[PoePoe]

Hi y’all, I inherited my dads bike. It’s a 2004 VL800 with 25k miles. I begin trying to fix it up with the goals of making it run and look new again. Right now I’m waiting on a fuelcock, fuel hose, and the bushings the tank slides onto. (I’m hoping that’s why the tank is loose, the bolt it tight.) I was thinking of painting it because his crazy ex keyed it, but after reading on here I’m not sure how invested I should get seeing how a lot of these bikes have engine troubles. But setting my doubts aside for now, what would you recommend doing to make this bike last as long as possible? I’m planning on doing oil and gear oil changes, filter changes, new brakes. Anything else that I should do that I may have not thought of? And any idea why else the tank could be loose?

 

[Skrapiron]

Before you do anything, consider the cost and consider the resale value. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to dump thousands of dollars into restoring a 20 year old bike that is only worth a few thousand in pristine condition. If you're handy with a rattle can, fix the scratches, but I wouldn't pay a body shop to do the work. Also, I would just worry about basic stuff. Keep the oil changes at the regular, use quality motorcycle specific oil, clean the air filter from time to time and otherwise just enjoy the ride.

One thing I would suggest you do immediately is replace the tires. It sounds like it's been sitting for a LONG time and rubber ages, cracks and becomes brittle over time. It is not worth a trip to the hospital, or worse to save a few hundred $$$.

 

[DCinCT]

second on the tires...its a good bike and you should get some miles out of it if you address the needs as they occur...wouldn't get into spending the money on a paint job until you are sure you want to keep the mc. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

 

[PoePoe]

Thanks for the info guys. I was planning on doing the painting myself. I’m just handy enough to get myself into some trouble but we paint our plow trucks at work every year so I think I can manage with a rattle can. The tires look ok for now, I should be able to use them this summer but after that it’ll probably be time to start looking.

 

[Skrapiron]

Negative, Ghost Rider. Tires have an expiration date. The manufacturing date is embossed on the sidewall. The first two digits are the week and the second two digits are the year they were built. If the tire is more than 5 years old, it is considered expired and must be replaced asap. It is a safety issue that you are advised to not ignore.

 

[bluebeast1562]

Looking good and being good are way, far apart. Granted, a bit pricey but worth it to save you life.

 

[PoePoe]

I will definitely have to check the date on them. I didn’t know they had an expiration date to be honest.

 

[davefzblvd]

Especially tires on a bike that has not been stored in a climate controlled environment.

 

[Whiskey]

The rubber dries out over time. It becomes harder, which results in it becoming more brittle and less sticky, neither of which is a fun time on a bike. I've seen some debate over life. A lot depends on where and how they are stored. The consensus seems to be about 5-7 years as an accepted life. You do you, but if anything on my bike is going to fail, tires are the absolute last thing I would want, so I'd rather not press my luck.

 

[scorpion46]

If it was stored with the tires on the ground, you'll probably not like the ride either as they've flat spotted.

 

[DCinCT]

how much is your life worth...at least the price of new tires whatever they cost...start the riding season off with one less thing to worry about. Enjoy and ride safe....and make sure you have a spare key before you learn the hard way...too many here have learned that lesson that turned into quite the headache. Any locksmith should be able to make a key for you,,,bring the mc with you so you can make sure the new key works after he makes it.