Motorcycle Repair: 1980 yamaha xs850sg, fuel residue, xs850

Question
Chris,
   My XS850 is backfiring through the exhaust.  It has been sitting most of the winter.  But, was running just two weeks ago{it doesn't want to start anymore}.  Any insights are much appreciated.
                          Thanks,
                           Brad McGuire  

Answer
Hi Brad.

The bike has been sitting through the winter and that can only mean one thing......Varnish.

The tank needs to be drained and resealed (or cleaned, which is harder to do right), the carbs need to be cleaned and the fuel line will need replacement.

Any time that you leave a machine sit without proper set-up for storage, you end up with fuel residue that gums up the works.

Start with that and let me know what you find.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON