Bikes been sitting too long, now does not want to start.

[Tempest]

Ok, let me try and keep this simple

Bikes been SORN off the road and sitting about 2 years

Battery is fine (I did charge it every now and again to keep it good)
I drained out the fuel, and put in 1 gallon of fresh.
Turn ignition on, choke out with no throttle (as I've read and found out this is the best way to start it)
Engine spins and spins and spins, and won't fire.

If I get lucky, I hear a few fires, but not enough to keep going.
If I get really lucky (as I have done 2 nights this past week) it does actually fire up enough to take some throttle (just) but it's a balancing act between choke and throttle, and if I don't nurse it gently it dies.
Once it dies, it won't re-fire and the engine will just spin and spin on the starter, and I think (perhaps) it's then too wet? inside and no point in trying again till the following day.

Any thoughts?
Thanks.

Oh yes, and just to make you aware of one thing.... I know the rectifiers are known for being a bit pants on VTR's, so in the past I took forum advice and fitted a Yamaha R1 much larger finned Regulator/Rectifier.

[Wicky]

If you didn't drain the carbs when you initially stored it up 2 years ago then they are most likely gummed up. Get them stripped down and cleaned up.

Also after two years sttting around it would be advisable to change all fluids i.e oil, brake and clutch fluid. And possibly tyres.

[popkat]

carbs off and thoroughly clean them, remove jets (don't get them mixed up) pilot jet is very small, if in doubt about cleaning the pilots then buy new ones.. Also pop some new plugs in.

[Tempest]

If you didn't drain the carbs when you initially stored it up 2 years ago then they are most likely gummed up. Get them stripped down and cleaned up.

No, I did not drain them.
Do you think they will still be drained, as the bike HAS run, albeit unhappily for perhaps a couple of minutes a few days ago (me nursing the choke/throttle) Would not the fuel going thru, during that, admittedly short period have washed away anything sticky inside?

I presume, you would advise me to check the plugs for good sparks also ?

If it is Carbs to clean..... Is there a guide/photo's any where as this sounds quite daunting?

[carmanbikes]

Strip and clean carbs and a pair of new plugs

[Tempest]

Thanks.

Well yes, everyone seems to agree. Carb strip / clean and fresh plugs.

Would it be needed to get new jets, or is just cleaning what's there already a practical idea?

[lloydie]

Strip and clean carbs and a pair of new plugs

+1

[Wicky]

This lot are very near you - and probably provide service to the aircraft at the airport near you.

http://www.bioclean.co.uk

Or get a can of carb cleaner solvent and/or ultrasonically clean them.

[8541Hawk]

Have you opened the drains on the carbs to see if you are actually getting fuel to the carbs?

The petcock could be stuck or the diaphragm could have cracked or torn.

[Tempest]

This lot are very near you - and probably provide service to the aircraft at the airport near you.

http://www.bioclean.co.uk

Or get a can of carb cleaner solvent and/or ultrasonically clean them.

Thanks

[Tempest]

Have you opened the drains on the carbs to see if you are actually getting fuel to the carbs?

The petcock could be stuck or the diaphragm could have cracked or torn.

Nope, done nothing as of yet.
Just been trying to start it, hoping once started and warmed up, it would simply clear itself.

How do I get to those and/or know what they look like?

I don't want to start unscrewing the wrong things on carbs!

[popkat]

Check your oil level, float can stick open (as well as shut) it can then fill the engine with petrol, if level is well over the full mark you need to drain it straight away and leave it to evaporate with the filter off, sump bolt out and filler cap off. It shouldn't really happen on a storm as the vacuum tap won't let the fuel through, but they can stick too sometimes. you'll be taking the carbs off anyway be sure to look at the inlet valves to see if any fuel leaked through.

[Tempest]

Firstly, thank you everyone, so far, for all the great replies and advice.

I love how helpful you all are and it's so very much appreciated.

Just a little update. Been out to take a look between the frame and saw two screws with drain holes under the carbs, I presumed these are the float bowl drains, so took a screwdriver to them both (yes drain holes)
Now, the interesting bit..........

When sitting on the bike, the right hand drain hole, I open the screw and the fuel runs out, and keeps running and running (I let about a couple of egg cups flow out)
The left hand one however, I opened the screw, it started to drip and run a bit then stopped dead. Perhaps a tablespoon of fuel came out and that's it. Closed it, reopened it, and no more.

So. That must tell me something?

There WAS something in there, but now empty, will check again tomorrow, to see if it's still dry, or another tablespoon comes out.
So........ There is obviously something stopping the fuel filling up the (when sitting on the bike) left hand float bowl. Hence I presume why the engine won't run as it's starved of fuel.
Perhaps its just managing to suck a bit thru (hence it ran a bit) but not enough to fire correctly on the cylinder connected to that carb.

With this additional info, any other advice? Does this make it an easier thing to fix if it's just tank to float bowl issue as opposed to perhaps jets or anything?

Pity I can't get a pipe onto this drain and have a good suck!

[8541Hawk]

The float valves are stuck.
It sounds like one is stuck open and the other stuck closed.

Time to pull the carbs and at least open the float bowls and give everything a good clean, though you might as well do the whole carb as it is out.

[Tempest]

The float valves are stuck.
It sounds like one is stuck open and the other stuck closed.

Time to pull the carbs and at least open the float bowls and give everything a good clean, though you might as well do the whole carb as it is out.

Oh......... So do I take it, the one that keeps flowing and flowing should not to that either?

As I said, one empties out about a tablespoon (ish) the other seems to flow and flow (which I thought was right)

What is supposed to happen when you unscrew the drain screw then?