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2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration
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TOPIC: 2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration
#486100
JMA83 (User)
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2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
Hi Everyone,

New to the forums. Let me start by saying I know NOTHING about motorcycles, however I would like to start here. I just aqquired a 2004 Yamaha Roadstar Midnight 1700 that has been sitting out in the weather since 2008 (4 years). The bike ran fine before it was parked. The gas tank has some rust in it, but it isnt rusted through or anything. The bike also has less than 1500 miles on it. What would everyone suggest I do to get this bike cranked. Thanks!

***UPDATE***

Finally got the Bike running. I want to thank everyone for the advice given! Now I just need to learn to ride it! haha Here is a picture after it was fixed and cleaned

https://www.dropbox.com/s/esczaqlkgbtwtc4/2012-06-02_11-30-54_851.jpg
 
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Last Edit: 2012/06/05 12:47 By JMA83.
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#486103
theGRINDER (User)
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Gender: Male Location: Murphy, NC Birthdate: 1969-09-13
Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
A tune up... clean out the tank and adjust and properly jet the carb and you should be good to go... but... how much rust in the tank?

Oh welcome to the clinic from Murphy NC!
 
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#486105
djroger (User)
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ICQ#: 2583069 Gender: Male rbranco1 rogerbranco1 rtbranco Location: Miami, Florida Birthdate: 0000-06-01
Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
So, you know nothing about motorcycles. How about cars? Engines, carburators? Mechanically inclined? Give us a hint.

My first suggestion would be change all fluids and clean carb.
 
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2005 Road Star Midnight Star Silverado

and her website
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#486116
Tug (User)
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Gender: Male seriousburner@hotmail.com Location: seattle Birthdate: 1966-07-25
Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  

from Seattle WA

Coming here was a good start. Flush all the fluids, clean the rust out of the tank, and rebuild the carb for starters. You should buy a clymers manual too, it will help a lot
 
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#486122
HEAVY METAL (User)
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Gender: Male HEAVYMETALNOISE101@YAHOO.COM Location: WARRENTON,MO. Birthdate: 1961-05-19
Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
welcome to the clinic!!the place where the cool people are!
Don't worry will have you rolling in no time!
Gott'a take some pictures of the progress and tell us what type of jetting system you get to do the carb. rebuild.
 
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Last Edit: 2012/05/03 01:52 By HEAVY METAL.
 

HEAVY METAL
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#486128
sprt220 (User)
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Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
from Madera,Ca. the people on this site will have you riding in no time.I'm no help but they have helped me with me just reading the posts here.I do have a question. Why would anybody buy a bike and only ride 1500 miles and then let it sit for 4 years?? enjoy your ride. Ken
 
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#486133
dshingler (User)
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Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
I did the same thing a few years ago when I got my MC license. I bought a non-running bike, had limited repair knowledge, and with the help of the experts on the forum and lots of internet research got it running. It will be fun.

Now, on to your questions. I would suggest you get a Clymers or download the service manual (search for thread for that). Then do/check everything that is on the maintenance schedule, regardless of mileage. Make sure you check the tires for dry rot. With the limited mileage they might appear good, but your life rides on those.

Take the tank off and clean it. I used drywall screws and acetone. Count out a number of screws and put them in the tank and shake the heck out of it, then shake some more. You will definitely want to take out the fuel sending unit and petcock so you don't damage them. When you are done, make sure you get out the same number of screws that you put in. I didn't have to worry about the sending unit and petcock in my tank. Maybe someone here has a better option for your tank.

Take the carb apart, you will want to know how to thoroughly clean it, especially if you have rust in the tank. If it has been sitting it is probably clogged with old gas. You can buy an Ultra Sonic cleaner at Harbor Freight. It is not the best, but will get the job done. I have cleaned many carbs with it. After that use air to blow it all out. Change the fuel filter after you clean the tank, and buy two, because you will probably need to change it again soon.

I hope this gets you started. Take your time and do it right now. I know it is difficult, but trust me, do it right the first time so you don't end up on the side of the road, or having to take it apart to do it again.

One last thing, pictures will really help when asking questions.
 
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Dan

2003 Road Star Silver Edition
1998 V-Star 650
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#486158
nightstar57 (User)
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Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
from Connecticut... i cant imagine why someone would leave a bike like that out in the rain for 4 years... jeez... anyway,good luck and if you need some parts let us know..
 
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#486160
JMA83 (User)
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Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
Thanks for all of the replies! For those of you who asked for photos of the bike. Have a look and tell me what you think. The bike appears to be in pretty good shape cosmetically.


https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/24868438/1/Bike?h=e5a1f6


No, I don't know much at all about motorcycles, cars, or engines. I fix computers for a living. Gotta start somewhere though. My plan is to change the oil, gas, and clean the gas tank by myself. Then I am going to attempt to take the carb off and take it to a professional to have them go through it.
 
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Last Edit: 2012/05/03 08:38 By JMA83.
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#486176
Curt (Moderator)
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Re:2004 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Restoration 1 Year ago  
JMA83 from Texas. Good advice so far so sounds like you are headed in the right direction.
 
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