Issues with little-used garaged bikes?

[guile]

What happens to a bike when you leave it in the garage for a long time and don't use it?

One second hand model I am looking at is a 2008 model but has only done 500 miles but he claims it has just passed a recent MOT.

I'm sure he will claim that he started the engine regularly but that's hard to believe over the period of 4 years.

[snikks]

Petrol and other fluids spoil over time, rubber components (tubing etc) can stiffen and possibly crack over time, metal parts can corrode due to a lack of use and proper care.

I think that broadly sums it up, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to add details/additions/corrections.
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- CBT: 02/01/11 Theory: 26/04/11 Mod 1: 19/05/11 Mod 2: 19/08/11
- 2007 Honda XL125V Varadero (Sold), 1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (Sold), 2001 CBR600F

[nowhere.elysium]

If there's been fuel left in the tank for more than, say six months, I'd be expecting sediment buildup. This can block carb jets/fuel injectors.

If, however, there hasn't been any fuel in the tank for any notable period of time, then I'd be expecting some minor corrosion in there.

Happy hunting.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[guile]

Would the MOT have picked up anything really bad with regards to the engine?

[Sako]

[Sako]

[guile]

So how would engine sediment/other inactivity issues manifest themselves? How could I tell if it was bad during a test ride?

[the_quick]

I really don't know how to test it, but I would takle bike for full service anyway
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Bandit GSF600 '00

[Teflon-Mike]

Give us a clue here; what bike?
(I am taking a guess its Kawloon-Kentukki-Flied-Speshal; left derelict when it proved less than wonderful to ride, and owner baulked at resale losses! Few people would leave a brand new Jap that would sell easily & for good money sat in a garage!)

Four years isn't TOO much; for a bike to be 'layed up'. I have pulled bikes out of the back of garages or barns that have been there far longer, and worked fine. But does depend.

As said, lighter fractions in petrol will evaporate, & if left with the petrol switched 'on' carbs can constantly 'sweat' petrol vapour leaving a laquer gumming the float-bowls, float needle's & jets.

Condensation can collect in the petrol tank and settle at the bottom; along with rust & sediment not 'agitated' and washed through.

Tyres can go flat, and rubber hard and perish, along with other rubber bits, like seals.

Paint & plastic, if the bike is exposed to strong sunlight; eg left in a green-house or summer-house, can fade, go hard & brittle; though often this takes more than ten years to be significantly noticeable.

Exposure to chemicals; garden fertiliser for instance; can cause excessive corrosion; but sat with moving parts not moving, the chain will tend to go tight and rusty, along with wheel-bearings & headstock bearings. Cables similarly seize up, as do drum brake links.

Forks, are a common one; oil ages; water settles at the bottom of the damping oil; seals remain 'dry' and harden, & unwiped with damping oil from being compressed; stansion chrome will rust more readily to 'pits', and the seals will dry out and harden; & you can expect a premature fork seal failure shortly after recommissioning a long layed bike, as work highlights weaknesses like this.

All sounds worse than it may be; all depends on what state the bike was in before it was layed up, & circumstances since.

But you have to balence; enviromental degredation from NOT being used, vs lack of 'wear & tear' from not being used...

Almost brand new bike? Layed up 4 years? Ought not be THAT significant.

But does depends what it is.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[guile]

Nice replies. It's a Derbi Senda 125. It looks in good nick but the engine could be another state, I guess.

Are Derbi's reliable?

[Rogerborg]

[guile]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Rogerborg]

Have it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike