Stuck Floats

[Mercaholic]

Every year before winter storage I manually drain each carb on my GS1100ES to ensure that things don't get gummed up. Prior to that I run my last tank of fuel with Seafoam and gas stabilizer.

I just took the bike out of storage over the weekend and now find the floats are set firm in the down position allowing fuel to spill out. This must be related to the residual fuel drying out and holding things firm.


Everyone knows that removing the carbs is a pain so does anyone have any suggestions to work from the outside to free up the floats?

[tom203]

This is why I leave my bowls full of stabilized fuel rather than drain them. Just took my bike out (5 months sitting) it fired right up and no stuck floats. How about filling bowls manually most of way, then use a vibrating thing like sander to coax floats free? They might unstick with just tapping too once they smell fuel.

[JTGS850GL]

Pull out a hammer and give the bowls a little rap. Usually gets them loose again.

[eil]

Pull out a hammer and give the bowls a little rap. Usually gets them loose again.

A very small hammer, I would hope! I personally wouldn't go with anything more robust than a plastic screwdriver handle.