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[GregKhougaz]

       My friend and often BSR, Joan, wants to ride her own.  She's taking the MSF class Labor Day Weekend.  I can get for her a 2002 HD Sportster Hugger at a steal (paying about $800 in reg fees).  Of course, there is always a catch.  The bike has only about 1500 miles and has not been started for six years but garaged.  It is carbureted and appears to have a Stage 1 with SE mufflers.  Tires appear fine.  Battery is completely dead.  Oil is at least a quart low.  Plugs appear fine.  Throttle is sticky. 

       So, the obvious question is what to do to get it running.  I'm thinking a 5K, mile service and battery.  Drain gas tank...  Do I need to clean / rebuild the carburetor or is there some other procedure?  I can do the service items myself but have no experience with old gas or rebuilding a carburetor.  I see there are various kits to rebuild Harley CV carb on a Sportster and instructional videos on You Tube but how do I know if it needs rebuilding or something else? 

       Most importantly, what else should I be looking out for?   Gentleman, and ladies, your advise would be greatly appreciated.  For you visual types, here's a picture.  Thanks!

GK

[Half_Crazy]

At a minimum the carb will need to be disassembled, all passages sprayed out with carb cleaner followed by compressed air, jets too. Take a look at all hoses/o-rings... anything rubber that might be deteriorated.
If the tires are more than 6 years old, I would replace them simply for their age (tires are dated and expire).
Obviously a new battery, an oil & filter change, and fresh fuel.
You'll also want to inspect and lube all cables/linkages and the kickstand too.


 

[RioGlide]

Carb rebuild is a good idea, agreed with replacing the tires - they will work for short test rides but I wouldn't take chances beyond that - rubber doesn't age well.

First I'd drain the gas and replace it with a fresh gallon.  Oil/filter change.  New battery.  New plugs.  Then hit the key and see if it fires.  Then either way I'd do the carb.

If you have a decent shop, see if they'll do the rest of the 5k, unless you have a service manual for it to check fastener torques yourself.

As mentioned, anything rubber can be cracked due to age and heat/cold cycles from sitting in the garage.

Check and lubricate thottle and brake cables, cable, jiffy stand, etc.  Check the fall-away too.

Check lights and turn signals, just to be sure.

Should take only an afternoon to do everything except the tires.

V&H slash cuts to replace the SE pipes of course!  Jets to match when you do the carb.

Looks like a fun project and a great find!!

[cvobiker]

Slap a new battery,new gas, oill, filter, lube cables etc and start her up, I bet she'll fire right up.    if she runs good and the brakes, tires etc checks out good take it for some short rides. You might want to change the fuel filter as well...Also check around carb for fuel leaks. If all is well, your good to go... 

[willymax4]

agree with all the above ,but that quart of oil that seems to be missing has probably sumped to the crankcase. after cleaning up the carb, start her up and let it idle till the oil pump puts that quart of oil back where it belongs in the oil tank. then give it three quarts of fresh oil, a new filter and a quart of primary oil and you're all set. sportys are prone to sump after sitting idle a while.

[GregKhougaz]

Thank you all for the great advice.  Found some youtube videos that help as well.  I hope to pick up the bike this weekend and get started.  I will report back with progress.

[1sharprdkg]

Looks like a great bike for your "new" rider to enjoy!

[GregKhougaz]

Thanks again for the advice above. 

Turns out the seller has balked mostly due to unpaid reg fees of over $800.  Seems to think the penalties will go away in another year.     In the meantime we have found a 1995 Suzuki Intruder 800.  Weighs about 450 lbs and seems very easy to ride.  Quiet, very well maintained and Joan likes it.  Will pick it up tomorrow and don't have to spend a weekend working on it. 

Any thoughts???   Thanks. 

GK

[SBB]

Any thoughts???   Thanks. 

GK

Let her ride it and have fun.
When it's Harley time the right deal will come along.
If she is truly a rider a Harley will pop up when she is ready.
Good luck.

SBB

[GregKhougaz]

Thanks Chip! 

[miker]

Thats a great bike...there are always HD for sale

[cvobiker]

Thanks again for the advice above. 

Turns out the seller has balked mostly due to unpaid reg fees of over $800.  Seems to think the penalties will go away in another year.     In the meantime we have found a 1995 Suzuki Intruder 800.  Weighs about 450 lbs and seems very easy to ride.  Quiet, very well maintained and Joan likes it.  Will pick it up tomorrow and don't have to spend a weekend working on it. 

Any thoughts???   Thanks. 

GK

All he had to do was sign a non-ops waiver at the DMV office and he would have been good to go, no fees and green light to transfere title.   ... too bad, that is a nice starter bike.

[Gettinold]

If I were you Greg, and lived on the west coast, I'd  just take it to Metal Dragon and let him do his magic!   What do you think?     oh yea....

[1sharprdkg]

Let her ride it and have fun.
When it's Harley time the right deal will come along.
If she is truly a rider a Harley will pop up when she is ready.
Good luck.

SBB

X2 My wife rode for a year on a Honda Shadow that I bought her. Then was able to sell it for $800.00 more than I paid for it!

[GregKhougaz]

All he had to do was sign a non-ops waiver at the DMV office and he would have been good to go, no fees and green light to transfere title.   ... too bad, that is a nice starter bike.

 That used to be the law.  Now they require you to specify in advance that vehicle will not be used on public roads.   We tried.