Flood Damage.

The underground garage where I keep my bike was flooded yesterday due to a huge fire in the building next door. I wasn't there at the time, but judging from the high-water marks on my bike and the walls of the garage, it appears that the bike was standing in about 18 inches of water for several hours. The water would have been high enough to cover my exhaust tips, but not high enough to cover the intake or exhaust ports.
I've been too busy to check the bike out in detail as of yet, but I'm concerned about the potential damage. The view through the level window reveals no evidence of water in the crankcase, but I'll have to drain it to be sure.
Assuming there is no water in the engine, what else should I be looking for in terms of damage to the bike's operating systems (brakes, exhaust, final drive, etc.)? Anyone been there?

 

Sorry to hear this. It would seem that as long as the water didn,t get high enough to enter the airbox to enter an intake valve or high enough to enter an open exhaust valve through the exhaust system it would seem the engine would be fine. One more possibility would be a crankcase breather which might have been submerged. Did the starter go under? Might be something else to consider as would the sidestand relay.

I would be concerned about the rear brake drum (if you don't have a rear disk brake) and the final drive. I would dis-assemble the rear hub for the brakes and drain/refill the final drive.

Best of luck to you. A bad stroke of luck for sure

Wamaxim

 

I would want to get it running as soon as possible and dry out any water that might have puddled in the mufflers or collector. Rear brakes, final drive and sidestand switch as above are all concerns. As long as the airbox and starter were above the water you probably dodged the bullet.

 

that sucks! no big deal though!

change the oils (engine, rear gears)

get it running, and aim the exhaust away from anything you like because its going to puke out a lot of sooty nasty poop water. if its really full, you may need to make a few wide open runs through the gears to get it dried out completely.

i think your bike will be fine, just dont let it sit full of water. get on it asap.

 

^^^ Yep! As long as you don't start it with the crankcase full of water, you'll be fine. Drain and refill all the engine oil. Try and get the water out of the exhaust and remove the plugs before cranking the engine over for the first time. If there's any water in the cylinders, it will expel it out the plug hole instead of hydraulicking a piston. Open the air box and make sure the air filter isn't saturated. As someone else mentioned, replace the final drive oil, too.

Good luck.

 

Good news...no evidence of water in either the crankcase or the drive unit. I drained the engine and final drive oil, and they both came out clean and clear. I pulled the rear wheel and checked the FD from the inside, and everything looked good. Even the rear brake seemed to be tight and dry, but I did a thorough cleaning and reassembly anyway.
There was a lot of water in the exhaust system, most of which I managed to expel by tipping the bike straight up with the help of a couple of friends. After firing the bike (first try, thank you very much) I rode it for about twenty minutes to boil out the remaining moisture. The bike could not have run better. :mrgreen: Dodging ice and crater sized potholes in 25-degree weather was "interesting", but it still felt good to be riding. Thanks to all for the advice.

 

That's awesome! Congrats!

 

Keeps, Find out if they used foam of any kind to extinguish the fire. A friend locally had near the same thing happen to his 69 Buick GS. The foam has done a number on his frame, rotting it out horribly in the last 3 years.

 

Great news - glad you didn't have any problems