Bought a bike that has been sitting for years

Just picked up a 1983 Maxim that has been sitting for at least 8 years. I know drain the fuel, check the tank and send the carbs to school but what should I do before a compression test?

 

Check the valve clearances and fully charge the battery, or use a car battery.

 

Should I drop some oil in the spark plug holes and let it sit for a day or two to make sure everything is loose? Didn't come with a battery so I'm using the one from the bike I have on the table now.

 

Be patiant. Soak cylinders a few days. If it was mine I would take the side cover off, the one on the shifter side and just nudge the engine using a wrench on the nut. Let sIt a few more days.

 

if motor turns just some oil in cylinders is good . bike on center stand.

if motor does not turn mix some atf and acetone 50/50 mix and put that in cylinders. soak 24 hours see if it moves repete if needed may take a few applications.

you can put it in gear and use the rear wheel to turn it with spark plugs removed.

turning the crank nut is ok but if you try to muscle it you may turn the pointer plate and not the crank.

compresion test . if motor is moving then you would want to measure the shim clearances first bring into spec. reading will change if you do this after.

for test remove air filter
secure throttle wide open.
if you have a larger battery handy use that or with the motoecycle battery test and recharge battery for optimal spin.
go 1 to 4 then after recharging battery go 4 to 1.

if 2 and 3 seem weak recharge and do then first.

 

IMO the compression test should happen before buying. If a compression test is not possible at that time an offer should be made at parts bike prices...e.g. cheap.

XH550H covered the process thoroughly.

 

Got the bike for $500(cdn) it's complete with both side covers, engine guards(one has some damage but I can fix and paint black for my other bike) an old Vetter faring with a tape deck, no battery installed, keys and no ownership. I was looking at it as a parts bike but when I got it home I'm liking the completeness of it and might try and keep it as it is and register it. I want to go slow and make sure step by step what kind of money pit it will be before it becomes just a parts bike.

 

Thanks for the spark plug out tip XJ550H. I had a brain fart when I rolled it into the garage and was afraid it was seized when it didn't move in gear. Haven't taken a bike from non runner before they always at least ran and I fixed the easy stuff (brakes ect)