Author Topic: Back after 3 years (Read 3800 times)

Arkan Eller · « **on:** November 25, 2005, 08:53:35 AM »

Hi, 3 years ago I had to take my B6 off the road (it's a 1996 1G). IT's sat in my garage for three years and not moved. I'm streetfightering it over the winter, ready for next year. Up until three years ago, the bike had done 42k (miles) without a hiccup. Is there anything I need to do to the engine before firing it up for the first time in three years.

I've done all the obvious such as an oil and filter change, new battery, sparkplugs and fuel. Anything else I need to be aware of?

Many thanks.

PaulVS · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2005, 11:18:19 AM »

Welcome back!

If it's been 3 years... I would probably squirt some motor oil in the spark plug holes while you're replacing them... and then give it a couple hours before firing it up.

chevsuz12 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2005, 12:20:07 AM »

May want to check your tires for flat spots, or dry rotting.

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2005, 01:07:35 AM »

Check rubber hoses for dry rot, too. Maybe even gaze at the condition of the rubber diaphragms in the carbs, too.

If you didn't drain the carbs or put a fuel stabilizer in your gas before you stored it, you're gonna need a good carb cleaning, too!

Arkan Eller · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2005, 03:51:25 PM »

Ok sounds good, thanks for all the advice. So I don't need to worry about the fact that the engine hasn't turned at all in three years (it's been stored in a workshop)? I read somewhere about valve springs or something (but that may have been a 1200 motor thread)?

The oil in the sparkplug holes sounds like a good idea and I'll definately have to overhaul the carbs. It just got parked up one day after 4 years of daily use and I never used it for three years!!

snofrog · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2005, 04:25:46 PM »

ok I`ll bite...why did you just stop riding ?

rider123 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2005, 06:18:48 PM »

Did you turn the engine over every month or just let it sit totaly dead for 3 years? You may need to do a top end rebuild if those valve springs are weak from sitting in one position too long. See how it goes, if you are getting alot some smoke after about an hour or two of driving do a leak down test. I owned a GS750EF that the former owner let rot for a couple of years and a year after I owned it I had to do a top end rebuild. But after that she ran like brand new!! So in my opinion it was worth it as the head and pistons got cleaned up while we were in there.

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2005, 09:18:51 PM »

The springs could have gone soft, but I'd go thru the previously mentioned items first and see how it runs first... unless you plan other motor mods anyway.

The springs can be replaced without tearing the head off the motor if you have an air compressor and an adapter fitting to pressurize the cylinder.

Arkan Eller · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2005, 05:00:52 PM »

Ok, well the full story is like this. I used it to work every day. Changed job and no longer needed it but used to take it out at weekends to keep it running. Then one day I hit diesel and crashed it at silly speeds. All cosmetic damage, but I took it back to my workshop and thought, well I've walked away from that one and maybe enough's enough and left it there for three years. Then I had a go on a friend's bike this summer and decided I wanted to get mine back on the road for the next summer. So I haven't even touched it for 3 years at all.

I'll have to see whether it smokes a bit when I start riding it. I'll let you all know how I get on. Thanks for all the advice.

terrebandit · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2005, 07:14:02 PM »

Do the things mentioned above. I wouldn't worry about the valve springs. The chances of that particular problem occuring are slim to none.

Dave