Need Help - Bike will only run on full choke

[sctrader]

I have a 1998 GS500E.  I lost the key over a year ago so the bike has been sitting in my garage untouched until I had a locksmith make me a new key.  I never had any problems with the bike starting or running until now.

A few days ago (after having the key made)  I charged the battery and tried starting it up (with choke on full).  The engine would turn over and then run for 1 second before dying.  It seemed like a fuel problem, so I cleaned the carbs and sure enough, the jets were clogged.  I put it all back together and put new fuel lines and a new inline filter for good measure and can see the fuel flowing.

Second try, I start the bike with full choke and it starts but seems to struggle.  As soon as I take choke off, the bike dies.

Not sure where to go from here so I was hoping some of the experts on here could point me in the right direction.  If a bike has been sitting for a while, what else could be a potential problem beside gummed up carbs.  Like I said, I've had zero problems with this bike before letting it sit, so that seems to be the cause.

Thanks for anyone's help.

[coll0412]

SOunds like you have a fuel delivery issue, make sure that when you pull the choke it actually moves the choke "rod" thing that slides left to right on the carbs. Also did you remove the pillot jet and make sure it was not plugged? Did you also make sure that the choke emulsifier thing is also not plugged(see a manual for what I am talking about)

Also did you remember to check carb boots, vacuum caps at he top of the carbs, the little oring under the black plastic tops of the carb, did you check to make sure vaccum line to the petcock is connected?

[sctrader]

I removed the main jets and they were clogged. I took a need and poked through the pilot jets and they didn't seem clogged (but now I'm going to second guess myself).  Vacuum line is connected to the petcock. Not sure about the vacuum caps - would that matter if I had the petcock in prime position - it was still struggling on this position which should be gravity fed.

The choke cable is moving the rod but I'm not what the choke emulsifier is so that's definitely something I'll check if it can get clogged.

Thanks for your help - I now have a few things I can check.

[Absolute Rescue]

This may be a stupid question but did you drain the fuel and replace with new? Maybe the fuel is no good.

[sctrader]

I don't think anything is a stupid question. The only stupid thing is me losing the key - I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for that

Yeah, first thing I did when I got it out of the garage was drain the tank and fill with fresh gas - also recharged the battery because it was dead.

Thanks for the reply.