Bike laid up - what to check to run again?

[Lego]

In August I was laid off from my job, rode the SV home and parked her in the garage. She has sat there ever since... :(

Well I'm looking to get her back out... What should I look at doing to get her back on the road? Obviously need to change the battery, but are there any reccomended checks I should do?

Cheers

Lego

[barwel1992]

check oil level fuel should be ok "ish" check chain for tight spots just generally lube every thing

do tire pressures

[mattSV]

Might need a change of fuel - unleaded has a tendancy to 'go off' after 3/4 months.

[Specialone]

Might need a change of fuel - unleaded has a tendancy to 'go off' after 3/4 months.
Yeah it can go more sticky and soldify a bit.
You can recycle the fuel, just mix it with fresh stuff but not all at once, put a bit in every fill up.
Or use it to light your BBQ in the summer ;)

[the_lone_wolf]

Fuel should be fine after just a few months, I've had fuel sit for ~18months and be perfectly good to use, not as good as new stuff but the bike will run OK, if you're very concerned just top up with fresh stuff to dilute what's in there

Battery may need replacing but it might be worth a charge first and monitor how well it retains it

[DarrenSV650S]

check oil level fuel should be ok "ish" check chain for tight spots just generally lube every thing

do tire pressures

How would the chain get tight spots sitting in the garage?

[The Idle Biker]

Take it easy when you get back on and give yourself time to readust , then have a blooming good time on it this summer.

[Lego]

Thanks Guys!!

I got spare battery so will just sling that in there and charge the one thats in the bike

Darren I'm guessing hes referring to chain rusting? sorry cant remember how to quote and stuff... Been a while since I been on here

Thanks again

Lego

[Lego]

Haha! Just as i post that I find it :P

[SoulKiss]

Might need a change of fuel - unleaded has a tendancy to 'go off' after 3/4 months.

Mine was fine after 3 years...

[dizzyblonde]

For a moment there, I thought someone had part ex'd their SV for a Poofy Hardly Driveable:rolleyes:

Suzy comes out of mothballs at the end of the month. Shes been rolled in and out of the shed but not been near a road for over a year. She started in the summer first button...and I reckon the battery that refuses to die, will just need a charge and away she'll go to be MOTd

[andrewsmith]

Good service, and evict the residents of the air filter.

I'd say fresh fuel with a shot of Reddex (if its a curvy).
New plug always help but that being pedantic.

If I said I thought the same as DB and a hardly drivable had appeared or a goldwing

[dizzyblonde]

wouldn't bother with the Redex Andrew. Just give it a good service, pump up them tyres, give it some fuel, and unstick the calipers.

But then mines had the YC treatment so it doesn't need much!

[andrewsmith]

wouldn't bother with the Redex Andrew. Just give it a good service, pump up them tyres, give it some fuel, and unstick the calipers.

But then mines had the YC treatment so it doesn't need much!

If it turns over and idles fine on the first start it won't get it, but mines sat since Nov with a tank of fuel with the preservative in it, the shell unleaded ain't up to much if its left

[Sid Squid]

Mine was fine after 3 years...
You have an FI bike - the fuel system is sealed. Float bowls are open to atmosphere so the fuel can evaporate if left for a while.

Which bike does the OP have?

[Jordy]

He has a K5 I reckon.

[barwel1992]

How would the chain get tight spots sitting in the garage?

my bike managed to grow fur in the garage over winter, and the chain had tight spots and i know for a fact it didn't before it had all dried out and had stiff links :rolleyes:

[Specialone]

Thread title changed as well, winter is worse than i thought ;)