Motorcycle Repair: Terrible gas mileage, ground squirrel, gas mileage

Question
I have a 1981 cb 650 custom.  I get about 50 miles  to the tank 3.9 gallons.  This can't be right.  It also has a hesitation until about 4 or 5 thousand rpm. I rebuilt the carbs already. What would cause this

Answer
You are right Ryan, that's bad mileage.  You should be getting about 40-45 miles per gallon.  You have to start with the basics.  Check compression, set the valves, check the timing advance unit for proper timing advance, and then make sure the carbs are balanced.  Also make sure there not a unusual restriction in the intake or exhaust system.  I had a VF750 once that a ground squirrel built a next in and plugged the exhaust.  


Regards
Rich