My Suzuki GS 500 had been acting up. It would start up great, but whine, sputter and stall whenever I open the throttle. It was becoming unsafe to ride, so I took it to my local mechanic last week.

GARY (my mechanic): Hi James! Come, sit down. Let's have a chat about your motorcycle.
JAMES: Ok
GARY: Is there anyone else you'd like to have here for this discussion? Anyone else who needs to be informed about what's going on?
JAMES: No, I don't think so.
GARY: And you're the primary decision maker for the GS 500?
JAMES: Yeah, that's right.
GARY: James, what's your understanding of what's wrong with your motorcycle?
JAMES: Um, it's not working.
GARY: Sure. And what's your understanding of why it's not working?
JAMES: Um, I don't know. Seems to me like a problem with the gas tank or carburetor.
GARY: That's right. When I took off your gas tank, I found some rust and mud inside. That rust and mud can get into your carburetor and keeps the engine from getting fuel which causes the erratic behavior you were experiencing. This kind of thing often happens when the bike is left sitting for a long time without putting stabilizer in the gas tank. Have you ridden this bike at all during the past year before bringing it in?
JAMES: Not really.
GARY: And did you put stabilizer in the tank?
JAMES: No.
GARY: James, what do you see as the main barriers to your accomplishing these things?
JAMES: (sobbing) I - I don't know! I'm sorry...I just, it's hard. You know? You get busy and there's no time and sometimes it's just easy to let things slide.
GARY: Sure, it's hard for all of us. But it sounds like you're interested in changing your behavior. I would say you are in the contemplative phase of motorcycle maintenance behavior change. The next thing we need is a plan in order to get you into the action phase.
JAMES: (sniffles) Ok. What should I do?
GARY: I'm going to give you the tank from your motorcycle. I want you to take it home tonight.
(opens the tank and shines a light inside revealing extensive rust spots) See that rust inside? I want to you fill your tank with dilute acetone. Then put some bolts inside. Swish it around for a good 30 minutes. That should break up the rust. Then, empty out the acetone. You can fish the bolts out with a magnet. Once the rust is out, you'll need to prep the inside. You can get a prep kit at any motorcycle shop; the instructions are right on the bottle. When that's all done, bring the tank back to me and we'll have GS 500 up and running again in no time.
JAMES: Ok, I'll do it. I just miss riding so much! Are you sure my motorcycle is going to be ok?
GARY: Yes, it'll be fine. But, I should tell you that whenever there is a possibility of motorcycle neglect or abuse, I'm legally obligated to make a report to the Department of Automotive Protective Services or DAPS. Your GS 500 will have to stay here until the DAPS representative has determined that you can provide a safe home environment.

I nodded and took the diseased gas tank from him, promising myself that I would show my motorcycle the love and attention it needs from now on.