Long-term storage resurrection in the US

[thenewwazoo]

Greetings, all! Yesterday I took a day off work and drove 12 hrs and 700 miles round-trip to pick up an NC35; it's a bike I've wanted since I first saw it, and now I've finally got one! It is my dream bike, and I am so excited to ride it. But first...

This particular example has been sitting for the last 8 or so years, and hasn't been started since about 2008. It was stored inside a fellow's house on display, and I'm told was drained of fluids except for a little bit of oil in the crank case. I've never restored a stored bike before, so whilst I know to replace the tires and fluids, what else should I do? Asking around, I'm getting answers that range from "fill it with fluids and fire it up and see what happens" to "replace everything rubber or plastic posthaste".

On my current list are:
- POR-15 seal the tank (there's some surface rust from being stored dry)
- all fluids
- tires
- radiator hoses
- thermostat
- radiator cap
- maybe caliper seals? (it has aftermarket Brembos)

Anything else I should prioritize? Are there any major NLA parts I should be aware of?

Bonus appreciation points if anyone can point me to US sources for some of these things too. I certainly don't mind patronizing UK and NL establishments but if I can save a few dollars on shipping, I'd like to. :)

[Delboy]

Nice find!
Carbs will need an overhaul, probably new rubbers...maybe lube clutch/throttle cables...

[JC120]

Hi thenewwazoo, where in the US are your? Did you pick up the one for sale in Southern CA? You can get some of the parts from parts unlimited.

[Cammo]

I'd be checking inside the carbs for sure, and investing in one of Blair's gasket kits for reassembly: viewtopic.php?f=64&t=40048

In all fairness, once you've replaced the fluids and any consumable parts (even perhaps spark plugs) I'd be trying to fire it up, these things were built to last (except their charging systems ) and don't usually give too many problems.

[thenewwazoo]

Hi thenewwazoo, where in the US are your? Did you pick up the one for sale in Southern CA? You can get some of the parts from parts unlimited.

Why yes, yes I did. And I just about shat myself trying to get it, too, I was so eager. I feel bad for the seller; he clearly didn't want to see it go, but I think my enthusiasm for it brought him some comfort. I'll check out PU's selection - I didn't know they had grey-market bike parts. I'm in the SF Bay area, so I know I"m not the only NC around, but am not yet connected with any other owners.

Delboy and Cammo, thanks for the input, and Cammo especially thanks for the pointers to that thread! I was dreading paying €20 per carb plus shipping from the Netherlands for a simple gasket set.

Tomorrow I get to take a good look under the fairings for the first time... who knows what I'll find. :)

[Cru Jones]

There's quite a few NC3*s in the Bay Area due to them being a fairly popular race class in the AFM. Not a whole lot of them are street machines, but there are many around up here.

[vfrman]

Nice find. Stay away from Mike Norman and his 400 junkies at GForce...they will make you want to drain bank accounts!

[Maelstrom]

Hi thenewwazoo,
Great score in the USA!
If you don't already have one then get yourself one of Rick Oliver's price lists viewtopic.php?f=22&t=26174 it is like a guide to what you can do to a V4.
This is a very good forum with a lot of collective knowledge, and quite a few US members, so you should be able to get the answers to any problems. Don't forget pics
cheers
Blair

[CRM]

welcome onboard.
nice to see yet another enthusiastic fresh owner like an excited child at christmas lol.
we all know that feeling only too well. some of us still get it too.

[JC120]

Nice find. Stay away from Mike Norman and his 400 junkies at GForce...they will make you want to drain bank accounts!

good advice!