Not sure if you saw my last post but the oil does smell of fuel. This could have even been caused months ago when the issues first happened so how major is the oild and fuel mixed?
Fuel in the oil is never good, the longer its been in there the worse it is possible it is as you've been starting the bike. However don't panic what's done is done and it may be that very little harm if any has been done. Best to focus on the positive at this point and change the oil and filter and make sure it doesn't happen again, and leaving the bike upright on the paddock stand is a step in the right direction. Good Luck
I understand. I will get an oil and filter at the end of the month and get it changed. Hopefully I will have it all sorted with no further issues. Thank you for your help.
What you have just discribed is exactly what is happening to my 96 thunderbird. Fuel pouring from the carbs and black box behind. The same chuffing from the exhaust then the bike hard to start
I had this problem on my 900 TBird , floats sticking . I always turn the petcock off . The fuel will get into the oil as well so sniff the Oil filler for the smell of petrol. If your bike only has a side stand it's common for this issue . The petcocks are not great neither and are expensive. You can't strip them down so you have to replace if they leak when switched off. I did see a Yamaha petcock that fits a Thunderbird on a tread somewhere if you need to go down that route. The petcocks only need a little bit of shite to get into them to bugger them up. If the bike isn't used much seems to cause the floats to be more vulnerable to start sticking. Maybe something to do with the crap fuel we are given now.