Motorcycle Repair: Basic Maintaince, winter work, maintaince

Question
Hello Chris

I was away for the last winter and didnt get a chance to do the nessesary winter work on my 1981 Honda Nighthawk, Now the time has come for the bike to hit the roads, I was wondering is there anything that should be done to the bike before i take it out on the road...I did fill the gas tank before keeping it in the storage, oil was changed before keeping it in and the spark plugs were almost new, I would highly appreicate if u could help me as to what the nessasary work is to be done..

Thanking you
sunil

Answer
Hi Sunil.
 Well, since the oil and plugs are fresh, the only thing that I would be concerned with is cleaning the carbs properly.

Unfortunately, when fuel is left in storage, it evaporates away.  Not always completely, but some.  It leaves behind a residue that we call varnish.  That residue gums up the carbs and the fuel system.

 If you use the old fuel, it will gum up the carbs, so get rid of it, clean the carbs and put fresh fuel in.  Also with the fresh fuel, pour in a bottle of fuel treatment (the stuff that has jet fuel in it or is made from Jet fuel is best).  That should deal with any residue left in the tank as well.

Outside of that, charge the battery and check it with a hygrometer.  If any of the cels are bad, then replace the battery.  And check the tire pressures and condition of the tires (dry-rot is the main concern).

Everything else should be fine.

Good luck.
FALCON