1. SELLING A MOTORCYCLE , WHAT IS ITS VALUE?  

Yes, occasionally, but I have to buy them at a steep discount because who knows what it may take to get them running properly --and more importantly, I hate to work for free.  If you are interested in selling your motorcycle, please send me close up digital pictures and tell me what you want to get out of it. 

3. BUYING A MOTORCYCLE  

4. LEARNING TO RIDE - BE SMART ABOUT IT. 

5. HOW TO GET A NON-RUNNING MOTORCYCLE ON THE ROAD AGAIN                                      

1. First, BE CAREFUL.  you are dealing with gasoline and electrical sparks in an enclosed area.  Also Batteries build up fumes and if not properly vented have been know to blow up in the process.                                      Next check and make sure that it has proper oil level in the crankcase. Almost all motorcycles have a dip stick or a "sight glass" to determine the proper oil level. Some much older and usually small two cycle bikes will only have a small set screw somewhere on the lower outside of the engine case towards the bottom. If you back this screw almost all the way out, oil should seep out and you know it is properly filled. This oil is just for the transmission, as a two cycle piston gets its lubrication from the gas/oil mixture. If not at the proper level add the proper amount of the correct weight of oil. I personally think it is ok to use the old oil in this process because even if you get it running you should keep it at low RPMS for at least five  minutes to get the engine warmed up and then change the oil and in some cases an oil filter.  If you have questions about the quality of existing oil definitely change the oil before you proceed, but you may need to change it again because you really didn't get all of it out by just draining it without it being warm.  Check Air Cleaners for disintegrated foam filters, obstructions, and, believe it or not, birdseed or nests which mice often drag into intake systems (even in covered garages). You do not want to suck them into your carburetor!

   For those motorcycles with just a kick-starter, it is best to have a new battery. It helps, and in some models, is an absolute necessity for it to start. Also an old fully discharged battery will not absorb voltage spikes and you can possibly blow out your VERY expensive to replace light bulbs. If it is an electric start you will need a new battery just to turn the starter over.

   Once you put a new battery in it and turn the key on, do the turn signals, horn and brake lights work? That is an excellent sign. Next, does it have gas in the tank? A motorcycle must have good gas no more than a year old to function properly and start.  If it is very old gas, the chances of the bike starting are not good, bite the bullet, drain the tank and put in new non ethanol gas.  So is the gas actually getting into the carb(s)? The way to tell is that sometimes carbs have a drain plug at their bottom and you can back it out and see if gas runs out.  If so, it is getting gas to the carb. If not, pull off the gas lines at the petcock, will gas flow? If not the petcock will probably need to be replaced. You must have gasoline flowing to the carburetor(s).

2. Turn the key on. For pre-1980's bikes, put the choke on 3/4 setting. Post 1980, full choke. Make sure the engine on/off switch is in the run position!  Put the gearshift in neutral. Will the kick starter kick the engine over smoothly? Or will pushing the electric start button turn the engine over? Do not keep the electric starter turning over for any more than 10 seconds at a time. Give it a few minutes’ rest after 4-5 attempts. You may give it only the very slightest of turns on the throttle while it is cranking. Do not keep twisting the throttle hoping it will start. You will flood the engine with gas!

   If it doesn’t start, go to the next steps. Remember if it has been sitting for years with old gas in the tank and carburetor, your chances of starting are unlikely. Both gas tank and carburetors will need to be fully cleaned out. Carb internal jet passages are tiny, and the gas turns into varnish which clogs them. It will not start, and even if you get it running, it will not idle cleanly if these passages are not clear.

3. Buy brand new spark plugs of the proper heat range. Do not count on the fact that the current spark plugs in the bike are the correct ones. Someone may have installed an improper heat range or length in it. A motorcycle parts department will have reference books to tell you which plug your model should use. Make sure that YOU are not standing in moisture and are touching only the rubber cap, or you may shock yourself. Turn the ignition key on. Take the plug wire cap off an existing spark plug of the engine. Put the new plug into the plug wire, and ground it(touch it) to the engine cylinder. Then have someone else kick the kick-starter over. If it is an electric start, push the button.

   If you see a spark jumping across at the electrode of the spark plug or to the engine block that is a good sign. Sometimes you will need to do this with lights out because the spark is difficult to see. If it is sparking, put the new plug(s) in the cylinders, and follow the choking procedure above.

   If it is not getting spark you have a problem. If it doesn’t spark, it could be a myriad of other items. First check for a blown fuse. Fuses are usually located close to the battery area. Replace only with the same amperage fuse! Check for power at the ignition breaker points which are usually under a cover near the top of a cylinder. If it doesn't have points but has an electronic ignition you cannot do this step.

   Are the points opening and closing? You may have to replace breaker points, and set timing. Make sure your engine start/stop switch is functioning properly and is not electrically shorting you out. If it still will not spark, then unfortunately the problem is more complicated than I can explain in this paper. 

   IF THESE STEPS DO NOT WORK AND YOU ARE MORE MECHANICALLY INCLINED FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

4. Take off the gas tank. Drain all old gas.  Remove the petcock. Clean the petcock screen that protrudes up into the gas tank.  Do not try to blow high pressure air through the petcock, you will ruin it. I would not attempt to disassemble and clean the petcock any further unless you are very mechanically inclined and have on hand very hard to find petcock rebuild parts.  You can save yourself a lot of headaches by buying a new petcock. OEM petcocks if you can find them will be $50 and up.  However Chinese knock offs are cheap and seem to work well in my experience.

   Cleaning the gas tank.  What a hassle, but it must be done. Almost all old gas tanks have some amount of rust in them.  And some are just absolutely horrible with it. Clean it because if you spend time and money rebuilding a carburetor, you will quickly just suck a bunch of gunk back  into it and have to start all over.                                                                                                                                                                                  There are a couple of products that I have used. I have used “milk stone remover” from a farm supply store.  Mix it at about 25% ratio with water.  Plug the petcock opening and put the mixture along with a cup of old bolts into the tank.  Slosh them around vigorously a few times each day to break up the rust. Let this mixture sit for at least seven days, then empty. The mixture can be re-used. Put the petcock back on, and fill the tank approximately half full of gas.  In the open position, see if gas flows through the petcock.  If it is a "vacuum" petcock from some models, this approach will not work.  This type of set up requires that the petcock be hooked up to a vacuum line which pulls the mixture through the petcock.  With a vacuum petcock, the "prime" setting may allow gas to flow. The goal is to see if the petcock actually works. After cleaning I suggest you  flush with WD40  to prevent flash rusting after the cleaning.                                                                                                                                              Using Vinegar or Apple Cider vinegar along with the old bolts also works, and is simpler.  Some people like the gas tank coating products, I have seen enough of those gone wrong to be an advocate of that system.

5. Take the carburetors off and completely disassemble them. Be sure to wear gloves; old gasoline is some of the nastiest stuff.  Be careful; take digital pictures or observe the process fully as there are many small parts that can be lost easily. You have a couple of options. Soak all carb parts in parts cleaner for two days. Warning: do not put any rubber parts, composite parts, or painted carb bodies into parts cleaning solution; otherwise, they will be ruined. Ultrasonically cleaning all parts is superior as it works on the very small areas.  Next, blow out all jets and passages thoroughly with compressed air. Set the mixture and idle screws to factory specifications. Reassemble.
6. Follow previous choke instructions and try to start the engine. Use only a maximum of 1/8 turn on throttle while cranking or you will "flood" the carb. If you get it running, let it run at low speed for about 10 minutes, and then change the crankcase oil while it is warm.
7. If it does start be CAREFUL  Sometimes clutches will seem to be working fine with seemingly proper resistance. However after sitting around for years clutch plates can STICK!  So when you put the motorcycle in gear it just goes--pulling in the clutch does not actually disengage the clutch so it moves forward sometimes quite quickly. With a large displacement bike, the brakes may not hold it, and you may be headed for real danger to yourself and others. To prevent this possibility have the motorcycle pointed  in a direction where you have plenty of room to ride it safely, which could give you a chance to possibly kick it back to neutral.  Another option is to brace the front wheel up against a solid object like a block wall so that if this happens it won't move and will stall out.  BE CAREFUL!
8. Please dispose of all chemical waste responsibly by recycling.
9. Inspect the tires carefully; the best practice is to put new tires on if you have any concerns about their condition.

6. GETTING A MOTORCYCLE SHIPPED

7. WHAT KIND OF MILEAGE CAN I EXPECT FROM MY VINTAGE BIKE?