Ran when parked ?? Oil level................by Jess

[wayne]

There are numerous problems that can occur when a bike that "ran when parked" is stored for years.

Here's one you probably didn't think of but it's also a warning for regular riders. Words and pictures below by Jess.



Oil is a good thing... too much is a BAD thing.

Here is what came out of the transmission overfill plug on a Bike brought in for service. Over one quart too much.

The Bike was locked in gear as the clutch would NOT release.

Here is what the steels looked like as it had been run with the trans overfull. It took two hours of blasting in my commercial cabinet to get them and the pressure plate clean.

The plates were so oil saturated that they had bonded to the steels. It took a hammer to get them separated. They were swelled up from the long oil bath and had to be discarded and replaced.


Bottom line. This Bike had been sitting for years as “ran when parked”. A bunch of time later... and a pile of $ I’m sure the new owner wasn’t happy about. But I got it sorted and right.

[Jess]

Thanks for posting that for me mate...

No good with a damn computer.

Best,

[jm0406]

I have seen that with other bikes also. Might be the type/brand of oil also, never been able to verify that. Dried up, solid antifreeze is the other thing that becomes a nightmare when a bike is parked too long. Have never had these problems with old English bikes. Add fuel and kick, they usually run as well as they did before.
Jeff