Hi. The long Vermont winter has finally loosened its grip and the multiple glaciers have finally given way to mud! This got me thinking of coming back out of hibernation to get on my bike again for an early spring ride. The temperature got up to 55 (my minimum is 50) and I decided to start up the bike and see how it ran. Well, it started after an extended start time, (with considerable starter use), and it seemed to need a longer choke use than normal. after a short time, I ramped down to 1/2 choke. still running a bit rough, I tried the throttle. It popped (backfired), and has not started of its own free will since. I did try starting fluid several times, but couldn't get more than a few coughs out of it.
During the long cold lonely winter, I may have made a fatal mistake: my wife was low on gas in her car, and at the time we didn't have any cash, so I siphoned the gas from the bike. Normally I don't like to do this, on account of condensation fear. I did refill the tank, and ended up putting "mechanic in a bottle" fuel treatment in. Unfortunately to no avail. Any ideas out there? or am I going to have to tear out the carbs, swab out the tank, etc.? help!!