Recently returned after two years. Need advice on getting my bike back on the road. Can someone give advice?

Question

I recently returned from Iraq and my Harley, a 99 softtail, has been sitting the whole time. It has the 1340 engine, and does not have EFI. I went and bought a new battery for it. I know I need to drain the fuel and somehow clean it out. I am not a mechanic (of course or I wouldn't be asking for help). What product should I use to clean out the engine. Is there anything else I should do to get it running without messing up the engine. The tires look good and don't seem to have a flat spot.

Thanks in advance for anyones help.

Answer 1

Just get Your motor running. Then head out to the highway!  Look for some adventure. whatever comes Your way!!

Answer 2

1. Did you store it correctly? Did you drain the gas or put stabilizer in the gas, change oil and filter, put it up so the tires didn't touch the ground?  If not then...

The fuel is probably crapped up the tank, lines and carbs with something like varnish.  Due to the new fuels today it is not as simple as putting in new fuel/battery and cranking it up.  You should have the tank, carbs, lines cleaned or else you could mess it up.  Drain the tank, flush it, drain the lines and flush them, clean the carb bowls.  Change the oil and filter before starting it and then figure on another oil/filter change after about 500 miles of running especially if you let used oil sit in it for two years.

Check the DOT date code number on the tires- if it is older than 4-5 years old you should think about new tires...

What you do depends on what you did or did not do prior to storing it...

Answer 3

"1. Change the oil and filter.

2. Drain the fuel tank.

3. Drain the float bowl of the carb (easy to do).

4. I would just replace the battery with a new HD or Yuasa.

5. Pull the plugs and cycle the engine over to get oil flowing.

6. Put in new plugs.

7. Fill the tank with new gas and fire it up.

8. Ride it around the block for a while to make sure everything is working"

i'd add oiling/greasing all the joints over the whole bike... it's just easier to go over the whole thing and do it all at once, rather then figure out which specific places need it (atleast when it's been siting this long....)

Answer 4

well apparently harleys never lose their value, sell it for the price of a brand new one, and buy a brand new one...right?

Answer 5

Here is what I would do:

1. Change the oil and filter.

2. Drain the fuel tank.

3. Drain the float bowl of the carb (easy to do).

4. I would just replace the battery with a new HD or Yuasa.

5. Pull the plugs and cycle the engine over to get oil flowing.

6. Put in new plugs.

7. Fill the tank with new gas and fire it up.

8. Ride it around the block for a while to make sure everything is working.

Then, enjoy being home! I know how that is! I spent a year over there doing convoy escort security all over that god forsaken country. My bike sat almost as long as yours, and I did the exact same thing. It fired right up and worked fine. There were no problems at all.

Answer 6

if your not mechanicly inclined take it to a shop. otherwise yank the carb off and take the float bowl off remove the pilot and main jet and soak them in a cleaning agent. you can buy a basket made for this with the cleaning chemical. do not soak any rubber parts!!!!!!! do not soak the float needle!!!!!! blow out all orifices with compressed air. replace the float gasket and reasemble the carb. reinstall carb. drain the gas tank and put fresh gas in it.change your oil and filter.put in a fresh battery. a litle marvel mystery oil in the gas wont hurt. new spark plugs to. have a good ride!!!!!

Answer 7

like Simon said. the freak show is correct. thanks.

Answer 8

Welcome home Brother!  I would check with your local HD dealership, being a vet they may give you a discount on getting your bike back on the road.

The Freak Show provides a good checklist for a bike that has been sitting - if you want to try doing it yourself, it isn't too hard to do.  I would consider replacing the tires if the bike has been on them for the entire two years, strange things can happen to tires with that much time passing.

Answer 9

put a capful or so of Marvel Mystery Oil in it then start it and see what happens.  take off the air filter and clean out the carb....check your grease fittings, take it out for a ride