Total Motorcycle Community Forums

:: long first post::

so my bike.. it has been sitting for a year. here are the things i plan to do:

-thuroughly clean the carbs and use a re-build kit similar to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWA%3AIT

-clean and seal my tank with por-15

-fix rust spots on the outside of my tank (how would i go about doing this.. see below)

-add a fuel filter between the tank and the carbs

-change fluids: oil and brake
-change oil filter

some questions:
i read around here a post about the problems with bikes that sit around:
"It doesn't take long for oil to run off of the upper
engine parts and make its way down to the crankcase.
This leaves most of the metal in the engine bare and
unprotected."
" The next stage is corrosion. Even light coatings of
rust on cam lobes and cylinder walls will eventually
act like an abrasive. Even if the bike comes back to
life after you've changed all the fluids, it will
start wearing itself out internally. "
" One other problem with bringing bikes back to life
is rubber deterioration. Sitting for years makes
rubber parts dry out and crack. It's not just tires.
Things like petcock diaphrams, seals, and carb
diaphrams may all have to be replaced. "

AND when i got my bike running the other day there was a very bad knocking sound coming from my cams
so should i run the bike a little longer, maybe higher rpm to get some oil back up to them? im worried that might hurt them more tho since they would presumably be running for a bit with little to no oil.
or should i open up the cover and put oil directly on the cams? im sure it wont fix the knocking, but it will help it from getting worse, im planning on trying to find someone that can fix them for me.


also someone suggested i use Zmax in my oil (and possibly a little in my fuel too) to help with the prolonged lubrication absence problems. what are your thoughts on all of this.

also concering the rust spots on the outside of my tank.. i figure you sand them down.. then what do i do? i know, sounds like a stupid question.. should i use one of those sprays that turns rust into a black primer sort of surface, and follow the directions on the can? or should i use a product like naval gel then just a plain enamel primer and sealer combo?


-looking for advice, any welcome!

upho366 wrote: AND when i got my bike running the other day there was a very bad knocking sound coming from my cams
so should i run the bike a little longer, maybe higher rpm to get some oil back up to them? im worried that might hurt them more tho since they would presumably be running for a bit with little to no oil.
or should i open up the cover and put oil directly on the cams? im sure it wont fix the knocking, but it will help it from getting worse, im planning on trying to find someone that can fix them for me.

-looking for advice, any welcome!

Looks like you've got the right idea.

You've already had the bike running, so the uppers should be lubricated now. Hopefully there was no rust formation in there. I don't think the snake oil is going to have a major effect on your bike. It's up to you if you want to spend the money. I've had great results with using Marvel Mystery Oil (2 tablespoon in the crankcase, teaspoon in the gas tank every few tanks) Mystery oil is cheap and protects internal parts. I don't know about zmax, but you should definitely avoid any snake oils w/ ptfe (teflon) in them.

It all comes down to common sense and cost-effective wrenching. You have an old bike, and right now its biggest problem is the knocking from the cam area. I don't know what this is because I can't hear it - I would recommend that before you do anything, you get this checked out by a mechanic. It could be something as simple as a loose camchain or valves, or it could be worse. You don't need to be throwing money into the peripherals (like brakes and fuel tank) of a bike that needs a top-end rebuild.

Good luck.

thought to self... maybe i should start up a motorcycle blog.. all these posts..

so i was looking on ebay and found some diaphrams for my carbs for only $15, suprising cus i kept hearing from people how expensive they were. i have not opened up my carbs yet, but considering the state of the rest of my bike, would it make sence for me to get a set of these? the last thing i want to do is get the carb open and find out i DO need new ones, then wait for them to ship.

??

and are all fuel filters equal? in that if i get any 1/4" fuel filter ill be fine? my gas lines are 1/4" so..