How to start a bike that's been sitting a while?

[Matt300ZXT]

My poor neglected bike hasn't been started in at least a year and a half, maybe closer to 2. It always started up before, though it did run pretty rich, but at least it'd start and run. Anywho, before I ship this thing off to have some tuning work done on it, I want to at least start it to make sure the engine hasn't randomly fallen apart internally. Also, if there is a small issue, I can take care of it before shipping it off so it costs me less in the long run.

Obviously, I need a new battery. What is in it currently, I have no idea how old it is. But now, it's been sitting close to 2 years probably w/o the tender being plugged in, so that's a no brainer....replace it with a fresh one juuuuust to be safe.

Other than that, what else should I do? I know I'll need to put a cup under the filter that runs out to the rear tire that took the place of rerouting the vapor or whatever into the intake. A couple years ago or so, I went to start it up after it had sat for a few weeks and it just pissed oil all over the garage floor and kinda scared the shit out of me until you guys let me know that's normal (for bikes modded with the breather instead of recirculation) after they sit for a couple weeks. Do I need to remove the plugs and shoot some PB Blaster or a few drops of motor oil or anything down the plug holes? Do I need to pull the plugs and just let it turn over for 5 or 10 seconds to circulate the oil some?

I'm hoping the gas tank isn't too funky, but am I looking at just a battery and some fresh gas? Is it best to just change the oil now, or wait until after I get it back from carb tuning/fork rebuilding?

 

[Mr. Wright]

Yes, fresh gas, battery and plugs. I'm assuming we're talking about your 02. It will have a crank case vent, that will dump a lot of oil out it, because most of your oil will have bled down to the engine. So put a pan under it. Pull the air cleaner off, so you can see if when you crank the throttle, you can see gas squirting into the intake.
Most important at this point, when cranking the motor over, do not crank on the throttle. This will make it harder for the engine to turn over. Once the engine starts to turn over, lift the exciter lever. That lever is not a choke, it squirts into the intake. If it doesn't fire, twist the throttle 2 more times and repeate the process. Once it starts, keep it at a fast idle untill it quits puking oil. You shouldn't loose more than a half quart. Once the engine is good and warm, you can change the oil and filter.

 

[Sven]

Carb bike? Did you walk away from it as: not taking 2 minutes to drain the carb bowl? Gas goes bad within 9 months or less. Should start with fresh gas for sure. Unless you top off with what is in there now it will start up.

Use a fresh battery with at least 12.8v showing at the battery posts. Does not light right up, but choke gets it started, but lever off and stalls... needs a carb clean.

With plugs out, plug wires grounded with new plugs and away from the spark plug holes or it will light what fuel might blow out and torch the house/garage. With a pan under the crankcase vent hose, crank the engine to see the crankcase free up of oil and the rest returned to the oil tank.

Plugs in the bike, try to light it up and run some. You want as much out of the crankcase so the oil return slinger cage (for a better name) empties the old oil and not contaminate with new oil.

Just restored a bike and let it sit for most of the year. Had to pull the carbs and clean the jet holes. Lit up like an injected bike. Ass me how I know the green mean mess closed the holes.