Topic: What can I expect from a bike that has been sitting for 7 years?

[50words]

I have the opportunity to buy a 1977 CB550 that has been sitting for seven years. According to the owner, though, it is 'all there.' It did not run at the time he bought it. It has been inside all that time. It has about 17k miles on it.

The price is right--$200--but I'm curious to know what I'm in for as far as getting it started. I doubt it's as simple as new gas, an oil change, and a kick start, but sometimes people just don't know how simple it can be.

I figure if I get it running, and it is 'all there' and in decent shape, I could turn it around for $1000 or so. I haven't seen the bike yet, though, so I don't know if it's seized or anything.

Thoughts? Warnings? Advice?

[Gordon]

In my experience, it costs a minimum of $400 to get a bike that's been sitting,  running AND roadworthy again.  Roadworthy being the operative word here.  Sometimes all it takes to get one of these just running is some fresh gas and a new battery.  However, if you want it to be safe and somewhat reliable, you'll need things like new tires, chain & sprockets, brake pads/shoes, carb kits/gaskets, fuel lines, possibly shocks, clutch cable.  And that's only if the engine doesn't need any work like new gaskets, or a valve job. 

Don't think I'm trying to discourage you, though.  I've got two bikes in the garage that I've spent way too much money on already, and will be spending more in the future, but if I did this to make money, I'd be flat broke.

Wait a second, I AM flat broke!!  

[Tim.]

Where has it been sitting?  In a humidity controlled heated livingroom, in a damp garage, in a barn, or out in a field under a tarp (if there was a tarp at all!)?

Also, where in the world (literally - city/country) was it sitting?

Fuel Delivery:

You'll need to flush out, probably etch and maybe line the gas tank.  New fuel lines with inline filters (not really needed if you clean the tank well).  Rebuild the carbs for sure.  Don't ignore cleaning the petcock out.

Ignition:

New battery, adjust points (timing), adjust tappet clearances, replace plugs with properly gapped new plugs.  I've heard trimming 1/4 inch from the ends of the sparkplug wires (remove the boots first of course) helps improve spark - presumably corrossion would occur where the contact is made between the spark plug wires and the boots.

Electronics:

Make sure the wiring is to spec with the wiring diagram.  Replace light bulbs etc.  Test what you can.

Suspension:

Fork seals, rear shocks, swingarm pivot, head bearings (steering)

Drive Line:

Chain - check for slackness - eventually check for stretch / wear of chain and sprockets

Cables:

Replace all of them

Tires:

Replace them

Brakes:

Bleed them with new fliud (assuming they aren't seized etc.)  Rebuild them soon with new a seal.

Engine:

Check compression - if bad, leak-down test to determine problem (or a turkey baster and some oil)

Then fire it up!

Or, just toss some gas in it, open the petcock, and kick till you're blue in the face

[Bobby]

Gordon and TinTin are dead on with their posts.  Bikes that have been hibernating for close to a decade can be either a diamond in the rough or an absolute honet's nest.  Seeing is believing.  If rust and oxidation are the primary elements, do yourself a favor and walk away.  It is delightful to resurrect any vintage machine to be a safe and roadwothy.  It takes time, know how and a flexible budget.  There are only two things that happen to a "project bike", it becomes a project completed or it becomes someone elses project.

Do yourself a favor and visually inspect the bike, write down any questions you may have and post them here.  The SOHC/4 forum folks  are always willing to lend advice.

Good luck!

-Bobby   

[Bob Wessner]

Post some pictures if you can, that would be helpful also. If stored under cover, say in a garage, seven years is not too bad. Mine was stored for 22 years in a garage and it's coming back to life.

[pmpski_1]

Do you have a bike that you can ride in the mean time? If you're looking for a project and have a good idea what you're looking at, go for it. If you're looking for something to ride (or sell ) next week, forget about it. I bought a bike that ran last October and finally got to ride it for the first time today.

Although, CTCStrela did a LOT of work in 2 weeks: http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=1106.0

[fetskojoe]

My 1975 CB750F with 10900 miles on it sat in my garage covered with a tarp from 1992 to 2003.  I replaced the plugs, cleaned and gaped the points, replaced the battery, replaced the tires and tubes, cleaned the tank and gas lines, installed a new air filter, changed the oil and filter, rebuilt the master cylinders and calibers, installed new brake pads, put in gas, and it started right up.  I did run trrough two bottles of carb cleaner.  Iit now has a little over 14,000 miles on it and starts and runs great.  This summer I am going do a major tune up and lube job.  From what the other folks here have said, I guess I have just been really lucky my bike was in such good shape.

[Dennis]

I replaced the plugs, cleaned and gaped the points, replaced the battery, replaced the tires and tubes, cleaned the tank and gas lines, installed a new air filter, changed the oil and filter, rebuilt the master cylinders and calibers, installed new brake pads, put in gas, and it started right up.  I did run trrough two bottles of carb cleaner.

fetskojoe, and how much did this all cost and how many hours did you spend on it?

Sounds just about what I had to do with the abandoned orphan ('75 CB750F) which appeared in my driveway 2 years ago. Carb varnished so the floats wouldn't move. Master cylinders filled with goo that used to be brake fluid. All of the other stuff that was mentioned. Lots of hours of cleaning and polishing. And a few surprises to leave you stranded or limping home on test rides.

[trikerdrew]

Stress!

Mine is a '76 cb550.Paid peanuts for it because I'm unable to resist a "bargain"?

So far engine has been stripped and new bearings/seals fitted.Points,condensors.

Brakes,all seals shot rebuilt using Stainless hose new seals etc

Completly strip and clean varnish(fuel resdue)off evry bit of fuel system.

The guy thought the wiring needed doing so am tearing it all off and wiring from scratch with new wire.Internal corrosion/broken wires can be a nightmare to rectify.

At least yours looks pretty!

Bringing another mad max film out so sell to a fan,hopfully!Too small for me!

[dusterdude]

bob,i agree,mine was in a garage for about 15 years.after getting the carbs straight(dont get me started on those again.)it is fine.of course  i had to do the usual maintenence stuff,but other than that no problems.

[Bob Wessner]

I can vouch for a couple of things, after 22 years of storage, the goo in the brake system becomes a white powdery substance, and of all the old threads we are moving from Greenspun, "carbs" are the most numerous inquiries and posts! At least it sort of supports my own feelings about the da_m things, but I don't want to get started on that subject either.