Hey guys.

Just purchased my first ever motorcycle, 2009 Nightster for 6K! It was from a private seller and not dealer. It is dark so I am unable to post pictures. Just a few questions I hope you can help me with. It has been sitting 6 months without being ridden or turned on...

-The spark plugs are quite rusted so I know those are the first things that I need to replace. What else will I need to replace? Or should I take it to Harley and have them perform a service on it? (Costly I know).

-The test ride went perfectly fine but when I got it back to my place (trailered), it kept stalling. I have read that this is quite normal for Nightsters. My buddy said it's possible to have water in the lines, since it sat for that long.


I am VERY new to motorcycles.

Hope the pictures work.

 

Change the oil and transmission/primary fluid..I would also add some seafoam to the gas.If you mean the spark plugs have rust around the (head) where the socket would grip,that happens on these bikes.Remove and clean with a wire brush or just replace as they are a cheap maintenance item.How many miles on the bike?That was a good price to buy it for.

 

Oh,welcome to the Sportster forum.

 

Thanks for the response Brion. I will change those fluids this weekend.

That's exactly what I meant. I can take a picture tomorrow morning but I think you knew exactly what I meant. I assume I can buy seafoam from just about any autoparts store?

Thank you!

 

Yes ,Seafoam is available at most auto parts stores and most Walmarts.About $9.00 for a 16 oz,. can .Add 1 oz per gallon of gas.It really is a very good product.Sometimes these fuel injected Sportsters will skip a beat or actually stall at first start up when the temps outside are chilly.

 

Welcome to the form,

You can buy sea foam from Walmart. I would put enough in to run out all the gas that's in the tank. The stalling is probably due to bad gas that was left in the tank. There's a quick release under the tank on the fuel line. If it were me I would drain the old gas out manually. That gas will eat up your fuel pump quick. And that's a 5-6 hundred dollar job. Trust me I know from experience. Use only 93 octane. Change the fluids, replace the plugs. And buy a manual. There about $80.00 but well worth it.

Ride safe

 

Will do! I'll go to Appleton harley and buy a manual. Figure it's better to ask you guys first since most of these I can do myself.

Once I drain all the gas out of the tank, should I allow the bike to run until it uses up all the fuel in the lines? Then fill up with 93 and seafoam? I know every vehicle is different.

 

I guess you could let the motor run to run the gas from the line but I doubt it is really needed.Any idea how much gas is even in the tank at this time?The lower the fuel level was when the bike was parked 6 months ago the greater the chance for moisture to build in the tank.

 

It looks right around half full, when we opened it tonight. Would this be a problem or would draining alleviate it?

 

Myself I would wait till morning and start the bike and see how it acts.Then I would add about 2 ounces of Seafoam for good measure and see how the bike behaves.Chances are you can run the tank low and then just fill with new gas and more Seafoam if needed.It may be fine in the morning.I have transported a lot of bikes on trailers and have seen a few act a bit strange when first being started after being unloaded.No idea why.