Bike sitting for ~6 months

LazinCajun · May 9th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Due to some circumstances out of my control I haven't ridden my poor little '08 Ninjette in about 6 months. I didn't prepare the bike for long-term storage beforehand (please don't respond with what I should have done to prepare). The motorcycle has been outdoors but well covered.

I'm going to bring her in to a mechanic to look over it before I start riding again. However, I don't really know/trust any of the mechanics around here so I'd like to get some idea of what I might need done so I don't get ripped off.

First, there are a few things I can do myself. Assuming I can get the bike to start after charging the battery, I'm going to do a thorough "pre-ride" type check, including tires,chain,etc. etc., but I can't do anything much more complicated than that in my apartment's parking lot thanks to my lease. If anybody has any suggestions for things to add to this checklist that are easy to inspect without say, taking the tank off, I'd appreciate it.

I'm going to ask the mechanic to do the yearly inspections and maintenance at a bare minimum. Is there anything else I should ask for specifically? Any problems I'm very likely to see?

I can't wait to get back on the road!

CC Cowboy · May 9th, 2011, 02:08 PM

The only real problems could be the fuel (tank and carbs), tire pressure, and battery.

bdavison · May 9th, 2011, 02:15 PM

If its been outside, the chain is probably rusted solid.
Check in the exhaust, and the airbox...critters like to build nests in there, and you definitely dont want to suck that up in the engine.

Dump the gas out of the tank and replace, and a oil change probably wouldnt be a bad idea.

LazinCajun · May 9th, 2011, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the quick replies.

arnette · May 9th, 2011, 04:02 PM

Not sure how this would help if you're not experiencing a problem yet, but I just bought that Seafoam fuel additive that's so popular on this board after letting my bike sit for ~3 months in a parking garage.

My bike starts up fine but the bike never settles enough to turn off the choke. I gather it's a fuel spoilage thing. You might dump some Seafoam in there as a preventative measure if you don't drain the tank and replace the gas outright.

good luck!

rockNroll · May 9th, 2011, 04:06 PM

Check for vermin nesting materials in all nooks n crannies

LazinCajun · May 22nd, 2011, 08:22 PM

Is it feasible that my pilot jets would need replacing? The dealer apparently ordered new ones, and has been holding my baby hostage for ~10 days waiting on them to be delivered. I have a sinking feeling that I'm getting screwed here.

bluefire1914 · May 22nd, 2011, 08:26 PM

Are you guys serious?

All of these problems after sitting for only 6 months?

Geez.

Sound the death knells, I guess.

mrlmd · May 23rd, 2011, 05:52 AM

Did you even try to start it, after maybe charging the battery?
Your dealer is ordering new pilot jets? Are you nuts?
All you probably need is to lube the chain (routine anyway), and dump some carb cleaner like Seafoam or Berryman's B12 Chemtool (1/3 the price), or Techron into the gas and you're probably all good to go.
You are going to pay the stealer more for unneeded work by the time he's done than the bike is worth.

LazinCajun · May 23rd, 2011, 10:14 AM

Yes, of course I tried to start it after charging the battery! I tested the battery with a multimeter after charging, and it was well below spec so I replaced it. It still wouldn't start afterwards.

I really had no choice in bringing it to the dealer. I live in an apartment and by my lease contract can't do any real work on their property. The dealer didn't ask me before ordering the pilot jet or anything. Asking me if I'm nuts is a little out of line. I'm just asking if it's possible that they would need replacing so I'm informed next time I talk to them, sheesh.

mrlmd · May 23rd, 2011, 02:50 PM

Sorry. I meant to say. "is HE nuts?", not YOU. Things like that drive ME nuts, for him to tell you that. Why can't they be cleaned if they need it instead of being replaced? Did he even talk to you about what could be wrong with the bike, like a gummed up carb, or stale gas, before he started to order you new parts you probably don't need, plus his massive labor bill. Sounds to me like you may need a new dealer.
Your original post was on May 9 and you got some good advice about Seafoam and dirty carbs and bad gas, then you come back 2 weeks later and ask about replacing pilot jets? Is dumping a few oz. of Seafoam into the gas tank too much work to do in the apt house parking lot? Speaking of "sheesh".

LazinCajun · May 23rd, 2011, 06:19 PM

By that point the bike was already at the dealer. Unfortunately they're the only one in town. Sucks.

tito517 · May 23rd, 2011, 10:47 PM

your dealer is ordering new pilot jets that prob just needed to be cleaned. Ask him to just use an air compressor and blow them out. If that works maybe you can avoid havng to pay him what ever those cost and save your self some moolah!!

LazinCajun · May 23rd, 2011, 11:37 PM

I specifically asked if they tried cleaning using carb cleaner and and air compressor. The service rep claimed they did. I really have no recourse but to trust him at this point, although I don't plan on doing any business with them in the future due to the way they treated me on some other things.

Oh well, live and learn. And more importantly, ride

Thanks for all the help, and sorry about the miscommunication Marc (mrlmd).

kkim · May 24th, 2011, 12:35 AM

Trey,

ask them to save the pilot jets they remove when they install the new ones and return them to you. once you have them, check to see if they are indeed blocked and not serviceable.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65198

demp · May 24th, 2011, 04:17 AM

winter of 09' I let my bike sit in the garage for an extended period of time... all I needed to do was charge battery (which I ended up replacing) and use some seafoam.

May 9th, 2011, 01:57 PM	#1
LazinCajun ninjette.org guru Name: Anon Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 (Blue!) Posts: 488	Bike sitting for ~6 months Due to some circumstances out of my control I haven't ridden my poor little '08 Ninjette in about 6 months. I didn't prepare the bike for long-term storage beforehand (please don't respond with what I should have done to prepare). The motorcycle has been outdoors but well covered. I'm going to bring her in to a mechanic to look over it before I start riding again. However, I don't really know/trust any of the mechanics around here so I'd like to get some idea of what I might need done so I don't get ripped off. First, there are a few things I can do myself. Assuming I can get the bike to start after charging the battery, I'm going to do a thorough "pre-ride" type check, including tires,chain,etc. etc., but I can't do anything much more complicated than that in my apartment's parking lot thanks to my lease. If anybody has any suggestions for things to add to this checklist that are easy to inspect without say, taking the tank off, I'd appreciate it. I'm going to ask the mechanic to do the yearly inspections and maintenance at a bare minimum. Is there anything else I should ask for specifically? Any problems I'm very likely to see? I can't wait to get back on the road!

May 9th, 2011, 02:08 PM	#2
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	The only real problems could be the fuel (tank and carbs), tire pressure, and battery. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 9th, 2011, 04:06 PM	#6
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	Check for vermin nesting materials in all nooks n crannies __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

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May 9th, 2011, 02:15 PM	#3
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	If its been outside, the chain is probably rusted solid. Check in the exhaust, and the airbox...critters like to build nests in there, and you definitely dont want to suck that up in the engine. Dump the gas out of the tank and replace, and a oil change probably wouldnt be a bad idea.

May 9th, 2011, 03:52 PM	#4
LazinCajun ninjette.org guru Name: Anon Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 (Blue!) Posts: 488	Thanks for the quick replies.

May 9th, 2011, 04:02 PM	#5
arnette ninjette.org member Name: Brent Location: Pasadena CA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Pearl White/Ebony SE Posts: 54	Not sure how this would help if you're not experiencing a problem yet, but I just bought that Seafoam fuel additive that's so popular on this board after letting my bike sit for ~3 months in a parking garage. My bike starts up fine but the bike never settles enough to turn off the choke. I gather it's a fuel spoilage thing. You might dump some Seafoam in there as a preventative measure if you don't drain the tank and replace the gas outright. good luck!

May 22nd, 2011, 08:22 PM	#7
LazinCajun ninjette.org guru Name: Anon Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 (Blue!) Posts: 488	Is it feasible that my pilot jets would need replacing? The dealer apparently ordered new ones, and has been holding my baby hostage for ~10 days waiting on them to be delivered. I have a sinking feeling that I'm getting screwed here.

May 22nd, 2011, 08:26 PM	#8
bluefire1914 ninjette.org member Name: NinjaLover Location: Naperville, IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 15	Are you guys serious? All of these problems after sitting for only 6 months? Geez. Sound the death knells, I guess.

May 23rd, 2011, 05:52 AM	#9
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Did you even try to start it, after maybe charging the battery? Your dealer is ordering new pilot jets? Are you nuts? All you probably need is to lube the chain (routine anyway), and dump some carb cleaner like Seafoam or Berryman's B12 Chemtool (1/3 the price), or Techron into the gas and you're probably all good to go. You are going to pay the stealer more for unneeded work by the time he's done than the bike is worth.

May 23rd, 2011, 10:14 AM	#10
LazinCajun ninjette.org guru Name: Anon Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 (Blue!) Posts: 488	Yes, of course I tried to start it after charging the battery! I tested the battery with a multimeter after charging, and it was well below spec so I replaced it. It still wouldn't start afterwards. I really had no choice in bringing it to the dealer. I live in an apartment and by my lease contract can't do any real work on their property. The dealer didn't ask me before ordering the pilot jet or anything. Asking me if I'm nuts is a little out of line. I'm just asking if it's possible that they would need replacing so I'm informed next time I talk to them, sheesh.

May 23rd, 2011, 02:50 PM	#11
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Sorry. I meant to say. "is HE nuts?", not YOU. Things like that drive ME nuts, for him to tell you that. Why can't they be cleaned if they need it instead of being replaced? Did he even talk to you about what could be wrong with the bike, like a gummed up carb, or stale gas, before he started to order you new parts you probably don't need, plus his massive labor bill. Sounds to me like you may need a new dealer. Your original post was on May 9 and you got some good advice about Seafoam and dirty carbs and bad gas, then you come back 2 weeks later and ask about replacing pilot jets? Is dumping a few oz. of Seafoam into the gas tank too much work to do in the apt house parking lot? Speaking of "sheesh".

May 23rd, 2011, 06:19 PM	#12
LazinCajun ninjette.org guru Name: Anon Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 (Blue!) Posts: 488	By that point the bike was already at the dealer. Unfortunately they're the only one in town. Sucks.

May 23rd, 2011, 10:47 PM	#13
tito517 ninjette.org member Name: Tito Location: Oceanside Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 28	your dealer is ordering new pilot jets that prob just needed to be cleaned. Ask him to just use an air compressor and blow them out. If that works maybe you can avoid havng to pay him what ever those cost and save your self some moolah!!

May 23rd, 2011, 11:37 PM	#14
LazinCajun ninjette.org guru Name: Anon Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 (Blue!) Posts: 488	I specifically asked if they tried cleaning using carb cleaner and and air compressor. The service rep claimed they did. I really have no recourse but to trust him at this point, although I don't plan on doing any business with them in the future due to the way they treated me on some other things. Oh well, live and learn. And more importantly, ride Thanks for all the help, and sorry about the miscommunication Marc (mrlmd).

May 24th, 2011, 12:35 AM	#15
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Trey, ask them to save the pilot jets they remove when they install the new ones and return them to you. once you have them, check to see if they are indeed blocked and not serviceable. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65198

May 24th, 2011, 04:17 AM	#16
demp ninjette.org sage Name: Matthew Location: Toronto Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 V-Star 950 Tourer (Deep Blue) Posts: 570	winter of 09' I let my bike sit in the garage for an extended period of time... all I needed to do was charge battery (which I ended up replacing) and use some seafoam.