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starting a bike after several years in the garage
starting a bike after several years in the garage
David Kiefner
Lubec, ME
- schrader7032
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Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
I'd drain the gas tank and/or flush it completly out. I'd drop the float bowls and get rid of anything in there. I'd drop the oil, then refill with fresh. While you have the float bowls off, it would be good to hit the starter until you see the oil light go out. That way you know you're not starting with the system dry.
While the tank is off, might be good to bleed the front brake.
Do you have issues with critters? Is it possible that a varmit has found its way into the airbox, behind the front cover, inside the mufflers? Might want to confirm that's all clear.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
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- srankin
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Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
I would also ditch the tires and tubes.
Check for cables like the clutch, throttles, and choke to see if they have not corroded inside and at the pivot points.
Oh man, don't get me started on critters. I have seen moderate infestation where a few seeds get blown out of the mufflers on start up to major expensive damage. Take off the air filter cover, the starter cover and the engine front cover and look for critter signs.
Good luck. St.
- vechorik1373
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Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
It is VERY important on a /5 /6 /7 that has been sitting, to replace the oil filter! Not because the filter itself is plugged up, (it won't be) but the fact that there are two rubber "sleeves" made up on the filter (originally it was two O rings, but the new filters have a rubber tube on the ends, and have for many many years)
You see, the danger is, that with time, and being squeezed by the cover plate and bolt, the rubber tubes will split.
And if they do, much of the oil will not be forced into the system, and will leak back to the pan.
I have seen these bikes, have a flickering oil light (less than 14 psi) at idle, hot. All because of the rubber being spit at both ends of the filter.
Put a new filter (that has new rubber tubes in each end) in, and the light will no longer flicker.
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Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
vechorik1373 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 11:27 amMy advice is:
It is VERY important on a /5 /6 /7 that has been sitting, to replace the oil filter! Not because the filter itself is plugged up, (it won't be) but the fact that there are two rubber "sleeves" made up on the filter (originally it was two O rings, but the new filters have a rubber tube on the ends, and have for many many years)
You see, the danger is, that with time, and being squeezed by the cover plate and bolt, the rubber tubes will split.
And if they do, much of the oil will not be forced into the system, and will leak back to the pan.
I have seen these bikes, have a flickering oil light (less than 14 psi) at idle, hot. All because of the rubber being spit at both ends of the filter.
Put a new filter (that has new rubber tubes in each end) in, and the light will no longer flicker.
2000 R1100
- srankin
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Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
2000 R1100
- cbclemmens
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Re: starting a bike after several years in the garage
One little trick that I didn't see mentioned: after you change the oil and filter, pull the spark plugs and crank the engine, without a load, until the oil light goes out. That can help prevent skuffing a bearing. I would put in new plugs as well - points and condenser if you haven't upgraded to electronic ignition.
Craig