Help with '98 M2

[IamSpartacus]

Hello all, I have just acquired a '98 Buell Cyclone and need some help. It had an oil leak from the front cylinder, so I pulled off the rocker box and replaced the gaskets- that's fixed. The other issue though is a bit tougher to diagnose. It idles rough and dies without goosing it or keeping the choke on. I checked the pilot jet and it seems to be squirting fuel freely. I'm just not very familiar with these bikes, so I don't even know what my troubleshooting list should look like. Would appreciate some help.

It has a K&N intake and a Vance and Hines exhaust with about 20k miles on her.

 

[Internet Annoyance]

Check the petcock for sustained fuel flow, clean the screen, clean out the carb again really good, im having loads of problems with carbs with this modern fuel, especially with all the alcohol in it. On my 86 sportster (before i got hit by the drunk driver) its got an S&S carb and if it sits more than 2-3 weeks without running, It doesnt like to start or run, Sometimes i can pull the air cleaner cover, spray a mix of starting fluid in and a few squirts of WD-40 (Starting fluids are hard on a motor) and start it with a shop rag handy,, as it fires off, i smother the intake with the rag, and then let off it and let the motor catch and repeat,
the suction can often clear the jets and air bleeds, a 1200cc motor with the intake choked off creates a LOT of suction, often that works, if it doesnt i have to pull the accellerator pump, the float bowl, and hose out the jets and air bleeds with carb cleaner,
Recently had this happen on the wifes 2000 sporty (883) before i could go on the toy run,

Since its new to you might as well put in fresh plugs as well, you might be surprised on that one, fresh plugs makes everyone happy,

If tht doesnt work, then its on to more indepth trouble shooting, electrical, ignition, brain box, etc,

 

[IamSpartacus]

Put in new plugs- no change.

I'll keep doing trial and error. Any input/.advice is appreciated!

 

[IamSpartacus]

It was the carbs. Good call I'll be sure to not let it sit (that's not a bad requirement).

 

[Internet Annoyance]

Depends on what you have for a fuel tank, keep in mind the following is iffy if you have a plastic or fiberglass tank, but one thing that REALLY helps with these fuel issues is if you are going to let it sit, TOP off the tank (partially full tanks condense water) and add fuel STABIL its a fuel conditioner and keeps the fuel stabilized and in good shape (modern fuel goes to **** in a few weeks, no shelf like at all)

Then buy one of the following:

Sea Foam or Chevron TECHRON

Sea foam is very popular with many old school mechanics and works great to clean out sludge and sediments, TECHRON is more geared to modern EFI systems,But works well on carbs too, especially multi carbs like old Honda CB750s and similar bikes... Costco and some retailers have a diluted version, often in 2 packs at roughly the same price as the single premium bottle, those are false economy, as they are just diluted.
you WANT the high dollar TECHRON bottle at full strength, should retail around $8-10 per bottle,

this is one "Miracle in a bottle" that actually works, and believe it or not, but MORE is BETTER. I have a friend who teaches EFI tech at western regional car dealerships and he advises techs to run the tank down to a few gallons (in cars, but principle is the same) add a FULL bottle of TECHRON, then run the piss out of it on the freeway, THEN you run diagnostics on the EFI. in most cases the TECHRON will clean out the carbs or injectors as its mostly NAPTHA and a few other high end cleaners and solvents.

It does wonders on many vehicles, I use it on everything from Jap bike 4 cylinders to all my cars and trucks,,,

But keep in mind, those kinds of chemicals can do a number on a plastic or fiberglass tank,