20 year old heritage Springer ...
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 88
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From: minnesota
20 year old heritage Springer ...
My uncle ordered this bike new, it was his baby. Its a very low mile bike and very well cared for, but it's been sitting for a while now.
My uncle passed about 4 years ago which is around the same time I sold my RKC. I've wanted to buy my uncle's bike for some time now, we were close, the bike is important to me. I've taken my time respectfully for the family and I'm clearly the only family member Interested.
I'm finally purchasing the bike, I'll be bringing it home soon. It's had premium fuel in it but it's been in it too long. I know I need to pull the carb and clean it really good. It also needs a battery and should have an oil/filter change.
Those are obvious things. What else should I check out since it's been in storage for around 5 years?
My uncle passed about 4 years ago which is around the same time I sold my RKC. I've wanted to buy my uncle's bike for some time now, we were close, the bike is important to me. I've taken my time respectfully for the family and I'm clearly the only family member Interested.
I'm finally purchasing the bike, I'll be bringing it home soon. It's had premium fuel in it but it's been in it too long. I know I need to pull the carb and clean it really good. It also needs a battery and should have an oil/filter change.
Those are obvious things. What else should I check out since it's been in storage for around 5 years?
Last edited by northerndave; Apr 13, 2017 at 11:33 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Aside from the gasoline, carb cleaning:
Fuel lines. Rubber doesn't like ethanol blended gasoline.
Tires. Check them over real good. I'd recommend replacing them no matter how they look.
All the fluids: Engine, Trans, Primary, Brake.
Check the brakes for caliper pistons sticking.
Probably wouldn't hurt to lube the cables and adjust the clutch.
Battery. Probably might take a charge, but it's questionable the amount of life it's got left.
New spark plugs.
Post up some pics, we love springers!
Fuel lines. Rubber doesn't like ethanol blended gasoline.
Tires. Check them over real good. I'd recommend replacing them no matter how they look.
All the fluids: Engine, Trans, Primary, Brake.
Check the brakes for caliper pistons sticking.
Probably wouldn't hurt to lube the cables and adjust the clutch.
Battery. Probably might take a charge, but it's questionable the amount of life it's got left.
New spark plugs.
Post up some pics, we love springers!
Last edited by Hackd; Apr 13, 2017 at 11:55 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 88
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From: minnesota
Thanks guys, very good call on the brakes in particular.
All very good points but I can see I would have very easily overlooked brakes.
That picture has been posted on the forum here some years back. It was taken on the day of my uncles funeral. The family asked me to ride the bike to the church for my uncles funeral, we had the bike parked in front of the church.
Everything was working really well on the bike at that time. I rode the bike 2 summers ago and it was having carb issues.
It's not been touched since.
All very good points but I can see I would have very easily overlooked brakes.
That picture has been posted on the forum here some years back. It was taken on the day of my uncles funeral. The family asked me to ride the bike to the church for my uncles funeral, we had the bike parked in front of the church.
Everything was working really well on the bike at that time. I rode the bike 2 summers ago and it was having carb issues.
It's not been touched since.
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 4
From: Washington
Your bike looks good on you! Very nice looking unit. Enjoy.
PS I share a similar attachment to my springer.
PS I share a similar attachment to my springer.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,091
Likes: 7,611
From: Poolville
Happy to hear of your commitment to take care of what was once shared between your Uncle and you. Sorry for your loss. Check the rest belt drive as well....Ride safe.
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