'85 VT700: Won't idle

[nic2]

I live in NY but spend varying amounts of time in Albuquerque where I keep the Shadow. It sits for several months at a time. This time out, I am having difficulty getting it to idle and start without the choke even when it's warm. Once running, if I keep the throttle open enough to prevent stalling while I stopped, it seems to be running fine. Any ideas?

[83_Shadow_750]

You may try to raise your idle @ the carb but it's probably more than that. You may add a little Seafoam into your tank and run it to see if it helps but it may be time for a carb clean. It could also be stale gas if has sat for too long with gas in it. You can drain the gas out of your carbs (each bowl has a drain screw) and see if the gas looks dirty and you may also check / change your fuel filter. I would tear into your carbs as a last resort. Do the little things first. This should give you an idea. Someone else should chime in.

[plumbob]

1/4 cup of seafoam and take it for a nice 50 mile ride.

[nic2]

Thanks. I picked up a fuel filter at R&S Honda here in ABQ and will replace it in the morning. Also, since I had already topped off the tank with New Mexico's best premium, I went to NAPA and got some Gumout Fuel system Cleaner and had a few ounces to the tank.

[nic2]

Big thanks to plumbob and 86_Shadow_700: After replacing the fuel filter, dumping Gumout Fuel System Cleaner into the tank, putting about 80 miles on the bike, and turning up the idle, this morning it is finally idling normally without the choke on. Before I head back to NY and leave the Shadow in the shed for 3 months, I plan to fill the tank and put in some fuel stabilizer.