Help....Advice Needed

[Carl]

I picked up a low mileage '79 a few years ago from a fellow in PA. It was running when I picked it up. Brought it home, put it in the garage and a few days later it wouldn't start. It's been sitting unattended now for approx 3 years. For numerous reasons i haven't been able to give it any attention. Anyway, I messed with it a little today. Starter spins freely but there is no inkling of a \n attempt of the motor @ starting. So far.....pulled the fuel line @ petcock; fuel is flowing. pulled #1 plug.....black and wet; I have spark @ plug....I have no experience as to say if spark is weak or strong but spark is present. What should be my next move to get the bike to run?
I have a feeling that the bike was sitting and not used on a regular basis prior to me purchasing it. What I don't understand is how the bike was running when i picked it up and would not start at all a few days later

[NobleHops]

Carl,

I'd suggest you dump the gas in it and drain the carbs, verify the tank is not full of rust and crud, put a fuel filter on it, and THEN try it with fresh gas. Oh, and remove the mouse nest from the airbox .

N.

[daves79x]

And start with a fresh set of plugs. It will probably start, but don't expect much in the way of smooth running until you look into the carbs.

Dave

[oilheadron]

"It's been sitting unattended now for approx 3 years."

The carbs are almost certainly going to have be gone through at this point, especially since it also sat for a while before you bought it.

[ericfreeman]

I agree with the others about servicing the carbs, etc. However, my '79 absolutely refuses to fire if the temp is below 50 and the bike has been sitting for a few weeks. I can crank all day until the battery is low and not even a pop. I found that if I use a hair dryer to heat up the carbs, about 10 minutes worth and the motor will fire right away. Don't know why this is but once running the motor will restart instantly for several days. My '89 GB500 is the same way.

Eric

[daves79x]

Eric:
Search up 'hard starting' here and I think you will see why. Short version - drain your carbs and try it with fresh gas - it will start instantly in pretty cold weather. If you know the bike is going to be sitting for a few weeks, drain the carbs.

Dave

[EMS]

Fresh gas is essential for a good start after a long stop. Any other combustion engine powered piece of equipment reacts the same way. Even with stabilizer.
In addition, all Honda engines have a reputation of being "cold blooded". The RFVC singles are notorious for having to run on choke for a long time before they willingly accept the throttle..

[Carl]

Thanks for all the replies...new plugs on order. Will give it another try this weekend