While I was waiting for the gas tank

While I was waiting for the gas tank to get back from the locksmith I figure I would remove the rest of the bodywork. While removing the bodywork I kept running across lots of acorns and walnuts. Then I removed the cover to the airbox and found that some critter has been living in it. Lucky for me it had moved out so no surprise attack. While it was living in the bike it decided to chew on some of the wiring so this rebuild may take awhile. Anyway got the bodywork off cleaned up all the nuts. I also took out the plugs and put some Marvel mystery oil in each cylinder and let it sit over night. Yesterday I was able to put the trans in 6th gear and turn the back wheel and move the pistons so it looks like the motor is not locked up. Also I checked over the brakes and clutch master cylinder. You won't believe what 10 years of sitting will do to brake fluid. Looks like I am going to need all new brake and clutch lines. I think I will concentrate on the electrical and gas and see if I can get the motor to at least turn over. Stay tuned.

My first task

I decided my first task would be the gas tank. I could hear gas or something sloshing around in it so figured I better get it out. So I take the key, put it in the gas cap and try to turn it and it will not move. So I try some oil in the lock, let it sit for a few minutes and try again. Still not moving. So I try turning the key harder and holding the cap down at the same time and nothing is working. So now I am getting a little pissed and try turning the key a little harder. Then I realize this is my only key to the bike so I stopped. I decide I will just unbolt the cap, it just has 8 allen head bolt's holding it to the tank how hard can it be to remove it. I take out the allen head bolt's and guess what, there are two more under the gas cap that I can't get open. So the tank is down at the locksmith today and while I was there I got another key made. I have now invested $2.50 in the bike. Still not to bad.

Cleaning the bike

I thought a good place to start would be to just wash the bike, nothing fancy just some soap and water. I also tried to clean all the dirt dobber nest while I was at it. You would be surprised what you will find when a bike sits in the same spot for 10 years but I will get to that later. So after a good wash the bike looked pretty good and I am thinking it might not be to hard getting it running again. So far I have $0 invested in the project and just some of my time.

The beginning.

OK, here is the story. I had been wanting something to wrench on for a while and my brother suggested his old bike. It has been sitting in a shed out in the country for 10 years. It was free so I said what the heck. So I borrowed a motorcycle trailer from my friend Jeff and off to the country I went. My friend Carlos went with me to help load it on the trailer and I am glad he did. It wasn't easy pushing a motorcycle with 2 almost flat tires up a dirt road onto a trailer but we able to do it. The bike turned out to look a lot better than I thought it was going to look. I thought I would document my endeavor in case someone else attempts to bring back to life a 23 year old motorcycle, so read along if you are interested.