Motorcycle Repair: Mark, I just bought..., change engine oil, check tires

Question
Mark,
    I just bought an 84 Goldwing to repair.
It ran until the owner died, then was put up for years. During that time, the garage it was stored in flooded. How should I approach repairing this bike?
Thanks,
C J   Di Palma

Answer
Hi CJ,

Examine valves that are seated. They tend to rust to their seats with extended storage. Same with piston rings. Lube cylinders with penetrating lube via spark plugs holes, intake manifold, and exhaust ports. Then try and rotate engine by hand (crankshaft). If engine rotates freely, perform a cylinder compression test and leak-down test to determine condition of engine. Repeat tests with engine up to temperature.

Drain all fuel, examine fuel tank for rust, thoroughly clean carbs, install carb rebuild kits, new fuel filter and hoses.

Inspect air filter, replace or clean as necessary.

Inspect master cylinders and rubuild as needed, remove all brake fluid, replace brake lines, rebuild calipers with new seals, check brake pads, replace brake fluid & bleed systems.

Change engine oil and filter.

Check tires for dry-rot.

Change fork oil.

Change final drive oil.

Change coolant, *important-->purge cooling system of air (MityVac AirEvac tool).

Examine clutch plates for rust.

Replace battery. Use dielectric grease on multi-connectors.

That about summarizes the work. I may have left things out. If you need assistance, contact me again.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively