Fellas, New to this so bear with me... Bought this unit late in 2005, has 54hrs. Took it in to the dealer I purchased the unit from for its initial service. Adjust the valves and shim the clutch, new fluids etc. Took the unit out after servicing for 45 minutes and everything seemed okay... Went out the next day to start and the engine backfired up thru the carbs into the airbox and started the unit on fire, melting the airbox top down into the carbs... Help, the dealer says it was operator error, due to leaving the choke on. Unit was only started and not run.

 

my guesswould be your carbs leaking causeing the build up of gas in the cylinder which when yuou went to start it fuel already in the cylinder and coming in ignited to much pressure forced it up through the carbs just my call. operater error no just luck of the draw.