Problems idling my KLR-650?

Question

I haven't ridden my bike in about 2-2.5 months and, like an idiot, I left the battery hooked up and fuel in it without fuel stabilizer. So, needless to say, the batter died and the gas went bad.

So when I went to go ride it with a jump start I had to give it an insane amount of gas for it to even start and to keep it running I had to keep the throttle cranked back to ~4000 RPMs.

Well just today I replaced the battery and got all the bad gas out but I am still having problems with it idling. It still has to be ~3000 RPMs to keep it from dying. I am not very engine-savvy so any help in resolving this issue would be appreciated.

-David M

Answer 1

the old fuel in the carburetter would have left deposits in the fuel bowl and will need to be cleaned out. you will have to remove the carburetter take it apart and clean out the jets, and try a fresh spark plug and clean the air filter.wouldn't hurt to change the engine oil and filter as well.

Answer 2

greg e gave a good answer.
When gas is left to sit without stabilizer, it evaporates and leaves behind a gummy lacquer. That stuff clogs the pilot jet (the pilot jet is used for the idle circuit).
The pilot jet's opening is smaller than a pin hole and easily clogged.
Remove the carb and clean out the float bowl. The pilot jet is long and thin. Remove it and hold it up to the light. You should be able to see through it.
To clean it, pull a strand of wire out of a wire brush, with a pair of pliers. Poke that strand of wire through the jet and finish cleaning it with carb cleaner (available at any bike shop, or auto parts store).

Answer 3

clean the carb. not a very hard thing to do. There are many klr specific websites and a yahoo group dedicated to us lovers of the bike. do an hour of research and you should be on the right track