My Duc has been in storage for almost 1.5 years now. A 'friend' was taking care of it, but after my initial inspection today it looks like he didn't do what I asked him to do. The bike has been moved around to keep from flat-spotting the tires, but I honestly don't think he ever started it and the plug for the battery tender was unplugged so no juice at all. What do I need to do to safely get back on the road? I am afraid to even try to start it until I hear some suggestions as I've never had to deal with something like this. Thanks in advance!
It wouldn't hurt to change the oil and drain the fuel. If it's a carby drain the float bowls. Check the belts and rollers. It would be a good idea to change the belts. You could try charging the battery but it might be shot. Check the air box for something taking up residence, air in the tires and that's really about it.
That he didn't start it now and then is a good think
Nothing worse for a bike then be started and have it run for a short time
Got it. If I added fuel stabilizer before putting it in storage should I still drain the fuel or is it safe to use?
Lance, how comfortable are you with taking things apart? I would treat the bike as a new "old" barn find.
The reason I ask, is that I would change all consumables, oil, brake fluid, air filter, oil filter, battery, fuel, fuel filter. I'd look inside the tank for evidence of rust. Then, I would take out the carbs and dunk them in PineSol to clean out the residual varnish in the jets.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560117 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560117)
1. take the battery out and put it on a charger, esp if its a wet acid type
2. oil change
3. roll the belts to see if there is kinking or memory. i would be shocked if there wasn't.
4. check for mice nests, turds, etc. if you find any, check your wiring.
5. i would toss the gas. use it to burn an old stump, that's what i do.
6. get some carb cleaner spray, take off the air cleaner so the throttles are exposed and soak the insides. open the butterfly and just spray around, esp on the injector nozzle.
7. add some fresh gas, put in a small amount of EFI system cleaner. i prefer techron, but they are almost all the same, although ethanol (E10) gas is actually a nozzle cleaner.
8. make sure everything turns right and crank it up.
i would re-lube everything on the chassis, bearings too.
and open the valve heads and squirt some oil into the cams so they aren't dry when you start it up.
[wine]Definately drain the fuel, even stabilized fuel will only last about 12 months. Actually 1.5 years is not all that long, I doubt the tires would have flat spotted. Not stored inside. I would replace the battery if its more than 4 years old its probably gone. change the oil and filter, maybe give the timing belts a look, check all other fluids clutch, brake, etc. fill it with fresh gas and fire it up. If everything ckecks out run it for a while.
Change the cam belts. If they've sat in the same position for a year and a half they'll have hard spots for sure. You're taking a big chance of having one break if you run the engine with the old belts.