Keeping Carbs Clean?

[PHeller]

I've got an XS650 with pretty darn clean carbs. Ran really good, started easy, never any troubles. I've got stone filters, and its been running well for months with those installed.

Then all of a sudden I've got the carbs all gunked up. Primaries are all kinds of clogged, and it didn't happen all at once...it was gradual progression. It came and went and now it requires the carbs to be removed.

Could this have been the cold weather?

Or is there some other trick to keeping carbs clean?

 

[crazypj]

Fuel formulation changes when weather gets colder.
If bike has ever been left sitting for more than about 10 days the fuel will start to gum things up. It can be progressive or sudden.
If you had a hot summer, it's possible for fuel evaporation from tank to make it 'thicken', couple of days of heat can make a major difference

 

[djelliott]

Couple ounces of Seafoam in the tank has always worked wonders for me.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Maybe I missed something. But WHAT clogged the jets? You say it was gradual, etc..do you just mean the gas gelled up and clogged everything? Or are there bits of rust or something? I run non-oxy gas in all my bikes and have never had that problem. There is also a fuel "stabilizer" of sorts that is made for fuels with ethanol in them that might help you too. Just wanted to see if it was particles or just crap gas. And if it's the latter, see PJ's post again! haha