1982 KZ550C Fuel Petcock left on PRI

After a week of not riding it I went out and realized I had left the petcock on prime the last time I rode. When trying to start it up the engine idled terribly and wouldn't respond to throttle.

I fully disassembled the carbs and soaked then cleaned them completely using carb cleaner and pressurized air. After throwing them back on and changing the oil, the bike doesn't start at all, not even the poor idle from before.

I'm considering trying it with starter fluid in the airbox to see what happens, maybe it just needs that extra nudge. Does anyone recommend against that? I'm not sure what else could make such a drastic difference, it was riding just fine before the petcock fiasco. I'm super bummed and heading towards the end of riding season up here in MN. Help??

Possibly disturbed some wiring when removing the tank? It's happened before.

Did you try adjusting the idle knob on your carbs?

I think the starting problem is due to the missing choke flaps, and maybe that problem has been brought to the forefront now that I have the carbs cleaned and properly installed.

I got it started pretty easily with some starter fluid and after adjusting the idle knob got it idling at around 1400. Still flutters a bit at various throttle positions, I'm thinking that the rubber seals around the engine-side carb openings are just crapped out, and 2 of the airbox boots are extremely hardened. I sprayed some starter fluid around the edges of the seals and that definitely caused the engine to rev a bit the first few times I tried it.

So I'm guessing either I have to find new seals or try to revitalize those rubber parts somehow. I've heard vinegar works as a home remedy... thoughts?

There was no reason to remove carbs.

It's worth spending the money and just buying new parts. Most of the time that's what you end up having to do anyway and you have to take all the parts off the bike for a second time to get to them.