How to tell if a bike was stored correctly?

Hello everyone,

I have finally decided to pick up an SV650. I found an '06 s with about 15k miles on the clock. Main problem I see (in this and other bikes I have looked at) is that he was deployed for two years so the bike was store for quite a while.

It was stored in a garafge in california so the weather is not that big of a deal. I just want to know how, if at all, I can tell if the bike was stored correctly over that long period of time, or if it is even worth the risk?

If this has already been adressed, let me know and I will search harder to find it.

Thanks for any input!

[muzikill]

How was the servicing up to that point? How does the oil look in the window? Oil & filter change? Water look cloudy? Brakes spongy? Rock the front on the forks whilst applying the front brake - does it feel to spongy there? Rusty brake discs ..... pics?

[Sid Squid]

Was it left completely unattended for the whole period?

Assuming yes, even then there shouldn't be any real problems unless it was stored badly, by which I mean wet atmosphere and closely covered, (perfect corrosion territory), all the rubber parts should be given a once over. If there was fuel left in it, it will have deteriorated, it might be hard or even impossible to start with that in it, even if the bike is in good order otherwise.
Unless it's been kept charged off the bike the battery is probably now a big paperweight. Or maybe a doorstop.
Obviously the fluids should be checked/changed as appropriate, the biggest potential problem is the tyres, if it was standing on its wheels they'll have lost pressure and possibly the carcasses will have deformed and perhaps cracked, even if that's not immediately apparent I'd be careful and gentle riding it until they were pronounced good by someone suitably knowledgeable, or preferably renewed.
Check the brakes carefully, SV brakes can get sticky at the slightest provocation.

Sticky brakes? Like the fluid gums up? Is this easy to tell while riding it/easy to fix?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/3199124934.html

There is the link to the bike. I think he is asking far too much but I may be able to talk him down.

He says it was maintained well until he left the country in 2010. When he came back he says he replaced the battery and it has been driving fine. Says he has now been riding it once a week with no problems.

I really need to just go check it out but he is terrible at responding to emails.

Thanks for the help!

[QUOTE=Sid Squid;2758876] If there was fuel left in it, it will have deteriorated, it might be hard or even impossible to start with that in it,

With regards to fuel,

This has nothing to do with your probs' but thought it may be relevant!

As once a few years ago I had the misfortune to be involved in the dismantling and removal of an opel Kadett, that had been parked in the same place for 24yrs, been there so long the council had actually placed a heating oil tank in front of the car so trapping it between house, wall, garage and oil tank, so neglected was it that when we came to cut it up small touches with the grinder made the doors fall off!

Long story short, a genius friend of mine said "don't worry about the fuel it'll be duff by now and never burn"!

Oh my! When he cut through the fuel tank, WHUMPF! running around on fire we tackled him with a blanket and called an ambulance!

3rd degree burns head, hands and chest, now can't feel either hand and looks like Freddy Krueger!

Moral of the story?

Old fuel seems to be quite capable of running an engine, although I do concede it won't do injectors or fuel filter any favours!

By my quick googled calculation that's over £2,800 for a 6 year old bike with £15k on it, in a private sale. I can't speak for US prices but that doesn't immediately strike me as the bargain of the year although it looks clean enough in the pictures.

Call me a cynic but there are a number of ways of interpreting the phrase 'no visible damage'. I would er on the side of caution and want to know exactly what the bike's history is and exactly how it has been stored too - never mind visible damage, is there any damage full stop?(that's maybe 'period' to you!).

Also, If the seller is useless at responding, sod him, unless you think this is something you feel you can't miss out on. There are plenty bikes out there - what's for you will not pass you by, as they say round these parts.