1994 fxdl Stored 20 years
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
1994 fxdl Stored 20 years
This bike has no mileage on to speak of and has been stored 20 years. I am interested in buying it. I assume fuel and oill lines, tires, and maybe cables need to be replaced. Anything else I should be concerned about? Any advice appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 4
From: Louisville, KY
There are some pretty good threads on dehibernating a long stored bike here. Fuel is usually the first and biggest issue with the condition of the carb (crud) and tank (rust). Change all the oils and throw a battery on it and fire it up. Ride wise it's a brake fluid flush and getting the old hard tires to hold air.
Trick is concentrate on first getting it to start and run and then worthy enough to just ride around the block. The other priorities will become more obvious then.
Trick is concentrate on first getting it to start and run and then worthy enough to just ride around the block. The other priorities will become more obvious then.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 30
From: Central Suffolk, NY
The carb will (most likely) have to be rebuilt. I have some experience re-building 40mm Mikuni carbs...which is probably what you have. Let me know if you have any questions. K&L makes a good and inexpensive rebuild kit if needed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,640
From: Poolville
You might want to squirt a little Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders and turn the motor over slowly by hand with the back wheel and plugs out before using the starter just to make sure it free...
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 4
From: Louisville, KY
Yeah forgot to mention that. Marvel is fine. I use 20w. Trick is to get it all loose and freewheeling and the rings floating again before putting it under compression. Once I even towed a locked up car slowly around the block in 2nd gear to get everything moving again. Saved me a rebuild. You get the idea.
Last edited by Mr Bentwrench; Feb 10, 2015 at 07:08 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Personally unless that bike is priced accordingly (low), I'd pass on it. Regardless of mileage, a used bike that's gone unused for 20 years is a huge negative IMO. You may have to replace a lot of engine gaskets. I wouldn't be surprised if trans seals need to be replaced as well. If it starts leaking anywhere once you start riding it, I'd just replace them all.
I bought a 93 FXR last March out of Indiana and rode it home to CA in April. When I picked it up, it only had a slight rear base cylinder gasket leak. Without exaggeration, 5 days and 2400 miles later, it was leaking oil from anywhere that it could leak. I didn't care because I was planning to take it apart anyway to install the go-fast parts.
That year EVO also has the dreaded INA cam bearing that's certain to fail at some point. I've personally seen them fail at as few as 14k miles, or last nearly 50k miles. Mine failed on the FXR at about 45k miles. The plus side of changing that bearing to a Torrington brand bearing, is that it gives you the opportunity to upgrade the cam while you're in there. If you don't catch it in time, it can destroy the engine beyond repairs.
Good luck with your decision.
I bought a 93 FXR last March out of Indiana and rode it home to CA in April. When I picked it up, it only had a slight rear base cylinder gasket leak. Without exaggeration, 5 days and 2400 miles later, it was leaking oil from anywhere that it could leak. I didn't care because I was planning to take it apart anyway to install the go-fast parts.
That year EVO also has the dreaded INA cam bearing that's certain to fail at some point. I've personally seen them fail at as few as 14k miles, or last nearly 50k miles. Mine failed on the FXR at about 45k miles. The plus side of changing that bearing to a Torrington brand bearing, is that it gives you the opportunity to upgrade the cam while you're in there. If you don't catch it in time, it can destroy the engine beyond repairs.
Good luck with your decision.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Replace the tires. Dunlop says replace after 6 years. Definitely if over 10.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,570
Likes: 7,942
From: Long Island, New York
20 year old tires are only good for rolling it around and a couple of quick shake down rides (around the block). Plus they will likely have some bad flat spots.
Besides that, for the right price it could be a fun project.
Besides that, for the right price it could be a fun project.