Motorcycle Repair: 1985 yamaha virago will not start, yamaha virago, tank fuel

Question
i recieved from father-in-law and i had it running ,could it be from old gas , was sitting since hurricane, sounds like it wants to run but just doesn't. have spark and new spark plugs in it. would bad gas not allow it to run? thanks, craig

Answer
Hi Craig.

Bad gas will cause the bike to not run.  If the fuel is old, it will have formed what we call "varnish" in the entire fuel system (tank, fuel line, carbs) and they all need to be tended to.

Start by having the carbs cleaned properly, replace the fuel lines (and fuel valve) and reseal the tank.  If you are in the Fort Lauderdale Florida area, I could help you in person with that as I am very familiar with the Virago, but if you do the things that I have told you to do, then the bike should be okay.

Let me know what happens.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON