Starting after sitting for 14 years

I just bought a 1982 KZ1100 with 18,000 miles for $100 that included a title. I am going to clean up this week and try to start it. What would you recommend at the least. I want to strip it down and make a bobber out of it. I obviously wont spend any time or money on it if I cant get it to run. I am new here so be gentle.
Thanks for any help,

Aron

first off good score secondly get rid of any gas that may still be in it and start from there next drop the oil and filter after 14 years the filter will have started to break down then get a 17 mm boxed end wrench and rotate the motor over by hand clockwise make sure you dont go backwards just see if it wiil turn over if it does then attept to get some fuel in the carbs put a battery in it and try to fire it up. make sure you put a fresh filter and oil in it first. if it was stored right you might get lucky and the carbs wont be gummed up but that rarly happens. shoot some wd-40 down the spark plug holes and throw in a freash set of plugs as well then hopefully it start right up and make good engine noises for you good luck and welcome.

Make it a runner and sell it for $400. Pliiiiiz do not hack it:( It´s a 1100cc big-boy so it deserves better that bobbin;) Just my 0,02€

Agree with Fin. If you want a bobber look for a 750 twin (my $.02 )

This bike is missing a lot of parts, it is missing the seat, turn signals, all of the bags and fairings, headlight, big dent in the tank etc. I don't really want to go bobber in a big way. I was thinking about a police special seat, removing air box for K&N's, less fender etc. I am going to try and save the tank. If more of it was there I would leave it bone stock and just clean up and ride. I appreciate the feed back, Aron

Pictures please.

I have started to take some parts off to move twards getting it started. Here are a couple of pictures

FFR1545 wrote:

This bike is missing a lot of parts, it is missing the seat, turn signals, all of the bags and fairings, headlight, big dent in the tank etc. I don't really want to go bobber in a big way. I was thinking about a police special seat, removing air box for K&N's, less fender etc. I am going to try and save the tank. If more of it was there I would leave it bone stock and just clean up and ride. I appreciate the feed back, Aron

Flush fuel and oil: drain the oil out completely, refill with new oil. Remove spark plugs and pump the kickstarter until your arm and leg won't go anymore.

Take the gas tank off and dump it, flush with clean gas and or naptha. Take the drain plugs out of the carbs and flush from the top down with clean gas. Replace fule filters if they are there.

Install new plugs, points and battery and fire it up.

FFR1545 wrote:

I have started to take some parts off to move twards getting it started. Here are a couple of pictures

HOLY CRAP! That's a Cobra behind the bike....

Sounds like good advise so far. Bobbers are for fishin, she is not all that far gone. If you have a video camera for the first fireup after 14 years, that would be cool on youtube. Mine sat for 13 years and that is one thing I wish I would have done.

That bike doesn't need very much to bring it back to its former glory; heck, it even looks like the pipes are in good shape and it has the original airbox (both coveted by many)! If you bob it you'll end up with (sorry bobber fans) a rather strange 1100CC shaft drive bike that will not have much appeal to most folks (probably including yourself after a while). If you restore it you'll have something that not only retains its value, but will definitely attract attention since you simply don't see that many around. My 1.5 cents.

Welcome to the site. Bike looks pretty clean. Does the carb operate clean? That would be a good indication of the gummed up problem. Trust me dont cut it up just yet. Bringing that back to stock wont take much. Look around Ebay for parts. If you want I might be willing to trade you the parts you need for that VW Kit Car in the background if you like....LOL...Russ