Getting an old bike back on the road

[TeX]

Hi, I have a 2003 Honda NSR 125 but it's been off the road for about 2 years or more. I want to get it back running again and was wondering what things I need to do to it. The battery is dead so obviously need to change that.

Do I need to change the oil and coolant?

Do I need to change other liquids like brake fluid?

This may sound stupid but would the petrol that's in it need changing?

I guess I need to grease up/oil certain bits, like the chain and bearings, any other areas I need to oil up?

Pump up tyres, would the tyres be ok and not perished with it just been standing around, they look ok to the eye but obviously don't want any blow outs.

Anything else I need to do?

[Cigaro]

The tyres may have a flat spot. Pump them up and check they're OK, not perished, hold air etc.

The NSR is a two-stroke, the two-stroke oil and petrol that's in it should be OK but personally I'd crank it over without the spark plug first just to make sure oil is getting to the cylinder. You don't want to start it and then find out that the oil pump isn't working.

Gear oil and coolant should probably be changed, but not urgently.

Brake fluid should be fine. Petrol should be OK too.

Chain will definitely need lubing.

[bbjohhny]

If it's not been started for a couple of years the carbs may have gummed up and need cleaning out - petrol goes off over time, and turns to a gooey jelly lump that stop it running. At the very least it's worth topping the tank up with fresh petrol, as stale petrol won't be easy to start her up with. Only speaking from personal experience - just got a gpz600r running that'd been stood for 3 years, and the carbs were a mess inside.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Petrol can go off. I would be tempted to drain out what is in there (dilute it down with fresh petrol and put it in the car to get rid of it) and replace with fresh petrol.

If you are worried about oil in the engine then take the plug out and put a small amount of 2 stroke oil down the plug hole. Then turn the engine over (ignition off). Will at least protect the barrel / piston.

The 2 stroke oil should be fine.

Brake fluid should almost certainly be replaced, although I suspect most wouldn't bother. How old was it when the bike was last used?

On a 2 stroke engine I wouldn't worry too much about the gearbox oil, as long as there is enough. However if it is a 4 stroke then you should change the oil before storing it (the oil gets contaminated with acids from the combustion process, which over time will damage engine components).

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[smegballs]

Anyone find the notion of a 2003 bike being "old" as hilarious as I do??

[Kickstart]

[The Shaggy D.A.]