Is it the fuel?

[fuelcat]

Before I took the top end of my engine apart I rebuilt the carbs. I put the carbs back on the bike and the bike ran no problem. Then I had to take the carbs back off I replace base gasket, head gasket, o rings, I honed the cylinders and put new rings, replaced valve stem seals, put it back together and did the timing and adjusted valves got the carbs back on with new boots on the air box side and new o-rings on the other side. The bike wont start. The plugs are dry so I think it may be a carb thing? The carbs are getting gas, there is gas in the float bowls. I dont know what could have happened because they were working fine before. I just took the off the bike and set them aside while I did the rest of the work on the bike. My battery ran out trying to start the bike so I got it back on the charger now. What should be my next step?

[Larry D]

How long did the carbs sit with residual fuel in them ? They may be clogged again and require another cleaning.

[fuelcat]

How long did the carbs sit with residual fuel in them ? They may be clogged again and require another cleaning.

for about 2 months or less

[Larry D]

If you end up re-dipping them, make sure to remove all the o-rings or the dip will turn them into muck.

[fuelcat]

If you end up re-dipping them, make sure to remove all the o-rings or the dip will turn them into muck.

Ok Thanks! Can they get clogged in a 2 month period of time?

[Larry D]

It's certainly possible. My GK had the pilot jets cloged from sitting a few months over the winter, even with Stabil in the tank. Gas these days suck.
I'd also re-check your electrical, make sure your getting spark and the timing is set correctly.

[Nessism]

I'd pull the float bowls and have a look see. Maybe the pilot jets and/or choke passages are plugged up. Of course, this assumes you replaced all the various O-rings when you "rebuilt" the carbs. If not, I'd do so now just to be safe. The carbs can't be too clean and you need fresh and soft O-rings in order to assure everything will seal up properly and not leak.

[cowboyup3371]

I would re-dip them just to be on the safe side. You shouldn't have to do them as long as the first time (maybe 8 hours instead of 24) but you'll still want to let them soak.

[fuelcat]

I would re-dip them just to be on the safe side. You shouldn't have to do them as long as the first time (maybe 8 hours instead of 24) but you'll still want to let them soak.

Should I be seeing any gas on the spark plugs? They are dry. So Do you think that the issue is probably the carbs or could it stem from any of the top end stuff that I did? What else should I check?

[cowboyup3371]

Start with what we suggested and go from there. Your top end should be fine but I'm only guessing since I wasn't there.

[twotimeGSr]

Quick test: Remove 1 and 4 plugs and add about a teaspoon or so of gas in the chambers. replace the plugs and wires.. start it. If it wants to start... might be the carbs.

[fuelcat]

Quick test: Remove 1 and 4 plugs and add about a teaspoon or so of gas in the chambers. replace the plugs and wires.. start it. If it wants to start... might be the carbs.

Thanks I will try that tomorrow

[fuelcat]

Start with what we suggested and go from there. Your top end should be fine but I'm only guessing since I wasn't there.

Thanks I have done so much work and spent so much money I am desperate to figure out what I have done wrong. I have just taken the carbs back off and took the bowls off , checked the jets and they looked good. I made sure the holes wer open and they were fine. Putting those carbs back on are such a pain! I have bruises up and down my arms from try to get the air box boots back on. Maybe there is a trick? But I just dread taking them back off, taking them apart, getting them back together and back on the bike to find out it could be something else that is wrong. So that is why I ask if I should check other stuff while the carbs soak.

[fuelcat]

Quick test: Remove 1 and 4 plugs and add about a teaspoon or so of gas in the chambers. replace the plugs and wires.. start it. If it wants to start... might be the carbs.

I put the gas in the 1 and 2 and at first it did nothing than after a bit it made and slight sound like it was going to start then a big puff of white smoke blew out the airbox.

[fuelcat]

Timing was way off

I dont know why because I thought I was careful getting the timing right but when i took the cover back off and checked it it was WAY off. I am going to fix that and see how it goes from there. Thank you for all you great advise and help!