Breathing Life back into the machine

I've been away from riding, and these forums, for a number of years, and my bike has sat around for that period of time unused. I've finally decided to bring it back to life and just want some advice on what are some things I should do. Before that, I do have the Honda maintenance manual, and am good with a wrench, but there's only so much I can do here at home.

First, I know I'm going to have to take apart the fuel system, but am unsure just how far I need to go. It did have fuel stabilizer in it, but the tank was less then half full, and the number of years involved I wouldn't be surprised if there was some gumming here and there. A quick look inside the tank not too long ago, there appeared to be some rust, and the tell tell odor of varnish, so the tank will be taken off and sent for cleaning and resealing. Should I possibly expect a whole top end tear down as well, or just taking off bits and pieces of the fuel system here and there suffice? Would cleaning removed pieces also suffice, or could I expect to be replacing them?

I'm sure its hard to say now exactly what to expect without a better idea of whats going on with the bike, but I do wanna go in with some idea of what I may have to do beforehand for some preparation.

It's an 04 VFR soooo...
Change all the fluids and filters.
Lube the chain.
Check the tires for dry rot, flat spots, etc.
I 2nd your choice to have the tank cleaned and resealed.
I don't think you need to tear the bike apart trying to clean it up if you used Stabil all ready. Put some SeaFoam in the gas tank and oil. Run it for a bit. Change the oil again.
Fill the tank up with gas and go ride it. But that's what I would do.

I've got plenty of tools if you need a hand.

:cheerleader: Welcome Back!!!!

I wouldn't tear into the bike, just change oil & fuel(if there's no visible rust in the tank) add fresh fuel and add some SeaFoam and fire that biatch up!
Then see if you have any issues! I would let it run through several full heat cycles (fan on/fan off) before riding it.

Good luck and let us know what happens! :biggrin:

BR

This is what I would do. Change the oil and coolant, lube the chain, dump all the old gas out, new gas in and see it it starts and go from there. Here of people starting something after years of sitting all the time with no problems. The tank as far as rust is concerned, don't know and would not like that either. Let it heat up to 225, hear the fan turn on and try and take it for a spin, real smooth at first but eventually take the revs up and blow some of the stuff out of there. Next, if all goes o.k, change the rest of the fluids, brake and clutch fluid. If there is rust in the tank, that's not good and would not let it run with it in there, as far as varnish, it's dry gas isn't it, what could it hurt in the tank. Fuel injection is a sealed system and that has to good for you. 2¢ for the day, good luck and let us know how it went.

Coolant breaks down with time so while changing coolant would put new thermostat in there and take a look inside the hoses because they break down from the inside out. Am kind of picky on the hoses to let you know, blew a head gasket once because of a hose and will do everything I can to make sure that does not happen again but that's me, it was a car by the way.