I have a 1150GS that hasn't turned a wheel...

[Walowiz]

... in nearly two years.

Once I fit a new battery and put a few litres of unleaded in the tank, is ther anything extra I need to do, before firing it up (well hopefully firing it up anyway) ?

Do I need to be careful about anything in particular ?

thanks
Aaron

 

[MattW]

... in nearly two years.

Once I fit a new battery and put a few litres of unleaded in the tank, is ther anything extra I need to do, before firing it up (well hopefully firing it up anyway) ?

Do I need to be careful about anything in particular ?

thanks
Aaron

I'd change the oil and filter before turning it over (and I'd do the gearbox and FD oils too but that's just me). I know the oil won't be warm and will take longer to drain but better than nothing. You may find the fuel remaining in the tank has gone off but short of draining it there's only one way to find out.

After changing the oil but before trying to fire it up on the starter I'd put it in top gear on the centre stand, take the plugs out and spin the engine over a good few times by spinning the back wheel to get the fresh oil moving through the system. I'd probably fit new plugs after doing this.

Then I'd turn it on and press the button

Of course you could ignore all this and just fit the new battery and have a go - your call.

Regardless, it'll probably clatter like a b*stard for a while when you start it

just my 2p
Matt

 

[PIGGLET]

If it's been in your ownership while it was "laid up" and you know when it was last serviced etc then I would of thought you'd be fine to just hit the button after making sure it's still got oil in it.
I know what I'd do

 

[richie]

If it's been in your ownership while it was "laid up" and you know when it was last serviced etc then I would of thought you'd be fine to just hit the button after making sure it's still got oil in it.
I know what I'd do

Me too, would not even get a new battery, just hook it up and start...

Funily enough a m8 of mine fired up a CX500europsort over the weekend which he has had in storage for over five years. Started no problem, but the brakes

 

[Walowiz]

It is my bike, owned since new in 2000. Last service was few months before I stopped riding.

Battery I assume is fcuked, unless you can just charge a 9 year old battery that hasn't seen a sniff of a charge in 2 years ?

cheers
Aaron

 

[MattW]

It is my bike, owned since new in 2000. Last service was few months before I stopped riding.

Battery I assume is fcuked, unless you can just charge a 9 year old battery that hasn't seen a sniff of a charge in 2 years ?

cheers
Aaron

The battery will undoubtedly be fecked - I think your minimum 'recommissioning' expenditure will be a new one.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Definitely get a New Battery the amount of damage I have seen due to folks winding over bikes on almost dead batteries! Starters burned out and I believe this would be a contributing factor in the number of dead H.E.S. this last while!

Take out Plugs and make sure and refit them into the plugcaps and ground them out (so it can discharge it's energy) and spin her over on the starter a few times to get the oil up round the ould girl

Although I'd seriously consider a brake and clutch fluid change! and a thorough examination of the tyres for any bad dozing or cracking!

Should be good otherwise but to be sure, just check the oil levels

 

[John Armstrong]

Have a look at the brake pads, make sure they haven't stuck themselves to the discs

Maybe think about changing the brake fluid in the near future

Might as well change the battery given its age and time left on its own.

Throw a bit of grease at any linkages / pivots?

Check the tyres for excessive cracking / flat spots.

Personally I'd think about getting it running and then taking it in for a full service, ie engine / gearbox / fd oils, new filters etc so you'll know it's ok.