Hard start when bike sits up for 4 or 5 weeks. Had the carbs worked on twice. still have problems, used sta bil did not help

Sound like the carb is fowled, add some fuel stabilizer to gas like - STA-BIL (find at any autoparts store). Add according to directions, this will help break down any deposits and waxes that form in the ports (& jets) of carb. allow a good hour ride to notice a difference. Then store bike with fresh gas and STA-BIL. Works most everytime. Prost! Ps: Much cheaper than rebuilding carbs too!.

From the sounds of that I would say FIRST get a new battery!
The stalling problem sounds to me like the carb needs to be cleaned!

will it turn over,if yes add fuel sta-bil you can get this at any auto part store.The gas you buy now days only has a shelf life of 3 weeks,so make sure you add to fuel if your bike will be sitting for more than that.

Try a small shot (about a 2 second spray) of starting fluid in the air intake then cranking....
WARNING- DO NOT TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING BY USING THE STARTING FLUID! It can damage your engine.

If your bike fires and runs for a bit, the most likely problem is your gas has gone "sour". You need to drain all the old gas out and properly dispose of it.

Over time, gas will cause a varnish buildup in your carb if it sits too long. You can try adding some carb cleaner to fresh gas, but the results will not be immediate. You may have to have the carb rebuilt.

When you store anything gas powered, there is an additive called Sta-bil that will act as a gasoline preservative for about a year.

Hello,

If you have not done so, please check the fuel filter for good fuel flow. Also, pull the output hose off the fuel pump to see if it has good fuel flow. One more thing... pull the fuel line from the carburetor to make sure that there is a steady flow of fuel.

If all the above components are working correctly, then you might try this; fill the tank with premium fuel (NO Ethanol additives) and add 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of carburetor cleaner (B-12) and add Sta-bil (the recommended amount) to the fuel tank. The B-12 will clean the fuel path and the Sta-bil will stabilize the fuel. Start the bike as you normally would. It will take a bit to get the bike running so be patient. Once you have it running correctly, buy a can of Sea Foam (only if your fuel contains Ethanol additives) and add the recommended amount every other tank for about 4 tanks.

If you are still having issues after doing all the above, please reply with more information so that I may help you further.

Hope this helps. If you find this information useful, please vote on this post. Thank you.

Regards,

Oz

Hello,

You can buy a fuel stabilizer, Sta-bil, and add to the fuel tank. This will keep your fuel from gunking up in your fuel system. Start and run your bike, after adding the Sta-bil, and let it run for a few minutes to get the Sta-bil throughout the system.

Change the oil and filter, change your clutch and brake fluids and remove the battery from the bike.

Place the bike upon something to get the wheels off the ground and cover the bike with a tarp or bike cover.

Give your gear oil a look, but it should be OK for that length of time.

Some people drain the gas out of the system, but if your tank has any inside damage, it will begin to rust and you will have to clean the tank before running the bike.

I wrote a tip on what to do when a bike sits for an extended period of time. You can find the link here; Bike sitting for extended period

Hope this help. If you find this information useful, please vote on this post. Thank you.

Regards,

Oz

Hello,

It sounds like you have bad gas in your fuel system. If your bike sat for a while, you will need to drain, and clean, the carb bowl(s) (turn off the fuel valve before doing so), check the fuel filter for any blockage (replace if necessary), and then add Sta-bil to your fuel tank. This will stabilize the remaining fuel in your tank. With today's fuel having Ethanol added to it, the fuel gunk's up quicker.

Turn the fuel valve back on and start your bike - run a full tank through the fuel system. After a full tank is used, get a bottle of SeaFoam and add the recommended amount to your fuel tank when filling up. The SeaFoam will clean your fuel system and your bike will run better. Use Sta-bil when your bike is not going to be used for a while and use SeaFoam every other full tank - if you are not going to use a Premium fuel with no Ethanol added.

Hope this helps.

If you find this information useful, please vote on this post. Thank you.

Regards,

Oz

Hello,

I know that quite a few of the V-Star's have an issue with fuel that has Ethanol additives. What happens when the bike sits, even for as little as two weeks, the fuel start to "gunk" up in the carbs. If you had any trash in your tank, you could of clogged the fuel filter.

Something you can try, without a lot of diagnostic testing, is to add SeaFoam to the gas tank. Use the recommend amount of SeaFoam for the amount of gas it takes to fill it up (I believe it's about 4 gallons or a bit more). Also add 1/4 ounce of carb cleaner (B-12 works great).

Before doing any of the above, I recommend that you check the fuel filter, fuel lines, fuel on/off valve and remove the carb bowls to check for any trash or gunk.

Now you can try starting it again, but put a trickle charger on the battery to help keep the battery up while starting. Start out with the Choke at full and try to start it for a few minutes. If it starts, let it idle for 10 - 15 minutes to allow the additives time to run through and clean the fuel system. Make sure not to run the battery completely down.

If it still won't start, pull a fuel line off a carb and try to start it. If you are getting fuel through the line, it's, more than likely, not the fuel system and could be electrical. Although I've never heard of an electrical issue when running any bike out of gas.

One other thing... try starting it with the fuel on/off valve in the RES (Reserve) position.

This may sound silly, but check the Run Switch to make sure that it didn't get knocked out of place - even slightly.

I've been racking my brain since your question appeared over 3 hours ago. I hope the information that I have given you, will give you enough of a starting point that you can figure out the problem.

If you find this information useful, please vote. Thank you.

Regards,

Oz

NOTE: I have done this, but I do NOT recommend it. Do this at your own risk. Get a spray can of starting fluid, find your air cleaner and give it a quick shot. Back away from your bike and try starting it. It will either start, or pop and backfire. If it didn't start, try one more quick shot, again backing away from the bike while trying to start it. Once the bike starts, and you have added the above chemicals, you shouldn't have any trouble starting your bike again. One more thing, if you use low octane fuel it will have Ethanol in it... use the SeaFoam every other full tank. Only use the B-12 once. If your bike is going to sit for an extended period of time, get a bottle of Sta-bil and add the recommended amount to the gas tank. Run it for a bit, shut it off, and shut off the fuel valve.

gasoline will go bad! if you plan to store your vehicle use something like "STA-BIL" to prevent this. you may need to remove the gas that is in it and replace it with some that is fresher.

info on sta-bil:
http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/default.aspx

Marvel Mystery Oil Sta-Bil or something else; Which is best to clean out slightly gummed up carbs?Seafoam is best for cleaning the carbs. MMO in the gas is just an upper cylinder lub, and Sta-bil, is just that, used to stabilize the gas if it sets long.,,,