1999 M600 has been sitting for 5 years - what to do?

[jamminbmx]

Hi there!

I have just picked up my old 1999 Monster 600 which has been sitting in a dry but unheated garage for 5 years. When I last used it it worked fine.

All the clutch fluid had leaked from the slave so I have a very shiny new Oberon slave cylinder to fit this weekend

I was planning on the following:

- Remove tank and drain
- Drain carbs using drain hoses
- Fit tank and add fresh fuel
- Drain some through the carbs
- Fit new battery
- Press go and crank until it maybe fires
- If it doesn't then think again

Is there anything else I need to do? I know it would be best to remove carbs etc but I am rubbish at that stuff...however if you think I could damage something then please let me know!!!

Will update after the weekend...hopefully without a full engine rebuild post...

Cheers!

Ben

[Darren69]

Change the timing belts before you run it for any length of time or plan to ride it anywhere. Tyres too will be shot.

Did the 600 have an external clutch slave? I thought it was part of the engine case on those but maybe the later ones did?

I'd probably bung some fuel cleaner in the tank with the new fuel too.

[slob]

full brake fluid transfusion before you do much riding.

you might want to check the airbox to make sure you haven’t got a family of mice nesting there before you turn it over, depending on where it was stored.

[jamminbmx]

- Good point about the belts...do you think they'll be ok for a test run or are they guaranteed to snap? They were renewed a couple of months before hibernation! I have no experience with belts...

- I'll pump the tyres and have a look...

- My M600 has an external slave. Not all did looking at photos of the older ones. Based on in depth ebay research I'd say post 1997ish had an external unit.

- Will find some fuel cleaner too - good tip.

- Will do the brakes if it runs

- Will check airbox...good point!

Cheers!

[Darren69]

I guess there are things to do to get it running and then things to do before you go riding, like tyres and brakes and engine oil.

I would have a look at the belts but they would probably be ok to just do a quick engine test if the teeth are not perished or cracked. They will have probably set in the position around the pulleys so they may start cracking when you run the bike.

[jamminbmx]

I will check the belts before I crank it...if they look cracked i'll replace before I push go.

If it runs I will then throw lots of beer tokens at it to get it nice again! But don't want to spend lots of tyres and things and then give up on it cos I rounded all the screws in the carb

Would you recommend proper ducati belts (100 quid) or Wemoto specials (40 quid)?

[Darren69]

I think a lot on here are using Exactfit belts which may be the same as ones Wemoto supply.

http://www.exactuk.com/about-exactfit-cam-belts/

[Nickj]

The wemoto belts work fine.

[Mr Gazza]

Personally I wouldn't go anywhere near that starter button until new belts were on there. If they are going to snap, they will most probably snap during the first few revolutions.
Don't chance it. Even if you can't get it to run, you will still have a non runner to sell, but a bike with a wrecked engine is not worth very much at all!! You will get the price of the belts back if you still have a working engine at the end of the day.

Once you're ready to fire up, you might want to prime the carbs with fuel before cranking, as they do take a very long time to fill. You might even flatten the battery trying to pump it through as the pump is worked by vacuum created by the turning engine.
Unfortunately the vacuum pump and tap don't fare well with age, so they may need attention a little further down the line. There's a relevant thread not far back, I will try and find it unless someone links to it before me..

Found it.. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=58033 Some tips on there about how to get fuel into the carbs, spinning it up with the plugs out is a good tip too.

Re the tyres.. They might look good, but the rubber compound breaks down and is considered by many to be unsafe after 5 years from manufacture date. Again don't risk it, they will let you down with very poor grip and unpredictability especially in the cold!

[350TSS]

All sound advice - Mr Gazza

[Darren69]

Yea belts that old are a worry. I'd pull the plugs and put some engine oil in the plug holes, take the belt covers off have a good look at them and turn it over slowly by hand and if any doubt replace the belts. For the sake of £80 or whatever they cost to replace its cheaper than a wrecked engine. They'll need replacing before you start using it anyway.

[jamminbmx]

Cheers for the advice guys! I have stepped away from the button! Will do belts as well. Sounds well worth it. Will keep you updated on progress ��

[Mr Gazza]

Well done for listening.. Many don't!
Good luck with your project and welcome to UKMOC.

[jamminbmx]

Sooooo...if I ever meet any of you lot in a pub then beers are on me!!!

- air filter had no mice but a family of burrowing bugs who had made a little house on the clean side. Never seen them before...guessing Italian

- lower belt was so loose I could pop it off the roller with no effort at all...would have been a wrecked engine for sure!!!!

- fuel filter was leaking!!! Never seen that before...would have burnt my balls off for sure!

Now I’ve saved a grand on an engine rebuild feel better about buying belts and filters etc! Wil take out plugs and add oil then turn it over as advised.

Anyone know what the tap connected to the hoses that run from the right side crank case does? Look like oil hoses. Not sure how to attach a photo from my phone.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GD...tVfpxjaNcZwYsq

[Darkness]

Is it the spur line to the carb bowl heaters?