Drain carbs if sat for a week?

Is there a fix? bike runs fine but as said if I don’t run it regularly I have to drain the float bowls....

[Mr Gazza]

The answer is 42.

[Nickj]

saturday for a week would be good unless it's one I'm working

You'd be fine to leave them for weeks, months probably not

[Darkness]

What are you afraid of if you leave them full?
They are as likely to stick open (And overflow when filled) as shut.
That said, I only fill mine with Esso Super, so there's no risk of ethanol and less risk of water.

[Darren69]

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

The answer is 42.

Is that 118, 118?

[Mr Gazza]

Originally Posted by Darren69

Is that 118, 118?

No, give it some deep thought.

[Darkness]

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

No, give it some deep thought.

And a nice strong cup of tea.

I was hoping for a fix that meant I didn’t need to drain them to start it up when I go for a ride after not using if for a while. I accept that they may need draining at the beginning of the season for example, but not every week?
I don’t remember ever having to do it on my carbed 750ss I had a while ago....

[Mr Gazza]

I still don't really understand the question, but I am intrigued.

If you don't use it regularly why are you draining the carbs every week and what does this achieve?

[Flip]

First of all are you running the standard CV carbs or a pair of FCR’s?

Like Mr G I am also a little perplexed as to why you feel you need to drain them for easy starting after just one week.

Give us some details and I’m sure we can help.

[Ron1000]

I’m also perplexed…easily done tho so thought it was just me.

Can’t you just fire the bike up, run it a wee bit?

And put some fst-pro fuel stabiliser in it.

Should have made it clearer, bike won’t start if not used for say a week. When I drain the two carbs it fires instantly

[Nasher]

They all do that I'm afraid, but it's mainly thought to be fuel evaporating out of the float bowls and the Vacuum fuel pump not being able to fill the bowls quick enough.

There are ways to minimise the effect, such as ensuring the battery is in good nick and the complete set of battery and earth cables supplying power to the starter are in good condition.
Plus making sure the fuel pump is up to scratch with a rebuild kit.
Also of course that the coils, spark Plugs etc are good.

I start my M900 fortnightly if it's not going to get used, and it starts almost instantly.
You can of course convert to an electric fuel pump, or I looked at fitting an outboard engine primer bulb and gave up.

You are not far from me if you need any help.

Nasher

Thanks, the PO suggested regular start ups so I’ll do that but not over winter when it’s likely it’ll be laid up. New battery, etc already and as I said, when it’s in regular use it’s an instant starter anyway . Thanks for the advice everyone

[utopia]

I'm still confused.
If fuel evapouration from the float bowls is preventing easy starting (as happens to all carbed monsters), why would draining the float bowls be an effective cure ?
Surely that would simply worsen the problem ???

In fact I believe that Dookbob used to do exactly the reverse, ie he used a syringe to inject fuel into the float bowls via the drain tube to refill them fully.
He later fitted a manual priming pump to do the same job ... (there's a thread in the archive somewhere).
Me, I don't bother. I merely keep pressing the starter until it fires.
If its been standing unused for a week or so, it usually splutters for a short while until the float bowls top themselves up.
Its done that since I first bought it, when it was virtually brand new.
However, when its used regularly it starts very readily, almost seeming to anticipate my thumb as it approaches the starter button, and runs cleanly straight away.