After what seems like an eternity, I finally got around to making room in the garage and getting the old lady fired up. My concern is the bike has been sitting for nearly two years. Fuel system is good to go and bike is running, new oil and filter, fuel filter, petcock, plugs. My main concerns revolves around the tires, chain, and brakes. Will the chain be okay with a good cleaning and lube or should I look to replace it? Tires look good, not rotting or hard. I would presume the brakes are good, but I don't know for certain.

If there are any other things to look out for I'd appreciate the tip.

 

On the tires, check for the small cracks that develop. The chain will be ok with some cleaning. I would check to make sure there are no tight links from rust or anything. Unless the brakes got fluid or some other grease on them, they will be fine. They are made (most) with a metallic composition. If the pads and rotors get a rust film on them, usually it is gone after the first few stops on a ride.

if you do ride, I would keep watch on the tires. if the bike didn't get moved around much, they could still develop the cracks and they may have flat spotted somewhat.

 

Thanks.

I should have mentioned with the brakes, oil was slightly leaking from the lines that go to the oil cooler and dripped down the brake lines and onto my floor. I'll have to see if any got on the pads. I may just replace them as a precautionary step.

By flat spotted to you mean the tires developed a flat spot from sitting on them too long? I did no move it around much. Not for the last year anyways.

 

Well I know when I got my bike i was always told to store it on my stands so the tires wouldn't develop any flat spots. I don't know how true that is, but that is what I was told by several. may be an old wives tale.

 

might want to change the oil in the forks, also look into replacing the oxygen with nitrogen helps prevent aeration. Also, I think Dot 3/4 has a service life of about 4 years so you might want to bleed new fluid in. Highly recommend lubing your cables too.

 

I'm definitely thinking about redoing my brakes, fluid included. What I mentioned as oil leaking may in fact be brake fluid as my dad suggests. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the tips guys.