What to do with an engine that hasn't turned over in 20 years

[Romaine]

Hello all,

Was wondering what I should do before I turn over and try to start a motorcycle (67 hurricane scambler) that has not been kicked over for a long time..

Should I spray wd40 into the spark plug holes? Dump a little 2 cycle oil?

The engine is not stuck (it has been kickedover recently)- I just expect to be kicking it over for quite a few times while diagnosing a starting problem and do not want to tear up the cylinder walls with a dry engine..

[reed]

Romaine,
What i would do is remove the cylinders then you can check the piston and rings and the bores etc.
Then you can clean up and fit the parts you might need before you start the motor and you will know.
You can get all the parts from Richard.
Thanks.
Steve.

[old smokey]

This is my technique. Use some 15% nitro model airplane fuel (glow plug style). Put 1teaspoon in each cylinder. This fuel has castor oil in it. I did this for my GTR after 23 years. If it is going to start this will do it.

[Romaine]

Smokey - where do I find nitro model airplane fuel? Hobby store - I assume?

Reed - I like that idea - although I thought I might get it running first - I believe there was some electrical issues to fix before it runs and then diagnos if it needs a complete tear down..

I just want to be safe before I start kicking it over..

[old smokey]

Romaine - it has been a long time sine I bought the 32 or 48 oz jug of what I use. Probably 20 years ago. Still works like a charm so who knows what the shelf life of the stuff is?
I don't know if a place like Hobby Lobby carries it.
Look for a hobby store that has radio control cars or planes. I think the days of u-control line planes has gone (fly in a circle - you keep turning in a circle about a point).
I've never tried putting a 4 cycle engine under load with this stuff as the only fuel source, but it will bring them back from the dead.

[Redrust]

From experience if stored properly (sealed & around 65*F) the fuel should last a long time. I wasn't smart in my younger days (even though im still young) and found out it evaporates fast when warm and when cold its like a gel. even old fuel that hasn't been stored in ideal conditions can still pack a punch. Just needs enough pressure and heat to ignite.

 It's like diesel fuel for hobby cars just don't run a lot of it through a system, its meant for engines that run at 30,000 rpm at idle.

Hobby Lobby won't have the fuel because they don't sell the cars. try looking for stores like old smokey said.

[CL-100]

You can find this fuel on just about any of the larger hobby sites.  It's listed as nitro fuel.