After waiting two months for the paintwork to be completed this summer, I went to fire up Project 16 and found that the throttle response was off — indicating clogged low-speed jets.
These were new jets but I'd neglected to drain the float bowls, thinking I'd be up and running with less delay. Off with the fuel tank, side fairings, etc., remove the carbs...and I found three of the four jets clogged. One cleared with compressed air but two required more persuasive means.
I was surprised by this but probably shouldn't have been. Our government-mandated ethanol-laced fuels create precipitates with exposure to heat and moisture...and this was a hot and humid summer here in the hinterlands. These precipitates are the yellow-orange goo found in carb bowls and jets and can cause dried deposits in recesses if evaporated — like my jets. Luckily I have the resources to deal with this as a fairly minor inconvenience, though an aggravating one. If a less handy owner inadvertently allows this to happen it can mean a $300+ repair bill.
These were new jets but I'd neglected to drain the float bowls, thinking I'd be up and running with less delay. Off with the fuel tank, side fairings, etc., remove the carbs...and I found three of the four jets clogged. One cleared with compressed air but two required more persuasive means.
I was surprised by this but probably shouldn't have been. Our government-mandated ethanol-laced fuels create precipitates with exposure to heat and moisture...and this was a hot and humid summer here in the hinterlands. These precipitates are the yellow-orange goo found in carb bowls and jets and can cause dried deposits in recesses if evaporated — like my jets. Luckily I have the resources to deal with this as a fairly minor inconvenience, though an aggravating one. If a less handy owner inadvertently allows this to happen it can mean a $300+ repair bill.
What can we do? The answer is prevention. If I suspect a bike will not be run for more than a few weeks, I make sure that I have the fuel stabilized — I use StarTron brand but any product that specifically states that it deals with ethanol should be fine. I also drain the carb bowls by connecting a drain hose to the bowl spigot or by placing something under the carbs to keep the fuel off the engine.
In fact, any seldom-used engine should be fuel-stabilized all the time. Simply add a small amount whenever gassing up.
In fact, any seldom-used engine should be fuel-stabilized all the time. Simply add a small amount whenever gassing up.
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