Cleaning a slow jet?

I'm resurrecting my neglected '73 XL175 and having to deal with the stupidity of leaving gas in it for 8 years. I pulled apart the carb, unstuck the float, unstuck the throttle slide valve, unstuck the needle, and cleaned the jets (or so I thought). There is one jet I'm not familiar with that I now know is called the "slow jet" and I don't think I got it clean. The bike will start but only runs on full choke, and won't idle. I ran a wire through the slow jet but you can't see through it like the other jet. I thought maybe it is just a different design and slapped it back in the bike. Luckily the bike is super easy to work on and I can tear the carb apart on the bike fairly easily.

Next up is to check the timing and the points. I've done so little to this bike over the years it is almost criminal. It needed a battery when I bought it for $50. I tossed in a fresh battery and it fired on the third kick. I rode it like...well...a $50 motorcycle. I've never changed the oil, or the spark plug, or anything else really. I do love it though.

Personally, I'd let the jets soak in a cup of gasoline for about a week and see if that helps any.

I think Seafoam works pretty well as a carb gunk solvent.

I use the HF ultrasonic cleaner for my motorcycle carbs.

I've been very happy with the results.

If the jet is really gunked up, take a strand of copper wire and poke it out.

Shawn

Spend the $5 and get a new jet. While you wait for it to come in the mail soak the carb in pine-sol after stripping all the other jets and brass screws etc. Yes I'm not kidding pine-sol get two quart bottles from family dollar and a plastic tub soak over night or longer if you like then wash with warm water and blow out all the holes with compressed air. Make sure not to loose the air screws spring and sometimes there's a washer and o-ring in the hole too. Jets R Us sudco Carb parts warehouse Any of the above will have the jet in stock

Trans_Maro wrote: I use the HF ultrasonic cleaner for my motorcycle carbs. I've been very happy with the results. If the jet is really gunked up, take a strand of copper wire and poke it out. Shawn

Big +1.

Not running to running in 10 minutes. Would have been five it the carburetor was smaller.

What do you guys use for a cleaning fluid when cleaning carbs?

I've been using this stuff. I've had the same can for years. I dump it in the ultrasonic machine to use and store it in the can.

I'll pull the carb apart this week and let it soak. I didn't really go nuts on the cleaning before, so I'll get a bit more serious about it. I've never worked on one of these carbs before:

Weird mechanism for controlling throttle, but I guess it works.