1986 Shadow:WHY WON'T IT STAY RUNNING?

   I drove my Shadow last fall.  It seemed fine.  Yes, it sat around all
winter, but I just drained all the old gas out at the fuel filter hose
(filter is not clogged BTW), put in fresh gas, removed air cleaner,
checked coil resistance (OK), have decent spark in at least one plug,
and have fuel flow at gas line to carbs, so fuel pump works.  Battery is
well charged, but bike only runs for a few seconds when starting ether
is sprayed in air intake, and then will NOT keep running, no matter what
I do with choke and throttle positions: NOT EVEN A POP; NOTHING...
I am baffled!  Any ideas?  Thanks.

 


If you had read a few messages here before posting, you probably would have
your answer already.
BECAUSE..........
That is the #1 asked question in every motorcycle forum in the
world........and #2 isn't even close.

The answer IS: The carb is gummed up.  It needs to be cleaned.

 
It sounds like your float valves may be stuck shut and the float bowls
are empty.

Try spraying some Berryman B12 or GumOut aeroso; carburetor cleaner
down the fuel hose into the carbs and let it sit for half an hour.

If you can fill the float bowls, crank the engine without opening the
throttle to get the engine to suck the carb cleaner up into the idle
ports and passages.

When you try to start the engine, don't open the throttle at all, just
pull the chocke knob to the full ON position.

 Have you checked to see if the fuel pump is working? It may be stuck and
need a slight tap to get it going. Tap it with the handle of a
screwdriver if it is not working. Do not hit really hard with a hammer!

Scott Seely wrote:

 


Fuel pump.......on an '86 Shadow ????  Really ???