revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Hello

What work would you do before starting a bike that has been sat outside for 4 years. Lets skip the drain the tank, replace the brake fluid and charge/replace the battery.

Would you remove plugs, spray two stroke down the bores and turn over through the gear box. Then start bike, run till warm and do ano oil and filter change, What about the grea and final drive oil?

Check if there's anything living in the airbox.

If the idea of the 2T was to soak/lube the rings and bore would that work on a flat twin?

I'd ask on a BMW boxer forum as I don't know if there's anything specific to re commisioning a BMW boxer.
In general,with any bike that's been stood I would get it turning over with the kick start or through the gearbox first.

What others have said and..
I'd want to check the entire electrical system and connectors for corrosion.
Brake calipers are likely to be seized. Down to luck if they are even useable.
Fork seals will have hardened and will leak.
I'd not be that keen on using the tyres in anger.
It would need to be very cheap to get it useable,otherwise you'd be better buying a dearer one which has been cared for.

I'd expect the clutch to be stuck together and be really careful when first putting it in gear.

From my experience of an 1150gs that hadn't been sat under a cover for years... check the electrics. I can't recall if canbus is on that bike or they added it to the 1150. However if it has ABS then check everything very carefully.

dern wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:49 am From my experience of an 1150gs that hadn't been sat under a cover for years... check the electrics. I can't recall if canbus is on that bike or they added it to the 1150. However if it has ABS then check everything very carefully.

CANBUS is only fitted to the R1200GS and later bikes.

Rockburner wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:50 am

dern wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:49 am From my experience of an 1150gs that hadn't been sat under a cover for years... check the electrics. I can't recall if canbus is on that bike or they added it to the 1150. However if it has ABS then check everything very carefully.

CANBUS is only fitted to the R1200GS and later bikes.

You sure? I thought that my 1150gs had it. Could be wrong, obvs.

dern wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:00 am

Rockburner wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:50 am

dern wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:49 am From my experience of an 1150gs that hadn't been sat under a cover for years... check the electrics. I can't recall if canbus is on that bike or they added it to the 1150. However if it has ABS then check everything very carefully.

CANBUS is only fitted to the R1200GS and later bikes.

You sure? I thought that my 1150gs had it. Could be wrong, obvs.

Yep. The R1200GS, which was the first of the "hex-head" models, came out in 2004, I was buying my first 2 Rocksters* (R1150R-Rockster) in 2004 so I was in and out of the BMW dealerships a lot, and discussing stuff with them almost every week.



* the first one was written off after only 2 weeks.

A_morti wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:30 am I'd expect the clutch to be stuck together and be really careful when first putting it in gear.

My technique for this is to put the front wheel against a solid wall, sit close to the front of the seat and stamp it into gear with the clutch in.

Plugs out, a good spray of 3in1 or similar onto the bores, spin it over a few times on the starter, plugs back in, a squirt of something flammable into the airbox and see if it coughs or starts.

Why has it been left under a cover for four years?

My worry would be it was parked up because something was fucked and the owner couldn't afford/be bothered to fix it?

Rockburner wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:08 am

dern wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:00 am

Rockburner wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:50 am

CANBUS is only fitted to the R1200GS and later bikes.

You sure? I thought that my 1150gs had it. Could be wrong, obvs.

Yep. The R1200GS, which was the first of the "hex-head" models, came out in 2004, I was buying my first 2 Rocksters* (R1150R-Rockster) in 2004 so I was in and out of the BMW dealerships a lot, and discussing stuff with them almost every week.



* the first one was written off after only 2 weeks.

Ah, ok. Thanks. Christ, I put all the problems I had down to canbus and it turned out that they just couldn't wire a bike reliably!

I'd hook the carbs up to a remote fuel supply and try jump starting it from a fully charged battery and see what happens. I'd make a decision on what to do with it based on that outcome.

Taipan wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:15 am I'd hook the carbs up to a remote fuel supply and try jump starting it from a fully charged battery and see what happens. I'd make a decision on what to do with it based on that outcome.

It's FI.

I put away a bike for probably less time than that (in a dry shed, albeit presumably prone to terrible condensation) and it was pretty dismal when it came out. Brakes seized almost beyond saving, carbs so gunged up that it still ran very rough despite multiple cleanings. That was before we got to the inevitable tyre rot and saggy chain. As it wasn't my primary transport anymore I couldn't be bothered to put that much effort into it and I offed it to a keen mate to get running (I'm not sure he ever did, it was only an old z550).

Rockburner wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:25 am

Taipan wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:15 am I'd hook the carbs up to a remote fuel supply and try jump starting it from a fully charged battery and see what happens. I'd make a decision on what to do with it based on that outcome.

It's FI.

So long ago since I had mien I don't even remember! I'd still hook up a remote fuel supply to the pump though

I'd buy a different bike, I don't know if I'd want it if it was free, it sounds like a money pit.

plugs out, fill cylinders with oil, stick it in top gear and roll it around for a bit.
Wd bores, do it again. Depending on how much oil you use, remove cat or downpipes at beginning of oiling process!
Plugs in, 1st gear, clutch in and push back and forth, vigorously, and hope the clutch is free.
Check airbox, jury rig fuel feed, set up video camera, and press that button!

I have experience of this, I once bought a BMW R80 that had sat under a cover for years. Every connection on the wiring was corroded, I ended up fitting a new loom. Almost every rubber bit needed replacing, tyres and fork seals as already mentioned, fuel hoses. The tank on mine was ok but have a look inside it for corrosion. The carbs on mine needed a good soak in an ultrasonic cleaner, your one is injected so should be ok. I think residual fuel will stop at the fuel pressure regulator so plan on a new one of those. I replaced all the brake hoses and fitted new pads. After all that I rode it for about 18 months and made a small profit when I sold it but I bought it for pennies. If the seller of your GS is unrealistic about the potential repair cost walk away.