I was chatting to my old neighbour a few doors down the other day about his motorcycle, and mentioned I haven't seen him on it for a while. He said he hasn't ridden it for a few years due to health reasons.   

Today, when I got home, he bailed me up and gave me the keys and said it's yours if you can get it going and get some use out of it.

It's 13 years old, has only 5000 on the clock. It's got a fewr spots of surface rust on it (ocean air) which I can sort out.

As for getting it started, my plan is to drain the tank, fuel lines and coolant and put in new spark plugs.

It's EFI no carb, reckon I should flush the injectors first or just hope for the best and get them cleaned IF it doesn't start?

Bobby. wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:05pm:


This happened a few hours ago, I haven't even wheeled it out of his garage.
He said the battery is flat. I doubt it's seized, it was serviced 2 years ago, ridden home and never started again.

Actually before I even spend money on coolant, I recon just buy 2 plugs, drain the fuel and lines and try to jump start it.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:16pm:

Bobby. wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:28pm:


Could the WD40 prevent damage that may occur if I just tried to kick it over otherwise?

Gordon wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:32pm:



yes - it kills the rust in the bores making it less likely to
break a ring if it's rusted on to the bore.
It will also get down into the bearing shells and give them some start up protection.

Gordon wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:45pm:


Sounds good.

Bias_2012 wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:35pm:



yeah, probably

looks like a wet sump model

as long as it hasnt dropped a valve , you wont do too much damage starting her up gordo

hondas are incredibly durable


just drain all the fluids and change
be careful and probably use motorcycle oil as the clutch is often combined with the engine lube on bikes
10w 40

clean the air filter (might have a wasps nest in it , lol or mouse poop

av gas is good to start or even old 'start ya bastard"

i reckon you will have no issues

bike batterys are a rip off but you'll need a new one

oh, make sure you put a bit of clean fuel in , then give it a good shake, then siphon it out
do this a few times

old fuel is gunna muck up your  injectors

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 4:32pm:


He didn't 'score it' you blathering alcoholic dementia cask of wine.
Only you would contrive that out of what Gordon said of it being given to him, by someone who loves that bike so much - he wants it to have the right owner for it.

*Monk races across the street before Gordo, asking the guy "Can I have it?!"

Nice bike - - it will go forever.

http://www.mbike.com/honda/vt750-c2/2012


Engine type:      2 cylinders, 4-stroke, 52° V-twin
Displacement:      745 cc (45.52 cubic inches)
Bore × stroke:      79 mm × 76 mm (square)
Cooling system:      Water cooled
Power:      44.87 HP (33 kW) @ 5500 rpm
Torque:      63 Nm (6.42 kg-m) @ 3000 rpm
Curb weight:      243 kg
Top speed:      160 km/h

aquascoot wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 6:01pm:


Thanks, good neighbour.

He's a marine mechanical engineer, and he said that bike which is one of dozens he's owned is his favourite because it's so simple yet so refined mechanically. Bobby was right in saying that thing if looked after will go for a long long time.

Jasin wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 6:16pm:



I've rebuilt 4 motorcycle engines.
Each one was a perfect job.
One of them was a Honda CB750 cc from 1973.
they are built like a tank and will go forever.
It had 100,000 miles on it and only needed a rebore -
oversize pistons, bearings and a valve grind.
It was a pleasure to ride.

What made you both get into bikes?

Jasin wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 6:41pm:



I started on little bikes when I was young and graduated to
much larger and more powerful bikes.
I got addicted to the adrenaline rush.

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 6:43pm:

Ok. Ok. Settle down. Down Monk. Down.
I understand that getting your hands on a bike like that would pay off your Bottle'O Drivethru bill and fund your Goons for a year or two thanks to Ebay.

aquascoot wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 7:11pm:



Yes - imagine that on a nice Sunday ride along Beach road in Melbourne.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 6:23pm:


I pulled the head off a 1000c 4cyl DOHC bike, thats about the limits of my mechanical ability I reckon.

Is that an actual photo of your old bike?

Gordon wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 7:30pm:



No - both photos I posted were of identical bikes -
same colour - same model - same year.

Bias_2012 wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 7:45pm:


I think the WD40 down the plugs is a good idea. It may start and be fine, but it needs an oil change and new plugs anyway, so it's no more effort really.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 8:00pm:


I'm sure my reaction times are much worse than my 20s. I've been putting off getting a bike because of that but I think I'm now at a stage where my road aggression levels (desire to ride fast) are now commensurate with my reaction times, and having a street cruiser is just the right kind of bike.

aquascoot wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 4:49pm:


Yes make sure you have the right oil. Wet clutches need a specific oil or clutch will slip then you will be replacing it and filling it up again with the right oil.

Gordon wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 2:02pm:


I had a fuel injected GPZ 1100 it was the first production bike to crack 10 second quarter mile. 0-100 kph in 2.4 seconds.

Plugs last much longer with EFI as the thing doesn't run rich i doubt it will need new plugs.Oil also lasts longer with EFI as less blowby contaminating it.

Oil and coolant wouldn't hurt being replaced check air filter if it looks ok you can put it back.Fuel filter should be OK no worries if you want to change that.

I would look at giving brake fluid a check. Get some clear plastic hose to put over bleed nipple then bleed until fluid looks good. The fluid in brake caliper goes off so you shouldn't have to bleed whole system. I do this with cars when changing pads it allows the caliper to go heaps longer before needing a rebuild.

Tyres would have gone hard and lost grip so you should replace them even if they have heaps of tread. The rubber would be over 10 years old all tyres lose significant grip after 5.

Stick a new battery in it. Being EFI you should hear fuel pump priming for a few seconds when turned to on to bring up fuel pressure.

If you're going to turn motor over with wd40 make sure you put plugs in lead then earth plug on cylinder head. If it has no lead and coil goes on plug make sure plug is in coil as coil can be damaged if spark has nowhere to go.

I wouldn't use wd i would go to Subaru spare parts and get a can of upper engine cleaner from them around $20. It's a foam spray it down plug hole let it sit for a little while put plugs back in. Subaru use it servicing WRX as turbos run rich on boost it will clean all the crap from combustion chamber and piston crown back to shiny metal.

Good score make it heaps easier going from beach to junction lane splitting with beach traffic.

Looks like decent low to mid range power so should be a good cruiser.

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 9:16pm:



It's up to Gordon now.
Once going there is more to check:
swingarm bushes -
steering yoke bushes -
shockers
spoke tensions -
brake pad wear -
oil pressure if he has a gauge.
Check all nuts are tight and
check the chain tension and rear wheel alignment.

He's going to love that bike.

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 9:43pm:



It's easy enough to check for play in the front wheel and the swingarm.
Some bikes have quality phosphor bronze bushes and
others have cheap, piss poor nylon ones.
Chains need some lube.

My first and only (motor) bike experience was as a 5 year old being doubled on a small kids bike by a 10 year old.
He went straight into a ditch and flipped.
I never knew that flying ahead like a human bullet with an over-sized helmet could take me far in life.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 16^th, 2023 at 10:55pm:

Do you think she would get pulled over by Inspector Underwear?

Read it and like it. 

Guess you have to return it to him.
Yours 'if' you got it started.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 20^th, 2023 at 4:53pm:




Both, sounds like the starter motor is rooted.
I also tried to bump start it just to see if that loosened something up.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 20^th, 2023 at 5:21pm:


I reckon the issue was the jumper leads, they're cheapo petrol station ones I bought as I needed some in a hurry once. It didn't even turn over enough to give it a chance to start, just a few chugs.

The bike is EFI so I reckon it's got a good chance at starting without having to do much.
I don't mind doing all the work you mentioned above, but AFTER I hear the engine fire up

The bargain was Bobby.
If Gordon could get it started,
then it was his to keep.
Is Gordon a man of his word?

I hope so.
But I hope he proves himself up to the challenge.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 20^th, 2023 at 6:23pm:


100% sure it was crap leads. I had a high quality set for years that vanished.  I reckon they got nicked at the dealership service centre.  The ones I used were $15 petrol station ones.

I remember returning to a Dealership in Nowra where my car was in for its 2nd day.
"I just popped in because I forgot to get something out of my car." removing the $15,000 wad-roll from the centre arm rest compartment. The looks on their faces was a poorly hidden 'damn'. 

Gordon wrote on Oct 20^th, 2023 at 7:24pm:

I will admit I did feel a sense of relief when I found it still there.

Gordon wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 9:43am:



You lucky devil.

Keep us informed.

Costs so far. Jumper leads  $40
Oil, filter, battery $160

Gordon wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 3:49pm:



Sounds good - you've got yourself a goer there.

Remember what I wrote:

Once going there is more to check:

swingarm bushes - ( check swingarm play with the front wheel held down using the main stand)

steering yoke bushes - (check play on the front wheel - main stand on -  with the back wheel held down so the front wheel is in the air)

shockers - check for smooth movement and no oil leaks.

Check for any oil leaks - rocker covers, sump plug etc.

spoke tensions - tap with a screwdriver metal on each spoke that they all sound the same.

brake pad wear - most likely OK as low mileage.

oil pressure if you have a gauge.  ( see what the book says -  40 lbs  psi?)

Check all nuts are tight and

check the chain tension and rear wheel alignment.

If you are unsure book it in for a service at your bike dealer.

Baronvonrort wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 5:35pm:


I edited the link. Try this

http://sndup.net/v3wy

Gordon wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 5:43pm:



Good - you must be very happy?

Gordon wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 5:41pm:

That works.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 5:49pm:


Totally, it's not the kind of bike I'd have thought to buy if I were buying one, but I have a feeling it's the right fit for me.

Gordon wrote on Oct 21^st, 2023 at 5:58pm:


Ask for Angelo you can say some of his cutomers from around 30 years ago said he was ok.

Workshop entrance is in back lane behind shop.

Such a great feel good Topic and not a troll in sight.
Well done Gordon!

Gordon wrote on Oct 24^th, 2023 at 12:19pm:



The bike has gotta have a girl's name.

You're a winner with a going bike.
Are you getting: new tyres, new brake and clutch fluid?
Let us know what the shop reckons?

Bobby. wrote on Oct 24^th, 2023 at 3:49pm:


Bert could be from Roberta
The tyres have 10km of them. Both the front and rear brake felt fine but I told the shop to do whatever.

It's back from the bike shop, needed nothing.

My total cost to get it registered, less than $1000.00

Bobby. wrote on Oct 31^st, 2023 at 10:16am:


They did a full safety check. Tell a lie they replaced a brake light switch

Are you a Comanchero Biker, Bobby?

Bobby. wrote on Oct 31^st, 2023 at 2:39pm:


Nor am I but I'll do the next DGR

Jasin wrote on Oct 31^st, 2023 at 5:19pm:



I was not interested in filthy biker moles.

Why do you dream up these fantasies?

forgiven
namaste

Bobby. wrote on Oct 31^st, 2023 at 2:39pm:



'Dykes on bikes' isn't considered a gang?