My 1982 Honda v45 will not run without the choke on. It sat in the garage for years with old fuel in the tank. We drained the fuel, changed all the oils, etc and completely REBUILT all 4 carburetors. I bought 4 rebuild kits and everything was replaced. The bike takes a while to turn over (usually drain the battery trying to get it started) and once it runs, the choke must stay on. Any time you turn off the choke it dies. Any time you rev the throttle, it dies. We put in fresh, 93 octane premium gas too. Any suggestions?

Hi Nick:
What a great project.
- I'd start with a really thorough clean up.
- You've mentioned the gas. Definitely, drain the tank, hoses, carbs, and clean the carbs. If there's a filter I'd change it.
I wouldn't even try to run it without cleaning the carbs first.
- Replace the battery, oil, and spark plug.
- Engine coolant?
- Tires? I wouldn't worry until I had it running but definitely replace.
Patience & time. You'll have an excellent bike.

remove carbs and rebuild completely, old fuel builds shellac in needle valves and other ports. clean float valves thoroughly, and check choke for proper operation

Sound like the fuel delivery system is need of cleaning. If the bike has sat for a long period of time (6 months or more) with fuel in the tank, the fuel will get stale and gum up carb or injectors.

Any chance there was any old fuel left in the tank when you started messing with it. Most fuels have ethanol blended into them. After about 2 months ethanol blended fuels go through a phase separation... meaning the ethanol separates from the fuel and starts eating it's way through just about anything made out of rubber. I had an old work chainsaw that sat with a tank full of fuel for about 2 years. When I picked it up the fuel filter was rattling around inside the tank ... the hose had completely dissolved. The short section of fuel line between the tank and carb was like putty. In your case, I would want to make sure all the old fuel was drained out of the lines before tearing into anything else.

You probably have varnish build up in the carburetors, causing restricted air flow, and therefore the engine is running too lean, especially on the right side, and a lean running engine will run hot at the exhaust. It only idles when the choke is on because the choke creates a richer fuel supply. A can or two of commercial fuel cleaner through the fuel supply may get the engine's jet's orifices cleaned out. Otherwise, overhaul the carbs.
Hey, nice old bike, though. Good luck

Hi you still have dirt inside your carb jets. You must perform a deeper cleaning of your carbs
good luck

Hi, sounds like derty fuel, you will need to check and clean air and fuel filters; also wash your carbretta out with lean fuel. Drain fuel tank and replace with fresh fuel.

my 1997 Honda vt1100 shadow will not idle wn=hen choke is off, but idels and runs with choke on and backfires on deceleration and acceleration what is my problem?

Most likely the carburetor jet is still clogged after sitting for years with fuel in it. Putting injector/carb cleaner in the fuel tank may help, but if not, the jet needs to be soaked some more -- or replaced.

Follow mixing proportions on the label for injector cleaner.