Starting

[angus]

My 83 650l not starting keeps flooding the plugs with fuel.The plugs are black and covered in fuel.

[Nessism]

Most GS's start best with throttle closed, choke out (when cold). If yours is not lighting off that means the bike needs maintenance. Tight valves, dirty carbs, old plugs and/or wires, etc. Hard to say without knowing the full history of the bike. What I do know is that the majority of running problems trace to maintenance issues. You might want to check the Newbie Mistake thread linked in my signature if you haven't read through it already to see if anything applies.

[chuck hahn]

tap on the carbs...maybe floats stuck? Float hts off? Standing fuel levels in bowls too high? And ive worked on bikes that the main jets had vibrated out and instantly flood a cylinder. Just a few suggestions that i would be checking on my bike.

[Redman]

Can you say if plugs are sparking?

[angus]

Yes there sparking

[angus]

I was told there was €800 spent on bike carbs cleaned new plugs leads and caps.Had her running about 1 month ago and drove very well plenty of power

[ukjules]

Is it all plugs that are flooding.. wet ?
(after dying and cleaning )
or only plug 2 ?

q) what has occurred since it ran fine ?
Was is sudden like one morning it started flooding ?

[angus]

All the plugs

[angus]

Opened drain plug on bottom of carbs and fuel kept flowing tightened it hit carbs with rubber mallet repeated process and stopped flowing when bowl emptied,but still won't start but making more of an effort

[chuck hahn]

It won't start because cylinders are wet. Take plugs out and blow each cylinder with lots of air to facilitate quicker drying of the cylinder. Know it's gonna probably have to run a while to clear the mufflers of gass too so fire it up outside. Once it's running take it for a good ride to dry it all out. May also be good to smell in the oil fill cap to see that it doesn't smell full of gas. Any doubt change the oil

[Steve]

Have you checked valve clearances?

I know it does not seem related or even to make sense, but valve clearances tighten up over time and miles. Tighter clearances result in the valves closing late (if at all), which can push some of the fuel/air mixture back through the carbs, where they pick up a bit more fuel as they go past the jets (again). When the valve opens again, the already-too-rich mixture gets pulled over the jets yet again, adding even more fuel to the mix. This way-too-rich mixture is hard to light, so the engine simply does not start and the plugs are wet.

It's good that you also found sticking intake needles, but that does not remove the need to check valve clearances.

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