Bringing a bike out of hibernation...

To cut a long story short - last July I bought a brand spanking new Ducati 899, had a bit of an accident 8 weeks later and ending up breaking my leg and writing it off. Meh.

Unfortunately my lovely dependable SV has been sat in the garage since then. As it's starting to get a little warmer and little sunnier, I'm getting the itch and feel I'm ready to get back on a bike. I owe it a bit of TLC before taking it out for a shakedown but I was just wondering if there was anything specific I may need to look at on a bike that's been sat still for the best part of 9 months.

I'll probably drain the petrol and put some fresh stuff in as I've heard it can get a bit goopy being still for long periods. I have new air and oil filters and new oil, plus I've noticed the rear caliper has seized so I got a refurbished one off ebay.

I suspect the battery may be dead but I have a trickle charger so I'll see if I can revive it.

Am I missing anything?

[Biker Biggles]

Lube the chain and have a good hard look at the tyres.

Can of chain lube has been plucked from the attic The tyres thankfully only had about 1000 miles on them before I stopped using it so should be OK, but I guess the the rubber could have degraded in spots over that time. Will check!

[daveangel]

Drain the fuel out definately, if it still smells of fuel it can go in a car to mix with the fresh stuff, if it smells like wood varnish drain into an old oilcan and lose it in the waste oil tank down the local recycling centre. Now the refineries add 10% ethanol to fuel it is fantastic at attracting water out of the atmosphere if it is stored too long. The vintage/classic vehicle movement 'love' the stuff

[robertw95]

I'd be giving tyre pressures a check aswell