Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: motorcycle problem, suzuki gsxr 750, carborator

Question
I bought a 1992 Suzuki gsxr 750- since i got it it would have hesitation when it started and would need to be rocked a little bit to start sometimes- well, i went to start it and it turn over but then die- then i realized oil was coming out of the oil cap- the oil would bubble up and start coming out of it- so- then we smelled it and realized that it smelled of gas- every time we turn the throttle- the oil would bubble and come out- so- we let it sit and then took of the bolt to drian the oil and it begun to drain the gas tank after the oil had emptied out- I was told that maybe the float was stuck and that i need to get the carborator cleaned and oil chenged and oil filter-

So, the question is why did this happen and how can it be fixed? what do i need to have done? thanks- Ashley

Answer
Gasoline doesn't stay fresh very long. It gets old (within a couple months!), its chemical properties deteriorate, and it evaporates, leaving behind a gummy residue that interferes with the carb assemblies, which are very finely tuned and need to be perfectly clean to work properly. It's not uncommon for this to happen, many riders make it a point to pull and clean up the carbs at least once a year in the spring (after the bike's been sitting for the winter, for example.) Sometimes dirt or debris gets into the fuel, which can further complicate things.

You should get the carbs thoroughly cleaned, drain all the gasoline and lines, clean up the inside of the tank and lines as best you can, install a new fuel filter, and snychronize the carbs.

This can be a pretty intricate job, so best have a professional do it, or if you know someone who's really good mechanically, do it with them so you can see all the inner workings of your fuel system.

Good luck and happy spring cleaning!

Pat