EH start-up

[firemedic289]

Hey all, I'm new to the forums here and I have a question.....I have an opportunity to purchase a 99 EH Super X but the bike has not been started or run for at least 5-6 years. It has been parked as a result of a divorce settlement. I don't know the mileage cuz the battery is out of the bike. What should I do to get this bike ready to run? I am pretty sure there have been no updates done to this bike so I am also wondering what updates should be done? The lady that owns the bike seems to think that it is worth in the neighborhood of $12,000 but I have done some research and have only seen ONE sell for $5000 ( and that one was a Deadwood special with a lot of updates and extras) Everything else I'm seeing is being bid up to about $4000-$5000 What would be a reasonable offer? I'm thinking $4000-$4500 Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Paul

[wytfut]

I'm not gonna pretend I know the market... but her valuation sounds out the roof to me. It'd have to have close to 0 miles, and all updates done, before I'd even look at it, at that price.... Your price ranges sound about normal from what I see. Of course there are the extreme examples..... real hi, and dirt cheap... but the norm is in your thoughts....

Pretty sure, if I were shopping, I wouldn't even start it.... not without cleaning out the tank. 5-6 years even a warm climate is a lot of moisture, and gunk floating around. If I didn't clean it, it'd plug up an injector in a heartbeat... that's my luck.

Realize that bike has been sitting for 5-6 years.... and its over 11 years old. Probabaly one of the first things I'd do besides cleaning that tank, would be to reseal it.
As for updates..... if you do all the eXpensive ones.... yourself..... you may get it done for around 2k. Hired out... over 3k. 
these are listed according to priority:
First one up is the tranny..... to much of a safety issue.... get it rebushed.
Second... fan assisted oil cooler...
Third.... new tune. ....
4th.... have that triple tree checked out....you may wanna reprioritize, if its funky (handle bar wobble at different speeds)

there are many more ..... but off the top of my head, they can wait until cash flies in the door. ... As a matter of fact.... I just got the LAST 3 of my updates done this past winter.... the last 3, and I've owned the bike since 9/12/02. And they were: build up kick stand, air cleaner kit, and the pick up tube in the primary.

[wytfut]

for what ever reasons.... I posted, and didn't do nothing....

you want more info.... you're more than welcome to ask.... 

[firemedic289]

OK....what else should be done after those that you mentioned? Thanks, Paul

[wytfut]

oil pick up tube in primary case..... do not warm this bike up on the kick stand, if it doesn't have one of these. You are sucking air....

double bearings in rear wheel, as most of these bikes the belt was way too tight when new, and knurled out soft aluminum hub. I have never done this... and have over 26k miles on it. Changed the last bearings at 20k and were fine. So I just don't run the belt tight.

ignition bracket.... get the after market.... its beefier. The stock one will fail eventually.

Most of us are now running KN filters, with the air cleaner kits. As the stock one are a bit small, and very rare now.  If not, at least check to see if you have the factory updated bracket. Original factory ones failed, and they came out with the updated bracket.

knock out the baffles in the mufflers. X's like all air cooled engines are air compressors and get hot. Let that bike breath.... knock them out with a long rod... they're freeze plugs. Get that heat out of that engine....

I put in a "oil puke tube"..... basically custom built.... from a suggestion I read on another site. It goes in the primary behind the clutch basket. I can now fill my bike on an oil change, with a full 4 quarts. I'm guessing you don't have that, so note to yourself on the first oil change to fill with something around 3 quarts and 4 oz. ... see if it pukes. ...

reroute your puke tube out of the air cleaner housing. .... run it back under the rear fender... or where you think is best for you...

buy from one of the vendors a memory free battery cable. Its very pliable. Our X's frequency of vibration is notorious for loosening up the battery cables. Before I did this.... 1 of our X's was constantly vibrating the cables loose. So until I could afford the battery cable, I soldered the bolts to the battery posts....


Use nothing but good synthetic oil ..... no cheap stuff either. Mobil 1 20-50Vtwin, or my favorite Amsoill 20-50 Vtwin oil. .... with the temps our bikes run... you want oil that can take that temp, even with a fan assist oil cooler and tune. ...

Use only a good oil filter.... no frams stuff.... Wix and NAPA are rated hi according to a nonofficial X study...

Store in off season with a full tank of fuel. Your injectors will like you. If you don't have 92octane or higher... buy a good octane boost. The valve train will ping like no tomorrow....

that'd keep you busy for a bit..... there other lil tricks out there. get cornered... come on back, or email me direct   wytfut@windstream.net

Bruce

[wytfut]

need to make a point here....

none of this is meant to scare you away.... the first 4 are safety issues, that need to be addressed as a new owner....

the rest you can do as you feel you have time when you want..    if you're not a "wrench" by skill, here is a good opportunity to learn. Don't want to do this stuff.... all of our vendors are very good.

[ChadeArndt]

No need to apologize for ANYTHING.  As a new owner, I'm taking your advice as the gospel.  My dreambike will and forever shall be of the nicest in the nation if I can listen to good precautionary advice from E-H guys like yourself!   Thank you so much for your wisdom Bruce.

[Jumper]

That 'Ol Bruce.... Giving good advice at all times!!
Jumper