Putting my bike back on the road, what to check.

brokenant

I have a 94 Triumph Trident (sprint without the fairing) thats been sat at the back of the garage since August last year.I am now in a position to be riding again, what things should I be checking or replacing as its been sat for so long.
I will charge the battery tomorrow and hopefully she will start first time.

Trebor16

If it has been sat for that length of time you might want to drain the carbs and the fuel tank and put some fresh fuel in. It might be necessary to change the oil and filter as well. Give the tyres a good check to make sure there are no signs of perishing, especially if the wheels were not clear of the ground. How long ago was the brake fluid last changed? If it is more than two years then it would be a good idea to do that too.

marlot

Too late for this year, but next time you lay it up I recommend putting some fuel stabiliser in with the petrol - it stops it gumming up.

bazster

Laid up since last August? If it was OK then, there'll be nothing much wrong with it now. That's not long enough for the carbs to gum up, or the tyres to perish, or the brake fluid to absorb a gallon of water.

The only really likely area for problems is the battery: if it's a traditional lead/acid battery and it hasn't been on a trickle charger it is most likely scrap now. But if it's a modern sealed battery it's probably fine.

If I were you I'd change the oil and filter, give it a normal maintenance once-over (tyre pressures and so forth) and go for a ride.

fivetide

bazster wrote: »

Laid up since last August? If it was OK then, there'll be nothing much wrong with it now. That's not long enough for the carbs to gum up, or the tyres to perish, or the brake fluid to absorb a gallon of water.

The only really likely area for problems is the battery: if it's a traditional lead/acid battery and it hasn't been on a trickle charger it is most likely scrap now. But if it's a modern sealed battery it's probably fine.

If I were you I'd change the oil and filter, give it a normal maintenance once-over (tyre pressures and so forth) and go for a ride.

I'd still be tempted to put some fresh fuel in it. Maybe even some V-Power just to make sure it burns cleanly. Then, having serviced it and assuming tyres are ok and weren't ragged when you laid it up, I'd got for an Italian tune up on a nice straight road somewhere. See how she goes.

Make sure it doesn't need an MOT etc though!

5t.

bazster

fivetide wrote: »

I'd still be tempted to put some fresh fuel in it. Maybe even some V-Power just to make sure it burns cleanly. Then, having serviced it and assuming tyres are ok and weren't ragged when you laid it up, I'd got for an Italian tune up on a nice straight road somewhere. See how she goes.

Make sure it doesn't need an MOT etc though!

5t.

Obviously anything wrong with it when it was laid-up will still be wrong with it!

Honestly, after 10 or 11 months the fuel will be fine, I often leave one or more of my bikes laid up for that long, it's not a problem. I once bought a bike that hadn't moved or been started for 12 years. Replaced the battery and it started and ran just fine on 12-year-old fuel.

fivetide

bazster wrote: »

Obviously anything wrong with it when it was laid-up will still be wrong with it!

Never said it wouldn't. Just reminding the OP to double check them in case they are squared off etc :beer:

Honestly, after 10 or 11 months the fuel will be fine, I often leave one or more of my bikes laid up for that long, it's not a problem. I once bought a bike that hadn't moved or been started for 12 years. Replaced the battery and it started and ran just fine on 12-year-old fuel.

Depends when you bought it though. The new bio stuff they put in unleaded makes it turn to jelly eventually and it can varnish the carbs. Dad bought a Harley which had that issue after 18 months of not being run.

I think you will be right, no harm at that length of time but it won't hurt to make sure that some new fuel goes in just to be sure.

It's what I tend to do with our classic Mini. Even refill the carb float as it seems to start much easier with a barrel of V-Power!

5t.

marlot

My lawnmower is a pig to start every spring unless I've either drained the fuel or added a fuel additive. I've also been there with bikes.

I reckon modern unleaded goes off after about 6 months.

bazster

marlot wrote: »

I reckon modern unleaded goes off after about 6 months.

Mine doesn't.

bazster

fivetide wrote: »

I think you will be right, no harm at that length of time but it won't hurt to make sure that some new fuel goes in just to be sure.

It'll hurt the pocket throwing away perfectly good fuel.

fivetide

bazster wrote: »

It'll hurt the pocket throwing away perfectly good fuel.

Never said anything about throwing away fuel. Simply said put some fresh in the tank i. e. top it up.

You do seem to be in the minority on fuel freshness though!

5t.