Advise on restarting a garage queen

That's a beautiful bike. Can you turn the motor over by hand? If it doesn't turn then spray some cutting oil in the cylinder and let it soak for 24 hours. Then try again. The upside is you kept it in the house so mice shouldn't be a problem and the wiring should be good. Change all the fluids and take it very slow and if anything sounds or smells funny stop investigate and start again.

I wouldn't use starting fluid until you are absolutely sure the motor moves. Bad things happen when you try to move things that don't wanna.

 

I didn't see that you replaced the spark plugs. Those are stupid simple to change. If in fact you suspect no fuel at the carbs, unclip the float bowls and investigate. You don't even need tools. Dump out whatever old fuel might be in there and let fresh fuel in. The fuel system is very simple on this bike. If there is fuel in the tank and at least one of the petcocks is open the carbs will get fuel.

If still no start, almost for certain it just needs to have the carburetors taken apart and cleaned. A cake walk for any 1/2 decent airhead tech. You could probably watch a youtube video and be an expert in 15 minutes lol.

Be ready for the possibility of a rear main engine seal leak developing after you ride it around a while. Although I see now it was restored just 10 years ago. If that means all new engine seals and you in fact turned the engine over every 6 mos it will probably be fine.

 

Clean the carbs as suggested and laugh if you will, spray some starter fluid in before you crank it.

Own a '67 Honda CL/77 - been in my family since '67 (pops was the 2nd owner). It's done 3 stints of sitting for MANY years (including recently). Every time, I simply clean out the gas tank, replace the oil, clean the carbs, spray some ether - VOILA! It starts!

It's due a proper resto, but $$ and laziness have seen that it sits. I want it done before anything happens to my old man, so I'm getting the itch to do it soon.

Good luck!

 

I would suspect fuel pump and/or the lines themselves, after sitting so long.

I had trouble with a "new" 2006 Ducati I bought from a warehouse, less than 100 miles driven.
The inline pump was jammed, and all the lines were bad.

Ironically I think the new line was from BMW!
Good luck.....

 

Put it back in the diningroom!

 

such restraint! That's like me living with a porn star and not being able to.... well, you get the idea

 

Definitely have the carbs cleaned and probably rebuilt. Fuel lines and filter as well.

Check the condition not just of the brake fluid, but also the reservior and the calipers themselves. Brake fluid can turn to a jelly-like substance and prevent fluid returning to the reservior or clog up calipers.

Finally, don't assume electrical parts are good just because they haven't been used. Things like coils and rectifiers can go bad over time just sitting as well.

If you have spark, air, and fuel, no reason to think it won't light.

 

Slightly different thought than above: if you haven't been riding regularly since then ; perhaps a refresher course? Riders need maintenance too.

Have fun.
Nice bike.

 

Did you ever get it started?

 

A heel-toe shifter on a vintage airhead? Blasphemy!

On an 'RT though, yah I get it. Can't be soiling the tops of our loafers now can we? Lol.

Methinks you need BMW part # 23411239023

They call it an "external shifting" lever, #9 in the diagram below.

#23411239023: BMW. GEAR CHANGE LEVER
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Let me know if you're interested in used...I probably have one of the heel/toe shift levers.

 

Ain't that the truth e.g. too much front brake on cold tires.