Motorcycle Repair: 1981 Yamaha Exciter 250 CC, fuel mixture, tank fuel

Question
I bought a 81 Yamaha Exciter about 2 years ago.  It is my first bike. It did not come with a manual.  well in anycase.  I drove it around my local area and it drove fine.  I decided to take it to work one day.  I work about 45 min away (26 miles one way).  It did great with no problems.  2 days later I decided to do it again.  it stahled about 2 miles from my house.  I thought I just did something.  I got it started again and about 8 miles from my office it starts to hesitate. I thought maybe I was low in gas so I decided to pull off and get gas.  well as i was making my turn into the gas station it stahled and I couldn't start(and it had gas). till my friend got there took about 10 min it started. so we drove the last 4 miles to work.  I took it to the garage they said the carbs needed clean because I left the gas in it over winter.  I picked it up, and now for me to take it to the local store and back it seems to smell like it's over heating. (8miles) and stahls as soon as I stop.  what could be the problem.  my friend mentioned maybe being an older bike it doesn't take strait gas.  is that the case.  what do you think is wrong with it.. Please help.. I love to ride and would like to have this bike last me this summer yet.  then next year I can hopefully afford to get a bigger one.

Marla

Answer
Marla,

it sounds like it still has some fuel problems.
The tank, fuel valve, fuel line, and /or filter
plus the carb needs to be really clean and
adjusted properly.

If it smells hot it may be low on oil, if not
it may be a lean fuel mixture causing the engine
to overheat. Check the spark plug color
and see what it looks like compared to this chart:
http://verrill.com/moto/sellingguide/sparkplugs/plugcolorchart.htm
It should be a nice brownish color.
If it is whitish or very light colored
it could damage the engine.
The fuel system is important to keeping
the engine temperature correct.

The carb needs to be adjusted so it
does not stall but that is after all
the other parts of the system have been
checked and are okay.
If it quits again, check for spark
right away with a spare plug,
lay it on the engine and stick
the plug wire on it. See if the spark looks good.
You may want to try a different dealer or garage
that can check it out better.