First bike's maintenance and preparation

[borissytch]

hello everyone,
i am very glad to find this forum. i am new not only here but to motorcycles at all. I got my licence last summer just before my 40th birthday and just 4 years ago I rode a bike for the first time in my life.
Now I got my first one - 1983 CB750 Nighthawk. She has less than 24000 km and looks gorgeous (though huge I must admit). That was the introduction. Here is where i need your advises:
We started the bike only once before I bought it - I haven't  even driven it yet. It's winter in Montreal and I moved it into the basement of the apartment building I live in. So it's a "cat in the bag". I'm gonna have to prepare it for the road by the end of March. Plus, I'll have to pass the inspection.
Here is my list of to-do things for now:
- take off the battery and charge it (it's almost dead)
- add gas into the tank (it's empty) and add fuel stabilizer. A friend of mine (not a biker though) suggests that I should wash the tank inside first - ????? should I bother??
- put the battery back, start the engine and let it run for 10 min, take off the battery while in storage
- grease the chain
- oil change
- gas filter change
- check the brakes fluid
- patch the muffler (there is a crack)
...
first question is: should I bother with washing the tank inside while it's empty? My friend says the rust inside it could clog the carbs etc.
Any other feedback, advises, guidance are much appreciated!
Thank you very much and ride safe!
PS if there is a thread already on this topic I would appreciate the link to it. Thanks!

[Bad Boy]

Rinse with some kerosene drain into a funnel and through a paper towel.  If rust comes out clean the tank.  Yamaha makes a acid tank wash that will dissolve rust.  Coating the tank is usually not needed.

Take safety riding class if not already
Wear full riding gear
Replace tires if over 7 years old or show fine cracks on sidewall.  Tires have a 4 digit date stamp.
Replace hydraulic fluid
clean fuel stainer in petcock, remove petcock and clean strainer in tank.

[borissytch]

thanks!
that means I should remove the tank? or there is a way to drain it without removing it?

[mattrowe19]

Does your petcock have a prime position? If it does, remove the vacuum and fuel lines. Connect a longer line back to the fuel petcock and run the other end of the line to a gas can. Turn the petcock selector to prime and off ya go. It won't get all of the fuel out but most of it will drain out. Remove the tank, then tilt the tank so the petcock is at the lowest point. Turn to prime and let it drain. You should have 99% of the fuel out at that point.

[hppants]

In addition to Badboy's suggestions:

1. Lubricate your throttle cables.

2  Pull your air filter and either clean (if washable) or replace (if a paper element).  Thoroughly clean your air box and check the connections on the boots to and from the carbs and motor.  If your air box has the breather snot tube, pull it, drain it, clean it, and re-install.

3  Inspect your steering head bearings.  If good, repack and re-torque the head.  If bad, replace with tapered roller bearings

4  If the tires are removed, on the front, inspect our wheel bearings, grease the axle assy, and grease your speedometer assy.
On the back tire, inspect you wheel bearings, grease your axle shaft assy, and clean/lubricate your rear brake assy.

5. Check all lights on the bike, replace bulbs or repair wiring as necessary.

6.  With the bike running, put a volt meter on the battery and verify good charging.

7.  Go over the entire bike with a torque wrench and make sure everything is properly tightened.


IMO, Idling the bike for 10 minutes will only load up the motor, and leave a lot of condensation in your exhaust.  Either brave the cold and run it up to full operating temperature,  or hold off starting it until the weather allows.

[borissytch]

thanks very much!

[borissytch]

Rinse with some kerosene drain into a funnel and through a paper towel.  If rust comes out clean the tank.  Yamaha makes a acid tank wash that will dissolve rust.  Coating the tank is usually not needed.

Take safety riding class if not already
Wear full riding gear
Replace tires if over 7 years old or show fine cracks on sidewall.  Tires have a 4 digit date stamp.
Replace hydraulic fluid
clean fuel stainer in petcock, remove petcock and clean strainer in tank.

by hydraulic fluid you mean - transmission fluid and break fluid?

[hppants]

I would think he means front brake fluid.  Do you have a hydraulic clutch or cable operated clutch?  If hydro, then that should be bled/flushed as well.  Be sure to use the correct brake fluid (DOT 3 likely) and be forewarned - Dot 3 and 4 brake fluid will EAT anything the is painted.  Cover and protect your tank and plastics accordingly.

The motor oil also lubricates the transmission.

[borissytch]

Thanks very much!
I just noticed a paddle under the front wheel, I guess, it's the break fluid - I felt one of the hoses near the front break disc - it's wet. I'm going to try to figure out where exactly the leak is coming from right now, and struggle with removing the battery for the first time in my life.
so break fluid has to be replaced obviously now, and I just hope to get a true mechanic to check the breaks and all at least for the first time...

as for the clutch - no idea! will have to figure that out too.
feeling retarded and nervous already
thanks again!

[borissytch]

that was the fork leaking. Now I'm in the middle of forks rebuilding. The dealer sold me wrong seals  and I am waiting for the new ones from an online store now, while the forks are standing in the corner of my room half reassembled.
The left caliper and break pads has got dirtied with oil as expected. I cleaned it and the pads I washed in kerosene, wiped and sanded a bit -they are too new to throw away 
I tried to clean the tank with kerosene - rinsed it three times, lots of dirt, very rusty bugger  I hope that will work...

[borissytch]

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