Hi i am new to the forum and looking for some advice. My father in law has a 1965 Tiger 100 which he has owned since 1993. When he bought it it had been fully restored and was ready to go. He rode it a few times and then it has been in his garage under cover for over 20 years. He has now downsized his house and is in his mid 70's so I have volunteered to "sort out" the bike. I have to be honest I am not really a biker more of a car bloke so am looking for some advice. I dont really want to sell it as it is but would rather get it running properly before moving it on to a new owner. It also has a valuable registration number which I want to remove before it goes so it will need a voluntary MOT before I can do that. The bike was immaculate and running perfectly before it was stored so I dont expect anything major to be wrong with it other than the things you would expect from a bike stored for this length of time. Obviously I wont start it before doing what I need to (or getting someone else to do what is needed) Any advice on what I should do or if anyone knows of a specialist in the Lincoln area who is good that would be helpful too. Many thanks
Well the same principles apply 2 wheels or 4. Tyres and tubes are time expired and fuel hoses almost certainly likewise. Ditto Fork seals. The fork oil will want replacing anyway. Engine/gearbox oil changing. The chain has likely corroded a little but you will want to verify if it is an early o ring type that may spit its perished seals or old school just needing lubed. The fuel tank has likely rusted internally and needs cleaning out. Frankly, I would check it over end to end and report what you find for specific advice. In the meantime squirt some multigrade down the plug holes and see how readily it turns over on the kickstart. Things like carbs may well need carb cleaner to shift dried fuel deposits then new fuel. Air cleaner is likely fine unless mice or squirrels have taken up residence!
Yep, agree with everything Callumity wisely suggests with, perhaps, a slight detail modification regarding the "squirt some multigrade in" tip. Do this before dumping the engine oil that's already in there. We're talking here of a few c.c.'s of light engine oil or maybe even diesel fuel - definitely not more than an egg cup full, probably not more than HALF an egg cup full per cyclinder, actually. Take the plugs out (obviously!); pour some oil in, leave it to stand for a while with a rag in each of the plug holes then, if the bike has a centre stand that lifts the rear wheel clear of the ground, engage fourth gear and try to slowly rotate the rear wheel in the normal direction of travel. If the bores have rusted or pitted you don't really want the piston rings scraping the crap off and scratching the bores, so listen out for any untoward (expensive) noises. Best of luck with it - a mid sixties Tiger 100 is a fine machine and very welll worth a reasonable investment of some time, effort and money to get it back to good, working condition.
Great advice gents thank you. I will keep you posted with progress. I haven’t seen it myself for a while so will need to get it out and have a look over it ASAP .
Welcome to the Asylum you should fit right in. To keep the inmates happy we will need photos. Best of luck with you're bike keep us all updated. Tucker
Ok Here is an update. The bike was in remarkably good order when I looked at it. I decided to take the cowards way out and sent it to a very reputable expert to go over it and get it running again. He did whatever he needed to do with brakes, and clutch and engine etc. The only other parts it really needed was a distributor oil seal and a new battery. I even had it sent for a voluntary MOT for good orders sake. Its now back and looks amazing
Thanks littleade Pretty as it looks (and it sounds lovely too) it hasn't got enough wheels for me and I haven't got anywhere to keep. I also havnt got a bike licence so it will definitely be going up for sale. Apparently it had the carbs ultrasonically cleaned as well whatever that means
Thats probably the best idea. I have a couple of people i work with who are interested and I have promised first refusal but the million dollar question is what is it worth?
It was ANG 8B so i suspect someone called Angela bought it. just waiting for the age related replacement to come through
very good. I would love to but it would end in tears. I might be able to stay on if it was an empty road and just me. Throw cars and things into the equation and I wouldn't last long. At least I cant fall off my cars