i have a 2004 road star silverado 1700 .it had sat up for a while and when i tryed to get it running again it would not start and the fuel light blinked 8 times-stop-blink 8 times.so i took off the tank cleaned
petcock screens.changed the fuel sending unit.tested the fuel pump by taking the gas line off that goes to the carburetor and turned the key on it pumped fuel turned off key it stopped pump is ok.i even replaced the fuel pump relay.i'm using fresh gas and full charged battery.
the bike just will not start,it is Not getting gas to the carb.i did use starting fluid and got it running a few seconds and quit.and with the fuel pump when i turn the key on it does not buzz/click,but i tested it and it does pump gas.i also tested all the fuses,ok.what else could be wrong with it.please somebody help i'm goin'crazy.

The carb is probably gummed up from stale gas.

Clifford

Sounds like you have a stuck float. Stuck in the needle closed position. Drain your float bowl and tap on the side of the bowl with a screwdriver handle. Might even pull the fuel line off the carb and spray a little carb cleaner right down the fuel inlet on the carb (just a tiny squirt). The pump stops pumping when there is adequete fuel pressure to the carb.(When the bowl is full). and will only run to maintain the fuel level in the fuel bowl.

if it set all winter without seafoam or any fuel additive davej fixs might work most of the time this happen you need to rebuild carb hope it works good luck

I have to agree with Clifford, if it sat too long without a gas treatment, probably gummed up the carb.

thanks everyone ,
i was thinking that was the next step i already this morning took out the fuel strainer on the line going into the carb and it was clean,i was hoping i could stop there but i'll have to take the carb apart.i tryed getting the screws in the bottom of the float bowl out yesterday and they are so tight i thought they might strip any thoughts?and about using carb cleaner the service manual said not to use it you all think it will be ok to use reg.carb cleaner?

For the screws there are numerous 'solutions' ....

- use a pair of vice grips to twist them off
- cut a slot in the top and use a flat screwdriver
- grind or cut off the heads

These screws should be replaced as they are too soft and the heads strip out.

You can use any carb cleaner.

Doc

thanks for all the help.
i took the carb.off the bike DOC i had to use vice grips to get the screws out on the float bowl and those screws are very soft.the whole problem with my bike was in the carb.but not the neddle and seat,it was the accelerator pump it was a little gummed up a little not bad but just enough to keep the bike from starting.put everything back together and the bike started right up!!!!!!

Good to hear.

I doesn't take much to gum up these carbs, especially for folks who have to store the bike for some time. I don't care what you add to the gas over the winter, it's still best to give the carb a quick once over in the spring.

Doc