Hello all. I've been enjoying reading the info you've shared here. Pick up a 1998 SH VTR 1000 yesterday for $500. Best I can gather it has sat in the guys garage for the last 1.5 years. The rear bearings went out and he never bothered to fix it. I picked up a rear wheel all set up with bearings on ebay yesterday.
In the mean time I'd like to get the bike running.... Of course the battery was shot, but hooked it up to my charger to turn it over. (after emptying the tank and putting in fresh gas). Turns over nice and acts like it wants to fire but won't catch. If I give it a shot of starting fluid it will run till it burns through the starting fluid so I'm guessing it is a fuel issue.

I removed the tank and verified that fuel comes out of the petcock when I suck on the vaccume hose. I'm thinking the next step is to go through the carbs. What do you all think? Any other simple tests I can do before tearing into it? Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, the next step would be to remove the carbs and give them a full cleaning and inspection, after installing the carbs make sure you sinc them. This is most likely your issue.

Also with the bike sitting for so long i would recomend any of the following, replace CCT's with new OEM, replace the CCT's with manual CCT's, or make your OEM CCT's into manual CCT's. Your choice, there are great write ups on all of these in the knowledge base section of the forum.

 

Thanks Sailorjerry.
cct?? Cam chain tensioner??

 

Yes, cam chain tensioner.

If the PO already converted to manual just check its adjustment.

 

yup - CCTs esp the front have a nasty habit of failing

Also replace R/R (Regulator/Rectifier)



As mentioned the knowledge base section contains a lot of useful info inc. a downloadable PDF & searchable Honda service manual.

 

Drain and flush the cooling system. Replace with oem honda Coolant.

 

Went through the carbs tonight and bike fired right up. Man this thing sounds great. Now I just need that rear wheel to arrive and take it for a test drive.