Opinions / advice

A friend sent a fellow my way and a 85 FXRS is now in my garage , has not been started in 13 years , fellow wants it running.

The history - it had a new cam installed just before the owner passed away but it ran really good , unknown cam clutch cable is broken and it has no battery in it SE carb

just wants it running so he can see what it needs

My list was all oils changed , oil tank and lines flushed ,carb cleaned , brakes flushed new DOT5 , lifters pulled/inspected cleaned ,oil the cylinders through the spark plug holes turn motor over in gear by rear wheel to make sure all rotates ok , new battery and clutch cable , clean clutch plates and basically inspect/test what i can and try to fire it up
Any other things i should do first before trying to light it up

Thanks

Dave

 

Dave, as soon as it fires up your customer (or you yourself) is likely to want to ride it! I'd include a pair of new tyres as well, so at least it is truly roadworthy.

 

Off the top of my head I'd also lube the throttle cables and speedo cable.
Re-grease the wheel bearings and inspect the fork seals.
If there is a zerk fitting in the neck shoot some grease in there too.
That's all I got this early in the morning.

 

Oh yeah there's always this

 

No need to pull the lifter's but if you do you might as well pull the cam to see what it has... If your going to open the clutch up use the crank nut to turn it over. Pull the plugs and give it a couple squirts of MMO, let it sit in there for 20 minutes or so before turning over. I've been able to crank over by hand enough to get a couple pounds of oil pressure assuring me oil to the top end... Don't think you'll need to flush the oil lines but I would run it a bit and change the oil again... Definitely a total flush on the DOT5.... Check trans for moisture change if necessary... Take a good look at the tires, might have dry rot... I would also check the rocker cover bolts... Clean and repack the bearings... Check calipers for seepage...

 

the pistons in 85's didn't have valve reliefs cut in them for bigger cams. you might want to check that out it there was a different cam installed....just to be on the safe side.

 

I've just had an early lunch.....

 

Yeah but you drive on the wrong side of the road and can't spell tire!!!!

 

Get a Pan under the breather hose before ya even roll it over...
You Guys work much harder than I do.... If Mine... my list is short... If we still owned a Shop??? well, ya do whats on the Work order, and make suggestions...
I ain't never changed brake fluid on anything, just for the sake of change!!! Checking wheel bearings? Yep, Steering head grease???? Never ... easy to check the steering head for tight/ loose... Oil Lines???? Squeeze em... brittle is easy to detect.. I won't go on with my excuses for Lazy....

 

And since the last 'upgrades' to HDF I can't even put a funny symbol in a message.......