My bike doesn’t want to run

[LEATHERMAN]

I have a 2004 with higher mileage.  Before winter I fill the gas  tank with high test and shut gas off and run until it dies.  I add a little sea foam also.  I had some medical issues last fall, and don’t remember if I filled the tank.  I know the gas was left on.  Well the tank was basically empty, so I put a few gallons in and looks like it’s running out the back of my bike.  The first time I tried to start it this spring, it fired right up.  It runs for about 30 seconds and died.  Then it won’t start.  Next day it will start, but smokes.  Things I have found so far, mice put corn in one air cleaner, both air cleaners had some oil/gas in them.  The right side with corn in it had the most.  I did pull both air filters off and started it.  Gas ended up coming out in several places.  I had some gas in front by radiator, and a puddle in back under back of motor/ transmission.  The bike won’t start back up.  I did unscrew the oil filter cap on right hand side and didn’t see / have anything that looked over full.  Didn’t have a chance to check sight glass.  Thanks 

[cimmer]

I would start checking fuel lines to see if the mice have chewed holes in them. That could explain the gas going everywhere. Did they chew any holes in the air cleaner themselves to where they would have access to the throat of the carbs?

Good luck.

Rick F.

[BlueSky]

I would suspect the carbs are leaking.

[ese]

My first thought would be carb needles stuck and over flowing the bowls. you can try tapping lightly on the bowls to see what may or may not happen. Likely that pack is coming off if thats the trouble.

[LEATHERMAN]

I have noticed like a vacuum type sound after the bike dies.  This sounds like it is by the air filter.  

[vzuden]

Did you check the oil level site glass for overfull?   It should be just below the midpoint.   That much fuel could going several places but a critical place would be in the crankcase.   You said you may have filled with high test.  High octane may still have ethanol and if it did, it has probably gummed up the needle and seat and a carb overhaul may be needed.   Ethanol fuel has a life expectancy of something like 60-90 days regardless of octane.    These bikes are made to run on 87 octane so “high test” doesn’t do anything unless it is ethanol free.  All other suggestions previously stated are valid especially chewed up lines