Hello everyone,
I just bought a 1988 sportgter 883 from my brother who has fallen on hard times. First of all the bike sat in a shed for two years with no plugs in it. So I put a little oil in the heads put the bike in second gear and pushed it. when I did this it turned but there was alot of oil comming out of the vent hose...no idea why. So the reason it sat for two years was that the starter was shot it will kick out but will not spin and the lights dim when it clicks. so I bought and put in a new starter and still have the same problem kicks out will not spin and the lights dim. I tried jumping the starter checked wires and everything else I can think of with no luck. Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks,
Tim

 

First, Welcome to the forum.

JMO, but at this point and if it was my bike, my primary concern(s) would be the rust and pitting that's bound to be going on in the cylinders. I can't imagine the amount of cylinder damage from moisture caused by the plugs not being installed. Even with the starter problem resolved you're likely looking at major jug & ring work IMO.

Which vent exactly is the oil coming from?

Did you run the new starter on the bench (out of the bike) before you installed it?

When the starter gear kicks out, can you see any turning movement of the gear to indicate that it's attempting to turn the ring gear?