Not ran in 17 years

[Luap McKeever]

I have a lead on a 2000 Quota that has only 7K miles on it. But, like the title says, it hasn't been started in 17 years.  So, I know I'd need to change all fluids, do full service, battery, plugs, probably tires, etc. The main question I have is the EFI system. Would that need rebuilt or re-serviced? Maybe just clean the throttle bodies and give it a shot?

I'm a little nervous about the lack of miles. The guy says it ran perfect but he lost track of time and had too many other bikes to tend to. Evidently he bought it in 2003 or so and rode it about 1000 miles before parking. It's supposedly under a carport (not inside).

Would you run to it, or away from it?

[kingoffleece]

It would be reasonable to assume all rubber bits need renewing from age/rot, forks will be ugly inside, both brakes and related components will be needing at the least a renew and possible rebuilding.  I'd sure inspect the tank for rust, and that's just for starters.

Deal breakers?  No.  But I know I'd go thru the bike from top to bottom before I'd ride it more than around the block.  I've seen plenty of 4-5 year old motorcycles at Hamlin's shop need a lot of TLC before returning to a serviceable condition after neglect.  17 years is a lot.  I'd be prepared to spend some to get it correct.  And don't forget to check the inside of the steel wheels for corrosion.

[RinkRat II]

 
    I picked this up last month after sitting under a tarp for 14 years. Fresh gas, oil air and a good once over and fired on the third kick. Go for it Luap,
  I think you'll know once you see it in person  how much it's gonna  take to save it.

    Paul B

[Moparnut72]

Depends on price, have to have some room to put money into it to correct neglected items. That model is a really good looking bike in my opinion and would love to have one of those in my shed.
kk

[StuCorpe]

I'm not sure what I'm missing but how can a 2020 Quota have been sitting for 17 years?  Something doesn't add up.

[twowheeladdict]

How much is he paying you to haul it away? 

[Vagrant]

In a salty or humid climate free is too high. Very dry like Az. Maybe.

[Huzo]

How much is he paying you to haul it away?

It’s not necessarily about the money.
I dare to imagine that Luap could rely on assistance from the members here…
If Canuck, Siabed et al got it, there’d be nary an eyebrow raised.
Will make a good thread watching it’s re birth.

[Turin]

It really depends on how it was left. Was the tank drained ? Chances are a 24 year old motorcycle might need fork seals if it has 7,000 or 70,000 miles. 

[blackcat]

In a salty or humid climate free is too high. Very dry like Az. Maybe.

My 76 Lemans sat apart in south Florida for an untold amount of years:

Final drive:

[slopokes]

StuCorpe—that’s the new math they are teaching in school now…

[blackcat]

I'm not sure what I'm missing but how can a 2020 Quota have been sitting for 17 years?  Something doesn't add up.

It’s a 2000 Quota, purchased by the owner in 2003 and it sat for 17 years. He must have stopped ridding it around 2006.

[Bulldog9]

Depends on entry price, and how much time and coin you want to put into it. Having rescued many I wouldn't turn it down, out of hand unless it was a rusty mess. Pics?

[John A]

I’d be most concerned about corrosion on gears not covered in oil. Heartbreaking on a low mileage deal sometimes

[John Croucher]

I bought a 37,000 mile Quota last August. $1,000.  After loading in the truck  the seller said he had another one behind the shop.  I should have bought it, but it was a 2,000 mile round trip.  It was missing 1 part, a 1/4 turn side panel screw.  $2,000 and over 200 hours later, I have a Guzzi I wish I had bought in 2000 when I first saw a Moto Guzzi in a dealership. 

The bike set for 3 years in Florida under a tarp.  It had fresh fluids throughout.  The  fuel system needed some work. Both electric petcocks were locked and bad orings. I got them to work and new O rings.  The f.i. was flushed, back flowed fuel filter and very little debris came out, so I reused it.  Cleaned the t.b's good, lubed, and left the balance as previously set. 

Replaced all bearings in wheels, steering  swingarm, rebuilt brakes.  Used Goofoff on paint, There was sand in everything.  Wiring was perfect.  No splices or cut up.  The ignition switch was very corroded on contacts.  Cleaned the heads and pistons.  Clutch was new, but Replaced with a sureflex I had. 

I did not shim the shift drum, I should have. It has a little play.  Airbox is cut out on top with a KN filter and dyna fi controller.  It gets 30mpg.  Charging light doesn't go out until 3500 rpm.  But I added a digital readout and it charges good.  And replaced a Valtek cam chain tensioner.

The front rim has been replaced with a 19 inch and fender lowered.  I made both wheels tubeless wit 3m marine sealant.  The rear shows signs of cracking around some spoke holes.  There was a recall on the rims.  I am sure it has expired.

The muffler is a Amazon $45 unit.  Pulled the end cap out.  Crossover is a Price Sloan

it does not have the kick in the pants seat feel my 2003 hydro has.

[Wayne Orwig]

Just a point of reference....

My 1999 Miata with over 100,000 miles was totaled last March when a young girl ran a red light. That car, getting near 25 years old, had few issues. Every couple of years I would have to spray carb cleaner in the EGR passage when the check engine light would come on. Somewhere in those 20 some years, I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder for $15 or so, when it started to leak. The rest was normal oil changes and such.

So, after looking for weeks and weeks, I found a 2000 Miata to replace it. It has about 20,000 miles less. And it LITERALLY was driven by an old lady to church on Sunday. Due to vision loss, she had to sell it. But the PREVIOUS owner was a moron, and I assume her mechanic was worse. Getting this thing in a reliable running state has been non-stop work. Some of the issue has nearly resulted in tow trucks to get home. The TPS failed. The coil pack failed. Radiator fan failed. One year newer. Fewer miles. Yet it is a mess.

My point is, it is a crap shoot. You may simply invest some time getting it road worthy and get a great return on that investment. Or if may be a headache for months getting it road worthy. If you do not have the time (and money), that it may or may NOT need, move on. If you have some time, it may be a fun ride, or fun to maintain. Only you can decide.

As for the Quota. Well, I met a few people that were frustrated with the mapping of the fuel injection, and that odd single throttle barrel setup. Or that constant cracking exhaust system. And I met those that had no idea that there were such issues. I only know that when it first came on the market, I really wanted one. For various reasons I was unable to get it at the time and ended up later on a Stevio.

[JoeB]

I'd be crazy enough to get it if it was in decent shape. However I'm retired and could spend however much time I wanted on it any time I want. Having a 98EV I'm kinda familiar with that era.
Have a couple thoughts on what hasn't been mentioned yet.
Didn't say how it was stored but would be on the look out, especially from the air box down for mice nests and such....don't ask me how I know. 
I'd add to the list some maintenance or preventative maintenance on the electrical system.
Would get a couple cans of DeoxIT and clean every connection on it, change relay's and so on.

[Luap McKeever]

Thanks all for the input. The bike's in Georgia and evidently under a roof, but not enclosed. I'm probably going to have to sit this one out due to the neglect of it and what it will probably take to get right.

[Scout63]

Thanks all for the input. The bike's in Georgia and evidently under a roof, but not enclosed. I'm probably going to have to sit this one out due to the neglect of it and what it will probably take to get right.

That’s a long way to go for an unknown. There are probably quite a few older bikes in your area for a song.

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks all for the input. The bike's in Georgia and evidently under a roof, but not enclosed. I'm probably going to have to sit this one out due to the neglect of it and what it will probably take to get right.

Georgia is a state that is on an ocean, but also in the mountains as well as swamps.  Really depends on where in GA the bike is.  If it is in western GA it is probably good that it is under a roof but not enclosed.  Less chance of sitting with condensation all over it like it would in a shed. 

How much is he asking for it? 

Lately I have come across running motorcycles for $500 with major cosmetic issues and have been thinking about a Mad Max bike build when I retire. 

[brider]

Guess I'm late to this discussion, but I wouldn't be 'fraid of the bike if the price was right. Sure, you'd have to strip every system down to dial it back in but that's why we like Guzzis; they're super-simple, and new gaskets/o-rings/bearings are cheap.

My biggest question is why you'd let a bike like that (or any bike) sit motionless for 17 yrs. Seems like at year 5 you'd say "maybe I'd better get rid of it...".

[twowheeladdict]

Guess I'm late to this discussion, but I wouldn't be 'fraid of the bike if the price was right. Sure, you'd have to strip every system down to dial it back in but that's why we like Guzzis; they're super-simple, and new gaskets/o-rings/bearings are cheap.

My biggest question is why you'd let a bike like that (or any bike) sit motionless for 17 yrs. Seems like at year 5 you'd say "maybe I'd better get rid of it...".

All types.  Riders, wrenchers, owners, hoarders, etc.

I am approached quite regularly by older guys who have their college bike sitting in the basement, barn, shed, porch, and even under a tarp in the yard.  They like to be able to say they rode and still own the bike.  When you ask if they would part with it the answer is always no.  One day, someday, keeping the dream alive.

Have a coworker who must have 30 or more non running cars bought at their lowest value.  Z cars, muscle cars, sport cars, and vintage trucks.  All up in value even in the shap they are in.  some day one day he will get that hemi cuda going again.

[Huzo]

I'm looking for a late 70's to 80's 850/1000 Moto Guzzi to fix up, but the ones I find are always 5+ hours away.

Just so I know I understand what you’re saying.
There’s a bike you really want, but you won’t spend 5 hrs going to get it…?

[brider]

All types.  Riders, wrenchers, owners, hoarders, etc.

 some day one day he will get that hemi cuda going again.

Yes, I've recognized this phenomenon, but it still baffles me. I've posted here before about the uber-rare early 60's GMC stepside with a 9-ft bed and 17 in (?) factory wheels I've seen sitting uncovered for the past 20 yrs in a driveway on a high-traveled road under trees, tires all flat now, covered in awful moss, and the owner told me once many years ago that his grandpa used it on a tree farm and restored it ~25 yrs ago, and no, he wasn't interested in selling. I guess if grandpa would really be shattered if the truck left the family is good justification for keeping it, but letting it fester and rot is beyond my comprehension.

[Moparnut72]

Is there not someone here who is close by that could go and check it out? I would for a Guzzisti but it almost clear across the country.
kk

[Sprouty115]

Yes, I've recognized this phenomenon, but it still baffles me. I've posted here before about the uber-rare early 60's GMC stepside with a 9-ft bed and 17 in (?) factory wheels I've seen sitting uncovered for the past 20 yrs in a driveway on a high-traveled road under trees, tires all flat now, covered in awful moss, and the owner told me once many years ago that his grandpa used it on a tree farm and restored it ~25 yrs ago, and no, he wasn't interested in selling. I guess if grandpa would really be shattered if the truck left the family is good justification for keeping it, but letting it fester and rot is beyond my comprehension.

Yep, baffles me too.  Growing up in rural Maine, most of the kids who cared about cars/motorcycles/snowmobiles, etc. knew of the guy with the 1969 Super Bee behind his house.  Just sitting in the grass, rotting away.  Anyone who knocked on the door got told the same thing - not for sale, get off my lawn.  And believe me we all tried.  Eventually, he died, house was demolished, and the car was hauled off to the junkyard, it was completely rusted.  Just a stubborn old swamp Yankee, that didn't give a f***.

[Huzo]

10+ hours round trip...  Long time to spend just to find out it was not as described.

It’s the lure of the unknown that makes it worth the effort.
I’ve wasted longer than that getting past a hangover.

[twowheeladdict]

It’s the lure of the unknown that makes it worth the effort.
I’ve wasted longer than that getting past a hangover.

And even better if you make an adventure out of it. 

Take extra days and haul a running motorcycle there with you and ride some new roads.  If the deal works out, then great, but if not, then at least you did something fun. 

[Huzo]

And even better if you make an adventure out of it. 

Take extra days and haul a running motorcycle there with you and ride some new roads.  If the deal works out, then great, but if not, then at least you did something fun.

Could not have put it better TWA.

[John Croucher]

PM me some details.  I would be interested in this bike.  As a restoration or just a parts bike to keep My Restoration on the road.  The Quota I restored will never be worth the investment I have in it.  But it is mine and I like it.