Motorcycle help…

I’m picking up an old 1980 Honda XL80S motorcycle from a trade soon. I know nothing about motorcycle and picking this thing up just for fun. It stalled out about 15 years ago and the owner didn’t know how to fix it and just left it in his garage for the last 15 years.
It was running fine right before it stalled so I’m not sure if it’s anything serious.

Anyway… What should I do first? Flush all fluids and replace? Replace battery? I have no idea where to start…. Any help or advice would be appreciated. I currently know nothing about motorcycles.

BTW this is just for fun I already know its probably cheaper and easier buying a running bike but I got this in a trade for something I don’t need and looking for a project that would teach me something new.

 

your best bet,new battery flush all fluids, drain and clean tank, replace tires,check all wiring(mice chew throu it) replace fuel lines..IF you can get it running thats just where to start. If it starts, great, if not, your probably looking at a motor rebuild since the cylinders have probably siezed from just sitting

 

Ditto but before you start looking at a rebuld try cleaning the carbs properly....they are going to be seriously gunked up and do that before you replace the fluids cause if you dont you will just foul up the new gas

and good luck!!
i got and old 70's Montesa enduro bike awhile back and it was a nice project to get it running again!

 

well i meant even if it wont turn over with a new battery, he will probably be looking at engine problems

 

yeah true that


15 years is a looooooong time

 

They hit it...Make sure you have clean carbs, fresh juices (gas, oil, brake), and generally good parts (wires, hoses, tires, cables, chain, wheels bearings, etc) but be ready for a full engine tear down to replace gaskets and rings, maybe valves/springs....

I have to get to my wife's grandparents with my truck at some point and pick up a 197X Honda CB50 they have....I can't wait to start working on that bad boy!!

 

Ok so I'll start with the following.

-Clean Carb (how would i go about doing this? hose it down?)
-Replace Fluid
-Replace battery
-Replace Fuel line

 

You can try hosing it down but I don't think that will do much for a carb that has been sitting that long, more an likely you need to take it out and take it apart. Spray it out and soak it in carb cleaner for a few days or so and use an old tooth brush if you have to. And if they have a gasket kit or rebuild kit than I would get those kits and install all new parts from that kit.

 

WIll do,

I wonder if it would be hard to find parts for a bike this old; I guess I'll find one once I start.

 

You should be able to go to your local Honda dealership and they can pull up a computer diagram and you can get all the parts you need. Or you may have to find a company that may offer those parts.

Here is a link you should check out: http://haynes.com/products/?searchT...D3=&year=1980&make=Honda&model=XL80&x=28&y=10

 

Sweet, thanks for all the info guys. the guy is delivering it something next week.

 

whatever happened with this bike?

 

seafoam treatment of gas tank & carbs.. Ditto what 1st poster said. Its going to be a lot of work but its very exciting getting something to start that hasn't been started in a very long time.

good luck.

I did the same thing with my Magna. It was a project bike, and here is a list of what I did:

Major tuneup (all internals)
Carbs
Valves
New Battery/Sparks
Checked compression
Replaced bleeding fork seals
Changed oil and air filter
Replaced brake and clutch fluid
Put on new brakes
Fixed the broken clutch.

Lots of $$$ later, and I'm happy the bike works excellent everytime I hit the starter. Has the nicest sound too when I'm putting along b/w 10mph - 90 mph!