Hello, just returned from college to ride my bike (a '98) again but it won't start up. It hasn't been started for about 2 years and hasn't seen any road time in nearly 4. I pretty much need a checklist of where to start and where to go from there. Also some recommendations on resources like websites, manuals and that sort would be appreciated.

I know the battery is dead so my attempt to start it was with a jump so I can at least move on from there. The gas is old so would siphoning it out and adding fresh gas be likely to solve the issue or should I be starting with other things?

Also is the cheaper option for buying replacements online or with the local dealer who might also be able to give advice?

Thanks!

 

If the gas sat in the carbs for two years, I'd think they may need cleaned.

 

I would definitely drain the gas in the tank and take the carbs off and clean them very well. Any gas that has sat that long is surely bad

 

personally, I wouldnt go that far unless i had to, but that is just me. I would pull the tank and drain it. and then drain the carb fuel bowls (with the carbs still on the bike..) and then funnel a mix of seafoam and new fuel into the fuel line..

 

Ok I'll try that. Hopefully I can find some youtube videos to help me out considering I have zero experience with this stuff.

 

well, you have to remove the tail fairings, the seat, and then the tank (2 twist locks and 4 bolts total) then remove the fuel line from the tank (make sure the petcock is on off beforehand) and then to drain the fuel bowls its just a turn of a flat head screw on each bowl. you should be able to access 2 from each side (i would get some hosing to hook up to the bowl nipple to avoid drainage all over your bike)

this is what youll be looking for...(there are 4 of them)


you can see there is a nipple to hook the hose up to, and in this picture, the drain screw is to the right of that nipple...