Hi all

I'm here in Europe, and started up my Suzuki for the first time since end-October 2005.  I'll admit this winter I was a little silly in that I did not add any stabilizer or do any winterizing, other than a fresh oil change on my last ride.

The bije started okay, but for some reason the choke is not performing as I remember it to.  Normally, on a cold day, with 3/4 choke the engine would rev between 3 and 5 grand.  Today, at full choke she just dies, and about half choke I might get 1500 rpm or so.

I have 4900 kilomteres (3050-ish miles), had it serviced a month prior to laying it up for the winter....however I know the carbs/choke weren't looked at as the bike was running like a top.

Soooooo - first question - is there an easy way to check the operation of the choke (ie it is fully opening and closing?)  Second - are chemical enhancemts recommended...for the fuel that is....let's leave mind altering substances out pah'lease .   Anyone else have the same issue?

Thanks folks.  Appreciate the input.

Illo

I suggest this: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=14798.msg128215#msg128215

Thanks Scratch - I'll give that a try!

Another question - does anyone use gas additivea at all - either to keep carbs clean or something similar?

Also - at what length of non-use time should I consider using a fuel stabilizer?  If I don't ride for a month - 2, 3?

Thanks again!

illo

Sta-Bil, a popular gasoline stabilizer in the US, claims that their product extends the average shelf-life of gasoline from 3 months to 15 months.  I have heard 90 days mentioned as typical shelf-life of gasoline

• ; it sounds like you're at (say) 123 days, if you parked on the 26.Oct.  It's likely that the fuel is not good, but it is likely that you don't have severe varnish deposits yet.
  
  I would flush the fuel system: lift the tank up and close the tank petcock.  Disconnect the fuel at the frame-mounted petcock, and put the hose into an empty gas can (20L would be good).  Open the tank petcock and drain the tank into the gas can.
  
  Reconnect the tank to the frame-mounted petcock.   Add some fresh gasoline to the tank. Connect a small hose (4mm or so) to the drain nipples on the underside of the carburetors.  Set the frame-mounted petcock to PRI, and open each carburetor drain screw.  Let each carburetor drain for 30 seconds.
  
  If that doesn't solve the problem, then I'd move on to using quality carburetor cleaner (e.g. Yamaha... not Gumout!).
  
  
• http://www.i4at.org/surv/sta-bil.htm