starting a bike thats been stood up for 2 years

[clayt74]

I have my old 125 that has been stood up for over 2 years now (the intention was to service it, clean it up and sell it 2 years ago... but riding my Fazer kept getting in the way)
I now have to get rid of it quick, its a single cylinder 4 stroke. I have drained and replaced the fuel and oil, cleaned air filter overhauled brakes cleaned spark plug and got some charge back into the battery.
Im now at the point to see if the bugger will start?? my question is should i do anything to try and prime the engine before trying to start it?
the fuel tap is a vacuum gravity fed type so im guessing the carb will be bone dry untill i turn it over a good few times. should i try putting a tiny amount of fuel and or oil into the top of the cylinder to try and aid turning the engine over and or getting it to fire?
any advice greatfully recieved.
cheers

[Mark YPVS]

Hi, I just done the same thing with a 125 thats been stood for 6 years, done the same as you plus removed the spark plug and put a tiny amount of engine oil in the hole and just flicked the starter a few times to help lube the top end ( is it four stroke?) be aware the extra oil will want to shoot back out of the spark plug hole so put a rag over it so you dont get covered.
If its a vacum type tap it should have a prime setting with is normally across not up or down ( looks like its off on a gravity feed tap) if you know what i mean??
check the aif filter is clean ( no spiders/wasps/mice etc)
plug back in , fuel on, start it, see all the smoke from the extra oil your poured down the plug hole, wait 10 mins for it to clear and its good to go !! 
Mark

[clayt74]

cheers mark,
 I shall give it a go tomorow.
 yes it is four stroke. the fuel valve isnt actually a tap!!! it connects to the engine vacuum so fuel will only flow when the engine is turning.
 
cheers

[rayburn600]

Clayt74
what bike is it?
Madmondeoman was looking for a new bike....

[Simon.Pieman]

 There's no need to mess around with putting oil in the spark plug hole, at best it will do nothing and just sit in a puddle on the top of the piston and at worst it will foul the plug. Just turn the tap to prime and start it up!

[clayt74]

as i said there is no tap to turn nor a primer, maybe just a bit of fuel into the cylinder to act as lube before trying to turn it over?
its a kymco 125 hipster (cruiser style)

[BBROWN1664]

There will be a prime position on the tap that will be hidden under the tank. If there really isn't, remove the vacuum pipe and suck on it to get the float bowls on the carb full before using the starter button.

Before hitting he starter button use the kick tart or spanner on the crank to turn engine over a few times before switching the ignition on.

[Simon.Pieman]

Before hitting he starter button use the kick tart or spanner on the crank to turn engine over a few times before switching the ignition on.

Why?

This is pointless advice, it does nothing.

[rustyrider]

If you could do it fast enough is might start to circulate some oil but not as quickly as starting it and letting it idle (if it will) for a few seconds.  Just give it a try, cranking it over on the starter will draw some fuel through and start to get the oil moving.  Once it starts just don't rev it immediately, let it idle initially.

[Simon.Pieman]

  Once it starts just don't rev it immediately, let it idle initially.

Exactly, simply start it as normal then.

[chaz]

bought an old car that had been stood a couple of years, 3 of the exhaust valves were seized, bent 3 push rods, its best to put the oil into the cylinders and wind it over when you lay it up, thats if you know you're not going to use it for a while?

[BBROWN1664]

This is pointless advice, it does nothing.

It ensures that little force is used when scrapping the rust off then barrels to save the piston rings snapping.

[clayt74]

Thanks for the input guys, I ended up doing as little as possible.
Once it had clean fuel. I turned it over manually with the kick start gently by hand to make sure nothing was seized.
Then put the kill switch to run and it took maybe 8 kicks to actually start........ Each kick giving more confidence that it was gonna start.
When it started it idled a treat ( auto choke) let it warm for ten mins n gave it some revs.....seemed to pick up fine so took it for a little ride n seems to be running a treat 
Just the idiot lamps and one indicator bulb to get working.
Thanks for the help

[Simon.Pieman]

It ensures that little force is used when scrapping the rust off then barrels to save the piston rings snapping.

Rubbish. You just made that up.

It seems that little thought has been used when scraping the barrel for excuses.

[BBROWN1664]

Simon. As an engineer for many years it is to a barrel scraping excuse, it is an exercise in scraping the rust off the barrel gently.

[BBROWN1664]

It also gives you the opportunity to make sure everything turns over as it should withou snagging to ensure you avoid an expensive rebuild due to impatience.

[Mark YPVS]

Agree with you BBROWN, oil and caution when starting an engine thats been standing.
Mark

[Simon.Pieman]

Simon. As an engineer for many years it is to a barrel scraping excuse, it is an exercise in scraping the rust off the barrel gently.

I have a degree in Marine Engineering and I know what you're getting at, however I can't see your reasoning for scraping it off 'gently'. Explain what ill effects would result if it was scraped off quickly with the engine started?
With the engine started of course, the scraped off oxide would exit nicely through the exhaust port rather than clagging up the ring.

[BBROWN1664]

It's more to do with the rest of he engine than the rusty glaze on the cylinder but most people wouldn't understand

[clayt74]

Many moving parts need music and choreography.......... Confuseous say!

Or just go gently n make sure all is good..... To an engineer :