Bike parked up for a few years, what should I check?

**Millsie** · 30th September 2015, 12:17

As title, bike parked up for a few years (in garage and covered) and now it's wof'd and reged + carbs clean but I'm curious what else I should check?

I.e. fork seals, chain, sprockets?

Cheers!

**EJK** · 30th September 2015, 12:33

Check the forecast and go for a ride

**Paul in NZ** · 30th September 2015, 13:12

take a close look at the tyres and other rubber bits - you might need fresh stuff

**Erelyes** · 30th September 2015, 13:18

Tyres, fuel and brake lines are the main things that may have perished. Even if the tyres seem OK, if they are over a decade old I'd replace 'em. If they are younger than that, new valves may be wise anyway.

Fresh brake fluid , coolant (if water cooled) and fuel won't hurt.

Battery of course may be kaputt.

Chain/sprockets should be fine unless they were dry before storing, in which case they may have some rust. Depending on the bike this should be pretty inconsequential.

I'd go for a ride then see if the fork seals are leaking after that. Leak may not be evidence immediately after it sitting.

Spider's nest....

**jasonu** · 30th September 2015, 13:53

Originally Posted by Millsie

As title, bike parked up for a few years (in garage and covered) and now it's wof'd and reged + carbs clean but I'm curious what else I should check?

I.e. fork seals, chain, sprockets?

Cheers!

Check you have it locked up good and safe so no coconut nicks it.

**baffa** · 30th September 2015, 16:55

Dont forget to run some sandpaper over the edges of the tyres to show off your mint chicken strips.

**Oakie** · 30th September 2015, 18:15

Would be helpful to know what sort of bike it is.

**polyrider** · 1st October 2015, 19:29

Originally Posted by jasonu

Check you have it locked up good and safe so no coconut nicks it.

That goes for your pet dog too.

Sent from my SM-G360G using Tapatalk

**FJRider** · 1st October 2015, 19:58

Originally Posted by Oakie

Would be helpful to know what sort of bike it is.

WHY ... ??

**R650R** · 1st October 2015, 20:13

Just ride it, sounds like any bike that's been parked at a dealership for sale lol....
If anythigns broke it will let you know soon enough. Just ride it....

**ellipsis** · 1st October 2015, 20:24

...don't forget to look right then left and then right again before pulling out of your driveway...

**Luckylegs** · 1st October 2015, 20:38

how much ya leathers have shrunk

**Oakie** · 1st October 2015, 21:44

Originally Posted by Oakie

Would be helpful to know what sort of bike it is.

Originally Posted by FJRider

WHY ... ??

I'm probably going to be more fastidious checking on say an old Honda 750/4 or a Kawasaki Z1R than I am on an old GN125 or a Kawasaki G5 100.

**jellywrestler** · 1st October 2015, 22:03

Originally Posted by FJRider

WHY ... ??

quite simple, example is the old gs/gsx suzukis, there's a plug on the side of the engine you can remove and prime the oil pump and feed to the cylinder head as all the old oil will have drained away, easy to do and way better than it firing and running for half a minute while it pumps the oil up to this space and there are many more tips like this often that are bike specific.