Hey everyone,
Put 200+ miles on last weekend, bike ran great! Ran great when I parked it. Went to ride it to work yesterday, it started harder than usual. Full choke, as always for cold start, but I had to roll the throttle for it even to fire. It did eventually start, but acted as it was "loaded up" with gas🤷‍♂️, any ways... I had done nothing to it since last weekend, when it was running excellent. TRIED to ride it to work, got thru 1st gear, ok, got into second gear, rolled it on to about 1/2 throttle and the power fell on its face, kept it running by returning throttle to idle. It's just out of nowhere running like Sh#*!
I pulled the plug this morning and it was black, pulled the air filter element, it had gas in it and a bit was in the bottom of airbox.
Sounds like my needle and seat ain't shutting gas flow off. BUT would it happen so suddenly?!
Oh yes I DO HAVE AN ORIGINAL YAMAHA RAPTOR petcock on.
I did gas up before putting it away last weekend, same station, ethanol FREE gasoline. I hate to, but I guess carb removal/ inspection is in order☹
One other thing, I may add... my bike sits in one of those "garage in a box" metal frame, tarp covered structures. I did notice a LOT of condensation on the external cases of the engine, like could the inside of the gas tank or carb have gotten an excessive amount of condensation in them, and would that cause something like this?
Put a new NGK in removed air filter element, and it started poorly and ran poorly.
Oil level is not over full like if gas is filling crankcase, but I will change it just because!
Any input would be great
Thank you,
Michael

Stuck float ? Did you try a light tapping on the bowl?  Not many use premium gas , it sits a long time ,you may have picked up water/ crud from that ,and if your motor's stock you're just wasting money anyway. If your dropping the bowl to check the float ,you should make sure the main jet isn't plugged . Condensation shouldn't be a problem ,it would only be if your sparkplug wire is old or cracked. The fact that the bike started and idled OK ,makes that chance unlikely .

Removing the float bowl is very easy especially if you have replaced the screws with allen head screws. Even the float valve is not that hard to remove.

Same station ,same pump , means little . How long has the gas sat there ? Does the tank now leak ground water?( try a station at the top of a hill ,where gas runs out of a tank rather than ground water in) When was it filled last ( stirring up all the water and crud ) a half hour before you filled up ? In any event I'd drain the tank and try some fresh fuel .

norm92de wrote on 05/24/19 at 18:54:19:

Norm92D, yes the bowl screws HAVE been replaced with Allen head screws! My bike is a '99, stock battery box and air cleaner housing... looks pretty "tight" to me for me to drop the float bowl, and get into it on the bike... not sayin it can't be done, just easier for me to yank the whole carb off.
Thank you for your input!
Michael

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/24/19 at 19:56:01:

Justin o guy2,
Yes, great evaluation of the circumstances!
I just freaked out! Bummed, wanted to ride!
Obviously start at the beginning GAS, then work toward a cause of the problem.
Michael

Filter looked good.
Gas appears fine, drained float bowl into glass container... no contaminants.
Took sample from tank from the disconnected fuel line... same no contamination.
Battery and battery box removed, carb off now.
When I open it up I'll find something🤷‍♂️ I'm sure!
Do you all run inline fuel filters? I have an inline clear plastic one on mine.

Jog's right ditch the inline filter ,they either trap water  ,restrict flow or can become air bound ,more trouble than their worth . Yes ,pure gas in the tank for night- night time . Good luck!