Hey all,

Hope everyone is staying healthy. Life has thrown me few curveballs and needless to say I haven't ridden much at all over the past couple years. With that being said, I was wondering how much that hurts a bike? I do start it up once every two weeks or so and let it reach operating temp. Bike has been stored on stands. I did go over the tires and can't see any signs of cracking or anything that looked worn or damaged. Tire tread looks great. They are 3 going on 4 year old. Oil was changed last year and looks like honey in the site glass. Do I need new tires? Is this oil still good? What are some things I should maybe look for before heading out for a ride?

If you're circulating the oil like you say,it should be fine.You may want to replace your brake/clutch fluids though.The tires may look good,but you should maybe google the mfg and ask about longevity just sitting?That's quite a while being on there.Hub probably knows better(I'm sure).I'd imagine the mfg will tell you to replace...maybe not?
Maybe have a look in the coolant reservoir for any floating 'tufts' of stuff in there.If so,replace.Perhaps clean chain w/kerosine,then re-oil.That wouldn't hurt and check for any tight links.Go over the front clamp bolts on the forks(at the axle).Make sure there's no cracks at any of the fluid connections and such.Including radiator hoses.Check header bolts just to be sure no leaks or anything.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/3/2020 @ 12:58 PM *

Just be careful on the old tires where grip is crucial. I would not probably want to lean the bike real hard especially if its damp or cold....then again, I wouldn't be leaning the bike hard under those conditions with new tires either. Just be careful.. I've heard of old tires getting greasy and hard. Check the air pressure.

I never start my 12 year old ZX-14 with 50,000 miles unless I'm riding it or have to start it up for maintenance. Last season, it sat 11 months out of the year and when I popped the battery in, it started right up and ran perfect. Same scenario this year and I expect it will run great when I give it its first start of the year later this week.

The oil is fine. It might have some condensation from those starts if you live in a cold climate but that will burn off with a couple hot rides. If the shifts feel smooth, there's no need to change oil. If it feels rough or misses a shift, it's time to change it. I change oil every 2500 miles. Run it 2500 if it shifts good. If you have some high end synthetic, most would leave it in quite a bit longer than 2500.

Pay attention to throttle response. If it runs rough at high rpm a/o large throttle, you might have some deposits from old gas or it might just be bad gas. Syphon the old gas and replace with a course of Seafoam fuel additive treated gas. I always have stored the bike with Seafoam in the gas and it has never given me fuel system problems. I run a little about every other tank during the riding season.

The battery is probably ok. It probably was kept up by the startups during storage. I always kept my battery on a maintainer. My busa's battery is 10 years old and still works like new. 15000 miles I believe.

I think that's it. 2 years isn't such a long time. There's different opinions about those wake up starts during storage. I don't see any reason to do it and that goes double if it's cold outside.

I definitely don't start my bikes during winter.Best I think to let the temps come up to protect the rubber seals and such in there.

Thanks all! Battery is on a tender between starts. Brake clutch fluid was done year before but if it looks funky I'll change for sure. Coolant was replaced 2.5 yrs ago with engine ice. She's at 35k miles now. How much Seafoam should I use? Any injector cleaner?

Bike start right up? Yes. No cleaner needed. New gas going thru it acts the detergent anyway.
Bike starts but idles is sporadic... then yes, buy either one. Use a shot glass to 5.8 gallons.

Check tire pressure and go ride!

Side note.....

Engine Ice Coolant - recommends annual coolant flush.

Seafoam - Always good to add. I add 1 oz per gallon on every tank fill on my bikes. Buy Seafoam
by the gallon and save money.

* Last updated by: piken on 8/8/2020 @ 2:54 PM *

SeaFoam 1 oz/gallon. It says you can use a larger dose for cleaning. Read the lable. I think it's 2 oz/gallon for cleaning. They say 50/50 for bench cleaning of injectors but I wouldn't try to run that through the bike. Sea Foam is strong stuff and it could damage delicate parts if used in a very high dose.

Thanks Rook. FYI, here's the reply from Avon about my Storm 3D XM's:

"The British Rubber Manufacturers Association advise tyres should be used within 6 years of manufacture. The tyre should then be removed after a total of 10 years. Avon recommend tyres should be used within 5 years of manufacture. The tyre should then be removed after a total of 7 years. We would also advise you to check your tyre pressures, we recommend 42 Psi front and rear."

Reminds me, I really have got to take the tires off my stock rims. They've been on about 8 years. I might be cutting them off.