Bike sitting for 3-4 years

[wayne242]

What should be done be for trying to start a bike that as been sitting for 3-4 years? I'm thinking about saving a GS500 that's been in a storage unit, but not sure yet. Any advice welcome.

[GI JOE]

You probably already know this but clean the carbs. Mine sat for a year or so and a pilot jet was clogged bad. Other than that I changed bad fuel lines, changed oil, new battery,and spark plugs. Now she starts up fine. Don't know if any of that's new food for thought but theres my ideas haha.

[Kijona]

First thing you need to do is drain whatever gas is in it (hopefully they didn't leave the tank dry). You should also, at the same time, flush out the float bowls. Attach a small length of tubing to the nipples on the bottoms of the carbs, and loosen the phillips head screw till you see the gas run out. Let drain for a minute or so.

The carbs will probably have to be cleaned. Draining the bowls will help reduce the possibility of funk being drawn up into the carbs. Plus, it'll remove the old gas. Using the PRIME feature on the petcock will help pass the fuel through. Don't leave it on prime.

[mixer]

pulled a 2000 out of a 10 year slumber, 1500 miles on the odometer.
rock it back and forth in gear to make sure the engine is free (plugs out make it easier in theory)
Oil change with marvel mystery oil (changed again after first run)
new plugs
battery
air filter (mice ate it)
carb clean/replaced o rings and gaskets
new vacuum lines
flush brakes/bleed lines
Chain, clutch and throttle lubed and adjusted
de-gunked sticky clutch plates
changed fork oil
cleaned tank (light rust, used vinegar, i NOW suggest http://www.metalrescue.com/home.aspx it really DOES work, but its expensive at 25/gal and you must fill to top of tank. I am not affiliated in any way with the product)

added fuel filters
warmed for 20 or so minutes, and ran about 10 miles, then hot changed the oil.

Since then Ive noticed the fork seals are destroyed, but i plan on swapping out the front end with a katana, and the starter imploded within 500 miles of getting it on the road again (corrosion on the copper)

this bike drained the entire contents of the gas tank into the case, he stored it in "prime" my guess is that he thought it was in the (non existant) off position. fortunately it was stored indoors, in a low heat low moisture situation, so there was very little rust.

buy lots of beer first, get really drunk, and order the parts, cause it REALLY hurt paying more for parts than you paid for the bike. (paid 200 for for the bike, spent that in battery fluids filters and plugs)

I did this all (except the starter, that happened 2 weeks ago) in the course of a weekend last october when i bought it, and stored it right last winter.
I've pulled bikes out of longer storage/neglect than that, I had a bike that hadnt run in about 25 years that got up and running in a few weekends.

[wayne242]

I shook the bike side to side and could hear very little fuel in the tank. The owner is going to try and find the key, he said he might have it stored away and will see if he can find it.

It was covered in dust, but other then that i did not really notice anything falling apart (fuel lines etc).

I'm thinking the following:
Drain fuel from tank/carbs.
inspect tank
change oil(I might try to start it be for doing this not sure).
check plugs (going to change, using ones in it for starting only)
replace fuel lines.
filters.

The tires don't look dry rotted, but not sure if they have flat spot after that long. The bike is stored inside a storage unit you rent.

[Kijona]

I shook the bike side to side and could hear very little fuel in the tank. The owner is going to try and find the key, he said he might have it stored away and will see if he can find it.

It was covered in dust, but other then that i did not really notice anything falling apart (fuel lines etc).

I'm thinking the following:
Drain fuel from tank/carbs.
inspect tank
change oil(I might try to start it be for doing this not sure).
check plugs (going to change, using ones in it for starting only)
replace fuel lines.
filters.

The tires don't look dry rotted, but not sure if they have flat spot after that long. The bike is stored inside a storage unit you rent.

Definitely change the oil first. Priority #1. By now it's surely separated.

[jestercinti]

Do this BEFORE hitting the starter button:

First, make sure engine is not seized.  If it is, stop.  You have bigger problems.

Drain all oil out of the bike (drain overnight), replace oil and filter.
Replace brake lines.  Replace tires.  Replace fuel lines.  Safety first.
Replace battery.  It's toast.
Drain, clean tank.  Drain, clean carbs.
Check airbox and exhaust for obstructions/rats nests.
Replace plugs.

Once all that is done, then hit the starter button.

[Worm]

Do this BEFORE hitting the starter button:

First, make sure engine is not seized.  If it is, stop.  You have bigger problems.

Drain all oil out of the bike (drain overnight), replace oil and filter.
Replace brake lines.  Replace tires.  Replace fuel lines.  Safety first.
Replace battery.  It's toast.
Drain, clean tank.  Drain, clean carbs.
Check airbox and exhaust for obstructions/rats nests.
Replace plugs.

Once all that is done, then hit the starter button.

+1

[wayne242]

The start button is broke off, guy had box's sitting on bike and knocked it off. He still has it, but I'm guessing I would need to buy the entire plastic housing now?

I still have not bought the bike yet since they guy goes down on price every few days i "think about it"