What should I check before starting my bike?

[new-xs11er]

I pulled my 79 sf out of a pasture where it had set for who knows how long. Supposedly it ran a year or two ago. Besides changing the oil and filter and cleaning the carbs what else should I do before I start it for the first time .I want to make sure it will start and run before I go rework the brake systems ect...
I want to make sure I go everything I can to reduce the risk of tearing up the motor from lack of prep work before hand. Thanks a lot.

[uk1.1s]

Feels like the first time.....

Dan,

Not much else to advise - a few things which spring to mind sat here with my 12 year old malt (well it's cold tonight ):

1. Make sure that the air filter hasn't deteriorated into a mess that will clog the carbs.

2. Fresh oil / fuel

3. Take out all the plugs (check what they look like - could need replacing and may give you a feel for how the cylinders were running last time around)

4. With the plugs out and not long before having a go at firing her up - Turn the engine over for a little while - enough to get the Oil Light to go out. That'll ensure that you'll have enough fresh oil circulated to all those important little places that haven't seen it for a while before it all starts whirring around at more serious rpm.

5. Bargain for needing some jumper leads and another vehicle to give you enough juice to have good go at trying to get it started !

Good luck

[rockyr74]

It ran two years ago is like telling the officer you only had two beers. They all ran two years ago.

I agree with UK1, 'cept perhaps I would put a squirt of oil in the spark plug holes and let it set a bit before cranking the bike.

Outside in a pasture? Let us know how it turns out.

[new-xs11er]

Of course it ran two yrs ago thats what I would say to . I guess I should have been more specific. Supposedly It ran when parked, guy wanted to use it for a mini-rail power plant but lost interest. I have pulled the plugs and everything looks good and they had no rust on them. Oil had no water in it and neither did the tank. air filter was in tact with no little critters using it as a home. I have the before pics and hopefully will have after pics by summertime. thanks for your advice guys I really appretiate it.

[sixtysix]

I wrote a tip on this very subject!

Check it out Click Here!

I would pull the valve cover and dump oil on the cam lobes, but I am probably the only one.