Bike dies while idling

Just cleaned out all the carbs and rode the bike for about 3 hours putting around 100 miles on the bike after doing so. Bike ran like a champ all day. Let the bike sit all day yesterday and tried starting this morning and it started just fine. Started the bike with the choke on and it started right up but was only idling about 2k rpms which I think normally was about 3k rpms. Let the bike idle for a few minutes while I was inside grabing the helmet and jacket and came out to the garage and the bike wasn't idling :confused: . I restarted the bike and it continues to die unless I keep the throttle up. Any ideas on where I could start looking. I double checked to make sure that i had gas and there is about half a tank. Let me know if anyone can point me so where I could look to fix the problem. Andrew

Need some more details. How high do you have to keep the RPM's to keep the bike running (and at what RPM does the bike die)? Was the choke off when the bike died? Where was your idle when you were putting the 100 miles on? When's the last time the spark plugs and fuel filter were changed? Is the bike all stock? Last time the air filter was changed? Did you synch the carbs after cleaning them? The more info you provide the more likely you are to get an accurate answer.

I have to run the bike at about 1500-2000rpms to keep the bike from dying. If I let the bike just idle at the 1000-1100rpms it only takes about 10-15 seconds for it to die. The choke was off when it died but the bikes temp was showing 130 on the digital guage. The bike was idling around 1200rpms when I was putting the 100 miles on it. Plugs were changed about 2000 miles ago and not sure on the fuel filter. The bike is all stock except for a k&n filter and slip on exhaust. The air filter was installed about 4000 miles ago and the bike now reads 14800. I didn't take the carbs all the way apart, I just removed the assembly and cleaned out the float chamber valves and float chambers. I also cleaned off all the carbon build up with carb cleaner and used a air chuck to blow everything out. I dont believe by doing what I did I needed to synch the carbs nor do I have an idea on how to do that. Let me know if you need any other information. Thanks again for you help. Andrew

It sounds as if your bike is running out of gas.....which would point to either a clogged fuel filter, debris in your fuel tank/petcock, or a blockage going into your float bowls. I would change the fuel filter and clean the tank/petcock and see if that doesn't fix your problem. If that doesn't fix the problem I would move to the float bowls and ensure there isn't a very small piece of debris blocking the fuel passage. A poor man's way of synching the carbs is to align all the butterflies at the same spot (use the small hole at the bottom of the carb where the butterflies sit when closed as a reference). Where are you located? Maybe someone in your area can lend a hand. If you're anywhere near Jax, Florida I would be willing to help out.

I guess I will change the fuel filter and as far as the fuel petcock, I just replaced it with a new one since the original was leaking fuel. What is the best way to clean the fuel tank? Also in the float bowl is the fuel passage through one of the screw nozzles?

Since you've already replaced the petcock you might want to just try the fuel filter and see if that's it.

I called the dealer this morning and they dont have it in stock. That makes me so mad that a they dont carry in stock a simple maint. item like that. I will order it and let you know.

Alright, so picked up a fuel filter and was going to clean out the tank and carbs again just to make sure that everything was free and clear and when I pulled the carb assembly off I noticed a excess build up in cylinders 1,2 and 4. Not really sure what could be causing it but I wasn't having the problem before. I think that the spark plug is getting fouled out which is what is causing the bike not to run. Something in the carbs is causing the issue I believe. Any advice on how to fix this problem? Need some help... Andrew