Topic: Okay I'm kind of dumb

[Matty]

I have a 72 CB 500. It came with the gas tank off of that I am wondering which two hoses that come out of the carb connect to the tank?

[riverfever]

There should be a fuel line for carbs 1/2 and another for carbs 3/4. Petcock should have two fittings coming off it. So....both.

[Matty]

So there are little short hoses coming out of the bottom of the bowls. I'm assuming those are it because they wouldn't be long enough. Then there are two really long ones that go underneath the seat. And then there are two coming out the side that look like they're going to 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 from the front part of thecarbs. Are those the ones I am looking  for? I didn't get a petcock with it I'm going to have to buy one. I'm just wanting to put some gas in those houses without the tank on it to see if I can get it started. The bike was sitting for about 20 years but he said it was stored properly with no gas in it so so I'm hoping to not have to clean the carbs

[mrbreeze]

You need to do some reading here and in a shop manual before attempting to start it. After 20 years there will be many issues. Get on the search section and look up "first time start". Is the engine free (not locked up)? Clean oil & filter and it gets to the top end? There is quite a bit more that should be checked. Do you know anyone with some mechanical knowledge that can assist you with getting it to go?

[Matty]

Not really but I have a little bit of knowledge I just can't figure out where all those car hoses go! So far you guys seem pretty patient with my dumb ass so I think I'll just slog through it. Bike only has 2300 freaking miles on it. I can't imagine why someone would buy a nice bike like that and never ride it.

[carnivorous chicken]

Get a manual, read it.

Each float bowl has an overflow tube. Those thread out the bottom of the float bowls and in between the engine and the swing arm. Any gas the swishes over the top of the overflow tubes will run down them onto the ground, not onto the bike under the carbs.

You have two vent tubes. These are long and also thread behind the carbs and just in front of the swing arm.

You have two fuel lines. These are shorter than the others and attach to the carb rack on the air filter side for your 1-2 and 3-4 carbs. These will not be as long as the other fuel lines because these attach to the petcock under your tank. You should be able to tell by looking at them -- I'm assuming you are simply trying to reconnect the lines that are already there.

[Matty]

Wow you guys are so amazing I'm starting to get a little confidence that I might be able to get this done after all. Ok I made sure it had some oil in it and then I put a fuel filter for the gas on those two lines with A T. I remove the air filter and the backside boots so I could spray some starter fluid in it. She stuttered but started a little bit I shut it down because I just wanted to make sure it was getting a little before I let it really rip.

[NobleHops]

Wow you guys are so amazing I'm starting to get a little confidence that I might be able to get this done after all. Ok I made sure it had some oil in it and then I put a fuel filter for the gas on those two lines with A T. I remove the air filter and the backside boots so I could spray some starter fluid in it. She stuttered but started a little bit I shut it down because I just wanted to make sure it was getting a little before I let it really rip.

Matty,

Do the searches suggested and do the steps in starting an old bike. Read those threads. Change the oil and filter. Get a shop manual and read it. They can be downloaded free in many spots. If you demonstrate that you're trying to help yourself before you post these guys will bend over backwards to help you. Hell, I will too :-).

Welcome!

[BomberMann650]

call me superstitious, but i spent 20 minutes gently  cranking my motor with the kick start before attempting to run it at first.  it helped that the p.o of my bike had left a few drops of oil on top of the cylinders.

it's only weird if it doesnt work