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What to expect when a bike is unused for years

NorthBayGriso

NorthBayGriso

Tuned and Synch'ed
Joined
Aug 10, 2012
Messages
31
Location
SF Bay Area
I ran across a "used" '07 4v Griso in Los Angeles with ~45 miles on it. The seller says that it was ridden 1x, then garaged/stored for 5 years.

Without going into the ad itself, it got me wondering: what happens to a bike when unused for that long?

  • Will it need new tires [out of round, rotting]?
    Will it need the injectors cleaned?
    I would assume tank/brakes/oil replacement before starting
    new battery
    Would anything happen to the wiring?
    Would chain lube last that long?

I'm not in a position to buy it, but the ad got me wondering.
 
Biggest issue would be the fuel. But that likely wouldn't be a huge deal unless it had a high percentage ethanol in it. Drain the fuel, put in fresh - maybe add a fuel injector cleaner, change out all the fluids (oil, trans, diff just to be on the safe side) be a good idea to flush the brake lines too, new battery, new tires (it is now recommended to replace tires every five years regardless of mileage) and it should be ready to ride. Shaft drive so no chain.
Other than the tank being full of fuel, not that different than a "crate back" bike.
 
Also you do want to replace the tires. At over 5 years of age it is time for them to go. The composition of the rubber has changed and should no longer be used.
 
Yeah, all of the above but was gonna say,
"Chain lube? What's that?" :?
 
5 years? when did this change? I remember reading it's 6 not too long ago. No matter.

Also, condition of electrical and metal parts depends how an where it's stored.

My B11 was stored in a barn with Belginan draft horses (fancy) by the PO for a couple of years. Not a recommended method, took me 2 trans oil changes before it shifted 100% smooth. No long term effects remain, except the bike tends to veer toward ranches when I pass them on backroads. Ask anybody on the ride to the Nevada MGNOC rally a couple of years ago, they saw it.
 
Bikeless, just noticed you're in the SF bayarea. There are two Griso on craigslist one 4v and one 2v at decent prices. 7900 miles on the 2v is not bad for $7400. it's just breaking in.
 
:headslap: I knew Grisos have shafts.

What about lube at certain points like the CARC bearing, triple-tree, etc? Fork oil replacement also?

kmac33 said:
Biggest issue would be the fuel. But that likely wouldn't be a huge deal unless it had a high percentage ethanol in it. Drain the fuel, put in fresh - maybe add a fuel injector cleaner, change out all the fluids (oil, trans, diff just to be on the safe side) be a good idea to flush the brake lines too, new battery, new tires (it is now recommended to replace tires every five years regardless of mileage) and it should be ready to ride. Shaft drive so no chain.
Other than the tank being full of fuel, not that different than a "crate back" bike.
Click to expand...
 
Rafael said:
Bikeless, just noticed you're in the SF bayarea. There are two Griso on craigslist one 4v and one 2v at decent prices. 7900 miles on the 2v is not bad for $7400. it's just breaking in.
Click to expand...

Yah - I'm aggressively lurking on CL, watching the Grisos come available and go to new homes. My hopes for a bike this year disappeared when my IRS bill came due. :sick: Someday, though...
 
Rafael said:
5 years? when did this change? I remember reading it's 6 not too long ago. No matter.
Click to expand...

Bike stored for 5 years, tires could have been a year or more old when stored. Too close to the expiration date to take the chance. But I would replace them last after everything else is sorted.
 
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