Starting a bike after 18 months

owl10 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

Hi all,

Finally putting my zx6r j1 (carbed) back together, and thinking of how to restart; BCF advice gratefully received!

Last time bike was run was 18 months ago, since then it's been turned over about 1 year agoon the starter with the tank removed.

Oil is at least 18mths old.

My basic plan is to put bike in 6th, turn back wheel and make sure it turns over.

Then spray a load of carb cleaner into the carbs, and turn over on the starter

Finally hook up a remote fuel tank and see if it comes alive. If it does, I'll drop oil and use new oil.

Has this any chance of working???

Worth dropping oil and using fresh for first start?

I'm probably not mechanically willing to strip and rebuild carbs; would I risk any damage by not doing so?

Thanks.
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Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Why change the oil? Mineral oil is a good few million years old. If it starts it starts, if not start worrying about it!
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P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

I'd run it up to temp and then drain the oil and replace.

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Why the oil change Paddy? Bike has not run for 18 months, oil is 18 months old.
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wristjob · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

id drop a soupspoon full of oil down each plug hole and hand turn the engine a few rotations,(nobody likes a dry ring)
then fuel it and start it.
if it wont start then find out why.
much less work than fixing problems it might have.
this presumes it was a runner when it was put away and it hasnt been stored in a pond.

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

I'm with Ariel on this. It's the contaminates and heat cycles from running that degrades the oil. If it's sat in an engine for 18 months doing nothing then I'd be using it without any worry. It 'might' of got a bit of water in it but it'll evaporate once the engine has run properly.

OP, 18 months is nothing. Charge battery and crank it over. Easy start is your friend.
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owl10 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

Can't remember oil type, most likely fully synthetic of some type, was put in fresh for the bike trip on which I crashed (hence bike not being started for a while),

Probably closer to 2 years now I think about it

Bike was running when recovered, and started in the garage every few weeks originally as was planning to return to the road fairly quickly - life has gotten in the way..
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DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

After a rebuild or wakening up a long term 'sitter'
I like to whip the plugs out and turn it over until the oil light goes out a few times before firing it up in anger.
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P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

It ain't gonna start first turn so the pump will shove some oil around. The head will still have oil in the cam wells anyway. Charge the battery and crank it.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy

Diggs · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

Clean the plugs first, put a new battery on it as the old one won't hold charge and will only leave you bumping it the first time you turn the engine off, some new fuel then press the magic button. Remember that your brake pistons have probably seized, your chain will have dry links and that your clutch plates may be stuck, so don't try to ride it until you have looked at these and run it on a paddock stand in gear for a few minutes. Its a good way to check for leaks too without going for a spin and getting stranded....
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Jeez, it's 18 months not years. I'd hook up something with 12v and give it a go, not my bike mind, your bike your risk.
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Diggs · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

My comment about the new battery still stands as it will almost certainly be shagged. Bear in mind I have owned GS550s where a shagged battery means certain burning out of electrics as there is nothing to absorb the excess charge (done that...), I own a Mk1 Speed Triple where a weak battery means a new sprag clutch (not done that but know folk who have...) and nearly ridden my GSXR into a wall when bumping off at a petrol station with a flat battery.
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

owl10 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

Checked battery today.... 1.15v on multimeter....

Got a car battery with 12v in garage, is attaching jump leads a bad idea?
____________________
DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

owl10 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

Checked battery today.... 1.15v on multimeter....

Got a car battery with 12v in garage, is attaching jump leads a bad idea?
____________________
DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

Nope, that'll work. Just put red-red, black-black.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy

Diggs · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

Connect black-black before red-red and disconnect red before black...

Don't leave on for more than a split second or you may smell burning, which is rarely good. Honestly, buying a new bike battery is the safest option!
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

I've always attached positive before negative and on removal taken negative off first, that way you can't short the spanner against the frame when you tighten up the positive battery nut.
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Pjay · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jan 2016 Karma :

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

ZebraDriver · Scooby Slapper Joined: 13 Feb 2011 Karma :

If you are connecting jump leads. ALWAYS touch the last connection onto the terminal before letting the crocodile clip grip onto the terminal. You will probably get a small spark (because of the difference in voltages).
Do this because if you have got the leads the wrong way around and you clip on the last lead there will be a big arc welding type flash with damage to the terminal, the leads, and possibly the bikes electrics. Touching the last terminal in this way may not save the bikes electrics but it will avoid welding things together.

ZD

ZebraDriver · Scooby Slapper Joined: 13 Feb 2011 Karma :

If you are connecting jump leads. ALWAYS touch the last connection onto the terminal before letting the crocodile clip grip onto the terminal. You will probably get a small spark (because of the difference in voltages).
Do this because if you have got the leads the wrong way around and you clip on the last lead there will be a big arc welding type flash with damage to the terminal, the leads, and possibly the bikes electrics. Touching the last terminal in this way may not save the bikes electrics but it will avoid welding things together.

ZD

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

Diggs · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

Have I been doing it wrong all these years!!! I was always told to have the earth connected at all times when connecting or disconnecting the positive to avoid possible damage. You do get a small spark 'tis true, but it reduces the potential for other problems.

Do we have a qualified auto-electrician in the house to clear this up? I am happy to stand corrected... Question

____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...