Got a free Hornet. Been sat. What is it likely to need?
Discussion
So my luck is in...
Had friends over last night to celebrate her upcoming 60th. I've known of her bike, sat collecting dust in her garage for a good few years - 5, at least. Topic came up as to whether she'd be interested in selling.
After a bit of a chat, she struck a deal with me. I could have the bike for free on three conditions. I'd get it roadworthy. I'd keep it for at least a few years. I'd put her on the insurance in case she plucked up the courage to ride it again.
It's a year 2000 black CB600F Hornet with around 5000 miles. She bought it new, but did drop it a couple of times, so it's not mint. It was only dropped whilst stationary. She became a magistrate a few years ago, and is basically frightened to ride it as she says she knows she will speed on it, and that is not acceptable given her profession!
What is is likely to need to get going again? Obviously tyres, oil, fresh fuel, a battery. It's carbs, so I am assuming them to be full of jelly. Is there anything in particular that I'm likely to come across or should be aware of? Any sequence I need to go through before attempting to start it?
Although I've jumped on mates bikes over the years, I've not had my own since my CBX550 and FZR400R days in the late 90's. Rather looking forward to it
Had friends over last night to celebrate her upcoming 60th. I've known of her bike, sat collecting dust in her garage for a good few years - 5, at least. Topic came up as to whether she'd be interested in selling.
After a bit of a chat, she struck a deal with me. I could have the bike for free on three conditions. I'd get it roadworthy. I'd keep it for at least a few years. I'd put her on the insurance in case she plucked up the courage to ride it again.
It's a year 2000 black CB600F Hornet with around 5000 miles. She bought it new, but did drop it a couple of times, so it's not mint. It was only dropped whilst stationary. She became a magistrate a few years ago, and is basically frightened to ride it as she says she knows she will speed on it, and that is not acceptable given her profession!
What is is likely to need to get going again? Obviously tyres, oil, fresh fuel, a battery. It's carbs, so I am assuming them to be full of jelly. Is there anything in particular that I'm likely to come across or should be aware of? Any sequence I need to go through before attempting to start it?
Although I've jumped on mates bikes over the years, I've not had my own since my CBX550 and FZR400R days in the late 90's. Rather looking forward to it
Bikesalot said:
Chuck a new battery in - see if it starts.
It might you know... Then i'd be giving it a full service, including fresh fuel.
If it wont start then start by taking the carbs off and giving them a clean and run some fresh fuel through the system.
This basically. You won't do it any harm by trying to get it going as is. It might you know... Then i'd be giving it a full service, including fresh fuel.
If it wont start then start by taking the carbs off and giving them a clean and run some fresh fuel through the system.
Make sure you give it a good splash of fresh fuel first.
Good little bike those. Nice freebie.
Did this with a 600 Bandit that had been off the road for 5 years and I was gifted by a friend.
I might have been lucky but the following required:
New battery
Get rid of old petrol
Clean out carbs
Drain oil
New filters oil and air (damp makes the air one mush over 5 years)
Brake full re build (had locked on), callipers stripped and pistons and seals replaced, new brake lines and fluid flush.
Fork seals needed redoing after 6 months so may be worth checking
Sprayed some easing oil down the spark plug holes, cleaned the plugs did the above, made sure she turned over without the fuel in. Then fired her up!
Tyres were new when laid up so I checked them and as they were not perished used them for the first 12 months as they passed the MOT when put back on the road.
I might have been lucky but the following required:
New battery
Get rid of old petrol
Clean out carbs
Drain oil
New filters oil and air (damp makes the air one mush over 5 years)
Brake full re build (had locked on), callipers stripped and pistons and seals replaced, new brake lines and fluid flush.
Fork seals needed redoing after 6 months so may be worth checking
Sprayed some easing oil down the spark plug holes, cleaned the plugs did the above, made sure she turned over without the fuel in. Then fired her up!
Tyres were new when laid up so I checked them and as they were not perished used them for the first 12 months as they passed the MOT when put back on the road.
Brilliant, thanks for the answers.
Nothing too scary then. I guess I just see bikes as rather fragile compared to the large hunks of iron I've been playing with for years.
It's been in a dry garage all that time, so I am rather hoping the brakes will be OK. Several things added to the list now to check though, cheers.
Hoping to pick it up in he next few weeks
Nothing too scary then. I guess I just see bikes as rather fragile compared to the large hunks of iron I've been playing with for years.
It's been in a dry garage all that time, so I am rather hoping the brakes will be OK. Several things added to the list now to check though, cheers.
Hoping to pick it up in he next few weeks
Bikesalot said:
Chuck a new battery in - see if it starts.
It might you know... Then i'd be giving it a full service, including fresh fuel.
If it wont start then start by taking the carbs off and giving them a clean and run some fresh fuel through the system.
I can confirm a 900 Hornet (EFi) will fire up on the button first time on the fuel in the tank after seven years...It might you know... Then i'd be giving it a full service, including fresh fuel.
If it wont start then start by taking the carbs off and giving them a clean and run some fresh fuel through the system.
Yes, my old Fireblade was left for 3 years, and started first time. I even rode it straight to the MOT station where it promptly passed.
I also once rescued an old Honda pull start generator from a barn clearance that had been sitting there for 15+ years, fresh fuel, 3 pulls, away it went.
I also once rescued an old Honda pull start generator from a barn clearance that had been sitting there for 15+ years, fresh fuel, 3 pulls, away it went.
I put my old bike on the road after it had been sat for 5 years.
New battery, filters and oil and it started no problem on the fuel in the tank.
Took it for it's MOT and it failed on the rear brake, headlight and brake light off the front switch. Cleaned a few contacts, fresh brake fluid and that was it.
Dry storage makes such a difference. I'm working on a Kawasaki at the moment which has been stored outside and it really shows.
New battery, filters and oil and it started no problem on the fuel in the tank.
Took it for it's MOT and it failed on the rear brake, headlight and brake light off the front switch. Cleaned a few contacts, fresh brake fluid and that was it.
Dry storage makes such a difference. I'm working on a Kawasaki at the moment which has been stored outside and it really shows.
I've resurrected several bikes over the years and have it down to a basic routine.
Good visual examination for obvious bodges, corroded oil filter, oil level way too high or low.
Tank off and empty it out, check inside for corrosion / underneath for holes.
Plugs out and a good squirt of 3-in-1 oil down each plughole (aerosol sprays are too lightweight and will slip past the piston rings far too quickly).
Carbs off, float bowls off and have a look for how much gunk is in them. If the jets need cleaned then a vinegar-bath in my Aldi £9.99 ultrasound cleaner works wonders.
Carbs rebuilt and refitted, airfilter removed, turn the engine over by hand; either crankshaft end or, for smaller engines, in gear and rotate the back wheel. This coats the bores with 3-in-1 and lets you feel how much resistance to movement there is in the engine as well as.
New plugs gapped and installed, new fuel in carbs (I use a slim funnel as a remote supply so I don't have to refit the tank).
Fresh battery if I have one, jump leads from a fully charged car battery if I don't and then crank it in 10 second bursts with a minute's rest in between. Watch the oil light to make sure it goes out; no point in getting the engine up to 3000rpm (5000 if it's a Kawasaki) if there's no oil pressure!
I it doesn't fire after 5 shots or so, I'll pull a plug lead off and check for a spark with another plug; no spark means working backwards from the coils, through the pickups etc though sometimes it can be just as simple as taking the plugs out, cleaning them up if they are too oily and refitting them again.
Once it starts and runs, I'll get it hot and then change the oil and filter.
When cool the next day, I'll do valve clearances and balance the carbs before fitting a new air filter and battery, and refitting the tank.
I'l then work my way through the brakes, taking calipers off and apart, cleaning seal beds, replacing seals, rebuilding etc.
Likewise suspension; fork seals if needed, but usually new oil anyway, rear linkages stripped, cleaned and re-greased.
At this stage I will also check head and swingarm bearings and re-grease them if needed (often overlooked).
Costwise, you are looking at £30 for oil and filter, £15 for air filter, £25 for plugs, £30 for a battery so £100 all in.
After that it's just finding the little bodges and irritating decay/decrepitude and sorting it as needed.
Generally speaking, I would love to buy a bike from someone like me!
Good visual examination for obvious bodges, corroded oil filter, oil level way too high or low.
Tank off and empty it out, check inside for corrosion / underneath for holes.
Plugs out and a good squirt of 3-in-1 oil down each plughole (aerosol sprays are too lightweight and will slip past the piston rings far too quickly).
Carbs off, float bowls off and have a look for how much gunk is in them. If the jets need cleaned then a vinegar-bath in my Aldi £9.99 ultrasound cleaner works wonders.
Carbs rebuilt and refitted, airfilter removed, turn the engine over by hand; either crankshaft end or, for smaller engines, in gear and rotate the back wheel. This coats the bores with 3-in-1 and lets you feel how much resistance to movement there is in the engine as well as.
New plugs gapped and installed, new fuel in carbs (I use a slim funnel as a remote supply so I don't have to refit the tank).
Fresh battery if I have one, jump leads from a fully charged car battery if I don't and then crank it in 10 second bursts with a minute's rest in between. Watch the oil light to make sure it goes out; no point in getting the engine up to 3000rpm (5000 if it's a Kawasaki) if there's no oil pressure!
I it doesn't fire after 5 shots or so, I'll pull a plug lead off and check for a spark with another plug; no spark means working backwards from the coils, through the pickups etc though sometimes it can be just as simple as taking the plugs out, cleaning them up if they are too oily and refitting them again.
Once it starts and runs, I'll get it hot and then change the oil and filter.
When cool the next day, I'll do valve clearances and balance the carbs before fitting a new air filter and battery, and refitting the tank.
I'l then work my way through the brakes, taking calipers off and apart, cleaning seal beds, replacing seals, rebuilding etc.
Likewise suspension; fork seals if needed, but usually new oil anyway, rear linkages stripped, cleaned and re-greased.
At this stage I will also check head and swingarm bearings and re-grease them if needed (often overlooked).
Costwise, you are looking at £30 for oil and filter, £15 for air filter, £25 for plugs, £30 for a battery so £100 all in.
After that it's just finding the little bodges and irritating decay/decrepitude and sorting it as needed.
Generally speaking, I would love to buy a bike from someone like me!
Edited by Rubin215 on Saturday 26th August 21:57
Thread revival!
Well, I finally arranged to pick the bike up yesterday. Really very happy with it.
Got it back and changed all the consumables. Oil, filters, plugs, battery. Was expecting to have to take the carbs apart, but thought I'd try it first anyway. Threw some carb cleaner into each carb, and fired it up. It caught almost immediately and stalled. Then caught again and settled to a steady idle. It was a little fluffy on being revved to start with, but slowly got better as it warmed up.
I haven't changed the tyres yet. They still have plenty of tread, and feel reasonably soft so I'll run with them for a while. I've not owned a bike getting on for 20 years, so will certainly be taking it steady anyway.
Oh, it's got 11,424 miles on the odo, not the 5000 originally stated. Still low miles for an 18 year old bike though...
Everything else seems to work. Taken it for a quick plod up the lanes, and it seems fine. MOT booked for tomorrow.
Insurance sorted - £105 fully comp - being old has it's advantages I suppose! That's with no no-claims, and no security devices
Really looking forward to learning to ride again.
Thanks for all the advice when I first posted this topic.
Well, I finally arranged to pick the bike up yesterday. Really very happy with it.
Got it back and changed all the consumables. Oil, filters, plugs, battery. Was expecting to have to take the carbs apart, but thought I'd try it first anyway. Threw some carb cleaner into each carb, and fired it up. It caught almost immediately and stalled. Then caught again and settled to a steady idle. It was a little fluffy on being revved to start with, but slowly got better as it warmed up.
I haven't changed the tyres yet. They still have plenty of tread, and feel reasonably soft so I'll run with them for a while. I've not owned a bike getting on for 20 years, so will certainly be taking it steady anyway.
Oh, it's got 11,424 miles on the odo, not the 5000 originally stated. Still low miles for an 18 year old bike though...
Everything else seems to work. Taken it for a quick plod up the lanes, and it seems fine. MOT booked for tomorrow.
Insurance sorted - £105 fully comp - being old has it's advantages I suppose! That's with no no-claims, and no security devices
Really looking forward to learning to ride again.
Thanks for all the advice when I first posted this topic.
Edited by Utterpiffle on Monday 23 April 12:58
gareth_r said:
Brake fluid?
Good point, cheers. Brakes seem to be fine, but I'll run some fresh fluid through it at the weekend.MOT at 5 this afternoon. Looking forward to taking it out for a run after work, although it looks like the first run will be a wet one.
Edited by Utterpiffle on Tuesday 24th April 07:39
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