80s Cruiser - Wants to Start.. but Wont' :(

B

BradPitt

Active member
i have an 80s suzuki v4 cruiser, 1200cc. would start immediately last fall. I put stabilizer in it before storing, and battery kept indoors and fresh.

cranking .. it wants to catch b-b-b--b-b-b- tiny puffs of smoke from the exhausts. Today with warmer weather , it backfired a couple times too (not so loud), but still won't catch...

any ideas or tips of what I can check?
 
Does it have a fuel shut off? What brand of fuel was it stored with? My CBR929 used to do the same thing with old fuel in it :(

Make sure you check intake/air filter and exhaust and make sure no creatures in there (or nests there of).

-Jamie M.
 
Putting stabilizer in the tank is just a way to prevent the fuel from gumming up and also prevents condensation from forming. It's not meant to preserve your gas so you can ride with it in the spring. I'd drain your carbs/tank and use the over winter gas for the lawn mower or the cage and get some fresh 91 for the bike. Then prime the carbs and try again.

Some bikes are pickier than others with regards to bad gas. My ZX-7 for instance will misfire and sound like a v-twin if the gas has been sitting for more than a month.

Also, storing the battery indoors, not on a trickle charger, will still lose charge so be careful.

Bit of a stupid question but your trying this with the choke on right?
 
drain the fuel and put it in the cage. Put new fuel in. make sure the bat is fully charged and try again.
 
Also be sure to check for any cracked or damaged fuel lines. Worked on a early 2000's Suzuki this weekend and it was hard to start after doing some reading I also found out it can be a valve issue, gummed up carb, fuel lines, weak (old) battery, bad fuel.

I know it's frustrating, but the fuel and fuel system is a great place to start.
 
How old are the spark plugs on that thing? Generally speaking starting issues - check fuel/spark first....see if everything is proper.
 
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