 New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
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OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999 |
Driven and owned by a female co-worker, 1500 original miles. Last used 25 years ago. I may have asked this before but aside from changing the oil and hooking up a battery and giving her a go, is there any prep I should do? Maybe squirt lube in the sparkplug holes? Get her motor spinning with the plugs out? The brakes work fine, the clutch seems fine, the tires hold air and have no noticeable flat spots. The bike is barely broken in, it's just been sitting for a long time. What if the gas is 27 years old? How do I address that, besides of course getting new stuff? Would varnish in the tank really cause any issues?
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
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Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
If it were me I'd put a tablespoon of Marvel Mystery Oil top cylinder lube down each plug hole and let that sit for a day, then gently turn it over twice and let it sit another day before I tried anything with the motor.
Drain the tank and the carbs, pull the petcock and clean it. You might just be able to get away with running a tank of double strength Seafoam through to clean the fuel system, but, after 25 years I'd bet that you really need to pull the carbs and given them a thorough cleaning.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Don't go farther away on the first test ride than you are willing to push home.  A whole buncha laps around the neighbourhood is the ticket. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Don't go farther away on the first test ride than you are willing to push home.
A whole buncha laps around the neighbourhood is the ticket.
Sage advice 
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
If it's the 400 twin instead of the single, pull off the carbs and clean out the fuel T fitting. They tend to collect some shiny red crystals from fuel evaporating and plug up. Flush the tank too, 'cause it will have a lot of the same stuff in it.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
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OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999 |
It is the 400 twin and thanks for that tip!
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
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Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Get her motor spinning with the plugs out?
The bike or the female co-worker?!! 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: New to Me, '80 Honda CM400E, For Free!
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
Quote:
Get her motor spinning with the plugs out?
The bike or the female co-worker?!!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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