Hey Guys,

Long time lurker, first time poster here :D

I bought a brand new YZF-R1 in 2001 and rode it for a couple years - Low milage (<1500mi / yr). Recently my job has had me flying all over the place for the last 3 years so I haven't really touched the bike since New Years 2004 and its been sitting in the garage all that time.

I tried starting it this week and the battery was completly dead so I went ahead and replaced it. Tank was still full of gas so I tried to start it. The bike wouldn't start. I did get it to "run" by twisting the throttle about 30% and having the choke on so gas is getting to the engine. but it would not idle and would die as soon as I let off the throttle.

It also started venting gas out the bottom vent tube by the kick stand so I drained most of the tank of "old gas" and am planning to get it filled with some new gas this morning.

Any ideas what could be wrong? Is it just the gas? Obviously I am planning to change the oil and do the routine maintenance once I get it running again.

Thanks in advance,

--Chris

So its definetly more then bad gas :(

I filled up the tank with new 93 octane and added some fuel cleaner just in case there was some gunk.

Symptoms are the same. The bike still won't start.. will roughly rev and idle if I hold the throttle pretty far open but nothing happens with just the start.

Its still venting gas from the small tube by the kickstand -- I took a closer look and its the black tube with the green stripe.

Any ideas? I am going to go remove the tank and see what I can see underneath next.

--Chris

You have gummed up carbs. They will have to be removed and cleaned.
Get a can of yamaha combustion chamber cleaner.....the stuff is excellent on carbs. If you have the cash I would change the float needles and seats too. After sitting so long they are likely in poor condition.

I had the same problem on my '01. I recently got back from a 15 month deployment in Iraq and my bike sat the whole time. When I got back the bike wouldn't even start. After taking the carbs apart and cleaning them, the bike would start but would not idle. (I could ride it though, there was a slight stumble in the lower RPM range.)
I finally got fed up and just took it it a dealer who told me the tank was corroded and needed to be re-sealed. The fix was about $700 total and I haven't had a problem since.