I am picking up two bikes this weekend that have been sitting in a garage and not started/ran for 10 years. One bike has 8000 miles and the other under 1000. The gas tanks are completly empty now.

What do i need to do to them before pouring some new gas in and starting them up?

Thanks[/align]

 

tear the carbs down, change out ALL the fluids, replace the spark plugs and fuel lines, check ALL the suspension components for broken seals, check for rusted through spots on the frame, replace the tires from dry rot, check that the gas tanks are free of rust, also pull the jugs and check for corosion or oil buildup around the piston rings.......replace the battery? this list goes on as long as the parts list for the bike.....

something that has sat for 10 years will typically NOT be safe to ride on the street until it has been completely gone over by a qualified mechanic....

do you want to be 100 miles from home when you break down?
maybe have a blowout or catastrophic structural failure at 70mph?

NO....so do yourself a favor and rebuild everthing that moves.....and make sure that the things which shouldn't move....DON'T

 

Seems excessive. These bikes were in a garage for 10 years and are in pristine condition not sitting in the elements.

 

Way excessive. Pristine things tend to appreciate their condition by rewarding you with a first-fire startup. What models are they? I have personal experience with Hondas starting up after eleven years but I think the most important thing would be to check fuel systems: the hoses tend to harden and the washers in the carburetors shrink and don't seal anymore. If there was fuel in the tank or system at all for the first few years, deposits and rust could be a big problem. If not, you should be fine. I would replace the tires and chain before riding, even though they may appear fine and could even 'work' as they are, every consumable has a shelf life. While you're at it, check the interior (read air intake) for creepy crawly things and if you really want to give it a head start, change the oil, filter, and plugs.

And, oh yeah, of course, the brake fluid is definitely bad. Despite being sealed up, moisture always finds its way into the lines at some point sooner than later. Change it before relying on the brakes for any reason.

How about pics, I love things stored pristinely from a different era!

 

1993 Suzuki Intruder VS800

 

And for the wife:
1985 Honda Rebel 250

 

Wow, yeah, makes you want to just hop on and ride off. I'm glad someone cares enough to keep nice shat clean. I must confess I know next to nothing about cruiser engineering. There may be other components affected by time, is the Intruder shaft drive or is that just a drum brake?

Nice...clean...bikes...!

 

You could not get better bikes to sit for 10 years if you tried, nice big twins & a 'V" to boot. Hire a trailer, take em home & do all thats been suggested, why risk a bargain like this. Drain the oil, they also have a drain point valve on each carbie, run a line from it & drain the float bowls, get rid of gunk a moisture that will be sitting in there. The tyres will be R/S, they may look ok , but the rubber will have hardened to the point where expansion from riding will cause the carcass to crack/split, and offer little or no adhesion anyway.
Good find.

 

It wouldnt hurt to take the plugs out, put a lil oil into the cylinders and turn it over by hand a few times either.

 

wow those are clean for being stored that long!