I bought a bike that's been sitting for a while. What now?
First, realize that you're not going to ride this rough gem tomorrow, or probably this week. Go through the Service Schedule line by line and assume that nothing has been done. Be patient and think of all the work you would need to do if you had just sat around for months or years.
Here are some specific areas to make sure to check. Nearly all you need to know is in FAQ. Follow the links and also note the search function on the left.
- Clean and spec carburetors - don't neglect any details
- Clean air filter
- Change oil
- Change plugs and check wires
- Change or add fuel filter
- Lube cables
- Drain tank and let sit open overnight to let the (old, bad) gas all evaporate out
- Check all hoses and lines for visual damage and function
- Change and charge battery – plan on buying a new one
- Carefully inspect braking systems - change fluid and check pads, hoses, calipers and pistons
- Check fuses
- Make sure cooling system is full enough for some idling, and plan on replacing coolant
- Check clutch cable slack
- Check condition of chain and chain slack, then lube it
- Give the wheels a look over for any deformation
- If the tires are old, worn or just plain stock, change them
- Check your bulbs and signaling electrics
- If the bike has signs of being dropped, look down your forks and triple from overhead to find any obvious bends. A more thorough check later on is still a good idea if nothing is found.
Now start it up, and if there aren't any electrical or mechanical oddities, you're ready for the next list of stuff:
- Adjust idle after it's warmed up
- Give it some throttle stabs. Make sure it revs right and drops back to idle without hesitation.
- Check for any odd smoke
- Check for oil leaks (note them for potential gasket changes later on)
- Monitor cooling system for leaks or overheating
This may not be everything, but at this step take a careful shakedown ride and hope it won't split in half on you.
There's no reason an older bike won't give you years of riding excitement. Keep an eye on the maintenance you've already done and you'll be fine.
