Motorcycle Repair: Gas Dripping From Exhaust / Tailpipe, army reservist, operation iraqi freedom

Question
Hi Chris,

I have a 1985 Yamaha Virago XV700.  It ran fine a year an a half ago, but then I got deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (I'm an Army Reservist) and have now just recently returned home.  

I started my bike up today and it appears to be spitting gasoline out of the tail pipe.  Gas is also dripping out of the areas where the tail pipe connects too other parts of the tail pipe (I hope that makes sense).  I looked for the source of the leak to be somewhere other than the tailpipe thinking that it may be just dripping onto it, but everything else appears to be dry.  

The bike will idle and it sounds like a normal idle, but when I try to give it some gas, it bogs out.

Any idea as to why this is happening and what I can do to get my bike back on the road?

Thanks


Answer
Hi Chip.

First, as an Army vet myself ('78 - '84), let me say "welcome home, little brother."

Now as far as your iron maiden is concerned, the carbs quite likely need to be thoroughly cleaned.  You are running very rich and based on what you have told me, if it continues, you won't get more than 50-70 miles between refuels, when you should be getting 120 miles or more out of it.

Start with that and see what you happens.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON