Motorcycles involved in a flood
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There was a story right here on MO if I remember correctly about a guy in New Orleans who got his Honda Nighthawk 750 running no problem after Katrina. As I remember, his bike was completely submerged. Maybe you should give him a call. Of course that was a Honda.
And here it is...
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcgabe/05_Two_Survivors/index.motml
Maybe Gabe knows how to get in touch with this guy.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcgabe/05_Two_Survivors/index.motml
Maybe Gabe knows how to get in touch with this guy.
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Are they Harleys? If so the engines are pretty easy to pull apart and clean. Since you've got a lot of money in them I assume they are HDs or GoldWings. GoldWings are going to be a bytch to clean up.
Yet another reason why I never spend more than $3-4K on a bike.
Yet another reason why I never spend more than $3-4K on a bike.
First thing I'd do is a fresh water wash down. I'd almost rather swim in used motor-oil, flood waters are Nasty. Then, after it dried I'd go through a can of WD-40 on everything that might look electrical trying to displace water. I'd then clean and dry the bike. I'd be careful about water in the cylinders and would "spin" the engine with the spark plugs out. Replace the oil and take a look at other fluids for contamination. I'd try to fire it up and let it run at least until it reached operating temp.
I'd consider a washing/dunking/cleaning the seat somehow.
Feel for you, floods screw things up in ways you don't usually think of.
I'd consider a washing/dunking/cleaning the seat somehow.
Feel for you, floods screw things up in ways you don't usually think of.
Unless they were submerged for a prolonged period, the greatest potential problems will be electrical and smelly upholstery. Drain and flush all the fluids; remove, disassemble and clean the carb(s). While you are there (intake system) spray the valves with WD40 or Seafoam Deep Creep or some similar moisture dispersant. Physically disconnect and clean every electrical connection you can find. Switches may be a problem if you cant disassemble them. Be very careful about doing a very good job on the brake system. You may have to replace the pads. Once you are satisfied with the cleaning and every thing is back together fire them up and run them till they are completely up to temp. in all respects. Then change the oil and filter again and go riding.
If salt water, take the settlement and run. The salt will have all the electrics hosed with some problems not showing up for possibly years. Salt is nasty and will cause pretty much anything to corrode over time! Generally not worth it to try to restore it unless the bike is an antique or not replaceable. If the amount is too low in your mind, that is what your insurance commissioner is for. You can also get a lawyer. Also check and see if you live in one of the states that give you the choice of money or replacement (like the state I live in). Once the evil insurance adjuster knows that you are aware of that option, if it is available, they become mush easier to deal with. The insurance company generally only pays fair market value of the stock bike. If you have heavily customized (like fancy paint, extra chrome, engine mods, whatever) and did not have this stated on the policy, you were not insured for it, sorry.
If fresh water, wash the bikes, real well. Flush the tanks (radiator, gas and oil), drain the tranny and the engine of all fluids if possible, replace the oil (and cooling fluid) with what you normally use (don't go cheap just because you are going to flush it again), do a "major" tune up to the bike (plugs, wires and whatever else your manufacturer says to replace), treat all the leather with your choice of leather cleaner/conditioner. Replace any relays or "black boxes" if you have electrical problems. Also make sure there is no water in the lights or in the frame itself. Say a little prayer that they will start, then run the bikes until warm, flush the fluids (all of them all over again), refill and hope for the best...
As someone else posted, you may have problems with the leather stuff and some electric glitches if a sealed component was compromised down the road so be prepared for that.
If fresh water, wash the bikes, real well. Flush the tanks (radiator, gas and oil), drain the tranny and the engine of all fluids if possible, replace the oil (and cooling fluid) with what you normally use (don't go cheap just because you are going to flush it again), do a "major" tune up to the bike (plugs, wires and whatever else your manufacturer says to replace), treat all the leather with your choice of leather cleaner/conditioner. Replace any relays or "black boxes" if you have electrical problems. Also make sure there is no water in the lights or in the frame itself. Say a little prayer that they will start, then run the bikes until warm, flush the fluids (all of them all over again), refill and hope for the best...
As someone else posted, you may have problems with the leather stuff and some electric glitches if a sealed component was compromised down the road so be prepared for that.
I'd just like to give you some confidence. I ride dirt bikes and have submerged my bike a number of times, once in thick mud which had me pretty concerned. Indeed silty water got in everywhere, but you can totally wash out your bike, inside and outside. Motorcycles are made to get wet and undergo incredible stresses, they can handle getting dirty if you clean them up properly. If you clean your bike out with solvents (some people clean their tranny out with kerosene, for instance), make sure you let it dry out too; the solvents will break down oil you put into your engine. I would simply change your oil VERY frequently for about four or five oil changes (after every ride); use cheaper non-synthetic oil (still motorcycle specific, however!) for these oil changes. You'll see the oil come out milky-colored as it absorbs moisture in the system; after a few changes though most of the moisture should be out of the system.
Re: Trade you straight across...
That's a bummer. I'm thinking fluke, it would get out if a "modern" street bike needed a rebuild after 5k miles regularly. Recently checked the valve clearances on the REX again, second time, still no need for adjustment after 32k miles. Best of luck.
That's a bummer. I'm thinking fluke, it would get out if a "modern" street bike needed a rebuild after 5k miles regularly. Recently checked the valve clearances on the REX again, second time, still no need for adjustment after 32k miles. Best of luck.
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5,447 Posts
Re: Trade you straight across...
Get this, I called Calif. HD this morning, to see what happened to the motor. Spoke with some bozo in service, the conversation went like this:
Me: Did you guys find out what was wrong with the top end yet?
Bozo: No, we have to order parts.
Me: Why are you ordering parts, when you haven't even taken it apart yet?!
Bozo: zzzzzzzzz duh, i dunno...
Not a good conversation. This is obviously Karma, pay-back for something I did in a past life.
Get this, I called Calif. HD this morning, to see what happened to the motor. Spoke with some bozo in service, the conversation went like this:
Me: Did you guys find out what was wrong with the top end yet?
Bozo: No, we have to order parts.
Me: Why are you ordering parts, when you haven't even taken it apart yet?!
Bozo: zzzzzzzzz duh, i dunno...
Not a good conversation. This is obviously Karma, pay-back for something I did in a past life.
Good move, you are not the only one trading in a Buell
Hang in there. I was looking at used bikes the other day on the local cycle web site. There are alot of bikes 1-2 years old with low mileage. Guy gets a ticket, then can't afford the insurance hike. I used to think I would only buy a new bike but there are some good buys out there. Maybe you can trade in your Buell on a low mileage Japanese bike.. I saw a pretty new used Buell Lightning fpr sale at Hinshaws Honda in Auburn WA. So other people are trading them in. i.e. you are not the only one.
Until Buell puts in a motor in like the air/water cooled Ducatis or water cooled SV 650s and 1000s I am not going to go near them..
Hang in there. I was looking at used bikes the other day on the local cycle web site. There are alot of bikes 1-2 years old with low mileage. Guy gets a ticket, then can't afford the insurance hike. I used to think I would only buy a new bike but there are some good buys out there. Maybe you can trade in your Buell on a low mileage Japanese bike.. I saw a pretty new used Buell Lightning fpr sale at Hinshaws Honda in Auburn WA. So other people are trading them in. i.e. you are not the only one.
Until Buell puts in a motor in like the air/water cooled Ducatis or water cooled SV 650s and 1000s I am not going to go near them..
Exception vs. Rule
Man, there are a whole lot of us out here beating the crap out of our Lightnings, etc., on a daily basis, and not a blip. (knock on wood)
I'm getting about 2500 miles per back tire from the flogging I'm putting the old girl thru on a daily basis. I commute on it and have the good fortune to have a route to work that is not frequented by the local LEO's. Further, I weigh just north of 250 lbs., and flinging it around I am surely subjecting it to stresses that are not beyond, but are stretching the envelope. (When I rolled up to work the day I got it, my boss said "Hmmmm. Not what I pictured. I thought you would go with a Fat Boy for the fat boy......)
Anyway, surviving very through use (just shy of abuse) on a daily basis, and runs just like the day I picked it up.
Gas, Oil, and Tires.
Man, there are a whole lot of us out here beating the crap out of our Lightnings, etc., on a daily basis, and not a blip. (knock on wood)
I'm getting about 2500 miles per back tire from the flogging I'm putting the old girl thru on a daily basis. I commute on it and have the good fortune to have a route to work that is not frequented by the local LEO's. Further, I weigh just north of 250 lbs., and flinging it around I am surely subjecting it to stresses that are not beyond, but are stretching the envelope. (When I rolled up to work the day I got it, my boss said "Hmmmm. Not what I pictured. I thought you would go with a Fat Boy for the fat boy......)
Anyway, surviving very through use (just shy of abuse) on a daily basis, and runs just like the day I picked it up.
Gas, Oil, and Tires.
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