When to prime?

[Guest]

I have mentioned before .. its really really hot here now. My bike which had been running great was left sitting about a week and a half. Everything here evaporates very quickly because it is so dry. Today the bike started right up on choke but was just acting weird. I got it a bit warmed up and then gave some spirited 7000 rpm bursts in the neighborhood and still weird. I turned off the bike and usually when it is warm I hit the start button and it fires right up.

Wouldnt start.

I put it on prime and waited 2-3 minutes and fired right up. If I am going to leave the bike sit in 100F+ in very dry conditions for a week or more would there be any benefit to going out mid week and putting the bike on prime for a bit just to make sure the bowls stay full.

When I go to start it after a week and a half in these conditions should I put it on prime for a few before starting up?

Its a newish petcock with probably 350 miles on it.

[Burque73]

We're not quite as hot but still in the 90's and my garage without insulation is even hotter. A quick 30 seconds on prime after several days or a week of not riding helps mine fire right up as well. I don't feel the need to maintain that level unless I'm getting ready to run it though. Lots of folks drain bowls for months or even years, then fill em and run without maintaining any level of fuel in the bowls.

[dorkburger]

Prime it if it sits for a few days. I usually prime it for a few minutes before starting if its been sitting for a week or so. Refilling the carbs during a long shutdown just allows more fuel to evaporate and leave more gunk behind.

My understanding of fuel is that the good stuff evaporates, and leaves the bad stuff that fouls carbs behind....

[TxGSrider]

if mine doesn't fire up in about 5 seconds (or less) I switch to PRIME wait about 30 seconds and its ready to go. My problem seems to be forgetting to put it back to ON... and finding it flooded a few days later.....

[bccap]

Question.... After priming do you leave it on prime while starting the bike ? Or switch it to ON before ?

[Boriqua]

Prime it if it sits for a few days. I usually prime it for a few minutes before starting if its been sitting for a week or so. Refilling the carbs during a long shutdown just allows more fuel to evaporate and leave more gunk behind.

My understanding of fuel is that the good stuff evaporates, and leaves the bad stuff that fouls carbs behind....

That actually makes perfect sense. Thank you .. I guess I was worried the dried stuff would harden to varnish so my thought was keep it wet but your right adding more gas could exacerbate that.

[hannibal]

if mine doesn't fire up in about 5 seconds (or less) I switch to PRIME wait about 30 seconds and its ready to go.

This is my procedure. I switch back to run as soon as the bike starts. And also make it a habit of double checking the choke and petcock at the first traffic light.