Can jump start, runs rough for a bit, and dies -

[Jenkin]

Hi - I'm brand new here so I'm sure there are other threads that may cover this so thanks for your patience while I figure the site out.

I recently picked up a 2000 GZ250 which wasn't running when I bought it. The previous owner said "it sat for a long time..."

I pulled out the carb tonight and there was some green chalky residue in it and on one of the jets. I cleaned it all out. Can never get the bike started using just the starter (and it does have a good/new battery) but was able to get it going after a bit by jump starting it. Did this about 10 times and it keeps getting better but tends to die out like its starving for air or fuel or something.

There is about 2 oz of oil in the bottom of the air box. Spark plug is brand new.

Before I reinvent the wheel I thought I'd ping the group both for some direction. Feel free to point me in the right direction to another thread as well if helpful. Thanks.

[wacio]

There is drain tube with plug under the bike, below the air box. You can drain oil from air box there. 2 oz is about what you can expect at oil change, just make sure its not gasoline - which would mean leaking carb. As far as running rough and tough to start - still some passages plugged in the carburetor or broken choke cable.

[Jenkin]

Thanks - I read on the post that one of the most frequent causes of problems with the GZ250 is "lack of use." That appears to be the case here, too. After thoroughly cleaning the carb, and running it downhill about 20 times it finally woke up and is now running great. Case closed. Thank you.