85 VF700 - Old bike checklist-before running it daily??

What would you be sure to check and/or replace on an old bike that has not ran in a few years?
Running voltage of charging system, I take it?
Thermostat opening etc.

Also if anyone knows...
1.) is there a cooler thermostat one can use or is factory fine?
2.) Where is the best place online to get tires...and with that who has a more enduro type tire with chunkier tread?
Is there a particular brand? I am gonna do more of a street fighter thing.
3.) Is there a way to change the rear frame to accommodate a larger tire size in width?
4.) What about front forks? Is there a better replacement from another bike and/or for a wider tire size?
5.) Fuel sensor in tank works fine outside of tank and moves the gauge on the instrument cluster, connection to battery shows voltage, when connected and IN the tank I am getting no reading on gauge..WTH?
6.) How do you test the front fork seals or should I assumje it being older they just need replacement and new oil?

Thanks...

 

Biggest worry would be a rusty tank interior leading to recurrent carb problems. How many miles on the engine ?

IMO, a proppa hot compression test would be necessary b4 spending any money on the bike, just to see what you have to work with.

Don't waste your time and money with frame, fork, or tire mods; just ride the bike as it is but with new tires and fork oil. Chunkier treads= less traction unless you're riding dirt.........which would be nuts on that bike.

Fuel gauge ?? i'd suspect a bad ground connection.

 

21k on motor, tank was rusty and previous owner did some kind of gel coat inside. (Needs replacing imho)
Tires are Metzler - Marathon decent tread.
Will look for a grounding issue....

 

Hot compression test..? Hint on how to do this?
Maybe run it to temperature, then do a standard compression check on cylinders?

 

Also I had a bad fuel pump so I replaced with aftermarket. Connected it to the previous wire of the old pump, which i read works on a magnetic thing.
So the question is....? Do I need to run this new fuel pump electrically to an always on lead? Or am I good to go, with it being connected to the old wiring connection?