Sitting Carbs Not Accepting Fuel

[leonardhcross]

Hello Naked friends. As I begin to recover this old bike, (75 GL1000), I move slowly. In preparation for a start attempt, today I drained the crankcase and was surprised to find the tank filled with 3.25 qts. of almost clear oil. I was expecting dirty oil and sludge. Same thing when I removed the filter...no evidence of any sediments. I poured the oil back in and will wait until I have her running and warm to do an oil and filter change.

Next, I removed the drain screw on carb number three and was surprised that no fuel came out. I then loosened the other three and found no dripping fuel on any. I then attempted to pour 180 mls. of a 50/50 mix gas/Seafoam through a small funnel into the carbs. As soon as the line filled, the fuel stopped flowing. I gently tapped on all four carbs and then, using a syringe, gently pressed in the total 180 mls. After that, I tried loosening all four carb drains to check for the fuel mixture. Again, there was no dripping at the drains. My plan is to let the mix sit there over night then try turning the engine over with the kill switch off to see if that will get the mixture flowing. I would appreciate any thoughts on why I am seeing no fuel at the drains.

Here is a picture of the funnel that I made from a used filter. It woks well.

Funnel from Filter.jpeg (76.51 KiB) Viewed 306 times

[5speed]

if the bike has been sitting for a while the fuel likely evaporated out of the bowls and the needles are stuck.
I'd pull the carb rack, remove the bowls and take a look..
also if you haven't changed the timing belts I'd suggest doing that before you attempt to start it..you can check the water pump for lateral play in the impeller while you are doing the belts. If the impeller is brown bakelite it's original..

[pidjones]

I would expect float needles to stick open. Where are you putting the fuel in? Into the fuel pump, or into the outlet hose removed from the pump? For a long-setting bike (more than a couple years), I wouldn't bother trying to start or get fuel through. Just go ahead and pull the carbs and clean them properly. Also, long-setting oil may have accumulated acids. I would change it for at least some lower price house-brand diesel oil or Rotella T4.

I have a 75 in the shed that will be the next project after the Triumph Trident T150V presently in progress.

But, as you will be repeatedly cautioned - CHANGE THE BELTS NOW! Other than being a necessary preventive step, it will acquaint you further with the bike and documents for it (Please BURN any Haynes/Chilton books and use only Honda Factory Service Manual).

[Shadowjack]

Oil that's still for a long time will clarify--all the dirt has settled out as sludge. Some will mix up into the fresh oil when it runs, but it's never going to be very clean inside the engine again.