Problem coming to work today

[spotswood_suzuki]

My bike has always run like a champ for the 3 years I have had it.  It's a 97 and as far as I know, engine and carbs are stock.  With the weather lately I haven't been on the bike for 2 or 3 weeks.  Went to start it up this morning and it took forever to catch...choke on full.  Alot of popping coming from the exhaust also.  I slowely over the next few minutes bring the choke closed and then it dies. Start it again with the choke on and its fine....close it and it runs like crap.  I figure lets get started and it will be better when it warms up.....NOT!  Lots of popping on deceleration, bogs down on acceleration and idle is lower then normal...around 1K.  Doesn't sound right or feel right.  I make it to work, but am worried about making it home.  My bike is normally kept outside but covered, but my cover split so it has been naked for the last several weeks with alot of rain...don't know if that could do anything.  15,000 on the odometer. I have not changed the plugs...sure it would be a good idea.  Any chance it's running rich because my kids have been telling me lately that I smell like gasoline after riding.  All and any idea's would be apreciated.   Thanks.

Wayne

[Rema1000]

Sounds really lean.  I get popping if I put-on an aftermarket exhaust and don't richen-up the mixture.  I'd check that the carbs are well-attached to the engine; spray WD40 around there and see if the idle rises (= it's sucking air).  Also, check that the exhaust is securely attached to the engine.

It's possible that a speck of crud got sucked up into a pilot jet, causing it to run lean; but if you ride every day, then that's less likely.  You can still drain the float bowls and see what comes-out, but I'd be suspicious of an air leak first.  The only time I had a mixture that lean, was when I was tuning, and had waaay to small pilot jets in.

[rhenter]

Hey  Wayne. Water in the tank maybe. I would try some dry gas.

[cernunos]

Sure it's hitting on both cylinders? If mine sits for a bit the left side will pop and sputter like crazy sometimes. If I pull the plug wire away and hold it close to it it finally clears it up. It's alway the left side that fouls and I still don't know why. Maybe i've got a coil going bad or the wire on that side needs replacing. Ah but you gotta love 'em don't ya. Yeh and this forum too.

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