85 GS550 won't start

[Guest]

Recently had my bike sitting for the winter and pulled it out to try starting it. Getting spark and fuel is flowing through the petcock but the sparkplugs are bone dry as well as the carbs doesn't seem to be getting any fuel. I suppose a carb clean might do the trick. Any suggest on steps to follow to do this? Or other ideas? Battery is good as well. Thanks

[cowboyup3371]

If the carbs aren't getting fuel I'd be looking at them again for cleaning and make sure you don't have any fuel filter in your line that is restricting flow.

[schroedz]

Hmm ya that makes sense.

[Toasty]

Is there fuel in the float bowls? I would see if fuel flows to the carbs first before tearing them down, do the easier things first. Put the petcock on prime and see if it flows.

[koolaid_kid]

I usually put a towel under the carbs and remove one drain plug for just a moment to see if it has fuel in it. Only takes 5 minutes and can remove a faulty petcock from the equation.

[JEEPRUSTY]

These carbs are very difficult to get fuel to even on prime.

What are your ambient temps?
How fresh is the gas?

[tkent02]

How fresh is the gas?

This.

Just had some in my 550, wouldn't even fire up at all, just a few sputters and pops. The gas was from this fall, maybe late summer. New gas and it's running fine now. The crap they sell sucks anymore.

[schroedz]

Any idea where to find a fuel filter?

[JEEPRUSTY]

No fuel filters please.

[schroedz]

Hmmm ya the gas is pretty old, been almost 6 months since I've ridden. The petcock lets fuel flow in the prime position when I removed the gas line.

[koolaid_kid]

Guys, he says his plugs are dry. Shouldn't we step back a minute here?

[JEEPRUSTY]

so plugs are dry remove the bowl drain plugs to see the bowls are filling.

I use Starter without fear to spin an engine fast enough to produce enough vacuum for to draw fuel into the engine.

[koolaid_kid]

so plugs are dry remove the bowl drain plugs to see the bowls are filling.

I use Starter without fear to spin an engine fast enough to produce enough vacuum for to draw fuel into the engine.

I suggested that, seems like the next logical step to me. schroedz, have you done that yet?