Stored for five years: service or new tyres?
Discussion
Some gits nicked my very nice bike last week.
Luckily I have a friend who's able to let me have a really quite lovely VTR 1000 for a very good price. It's a bike he's been looking to offload for some time but never got round to selling. It's been sitting in his garage for five years developing a protective coating of dust! That said, it started first time with a new battery and fresh petrol and sailed through its MOT with no advisories. I will be using it for a ten day tour through the Alps at the start of May.
Now here's my dilemma. As I say, it's been sat for five years. That was because he couldn't get on with the riding position. But before he stored it he paid for a full service (fluids, valve clearances etc) and a new set of boots. It'll have done less than a thousand miles since then. Thing is, for a variety of reasons (not least my bike being nicked) money is very tight at the moment. Where, if anywhere, should I spend a little on the bike. A fresh service? A new set of tyres? It's one or the other unfortunately; can't stretch to both. The tyres have full tread but will they have degraded being sat for five years? Likewise, am I risking anything riding on fluids which are five years old but which haven't done any miles?
Guidance greatly appreciated!
Luckily I have a friend who's able to let me have a really quite lovely VTR 1000 for a very good price. It's a bike he's been looking to offload for some time but never got round to selling. It's been sitting in his garage for five years developing a protective coating of dust! That said, it started first time with a new battery and fresh petrol and sailed through its MOT with no advisories. I will be using it for a ten day tour through the Alps at the start of May.
Now here's my dilemma. As I say, it's been sat for five years. That was because he couldn't get on with the riding position. But before he stored it he paid for a full service (fluids, valve clearances etc) and a new set of boots. It'll have done less than a thousand miles since then. Thing is, for a variety of reasons (not least my bike being nicked) money is very tight at the moment. Where, if anywhere, should I spend a little on the bike. A fresh service? A new set of tyres? It's one or the other unfortunately; can't stretch to both. The tyres have full tread but will they have degraded being sat for five years? Likewise, am I risking anything riding on fluids which are five years old but which haven't done any miles?
Guidance greatly appreciated!
SAS Tom said:
Maybe put some fresh oil in but I doubt there's even much wrong with that. The tyres will be fine. I bought a BMW once that had 11 year old tyres on and they were fine.
have you inspected the tyers how do you know there ok ? chances are yes they properly are but have a good look at them and side walls
Service life for tyres is between 5-6 years.
If it's been stored on the wheels (not stands), in extreme temperature changes / UV light (IE outside) I would change the boots.
If you don't, for the love of god go easy for the first 50 miles. All the oils will have moved to the surface and it'll be super slippy.
Oil will be fine if it was fresh when it went in. Coolant I'd probably change.
If it's been stored on the wheels (not stands), in extreme temperature changes / UV light (IE outside) I would change the boots.
If you don't, for the love of god go easy for the first 50 miles. All the oils will have moved to the surface and it'll be super slippy.
Oil will be fine if it was fresh when it went in. Coolant I'd probably change.
jon- said:
Service life for tyres is between 5-6 years.
If it's been stored on the wheels (not stands), in extreme temperature changes / UV light (IE outside) I would change the boots.
If you don't, for the love of god go easy for the first 50 miles. All the oils will have moved to the surface and it'll be super slippy.
Oil will be fine if it was fresh when it went in. Coolant I'd probably change.
Thanks. It's been stored in a large garage / workshop; so away from UV light. The garage is not heated though so it will have been through the usual seasonal temperature changes. It's been stored resting on the side stand.If it's been stored on the wheels (not stands), in extreme temperature changes / UV light (IE outside) I would change the boots.
If you don't, for the love of god go easy for the first 50 miles. All the oils will have moved to the surface and it'll be super slippy.
Oil will be fine if it was fresh when it went in. Coolant I'd probably change.
jon- said:
I'd certainly be taking this approach too.
A car you might be able to wing it. Not a bike.
I thought that might be the answer I'd get. So if I spend say £200 on some decent Michelins (I put road pilot 4s on my old bike and they were excellent). Is there anything I can / should do myself on the service front? Just change the coolant?A car you might be able to wing it. Not a bike.
Ta
..id change the oil , service the brakes and change the brake fluid only BUT I would aim to do a couple of hundred miles shakedown on it before I left just to see if any other issues crop up , you'll know after a couple of hundred miles if you have any issues to put right before you go.
I think you may have to go for whatever keeps you personally happy mate as your going to get a few opinions, I may be interested in the tyres if you change them...
I think you may have to go for whatever keeps you personally happy mate as your going to get a few opinions, I may be interested in the tyres if you change them...
I'd change the tyres, PR4s are good. As others have said they can harden or crack due to sitting, for the cost of a set of tyres (and it being at the back of your mind) I'd get them done.
I'd also change the fluids, it's not expensive and would stop me worrying.
Give the chain a thorough cleaning and check for stiff links.
Then give it a good long run and make sure mice aren't living in the airbox!
I'd also change the fluids, it's not expensive and would stop me worrying.
Give the chain a thorough cleaning and check for stiff links.
Then give it a good long run and make sure mice aren't living in the airbox!
As you are planning a 10 day trip in a few weeks then new tyres are a total no brainer. They might be ok, why risk it though? You'll wish you had changed them if the rear blows out at high speed in the middle of your holiday!
Fluids probably will be on, however I'd change them for piece of mind. Easy to DIY, no need to pay anyone.
Take a good look at the chain - fully check it for any stiff links.
Fluids probably will be on, however I'd change them for piece of mind. Easy to DIY, no need to pay anyone.
Take a good look at the chain - fully check it for any stiff links.
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