05-03-13, 10:52 PM
When the bike is standing overnight any water in the petrol will sink to the bottom of the float bowls and when it is running for a while moves around due to the flow of petrol through the carbs, thus giving the indication of a starting problem like Darrsi describes. I am not saying it is the problem but by draining the bowls it rules out one possible cause of the problem.
The water can also lodge in the fuel filter since the filter lies on its side it holds it. I have changed many a fuel filter and usually drain it out of curiosity into a glass and have seen the water converge at the bottom overnight, especially prone on bikes which are used in all weathers and power hosed. Last Saturday I serviced my own 600 and 1000 and the 600 had water in the filter and the 1000 had water in the bowls and filters. The 1000 was awkward to start and would not pick up cleanly on the choke for the first 30 seconds or so, but was also misfiring at 11500 revs. Draining the bowls and changing the filter solved both problems.
I usually drain my tanks completely every 2 years to remove any water which may lodge in the bottom of the tank, which is where most tanks start to rust.
One of the first things I do when I get any bike with a starting or rough running issue is drain the carbs and leave the fuel run through for 20 -30 seconds. You would be amazed of how many it fixes
Darrsi, when draining the bowls just make sure you have the correct size head on the screwdriver for the drain screws and do not remove them completely or overtighten them. It will not effect anything else on the carbs, just cost you about a 50p worth of fuel.
The water can also lodge in the fuel filter since the filter lies on its side it holds it. I have changed many a fuel filter and usually drain it out of curiosity into a glass and have seen the water converge at the bottom overnight, especially prone on bikes which are used in all weathers and power hosed. Last Saturday I serviced my own 600 and 1000 and the 600 had water in the filter and the 1000 had water in the bowls and filters. The 1000 was awkward to start and would not pick up cleanly on the choke for the first 30 seconds or so, but was also misfiring at 11500 revs. Draining the bowls and changing the filter solved both problems.
I usually drain my tanks completely every 2 years to remove any water which may lodge in the bottom of the tank, which is where most tanks start to rust.
One of the first things I do when I get any bike with a starting or rough running issue is drain the carbs and leave the fuel run through for 20 -30 seconds. You would be amazed of how many it fixes
Darrsi, when draining the bowls just make sure you have the correct size head on the screwdriver for the drain screws and do not remove them completely or overtighten them. It will not effect anything else on the carbs, just cost you about a 50p worth of fuel.