Starting the bike afte about 5months

[roryjohnson]

Dear All
you might remember me for my perpetually broken down BMWR65 in Barcelona.
Anyway, the bike was fine but then has been sat for around 5 months without running over the winter, and of course it wont start now. I think the battery is low. I've bought a Keepower battery charger, and I'm planning to recharge the battery this week and try to get her started.

My question: Do you have advice or precautions about (a) recharging the battery, and (b) generally starting these bikes after a period without running?

Thanks a lot everybody!
Rory

[Bob_Roller]

If the battery has been sitting for a length of time in a discharged state, it may not be a 'healthy' battery .

If it is a serviceable type, one you can add water to, check the fluid level, add water to it before charging it .

Did you drain the carb float bowls, or run them dry before storage, if not, you need to remove both of the bowls and clean out whatever may be in there, that doesn't look like fuel .

Other than that, you should be in good shape .

[Barry]

5 month winter in Barcelona ?

Anyway, the battery will certainly need a charge after 5 months especially if it's an ordinary wet cell type.

Were the carbs and tank drained during storage ?

As a minimum you will need some fresh fuel to start the bike but if the carbs were not drained there may be some gum deposits to clean up. Easy job to drop the float bowls and have a look.

[roryjohnson]

Dear Rob and Barry
thanks a lot for quick response!

I didn't touch the carbs during that time. Could I just clarify about the float bowls:

"draining" and "cleaning out" the float bowls - do you mean empty out the petrol that is in the bowls, along with particles and crap that might be in there? And then do you need to add more petrol directly into the float bowl before putting it back, or it fills up itself when you're starting the bike next time?

All the best
Rory

[roryjohnson]

Oh yes one more thing, Barry:

Could you clarify about "fresh fuel"? You mean drain the tank and fill up with new fuel??

Thanks
Rory

[disco51]

You don't need to add fuel to the float bowls after draining them.  They will fill back up once you open the petcock.  Just clean them out real well (drain current gas and clean the debris) and maybe even give the floats a jiggle with the fuel on (and something below to catch the fuel when it comes racing out) to make sure no junk is blocking the flow.
Yes, fresh fuel means draining the tank and adding new fuel.

[Barry]

If you added a fuel stabiliser like stabil before storage then the fuel may be fine otherwise it will probably have gone off. At the very least the the volatile fractions will have evaporated which means it will not start easily.  When you drop the float bowls and see what state they are in that will give some indication of the state of the fuel. Fuel will store OK in a full sealed container for approx. 6 months but neither the float bowls or tank are sealed.  

[Air4Life]

As for stale fuel:

You can possibly check your old gas by visual comparison.  Old fuel often turns dark.  Some claim it smells sour...

Use a clear container and do a  side-by-side with the known fresh stuff. If your old fuel appears much darker than good fuel, you likely have gas that has become less volatile.

I'm so cheap that I would collect the old gas in a separate container, then fill my tank 2/3 with the new stuff and mix in the remainder with old.  

[k_enn]

Make sure your clutch engages and disengages properly.  Sometimes, when these bikes are stored for several months, the clutch can become stuck.  You don't want to be surprised when, after starting in neutral, you pull the clutch in and drop it into gear and the bike starts to take off on you even with the clutch lever pulled in.  

k_enn

[Olliepup]

Rory, a couple of additional hints - if you can add water to your battery, use only distilled water, anything else will cause problems. Do not smoke around a charging battery as they emit hydrogen gas, very explosive. I alway use Stabil and fill the tank to the top, it gives a smaller area for the fuel to evaporate from and water to mix with the alcohol in there (if your country does that, like the USA). Also, it wouldn't hurt to pull the sparkplugs and add a small amount of oil to the cylinders (anymore than a little could cause hydro lock and break a rod). Make sure no little critter has built a nest in the exhaust pipe.
Dave

[roryjohnson]

Thankyou all very much! This is a great chatroom, super helpful.
Best
Rory

[roryjohnson]

Dear All
thanks again for your help. I followed your advice: I charged the battery, reconnected it, drained all the petrol and replaced it - worked a treat! Took her out today and running fine.
Best
Rory

[Luca]

Good to hear!  Next season put your battery on the charger once a month and charge it up to full (unless your charger specifically says that it can maintain batteries for long periods of time).  No waiting around when you're ready to go, and the battery will last longer too.