1983 Honda vt 500 ft ascot Logo
Posted on Mar 29, 2009
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Bike has been sitting for more then 5 years.

Got bike as a freeby and has been sitting for more then 5 years.
what should i do before even considering to start the engine.
The bike is a 1983 Honda VT

1 Answer

tombones

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  • Master 3,567 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 29, 2009
tombones
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Joined: Mar 11, 2009
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I hope it was sitting inside and not outside. This will be a real project bike for you. Bear in mind that your 'free' bike may get costly. The following are general thoughts.

  • If the bike has a kick starter is it froze up or will it rotate the crankshaft? If it has only an electric starter, remove the bike battery and run jumper cables to the battery leads. Will the bike turn over using a car's battery?
  • Do the clutch and throttle cables work okay?
  • Can you shift up and down through the gears?
  • With car battery hooked up, does it have spark?
  • Shoot WD40 into each cylinder. Be liberal with the WD40.
  • Change gearbox oil. Disconnect the chain.
Does this bike have fuel injection or carburetors? CDI ignition or points? How bad is the rust inside the gas tank? Have you checked the cost of the following items?
  • New chain. New front and rear sprockets (if needed)
  • Battery
  • Carb rebuild kits (if carbs are there)
  • Upholstery
  • Tires
  • Throttle, clutch and front brake cables
  • Speedometer cable
  • Rear view mirrors
  • Title changeover, License plates and insurance
  • Electric starter (if needed)
  • Fuel pump (if injected and if needed)
Get back to me on this bike. I would like to see what you find.

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