Motorcycle Repair: Intruder 1400, suzuki intruder 1400, stale gas

Question
Falcon
I'm going to ask you the absolutely most BASIC question you will probably hear today!
My '95 Suzuki intruder 1400 won't start. After a winter of sitting, I pulled it out and tried turning it over. The starter didn't seem to be the problem. It made it's little noise it always makes. The gas is turned on. The engine just didn't want to kick in. Trying every chock position, on, off, in the middle... Nothing worked. By this point the battery was dead, I was pissed and a beautiful day of riding was wasted talking to my wife. I figured "stale" gas? The tank was about 3/4 full, I didn't try to pull any out but I did top it off with freshly purchased gas. I bought a can of starter fluid, (nows when I feel REALLY pathetic) I don't know where the carborator is! I've charged the battery and have my full charger standing by waiting to follow the Falcons instructions!

Matt  

Answer
Hi Matt.
 I hope you're ready to feel a bit dumber.  Here's why;

First off, you were right.  Stale gas, or as we like to call it, Varnish in your tank.  Putting good fuel in without first draining the old stale stuff and cleaning the carbs properly just contaminated the new fresh gas that you put in.  Now you have to replace it all with totally fresh gas........after you clean the carbs out properly.  They reside right between the cylinder heads.

DO NOT feel too dumb, though.
 I get inundated with letters very similar to yours from guys that do the same thing every year and still don't learn to get rid of the old fuel from the tank and burn off the stuff in the carbs prior to storage.  I am afraid that you will miss another day or two of riding though.  At least till the carbs are cleaned and reinstalled.

Good luck.
FALCON