Topic: Starting a bike that hasn't run in 10+ years questions

[import_tuner13]

best way to fire this puppy up?  i have the carbs coming back in about a week after having them rebuilt, new plugs, new oil, new battery.  tested compression and, according to some of the threads, I am going to get wacky readings.  just was wondering if it HAD compression, which it does 90, 120, 90, 150, also this was after putting a little oil in, with the kick start, when it hasn't run in so long.  The compression may normalize, right?  but back on topic.  how should i go about doing this.  am I missing anything i need to change?

Thanks!
Dan

P.S. I know it needs gas lol

[tango911]

youll want to check the valves (intake and exhaust), check the points and set the timing. 
make sure you have spark.

[Kong]

Wet sump or dry sump engine?  Whichever it was, clean out the place where the oil sat all those years, either the oil tank or the oil pan depending on what bike it happens to be.

The compression may come back, in fact it probably will, but the problem isn't the low reading on one of the cylinders, its the large disparity between cylinders.  You said you squired some oil in and the compression came up that generally indicates lack of ring seal and if it doesn't come back its generally a sign of valve sealing issues.  At any rate I'd get it started, let it run for a while (keep it cooled) and then after a while I'd do another compression test with the expectation that the numbers would get a bit better once the surface rust is scraped and burned off the cylinders, valve seats/faces and other odd places its formed over the last decade.

[import_tuner13]

SORRY!  CB750K8.  i just assumed you all knew!  lol my bad.

[Tugboat]

I'm about to do something similar.. Some good advice on my thread here:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80529.0

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Eventually you will need to learn to clean carbs yourself.  It is part of owning a vintage SOHC and being more than a rider.  I can't imagine sending my carbs out every time they needed "rebuilt".   

[import_tuner13]

yes.  i know this.  i have 2 sets of carbs.  one i wanted to get the bike running, and one to mess with and understand them.  just kind of wanted to skip that part for now.  thanks for being on topic!

[Gordon]

yes.  i know this.  i have 2 sets of carbs.  one i wanted to get the bike running, and one to mess with and understand them.  just kind of wanted to skip that part for now.  thanks for being on topic!

You'd do well to appreciate voluntary help when it's offered, even when it's not the response you were looking for.

My recommendation is to give your carbs a thorough inspection when you get them back.  I've heard way too many stories from people who paid somebody else to "rebuild" their carbs, only to end up having to go back and re-do them themselves because they were screwed up.   

[import_tuner13]

SOHC digger is rebuilding my carbs, this was already discussed in another thread about me rebuilding my carbs or not. King was part of this discussion and it was recent.  Sorry, just getting tired of hearing that I should do my own carbs. So if SOHC Digger is messing up my carbs I expect everyone on this forum to yell at him!  and sorry didn't intend to be rude.

[import_tuner13]

so how worried should I be about this compression thing?

[tango911]

as Kong said, once you get it all back together and you have everything checked as far as plugs, timing valves etc.   get it running a little bit and  then re check the compression.

[Stev-o]

Digger's rebuilding carbs now? Cool, I have a rack or two I can send his way!

[import_tuner13]

insert digger rebuild topic here

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=78623.0

no other things to watch out for?

[phil71]

these are probably obvious, but here are some things I did a few weeks ago when waking a bike from almost 30 years of sleep.

*be patient: bathe the top cylinder with some transmission fluid and let it sit a few days, spinning the engine periodically by hand. This isn't scietific, but I have done 45º /90º/135º/180º  a couple times just to get the lube on as much of the sleeve as possible.

 * fresh oil, of a slightly thinner than spec'd grade (logic here being it will more easily get in and thru any nasty stuff hanging in the corners)
* new oil filter
*clean screen

Run till warm.
Drop thin oil.
Change filter again
put in spec'd weight, add a few oz of diesel fuel. Some say marvel mystery, but I've found that your clutch will start working again quicker with the diesel.
>> OH, and don't expect the clutch to feel right for awhile.. possibly at all, but x your fingers and keep working it.

forget your compression specs. You can't tell very much right now at all.
Good luck!