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I have just brought a 1990 BMW R80 with 18,000 miles on the clock (See attached picture) . Shes been dry stored for 13 years and not started. Its in one piece with some corrosion/oxidisation beginning to set in.

Before I start her up, what should I look for ? I have purchased a battery for her, but don't want to be to eager to start her without talking to you all. Mainly because the bike is the same age as me ...

Thanks in advance

My 78 sat for roughly 10 years in a garage (not conditioned) before I bought it off my buddy. I grabbed the Clymer's manual and did "most" everything in the chapter for maintenance. In a nutshell - new fluids throughout, plugs, set timing, points, cleaned up electrical, all cables, and completely rebuilt the carbs. And get NEW TIRES and check all brakes!!!! It won't matter how well it runs if you can't stop or lose a tire.

She's been running great ever since. Reading all these forums may drive you nuts thinking you need to wear white gloves when maintaining these. Not saying you don't have to care for them, but at the end of the day you just need to just ride it.

Congrats. No points to worry about on that year. Dump the oil and change filter. I have worked on a K75 that was idle for 19 years heated storage and a yamaha xs650 that was sitting for about 20 yrs in a garage. I will usually run them only a few hundred miles on petroleum based oil, then change again to higher quality that you plan to use. The carb bowls should be removed to have a look for gum and corrosion. Dump all old gas out and look for rust. You may need to clean and repair the carbs. I always use in line fuel filters. I recommend that you change the brake fluid right away. I usually use a turkey baster and empty the fluid, fill with fresh, then bleed until clean appears with no air. Before you start it, take out spark plugs, put the bike on center stand and in top gear. with a little Marvel mystery oil in the cylinders, turn it by hand to make sure that engine is free. Never crank engine with the starter with plugs out and not connected. Hope this is of some help.

Waddya mean "dry stored"? In a heated room, no oils in it?

Drop the sump, get rid of the 13yo sludge. You don't want it sucked thru your motor. Strain it, ensure no surprises. Not mine-->

All found in sumps..



This is not uncommonly found and is very important.