So back in June I started to notice that my 05' SH, which always started cold at the touch of the starter with the choke out, began to need more and more time spinning over. By early October I needed to hit the starter for 3 to 4 seconds, stop, and then a couple more and it would finally start. Once started it ran like a clock. I read lots of "hard starting threads" on this and other sites dealing with SH's. Then I ran across a guy who seemed to have the same issues I was going through. Before he dove into the carbs he tried pouring some Seafoam into the tank. He said the problem cleared right up. Yeah, right! But I decided it couldn't hurt. So I poured the recommened amount into a tank of gas. Started the bike having the usual issues. Went for a ride, bike ran great. Put her away. Next day I tried to start it cold and I swear it never started so fast. That was a couple of weeks ago. Now, with 7 or 8 cold starts, she fired up every time. Now I'm as skepical as the next guy but boy, it sure seemed to work. This problem progressively became worse over months and cleared up immediately. I've had lots of friends swear by this stuff and I always blew them off. Now I'm a bit of a believer!

 

pilot jets become plugged partially or more with deposits from modern fuels. Sea-foam does seem to somewhat clear them away. But I've noticed it really does not work on a fully plugged jet, and sometimes does not dissolve the deposits when a jet is dropped into a cup of seafoam.

 

Any downside? I only use non-ethenol premium and plan on putting in some Seafoam every other tank.

 

the down side is science. if its cleaning all the crud out of your carbs and jets, its also cleaning all the crud out of the inside of your gas tank which in turn in being sucked into your carbs. its a temporary solution to a problem that will only be solved with a good carb clean. although im of the mindset that if it isnt broken dont fix it. so if its running good then just ride it. i wouldnt over use that stuff though for the reasons i stated

 

I had someone tell me that I'd need to change the oil after I did that since the sea foam makes the engine run a bit hot. any merit to that?

 

I've had no issues running it, though I use it in car engines.
I've found it works not simply by dissolving deposits (soaking a component) but movement of the fuel/cleaner mix through the fouled component is what cleans the gunk out. Seems to work best on varnish and carbon deposits, so if your tank has varnish then I'd be careful not to run too much, or use a fuel filter until the tank is clean.

 

I put seafoam in every oil change. Never had an issue.