Starting a bike after 2 years

[scoobster999]

Hi All, I have my 2008 Blade which due to a knee injury has sat in the garage without being used for the best part of 2 years now. In light of the decent weather and the ability to move my knee again I have decided to fire her up and start using her again. The bike was serviced 100 miles prior to being put away. The only issue has been the battery which despite being on an optimate has died and will be replaced.

The bike has been moved back and forward several times but hasn't been run in the period. Any instructions on how best to avoid lunching the engine etc, and are the tyres likely to be knackered now?

Any advice would be gratefully received as I'm terrified of killing her!

Thanks

Scoob

[srob]

Add petrol and press start button. It'll be fine

[pozi]

srob said:

Add petrol and press start button. It'll be fine

I would agree and add changing the oil at a push but I am sure someone will be along soon insisting the tyres are knackered and the chain has disintegrated through lack of use....

[Rubin215]

Tyres, oil etc are the least of your worries.

By now, the frame itself will have corroded from within and the first time you do more than 30 it will snap in two, launching you in to an horrendous and painful death.

You would be better to just sell it on or scrap it.





I'll give you £200 for it, just because I feel sorry for you...





Alternatively, new battery, fresh petrol, start it and get your life back.

[Hooli]

srob said:

Add petrol and press start button. It'll be fine

Almost this, but it'll be fine on the old petrol in there.

[srob]

Hooli said:

srob said:

Add petrol and press start button. It'll be fine

Almost this, but it'll be fine on the old petrol in there.

You're richer than me if you can afford to leave petrol for two years without cashing it in

[theshrew]

Just fire it up and let it tick over for a few min. Give the chain a good lube and check the brakes work might have seized but doubt it.

Most important of all get a bingo winged fat chick to test your suspension.

Enjoy

[Hooli]

srob said:

Hooli said:

srob said:

Add petrol and press start button. It'll be fine

Almost this, but it'll be fine on the old petrol in there.

You're richer than me if you can afford to leave petrol for two years without cashing it in

Nah, I'm too poor to afford a bit of tube to siphon it out.

[scoobster999]

So it will be somewhere between a pile of corrosion and fine! The thing tries to kill me every time I chuck a leg over, little chance I'll be doing over 30!

Thanks for the assist all, I'll chuck on a new battery and see what the deal is, whats the worst that can happen!

[Hooli]

We started one of Mrs Hooli's GSX14s after about eight years parked up. It only needed a new battery & a change of oil once warmed up. The oil was probably ok but it seemed a good idea just in case on a bike with just 7k miles.

[RizzoTheRat]

Chain oil's likely to have dried a bit so I'd give that a clean and lube.

Changing the engine oil before storing is the correct way round, you're supposed to change it on a time basis as well as mileage but personally I wouldn't bother, but check it after you've run it for a while to ensure it doesn't have any milkyness at the top of the dipstick suggesting it's absorbed water.

Check the brakes are working properly, wouldn't be surprised if a piston or two have seized in a couple of years not being used, which will result in uneven wear of the pads, pretty easy to whip the calipers off and check they're all free, however so long as the brakes work I wouldn't worry about that before the first ride.

Depending on what it was last done I'd be tempted to change the brake fluid at some point but again probably not urgent.

I assume 2008 is FI not carbed? Carbs can sometimes cause a bit of grief if they've been left long enough that the fuel in them has dried out, but FI should be fine.

I'd check the tyre pressures and go for a ride, but consider giving it a bit of a going over at some point in the next few weeks.

[The Moose]

So, 2 years ago, petrol was 8-10p a litre more expensive than it is now. At least the next tank of fuel should be cheaper

[moto_traxport]

The Moose said:

So, 2 years ago, petrol was 8-10p a litre more expensive than it is now. At least the next tank of fuel should be cheaper

That would annoy me!

I went backpacking for 18 months (a fair while ago now) and filled my R1 up before setting off at 85p a litre and when I came back it was £1.19 a litre. My smugness was tempered by having to buy a £60 battery.

[scoobster999]

Chucked on the new battery and it fired up first go. Turns out it was close on 3 years since I last fired her up. Speaks volumes for Honda!

Hoping tomorrow will be dry for a bit so I can take it up to Mot place who has agreed to open specially! Yay! Back riding the blade, now got to fit in riding the victory too!