Is it possible to flood your bike while trying to start it?

I've never done it before,but I thought that's what I did today!

I actually smelled gas, looked down and saw gas coming out on the left side,somewhere,not sure exactly where it was coming from!
So I shut the bike off....I had tried to start it several times when I saw the gas.Seems like the gas was squirting out from somewhere.

This is new to me....can anyone give me any info on this.
I left it sitting,thought maybe if I left it alone it might be better,not sure though what to do.

Oh yeah,and I did searches here for quite some time and still am not sure what happened.

The only thing I had done to my bike prior to this, was to put in a new battery and clean the bike.I do remember cleaning the throttle grip and turning it some,but didnt think that would do anything.

Is your petcock (the fuel switch just under the left side of the tank) on PRI? If so, that will flood your bike. I am presuming that your gas is coming out the sides of your carb. That means you are over flowing with gas. Maybe check your float level. But for sure check the PRI thing. Also, check your oil level. Your oil should be between the two lines, if it is above your are flooding for sure and need to do an oil filter and oil change. Check the tech section. There is a link to the clymer service manual. Good luck.

I had the same problem. The fuel was coming from the two (vent?) hoses that go horizontally back from the carb under the seat. (Top tip is to make sure that when you position those hoses NEVER point them in a direction that would be a major problem if gas spurts out, ie into the air filter)

The problem on mine was a stuck valve in the carb. The floats in the carb bowl were not rising to shut off the float needle. (excuse terminology if wrong) Its happened twice now, both times after the bike had sat for a while.

I stripped the carb to fix it, but if it happened again I would disconnect the gas from the carb, drain the bowl. Then I'd squirt some gas from a squeezy bottle into the drain hole at max force and see if I could knock the floats free  

Re petcock - PRI lets gas drain via gravity into the carb, until the floats rise to stop the flow.

Other two positions rely on suction, so if motor isn't turning then gas supply is shut off at the petcock.

Leaving the petcock on PRI should not flood your bike, unless the floats aren't working.

Hey!! I got it started!

I set it to PRI for a couple of minutes,then set it back to ON waited a few minutes,tapped the carb lightly with a screwdriver and it started.No choke on.

But,I smell gas Stronger than normal.

Didnt see any leaks like before,felt around and only gas I saw was a drop or two from the carb bowl tip.I tightened it a tad more.

I wouldnt worry about it really,except I ride alone and if I broke down the only MC buddy I have works 2nd shift.

Any reason why I would be smelling gas so strong? Could it be just because of setting to PRI? Too much gas?

Oh well,at least its running!!

odvelasc wrote on 06/10/09 at 19:15:48:


I rode for about 45 min locally, didnt smell gas any more! But I'll keep that in mind! Thanks!

T Mack 1 - FSO wrote on 06/12/09 at 19:40:07:


Yes...it definitely wants to be ridden!!  And for me to learn all these tips.

I'm glad You guys are so smart.I can search so much info here and find alot of/most answers. It is alot of fun! (Especially when you can find the right answers and keep your bike running!