting for two years the bike ran as good as it did and with such little work. I'll get it on the road and take it for a ride tomorrow but I'm thinking I won't touch the carbs until winter.

Thanks for the help.

[Pigman]

I swear by SeaFoam..... stuff kicks ass

[Dannyf]

You lucked out. I just had to completely rebuild the carbs on a friend 98 cbr600. Had been sitting on a kickstand for 2 years and the shitty gas that was left in the 2 left carbs destroyed the jets and needles. I dont get why people can't just spend the 5 bucks for fuel stablizer before they hang up the helmet for an extended period of time.

[ɹǝʍoןandɹǝʍoן]

make sure you clean all that carbon buildup while you're riding around

[nhbubba]

I dont get why people can't just spend the 5 bucks for fuel stablizer before they hang up the helmet for an extended period of time.

That and they don't exactly teach about fuel stabilizer in driver's ed. 98% people I know wouldn't know fuel stabilizer from koolaid.

That said, I'm no saint here. Shit happens.