un-storing a bike

J

jonathan24

Member
i am picking up a 1980 cb650 early next week, but she has been in storage for a few years (owner says around 3 years)

i know off the bat i gotta do an oil change.
also going to go over all the nuts and bolts make sure everything is nice and tight.

what else should i be looking at doing/looking for before i try and start it up and even ride it?
 
Chain, tires (flat spots/sidewall cracks/age), seafoam, and for good measure I would change the fork oil.
 
Was there fuel in the tank when he stored it? Did he put in stabilizer? If not, you may need to drain the carbs, drain the fuel, put new fuel + seafoam. If the carbs are really gunked up, you'll need to remove and clean them.

Was the bike on a stand? or just sitting on its kickstand and wheels? If so, you'll probably need to change the tires as flat spots will have formed during the 3 winters.
 
the current owner was in the army, he didnt plan to sell it but just doesnt have time right now.
the chain looks brand new on it, he said he put a new one a couple months before storage.
i spun the tires around, they looked good, nice and smooth. good tread left on them.

and i did not check the tank out, but he did say he stored it 'properly'. but we will have to see how it look when i pick it up
 
Take the plugs out and put some oil / wd40 at minimum down each cylinder and let it sit a day or two before trying to fire it up.

Try to charge the battery or get a new one.
 
As the KLR guy said, try to charge the battery or get a new one, A good strong electrical system is key for the older bikes due to the slight corrosion that always builds up on the electrical connections.

Ive seen steering head bearings seize up .. or become "sticky' after only a year of sitting.

Before you try and start the bike drain the fuel and use it in your lawnmower! (those carbs are easier to clean) take a flashlight and look down the tank for rust, To clean the tank if required soak it in a mixture of CLR and water (30:1 mixture) for a few days.

Cheers
Paul
 
any specific type of oil to let soak in there? and should i leave the plugs out while i crank it a couple times to throw the oil out of the cylinder, or would that not be a problem in there?

battery, alright, where should i pick one up? and any particular brand of battery recommended over another?
 
I would just do the oil change now and use whats left over for the cylinders, you can use any motor oil...since all you need is a teaspoon in each cylinder.
for the battery... I generally go to Crown battery in Woodbridge ont. 200 Trowers rd. 905-8508753, Good prices !
Cheers
Paul
 
Look for a date code on the tires, if it's been sitting for a few years, the tires may be getting pretty hard from age, not a big problem on a car, but not a good idea on a bike. Even if they look good, if they are 5+ years old I would replace them before they cost you a lot more than $300.
 
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