Barn find expected problems?

Happy to be redirected to a thread if this has already been beaten to death, but if you are looking at a bike that has not run for 10 years, what are the things to watch out for that you *can't* see by careful inspection from the outside?

I've gathered from reading that the clutch is an issue since it's likely been sitting halfway submerged in crappy old oil all that time while the top half is dried out. But assuming the bike turns over, what else is likely waiting to bite you?

 

well you can be 80% sure the handlebars work, and that's about it.

 

Everything. Then again there might not be a thing wrong aside from the rubber bits that break down due to age.
Check out The Information Overload Hour link in my signature.

I've started tractors that had been sitting for decades, and put them to work the next day. I've found others that were worth more as scrap than as parts. You just never know until you start inspecting the machime, no matter what type of machine it is.

 

Check the boots between carbs and engine because they can be pricey

 

There's a process that needs to take place as the others have stated. It starts with manually turning the engine over then get the valves in spec and compression testing each cylinder.

 

this is where to start if the motor is not in working spec you may waste a lot of money.
the carbs are next read church of clean in K-Moes signature. as well as the information overload.
then start a list of repairs and maintance that you will be doing.
wheel bearings front and back. headstock bearings may need replacement too. rebuild calipers master cylinder, new brake hoses brake shoes and pads
its all in the money you want to spend, in for a penny in for a pound.
then there are a few tools to buy KD tools 2274 is the feeler gauge you want to buy most autoparts stores will order it for you it is metric 8.99$
a service manual is needed
what type of bike is it you may want to add that to your profile or you will be asked many times

 

fork seals, possibly chain and sprockets. Tires

 

When you get the manual start going over ALL the scheduled maintenance items which will include the items suggested in this thread.

Gary H.

 

I just recently bought a 550 Seca for... well, for $550 believe it or not.

It had been sitting for literally 10 years, like you have said. It took me a few months of tinkering but I got it on the road.

Here is a list of everything I put into it:

Bike: $550
Battery: $35
Air filter: $20
Oil filter: $10
Brake lever: $8
Carb sync tester: $35
Master Cylinder tools: $15
Carb cleaner: $10
PB Blaster: $5
Kroil: $20
Key: $30
Spark Plugs + Oil: $28
Mufflers: $55
Mufflers: $25
Tire: $105
fuses: $10
turn signals: $15
helmet: $15
master cylinder rebuild: $20
petcock: $7
fuel stabilizer: $3
jbweld: $5
gas tank sealer: $40

total: $1060

What I still need to do: The bike doesn't like first gear, I might have to look around at the clutch or maybe put some better oil in it since the transmission runs off the oil. Fork seals, there may be some (very evident) leakage. I might do the chain just because it scares me being so old. The brake lines are probably not at all safe, but I've been cheap on that because I'm stupid. I also think coils are going to be in my future, maybe new plug wires.

What I have done: cleaned carbs, cleaned brake caliper, rebuilt master cylinder, checked valves, checked ignition, cleaned gas tank, cleaned gas cap (it was stuck on.), put mufflers on, put air cleaner on, changed spark plugs, rewired fuses that were busted, rewired turn signals that were busted, and then even still it wasn't running right and I put B12 injector cleaner in it and ran that through and now i've put about 400 miles on it and it's going good.

I tried my best not to cut corners but I gotta admit, I wanted to ride it before summer was up so I didn't do everything as well as other people here would make you believe you need to (not that I'm saying don't. It caused some headaches, so listen to them) but to have it RUNNING and ON THE ROAD, that's what you're looking at. To have it SAFE and DEPENDABLE. Probably a heck of a lot more.

 

No, no no..... never keep track of expenses. Ruins the fun.

 

You kept track of expenses?!?!BWAA-haaaa-haaa-haaaaaaa!!!

" I like him... He's silly!" ( quoting Tweety Bird)

 

I had to keep myself in check, because I already knew I couldn't afford a bike. That way I knew how to talk myself down, so maybe I DON'T need a brand new set of chrome mirrors. Mine's mostly chrome, and the unicorn etching doesn't get in the way much, and sure the other one is bent but if i turn it sideways I can still see out of it fine. And my turnsignals don't HAVE to match, they just have to blink. These things will nickel and time you to death, and how it sits now I kept myself at my one grand mark and it is roadworthy, and I know I couldn't have bought it for what I have in it now that it runs and rides, so I'm happy.

Now that I'm done "getting it going" I won't worry about a checklist because everything else should be routine costs.

 

yes get it running then work on pretty thats what winter is for

 

I'm not saying to not keep track of your weekly/monthly budget. Just don't add everything up. I think I've spent $300 to build a trailer to haul my camping gear in. I probably spent more than that, but I never went over my weekly allotment. Since I haven't kept track of how many weeks the build took, I have no idea what the actual cost is aside from a rough estimate. THis way O don't worry so much about costs and can just enjoy the process and the final result.

 

Plus you might leave a paper trail for "SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED". Leave no evidence at the scene of the crime!

 

Matt, I agree. Pathetic as this may be... I keep a "bike account." It is an old glass (gallon) jar that I put loose change in... and by loose change, I mean ANY money I can siphon off by converting to coins and dump in that jar. I find myself asking cashiers at the grocery store for ALL my change to be given back to me in coins... Sometimes I'm dragging my heavy pockets back into the house at the end of the day... Hey, If it gets into that jar... it's for the XJ! Its a sickness...

 

Genius. For me...$5 every other payday. Imo iX should put back $10 if he can. $5 emergency $ for his newborn (Congratulations!) and $5 for his bike. The newborn won't go without and the xj stays running without argument. The hat trick is not telling his wife how he comes up with the $ for something the baby NEEDS (If she knows about it there'll always be a situation where it's needed which renders the "emergency" tag useless.)

Gary H.

@iX: These bikes aren't overly expensive to keep once all the 30+ years of neglect has been addressed. Len, e-bay, forum members and a few others do a grand job keeping parts cost down. Us doing majority of the work keeps labor cost down.

I posted in the wrong thread. This was for bubba. Sorry iX.

 

The guy says he tried to safety it and needed fork seals and had some sort of choke problem, and that it needs carb work. I of course will do a visual inspection onsite but given that I have to assume the engine at least runs if not terribly well.

I am picking up another '85 XJ750X next week -- 6 hours each way taking a trailer -- but saw this '85 XJ750N very nearby and thought of picking it up either for parts or for a flip if I can just do the carb work over the winter, if the cosmetics are good. The guy basically threw in the towel when he got a quote back from a garage for the carb job. But it has not been on the road for 10 years so I'm wondering what sort of mystery meat I should be most concerned about.

I'll read the overload thread, thanks K-Moe and everyone.