Bringing a bike out of storage, what to do so motor doesnt seize up?

[Spyke]

Hi reasonably new to KB and i have had this thought mellowing in my head.

After a bike has been in storage for a while, what do you have to do to before you turn the key and fire it up?

eg replace oil, fuel etc, fully service the motor, turn the piston over a few times before starting?

thanks

[scumdog]

Depends on how long your 'while' is.

But I would drain/replace the fuel, check oil level/condition and then if all looks O.K. I would put it in *gear and turn the engine over by hand (to make sure it WILL turn over!)using the rear wheel while the bike is on the centre-stand or jacked-up.

Then try and start it, have a GOOD battery and a spare one in case it takes a bit of whizzing over to get it started - and have a new set of plugs handy in case the original ones are no good or (more likely) foul up from any old fuel left in the fuel-lines.

*And while it's in gear get somebody to hold the clutch-lever in while you turn the rear wheel, sometimes the clutch 'sticks' and needs to be broken loose. (Some times it takes a bit more of a brutal effort - like having the bike running, pulling the clutch in and banging the shifter into gear, have your front wheel against something solid when you do this in case the bike jumps forwards.

And if it has been sitting for yonks after it has been running for 10 minutes or so dump the oil and filter and replace them - cheap insurance.

Good luck.

[Spyke]

thanks for the info scumdog

[dangerous]

Depends on what it is and how long it has sat in what kind of home its had, what SD said and before turning the engine over put some clean oil down the plug hole to lube the bore and rings, but not too much as it will hinder the starting.

Having said that my Katana sat for 5yrs all I did was drain the carbs and fire it up... started 1st pop.

[tl_tub]

I was wondering the same thing for when i start mine (sitting for 6-12 months). I think the most important thing is to turn it over without the spark plugs in to get oil pumping through without the stress of compression?

[dangerous]

I was wondering the same thing for when i start mine (sitting for 6-12 months). I think the most important thing is to turn it over without the spark plugs in to get oil pumping through without the stress of compression?

na, if its been inside and not damp... just crank it into life.

[MyGSXF:Me]

Hi there

When I got my bike, it had been stored in a housetruck out by the beach for 2 years! She looked like a bag of shite! Covered in cobwebs, caked on pollen & sea salt & rusty bits everywhere! so I got her real cheap!!

Spent a week with a mate & did the following:

Oil change & filter
replaced fork seals & fork oil
new chain & sprockets
drained & cleaned fuel tank
new brake pads all round
New battery
New spark plugs
balanced carbs & set valve clearances
Checked over hoses & cables.. & lubricated them
New tyres
Cleaned air filter
New stearing head bearing (I think... )
a BLOODY good degrease, clean & cut & polish
Wof & Rego

& man did she look beeeeeeUtiful when we finished!!! I was right in there helping the whole time too.. so I felt like I really 'knew' her when we got on the road, which was an awesome feeling. And I "trusted" in her, knowing all the work had been done!

SO I'd say depending on how long the bike has been in starage & what condition it is in, whether you would need to be so thorough as my bike was.

Good luck.. & get in there & get ya hands dirty doin it... it's great!!!

Jen

[scumdog]

I was wondering the same thing for when i start mine (sitting for 6-12 months). I think the most important thing is to turn it over without the spark plugs in to get oil pumping through without the stress of compression?

I also do that on engines that have been sitting for a long time - but that's just me being pedantic. (won't do any harm though).

And it's not so just worrying about "the stress of compression" but more to get oil to the rocker gear, cam bearings etc etc before firing up and revving the motor...

[Spyke]

thanks all

hopefully this will help any other newbies as well if they want to get a stored bike back out there and being used again.

can't wait to get my hands dirty, jus need a bike!!!

[Pixie]

Depends on what it is and how long it has sat in what kind of home its had, what SD said and before turning the engine over put some clean oil down the plug hole to lube the bore and rings, but not too much as it will hinder the starting.

Having said that my Katana sat for 5yrs all I did was drain the carbs and fire it up... started 1st pop.

Good to hear!There's hope for my McIntosh then