Question:
how do i restore my motorcycle after 4-yr storage NO PREP?
Nicole P
2012-05-19 21:49:56 UTC
Long story short, four years ago I was forced to unexpectedly put my 2000 Honda Nighthawk into storage, abruptly and with no prep. My life was turned completely upside down and my poor bike was the last thing on my mind. Now I want to get it back in running order, but it was stored so long without any preparation that I have no idea where to start. I changed the oil and oil filter, and I know I should probably check or change the brake fluid etc etc, but I don't know what else needs to be done. Last time I started it about a year ago it looked like there was gas leaking from the carbs. Can anyone give me a checklist of what it needs to get it safely running again? I'd love to just have it towed to a shop but I can't afford it right now. The tires and battery were almost brand new at the time it went into storage, and there was about a quarter tank of gas in the tank, which I've since drained. Please help!
Five answers:
Ef Ervescence
2012-05-20 05:50:18 UTC
First thing to do is drain all gas and dispose of it. It is dead. You say you have drained it, but the tank should come off anyway and it needs to be cleaned it thoroughly, as there will be sediment in it.



The fuel lines can be removed at both ends and cleaned. A carb cleaner spray with a long nozzle will do this easily. . If this is done, hold the lines vertically to let them drain and dry quickly.





Tires and battery were "almost new" four years ago?



If the battery has not been kept charged, it will have died, or will be very close to that point now.



If the bike was stored outside and in the sun your tires are worthless and MUST be replaced. If it was stored in a garage, the tires might still be OK, but they will have hardened over time, as that is what ALL tires do, whether in use or not. The best usage life is about five years from date of manufacture, not date of purchase.. More is certainly possible, but performance drops with each year and if you drive on old tires as though they were brand new you are almost guaranteed to lose the bike in a corner the same tires would have handled easily when new.



Tires have a limited life span: they start aging as soon as they are born from the mold. They all have the date of manufacture on the side, and you should check this. Here is a guide for this

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11



Remember, please, NOTHING on the bike is more important than your tires.







BEFORE turning the engine the first time, remove all spark plugs and pour in about an ounce of light oil. Some will recommend different brands, but a 5-30 or 10-30 will do nicely. Let it sit overnight before turning the engine over, and then do it with the plugs still out. Place some cloth above the holes when doing this to catch the oil as it is blown out. .



Let the engine spin without compression for a few seconds, at least. The oil you added will supply lubrication to at least the top rings and the piston walls before the engine can get oil pumped into the area. It is done because any oil that was there 4 years ago will have become so thin as to be useless and friction will be quite high when you first turn the engine over.







Remove and clean the carbs. You might consider having this done professionally, as the expense may be worthwhile.



At home it can be done, with one of several carb cleaners They are used as a bath, by soaking the carbs in it, then blowing them dry with compressed air. Read the instructions carefully, before starting.



This will be essential as the old gas will have largely evaporated, and the balance turned to mud, or close to it, and it will clog the tiny passages in the carbs. Leaking gaskets should be replaced, but check the hoses for cracks, as they also age. If you have a fuel filter, replace it.



Brake fluid should be fine, but check all hoses and connections for leaks or swelling.

Buy a can of spray brake cleaner and use it generously. Put down paper to absorb the run-off. Turn the wheels while still wet as the brake pads may have become stuck .
?
2012-05-19 23:37:50 UTC
The #1 thing would be to get some fuel tank cleaner and flush your gas tank. Inspect your tires for dry cracks. Inspect all hoses for dry cracking. Your brake fluid should be fine unless you discover lines or hoses cracked. Replace the battery because at that age it is living on borrowed time if it is still working. It sounds like from the gas leaking from carbs that the gaskets and seals may have dried out so you'll want to have the carbs overhauled. It could just be a cracked fuel line leaking though. If so you can probably get away with just running some fuel injector/carb cleaner through it for about two tanks of gas. I think with some minor expenses you'll be back up and running in no time.
anonymous
2014-09-25 13:38:57 UTC
With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.



According to recent studies made by World Bank, the coming crisis will be far worse than initially predicted. So if you're already preparing for the crisis (or haven't started yet) make sure you watch this video at http://www.familysurvival.tv and discover the 4 BIG issues you'll have to deal with when the crisis hits, and how to solve them fast (before the disaster strikes your town!) without spending $1,000s on overrated items and useless survival books.
?
2012-05-20 07:43:27 UTC
Hope things are better for you now, so would suggest re the bike to get hold of a workshop manual that will then give you all the info you need. Should be a free down load at www.carlsalter.co.uk or .com.

It's basically a case of work your way through every thing oh and buy some 'swarfega' hand cleaner too or you'll be leaving 'paw' prints all over.
?
2016-12-03 08:12:01 UTC
It genuinely relies upon on the style. the factor to recollect is that it often expenses almost as plenty to repair a thoroughly thrashed Honda path ninety because it does to repair a Vincent Black Shadow greater healthy. confirm which you do're identifying on the main excellent motorcycle to repair, and which you're beginning with something that isn't in such undesirable shape it will value a mint to restoration up. look at eBay - elect 'performed products' and notice what motorcycles like yours are going for. additionally verify Cycle dealer on your section. Rule of thumb is that for some reason classic Hondas convey greater powerful resale than Yamaha, and the two those marques sell plenty greater powerful than Suzuki and Kawasaki. There are exceptions, yet it truly is almost consistently genuine. additionally, till it is pre-conflict, it isn't any longer an previous, it is classic. previous is almost consistently defined as a bike geared up earlier WWII, yet in creditors circles, maximum do no longer call them Antiques till they're pre-melancholy-era - 1920's, ya comprehend. Our 1950's era BSA's and Triumphs are nonetheless seen classic, no longer previous. Our Levis and Harley from the 1920's are Antiques.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...