Trying to help a friend out. Her husband bought her a bike in 07, she rode it for two years then he passed. It has been in the garage ever since and she would like to get it going again. It's a little Honda Shadow 750 (I know...), has a carb and a fuel pump. The gas smells real bad so I'm going to remove and drain the tank, also I will remove and clean the carb in my B12 bucket. What's the best way to clean the tank/fuel valve and pump? I had considered running a heavy mix of seafoam/gas thru the tank and valve and letting the pump push it out before installing the carb. Thoughts?

I will be changing all of the fluids and putting in a fresh battery, although this one actually still cranks it over! Thanks for any help, and please save the Honda bashing for another thread, I'm just trying to help this nice lady get back on the road.

 

Looks like you've got it pretty well covered. Pull the plugs and spray some Marvels Mystery Oil into the cylinders and let it set overnight. Check for flat spots on the tires if it's been sitting in the same spot for a long time.

 

New Tires! and tubes if it uses them. I used to buy up dead bikes, fix them and sell them. Tires can look good, and just sorta turn to dust in few miles. Won't hold in cornering or braking at all. The rubber deteriorates in time, and it may or may not show.

+1 on remove the plugs and take a shot of oil down there, Marvel Mystery is good.

Remember those share the oil between the engine, trans and clutch. I'd put a load of cheap but high detergent oil in there, run it maybe 50 or 100 miles, then change to good oil. Probably wants 10-30 if I remember right.