Motorcycle questions
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 367
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From: New Haven, MO
Motorcycle questions
I've been wanting to get a bike for a while, but now a co-worker just bought a sport bike, so now I want to learn how to ride. I've got access to an older touring bike; I think that'll prolly be better to learn on than a sport bike.
Anyway, it's been sitting for a while, so I know there will be some work that needs to be done. I'm sure I'll need to clean out the carbs and put fresh gas in it. The reason it sat so long is the starter button got lost, so I'll need to rig something for that, no kick start. Anything else anyone can think of that might need to be done to get this thing back on the road??
Anyway, it's been sitting for a while, so I know there will be some work that needs to be done. I'm sure I'll need to clean out the carbs and put fresh gas in it. The reason it sat so long is the starter button got lost, so I'll need to rig something for that, no kick start. Anything else anyone can think of that might need to be done to get this thing back on the road??
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca.
Don't forget to oil and adjust the chain if it has one. It should have aprox. 1 inch of travel up and down in the middle between the front and rear sprockets. If it's rusted up badly then replace the chain and both sprockets. If it's a shaft drive, no worries.
Since it's an older bike you might be able to find parts on ebay. Good luck.
Since it's an older bike you might be able to find parts on ebay. Good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 800
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From: Ontario, canada
Get a shop manual (look on ebay)and give it full maintenence. Make sure the brakes are in spec. Check and lube all the cables. Things like the swingarm bearings, steering head bearings and shocks are easy to check, but will make for a scary ride if they aren't in good shape.
Clean the gas tank out and put an inline fuel filter on it. I had troubles with this when I ressurected an old Yahmaha enduro this spring.
I'd reccommend taking a course, as theres alot more to riding a bike than just being able to keep it upright and work the controls. Learn how to not get run over, proper braking technique, what to do on loose surfaces, etc, etc.
I'm sure everyone has heard the "Had to lay 'er down, only way could get 'er stopped in time" line.
Clean the gas tank out and put an inline fuel filter on it. I had troubles with this when I ressurected an old Yahmaha enduro this spring.
I'd reccommend taking a course, as theres alot more to riding a bike than just being able to keep it upright and work the controls. Learn how to not get run over, proper braking technique, what to do on loose surfaces, etc, etc.
I'm sure everyone has heard the "Had to lay 'er down, only way could get 'er stopped in time" line.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 80
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From: Central Massachusettes
Fordzilla is giving you good advise on the safe driver course. you may also want to go with the cruiser as they tend to be less top heavy and more controllable to learn on. Scotty.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Magrath
I bought an 05 Honda 750 Shadow. For riding around the thing is perfect. The bike is ballanced perfect and the only bad thing I have to say is I wish I would of went for the 1100.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,543
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From: Georgia
Originally Posted by DOHCmarauder
Fresh tires please.
If it has been sitting for a while new tires is a must.
You will tell the difference in cornering & with old tires (regardless how they look) you have a better chance at wrecking.
Learn on a older bike. Take a safty course. Ride often to gain experience. Take more safty courses. And get insurance, good insurance that will cover your rear just in case.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: New Haven, MO
Yeah, right now I'm just going to work on getting the bike back into shape for now, and then in the spring, I'll take the courses. And yes, I was planning on doing that, anyway. Missouri DOR has links to some courses that are state sponsored, so I was probably going to take one of those. The tires I was probably going to get anyway; I'll be surprised if these still even have air in them.
For those of you wondering, its an 81 Yamaha 1100 "Eleven Special". It's my dad's bike, and he parked it when the starter button got broken/lost. Mom wants him to sell, so she can get rid of it, mostly because we need money. So I figure I'll give him something for it. Same story with his boat, which I've been working on and off for a few weeks. But that's another story........
For those of you wondering, its an 81 Yamaha 1100 "Eleven Special". It's my dad's bike, and he parked it when the starter button got broken/lost. Mom wants him to sell, so she can get rid of it, mostly because we need money. So I figure I'll give him something for it. Same story with his boat, which I've been working on and off for a few weeks. But that's another story........
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 4,349
From: SW VA
Change ALL the fluids. Fork oil, gas, motor oil, differential oil (if applicable), or the chain and sprockets (always change the chain and both sprockets at the same time...each chain leaves its own 'fingerprint' on the sprocket teeth).
Tires
If it has air shocks, be sure not to put too much air in them. Even 1/2PSI over the max. reccommended can, and will blow out the seals.
Grease up the axles, swing arm piviot, shock bushings.
And of course, oil up the throttle and clutch cables.
Tires
If it has air shocks, be sure not to put too much air in them. Even 1/2PSI over the max. reccommended can, and will blow out the seals.
Grease up the axles, swing arm piviot, shock bushings.
And of course, oil up the throttle and clutch cables.