Motorcycle Won't Start

My first post here...hopefully my question(s) are not asked too frequently.

I have a 1982 Honda VF750 Magna. I have had it for about 7-8 years, and has always run great.

Like a lot of folks, my motorcycle sits in the garage during the Winter, and unfortunately, I usually don't drain the fuel tank or add any sort of gas stabilizer.

Well this year/Spring my motorcycle is not happy. The 1st time I tried to start it, I could get it to idle, but as soon as I tried to give it some throttle, it died immediately!

I started it again, let it idle for about 10-15 minutes...tried to give it some throttle, and it died again.

The next day I tried to start it, and this time it wouldn't start. I removed the air filter & air box to get access to the carbs...and sprayed carb cleaner into the carbs, and let it sit a while. Still didn't start. Sprayed more carb cleaner into the carbs, let it sit a while, tried to start it, and still no start.

By the way...the choke is working fine.

So basically, initially I could get it to start & idle, but if I gave it any throttle, the engine would die. No improvement after spraying carb cleaner into the carbs.

At this point I'm guessing that my carbs may be "gummed" up with old gas from sitting all Winter...and the carb cleaner I have been spraying just can't get into all areas.

I figure to clean the carb properly, I need to remove the carbs, disassemble them, and clean them up good.

Normally I don't mind removing the carbs...but they are such a pain in the butt to remove...and if there was anyway to solve my problem without removing the carbs...that would be ideal.

So with all of that being said...what do you guys think?

- does it sound like the carbs are gummed up with old gas?
- any ideas on how to fix the problem without removing the carbs?
- could it be something else?

Sorry for the long post, wanted to give plenty of detail.

Thanks,

- Nick

- Drain old gas, put in fresh gas.
- Add SeaFoam to gas.
- Make sure your plugs are good and clean
- Try again before anything drastic.

- Drain old gas, put in fresh gas.
- Add SeaFoam to gas.
- Make sure your plugs are good and clean
- Try again before anything drastic.

Thanks for your reply. I will give the SeaFoam a try.

Questions:

1. If my carb is gummed up in some way from old gas, how does the SeaFoam get into all of the "nooks & crannies" to clean things up?

2. After draining old fuel, add fresh fuel, and add SeaFoam...how long do I need to let it sit to give the SeaFoam time to work?

3. After adding the fresh fuel & SeaFoam, should I try to start the motorcycle to help get the "SeaFoam containing gas" into the carbs?

4. I have not heard of SeaFoam before. I went their website, and see that they have 3-4 different products. Am I correct that I should be using the SeaFoam Motor Treatment?

Thanks for your help,

- Nick

I have never personally used SeaFoam (can’t afford it @ 8$ a bottle!) but many here swear by it, and can better instruct you. I believe you can pour it (or inject it somehow) directly into the carbs (as well as adding to the gas). This will probably do the best job if your carbs are gummy.

Go here and read the instructions, should answer many of your questions:
http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

Will this do as good a job as a professional cleaning...I doubt it. Will it (with luck) act as a temporary fix and get you running again without tearing down your bike and carbs...hopefully!

Thanks for the replies.

Watched a bunch of internet/You-Tube videos folks made using SeaFoam.

Seems pretty straight forward, except for all of the white smoke when the engine is running.

I will give it a try, and let everyone know my results!

- Nick

I hope the SeaFoam works, 'cuz pulling the carbs on that bike is rougher than a cob.

I hope the SeaFoam works, 'cuz pulling the carbs on that bike is rougher than a cob.

Sounds like you know what I'm talking about regarding pulling the carbs!!!

What a pain in the neck! Thus I'm not very motivated...so it will probably take me a long time to do it (motorcycle sitting in the garage in parts)...so then I probably won't get any riding this Spring/Summer/Fall!!!

So I'm also hoping the SeaFoam works!!!!!!!!:)

Thanks for your reply,

- Nick

I can't tell you how many Magnas I resurrected in the years I spent as a tech. I can't even see one without breaking out in a cold sweat anymore.

I can't tell you how many Magnas I resurrected in the years I spent as a tech. I can't even see one without breaking out in a cold sweat anymore.

I hate to hear that!!! Not making me feel any better if I need to pull the carbs!!!:(

But good to hear that pulling the carb's on other motorcycles is easier than on my 82 Magna...if I should ever need to pull the carb's on a future motorcycle.

- Nick