Sprockets ?: Starting up a sleeping engine?

I have been thinking about my old motorcycle a lot since pulling the dust cover off of it last week for some photos.

Sadly, I think that I have retired from motorcycle riding and I'll probably be putting it up for sale in the spring.

Before I parked it, I drained all of the fuel out, removed the spark plugs and fogged the pistons. Every once in a while, I pull the spark plugs and valve adjustment covers, squirt in a little oil, and turn the engine over a few times by hand (or foot).

I want to get it running again before I try to sell it. It's been a while since I tried to start an engine that's been sitting for a while, and even though I think I did all the right things when I parked it, I'm not sure what I should do before adding fuel and spark again.

Any suggestions?

eff it and start it up, it should run fine it's a honda. RIDE it you're never too old, unless you have a serious physical disability RIDE!!!

Daily ride and TONS of fun 250cc

I cannot imagine there would be anything, you have taken VERY good care of it (considering what most old bikes go through and they mostly start up fine). Turning it though a bunch of times (or hit the starter) with the ignition off to try and get some oil pressure might be nice.

If you have trouble starting it (I cannot imagine you will) you can do the "almost never fails" trick of taking it to the top of a hill and running it down the hill in gear until it starts (making sure the ignition works first of course). This will also avoid the very common clogged idle jets, so if you do this and it doesn't idle, take the carbs apart and clean the idle jets.

Just get a new battery, Pull the plugs, put 1/2 gallon of gas in it and full choke with plugs out and crank for 20sec let rest 2 minutes or so and crank again 20 or so sec then put plugs back in and fire it up!

Looks nice!

44

I would take a good look inside the tank for any surface rust that might come off and suck into the jets. May not be a bad idea to put an inline filter on the fuel line right in front of the carburetor as a precauntionary step.

With a fully charged battery, check for spark by grounding the plugs on the cylinder head and kicking the motor over (ignition switch on), just to eliminate that possible problem.

If you don't get any action at that point, look into the carbs. If there was any fuel residue in there, that will be causing problems. If you take them off the bike, pop off all the bowls, take all the jets out that you can (some may be pressed in on these carbs, I can't recall off the top of my head), the float and float needle, and blow throttle body cleaner and compressed air though every passage. You'd be surprised what some people refer to as 'cleaning the carbs.' No point in doing it twice, so if you go in there, do a very thorough job.

Lots of old Hondas act very strange with a low fuel situation, so be sure you've got at least a gallon in the tank.

I already have an inline filter on it and I really don't expect to have any trouble getting it to start. I was just wondering if there is any special oil or anything that I should put in it first.

i'll tell you but you have to promise to ride it first, then show proof that you mean it

wherethefmi2000 wrote: Daily ride and TONS of fun 250cc

sorry to thread jack, but how do you like that bike? I've seen some for sale locally and been tempted but don't want to end up with something I cant find parts for

and, just put in some fresh fluids and go for it, then ride and forget those silly thoughts of selling it

the bike is super reliable, hyosung makes engines and other parts for suzuki, for the last 30 years or so. that frame is exactly the same as a gs500 frame. the sv650 motor is the same as hyo's on thier 650 go to korider.com it's a good resource for those bikes. /end thread jack...

Woody you better ride her....hrmmm it.

wherethefmi2000 wrote: Woody you better ride her....hrmmm it.

Here's the deal (I've written this before, in another thread):

I love to ride. I have ridden year 'round in the past, including a ride every New Year's morning regardless of temperature. I've owned as many as four bikes at a time.

But...I am a professional firefighter. I drive little sportscars around race tracks....

....and I have a beautiful new baby girl. I have to draw the line somewhere, and this is it. I need to retire from motorcycling. My choice, not a forced decision.

I'm an infantryman in the us army I've been to Iraq and am going again, I understand reducing risk. I have two kiddos myself, a 3mo and a 15mo. (irish twins almost) only you can make that decision, just don't wait till you're kids are out of college and you're old and you regret it then.

wherethefmi2000 wrote: I'm an infantryman in the us army I've been to Iraq and am going again, I understand reducing risk. I have two kiddos myself, a 3mo and a 15mo. (irish twins almost) only you can make that decision, just don't wait till you're kids are out of college and you're old and you regret it then.

Thank you for your service to our country.

not the point, ride the damn bike lol

Woody, you've done everything right. Fire that thing up!

And if anybody's interested in a Hyosung, let it be known, my shop sells 'em, and we've shipped lots of bikes to all corners of the country and overseas. Good deals to be had on in-stock '08s. We've gotta be crazy with prices like these. Everything must go, et cetera, et cetera and all that jazz.

http://www.motorradstl.com

alex@motorradstl.com

Shameless plug is over. Go about your business.

i paid 2900 for mine plus 600ish in rebates new 07