The other day I took the bike out up and down the road. We have had a lot of cold weather lately and I wanted to start it up and make sure it is doing ok. I took it out and when I came back and parked it to let it idle for a few minutes. I noticed a real heavy exaust smell. It burned my nose when it hit me. Any ideas? My brother (Harley rider) says my carb needs clean and reccomended I get in gas carb cleaner.
Chances are what you were smelling was old gas that was starting to breakdown and varnish. I'd add a cleaner like Seafoam (also a stabilizer) and then fill the tank with fresh gas.
A few storage tips -
Change the oil (and filter) before storing, and don't start it up at any time to "warm it up" unless you are going to ride it for a while.
Add stabilizer to the gas before you actually put it away, and ride a week or more. Drain the floatbowls if you can (carbs only). When it's finally time to put it away, top-off the tank and add additional stabilizer. Use gas without Ethanol if possible.
Change any brake fluid that is even slightly dark.
Do any maintenance that is needed now so it's ready to roll in spring.
Jay
