Gentle way to start a bike thats been laid up for a few years

My 1987 VFR750 FH has been off the road for about three years now. Planning to get it running again soon and was looking for some advice on the most mechanically sensitive process for doing this.

Thanks in advance for your help

bigerc

 

Was the bike prepped for long term storage? The bike should have been drained of all fluids and stored in a warm dry place with the weight off the wheels. If there was any fuel in the carbs that wasn't burnt off before storage it would have likely turned to varnish would require removing and cleaning. Lots of other things you'll need to check.

Tires should be inspected for dry rot and/or cracking.

You'll need to carefully inspect the fuel tank for rust and check working condition of fuel pump.

Complete replacement of all essential fluids (engine oil, coolant, clutch and brake fluid)

Check carb boots and all fuel, brake, oil lines for cracks or dry rot.

Check air box / filter for rodent nests.

Check to make sure brake caliper pistons do not stick when brake is engaged.

Clean and lube chain and check for severe signs of wear or rust.

May need to check clutch plates to make sure they have not become stuck together.

If everything checks out you'll just need to put some fresh fuel in the bike and verify a good charge on your battery. Before trying to fire it up you should remove the spark plugs and put some Marvel Mystery Oil in there and put the bike into 2nd or 3 gear and then rock the bike back and forth a few times without using the clutch. Let the oil soak in for a while (best overnight.) That would also be a good time to verify the condition of the plugs and check for spark while you have them out. Then put the plugs back in, spray a little starter fluid in the air intake as needed and cross your fingers.

Rollin

 

I would suggest:

Bigerc:

I concur with Rollin' on the general making sure the bike is ready to go. Below is more or less what we do on a vintage Alfa race car when we start the engine up for the first time in the spring.

1. Pull all the spark plugs. Put a little engine oil (about a teaspoon) down each cylinder. Leave plugs out.
2. Pull cam covers. Rub a light coating of engine oil on each camshaft lobe. Replace covers.
3. With fuel turned off and plugs out, run the starter three times for about five seconds each. This will circulate some oil through the lube system.
4. Replace plugs, turn on the fuel, and start her up. Don't be shocked if you get an initial huge cloud of blue/white smoke on the initial start; that's the oil you put in the cylinders.

Best of luck!

 

How aboot a pic of said beast? PM sent.

 

Hi Guys

Thanks for your help. It'll probably be a month or so before I get around to it as the weather here is still on the cold side. I also want to fit a new shock and have to save up my pennies for that. I'll post a pic or two once I get her fettled.

thanks again

Bigerc

 

Don't use starting fluid if you can avoid it !!!

Can cause damage to pistons, rings, and cylinder walls and is the least gentle way to start a bike or car.

 

That hardly seems necessary as those Alfa cams pick up oil from the buckets, which are half-submerged in oil....and no one's going to go to all that trouble on a VFR, nor do they need to.

 

I've never had a problem using starter fluid as long as it is in very small amounts. I've even used WD-40 before LOL !!

Rollin

 

"Never had a problem....?"

But you haven't seen what kind of internal damage could be caused.

It can wash lube film off the cylinder walls, causing scuffed piston skirts and scored cylinders.

There should be no need for starting fluid if carbs are clean.

 

They have the starting fluid with lubricants now, I guess it should resolve the issue mentioned by Squirrel

 

SquirrelM:

Re: lubing the cam lobes. To each his own. The residual oil film on the cam lobes only gets thinner over months/years of activity. On the Alfa it's rediculously easy to do so we do it. Is it absolutely necessary? Perhaps not, but it's surely lower risk on a engine that hasn't turned over in years such as Bigerc's.

I'm insanely jealous of your Giulia by the way; it's what my dad had when I took my drivers test in back in '67. Damn but I wish I still had that car. The Alfa's I play with are a friend's 1900 coupes (Zagato, sold; Touring, just restored)from the '50's, and, for many years, a Giulietta Spider vintage racer.

As for the use of starting fluid; yes, they have top cylinder lubricants to counter the solvent effect of the combustible agent. No, it's a very light, low viscosity lubricant that is not as effective as engine oil My humble suggestion is use it if absolutely necessary, but only as a last resort.

Best of luck!

 

Duh! What I meant to say was over years/months of INactivity.

Ohwah Tagu Siam.

 

thx

Thanks again for all your advice and I'll let you know how it goes.

Eric