Bike sat for two weeks, now it won't idle [with video]

[StratJeff]

Edit: 1980 GS1000E, ~30k miles

The bike sat for two weeks without use, which shouldn't be a big deal, but today it wouldn't hold idle like usual.

Typically it needs about 3/4 choke to start, starts to about 1500-2000rpm, and as it warms I ease the choke back to closed and she idles around 1100rpm.

Today (after recharging the battery), the idle was chaotic. Took way longer to start, nearly killing the battery, and then it wouldn't hold a specific RPM. The choke also seems to be sliding back to closed on its own, even with the friction lock as tight as it will go. So I have to hold the choke out to keep it running- even after the engine warmed up, if I let the choke it at all, it would chug and die without holding 1200rpm.

Thoughts? Think I need to rip the carbs out?

I took a video here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPPfdveziCc

 

[JJ]

What bike is it, Jeff? You should put year/model in your signature line, or at least in your post. Thanks.

 

[StratJeff]

Edited, thanks! 80 GS1000E

 

[Guest]

Sounds like an electrical issue to me.

 

[StratJeff]

Well, now I feel dumb!

I checked the plugs, and then went to pull the tank. Discovered the vacuum tube on the petcock had come off (the difficult vertical one), so it was probably choking fuel. Idles perfectly now!

 

[Burque73]

Woo hoo, good feeling to find it's something simple!
Had my plug wires crossed and thought the worst, I was really glad but embarrassed to figure it out.

 

[Guest]

Awesome, it's always great when it's something simple but yet another diagnostic to add to the file folder. We were out yesterday on the dual sports, all of a sudden I lost my clutch...totally stiff. Sat on the side of the trail for 10 minutes diagnosing when I looked down at the clutch cover and noticed a rock was stopping the lever at the clutch cover from engaging..........man did that ever feel good.