I just bought a 650 seca that sat for a long time it wont start, the starter is working fine and it turns over but it will not fire off, carbs maybe? and is there anything special I have to do to reinstall them after I clean them?

Hey Nick, unfortunately it could be several things. As Tom Diffin mentioned carb gummed up or even bad fuel from sitting all winter. If your positive the spark plug is firing (pull plug, connect to plug wire, place within a couple mm of a metal bolt, CAUTION: hold with insulated pliers so you don't get shocked, bump starter and watch for a spark) then try a very small squirt of fuel (starting fluid would be great) into the park plug hole and replace the plug. Try to start if the engine fires and then dies you have narrowed it down to carb, fuel or timing. FYI get a motorcycle repair or operators manual that describes how to winterize your bike for long storage (check library, you can read for free and make a photo copy of a page cheap). Keep us updated and good luck.

Mine was stored for 20 years, I ended up replacing the seat and needles, cleaning them thoroughly and when I tried starting it, nothing!! No gas was going to the carbs, it turned out to be my gas pump, it was seized by the old gas remains 'varnish' so I had to clean it numerous times, soaked it in gas cleaner (short period at a time 15 minutes or so, being a very powerful cleaner, you cannot leave it for long without causing greater problems, thus I was able to get the pump going by boosting it with my car batterie, having more cranking amps directly to the pump, the pump was able to release itself from the old crusty varnish.

its problably varnish in the carbs after a biuke sets it varnishs up I would put some sea foam in gas ttank and run it thru this will clean it out and will not hurt engine it cleans everything out

The carbs overflowed into the crankcase, happens every time a carbed bike sits for a long time. The carbs will need to be cleaned

Sorry this was never answered.

XJs are cold blooded bikes. Starter fluid usually works. But you may want to check the enrichment circuits on your carburetors. They can get clogged and cause harder-than-usual starting.

If it sat with the valves or a valve stuck in an open position then the valves will need to be freed up before it will start and run.You can remove the valve cover to see if they are working correctly.

You have a gummed up mainjet. Always store a gas engine with Staybul gas additive to avoid this problem in the future. Now, on to the current problem. Since the bike will at least idle your in luck. Just go down to an auto parts store and get a can of Sea Foam. I usually find it at NAPA it's a white can that looks like it came from a gas station in the 1940's Because it did. Mechanics have been useing it for years. Anyway, dump about half the can in the tank with a couple gallons of gas and fire it up. Let it idle a long time. Then start trying to ride it. You may have to let it set over night if it's really gummed up but it will clean it out. Easy fix, and you can leave it in with no problems. Happy motoring.

1ST CHECK THE PLUG IS IT DRY AND CLEAN IF ANY DOUBTS REPLACE IT.as spark plug might work good out but under pressure its a bit differant . or check the valve clearance on Exhaust'Ihad the same trouble with my Triumph 5oo years ago

Could be the starter or a dead battery