Bringing a Bike out of Storeage

[CorriganJ]

I had to leave my bike in a hurry because of Coronovirus. It's been sitting in a shed since Christmas. In a few weeks I am heading back to where it is, and I need it as transport ASAP to get around. I can't afford to wait around for a garage or for parts or whatever to arrive, so I am ordering anything I might need to arrive there before I do. what will I (probably) need to do to get it up and running?

I'm planning to:

Clean the carbs - I guess its had old fuel sitting in them for 6 months now, so thats the biggest issue.

New petrol (how do I dispose of the old stuff?)

Charge the battery (hoping it doesn't need replacing but I guess halfords can sort me if it does)

Change the oil

Lube chain

Air in tires


Is there anything else that I might also need to do? I'm hoping that things like fork seals are still okay. If not I'm in trouble. But yeah, I think carb cleaner is probably all I need to buy because I have everything else? Thanks all

[Ste]

To get it up and running all you should need to do is start it up.

Bikes don't disintegrate if left for a few months.

The tyres should still have air in them and the chain lube that was on it in December will still be on the chain. The battery might need jump starting but that's no biggie.

What bike is it?

[arry]

Have left bikes far longer than that and just jumped on and ridden them. Even my Enfield with its horrifically cheap and nasty lead acid Indian battery turned over and fired up first turn of the key after ~6 months.

[CorriganJ]

[weasley]

[stinkwheel]

I literally just dragged my VFR out which hasn't been ridden since October last year.

I charged the battery and pumped up the tyres and did all the usual pre-ride checks. Took about 30 seconds to pick up and fire and about a minute to be idling properly on all 4 pots. Off on a run up North for the weekend.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[arry]

[CorriganJ]

So maybe carb cleaner will be not needed?

[om15]

You might look at putting some redex fuel cleaner in the tank on next fill up, I tend to put some in the tank in late autumn and hope that this cleans the injectors before winter lay up, and again in the spring.
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Alcohol doesn't solve problems, but neither does milk

[MarJay]

[Ste]

Go to a petrol station and fill the tank up, it's no more complicated than that.

[dynax]

Don't over think it, just crank it over and if it starts great otherwise try jump starting it
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Mike.
Bikes: Xena, Bridget,Florence
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmihUc0xXxYbR4_0l-F1FzA/videos?view_as=subscriber

[stinkwheel]

[Fisty]

The TL1000R hadn't been used in 18 months until I took it for its MOT.

I started it, checked the lights worked, rode it.

It's been 6 months, not 6 years.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[iooi]

[A100man]

Interesting thread, confirms most of my experiences..

So, no ill effects form the dreaded ethanol and no need for 'Stabil' (whatever the fuck that snake oil is)..

PS I also hate battery tenders.. (disconnect the earth on storage and recharge if necessary the day before intended use)
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[MarJay]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[quote="MarJay"]

[A100man]

[MCN]

I've never ever saw a Stone age bike. 🤔

😂
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.