Dry oil seals after storage

I have had a bike sitting in the basement for 9 years and now want to
use it again. However, I worry that the oil will have dried up from
the engine seals, causing damage when I start it up.

It's a Zundapp Bella R204 (not that I expect to meet any experts on
that), a fairly normal two stroke from the 60s. I restored the engine,
including replacing all the seals, and then rode it for less than
1000km before its 9 year rest.

At first I was fairly hopeful that it would be easy to get the engine
going again, but I've realised that nine years is a long time for any
vehicle.

If anyone has any advice I'd be very thankful.

Jonathan

 

Is it premix or does it mix it's own oil in to the fuel?

Either way, I recommend running a rich premix first up (20:1, maybe
more) and disconnecting the oil pump (if present). It will smoke like
crazy but it's better than seizing it in the first 10 minutes...

First up though, clean out the carburettors - were the float bowls
emptied before storage? If not there may be residue. Oil may have gummed
up needle valves or floats etc.

Reed or disc valve? If reeds, they may just need a clean. If they're the
fibre type they may need replacement as they may have perished?

Take out the plugs and squirt a little 2-stroke oil into the combustion
chamber. Slowly turn the engine over by hand to give the bores a good
coating.

Change the gearbox oil, lube all your cables etc.

Before starting, kick it over MANY, MANY times with the spark plugs out
(and the fuel tap on, fill the float bowls first, also)

When you're happy that all passages are clear and there's a good source
of oil to the crankcase, put the plugs in and kick her into life!

Expect some plug fouling, and remember the mixture in the tank is rich
and the oil pump is disconnected.

ALL THE BEST!

Peter
(VFR Boy)

 

I don't think it will damage. Just run some extra oil in the fuel for
a bit (it's premixed oil in the fuel, isn't it ?)
Do you happen to have a picture of this bike ? I used to ride with
friends who had ks50 and ks80 Zundapp motorcycles.


Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying