So I got my bike home...

[seratt]

I left this morning from Orange, TX and went to Chico, TX to grab my 96' Magna, just got back to Orange around 2 hours ago.  Total mileage was around 860 miles there and back.

Anyways, I'll take pictures tomorrow and post them.  Although, I may wait until I wash and shine her up.

She started up and sounded great at the seller's house.  He said she has pretty much been sitting since October.  So, firstly, I will change her oil.

Second.  I imagine I need to drain the fuel.  That is, I'm pretty sure she has the same fuel she did from last year.  Eww.  I cranked her up when I got home and heard a popping sound come out of the muffler.  I assume that's from old gas.

Does anyone have a link to a website that will show how to do some of this?  He didn't have the manual for her, but I'd really like to either find one for sale, and/or find a website to download a manual.


Is there any other regular maintenance I should check/perform?  I'm very new to motorcycles and really am not sure what all to check here.

Thanks,

Tim

[John Luttrell]

Try this link...............

http://www.magnarider.com/manual.pdf

[seratt]

Thanks much John!

I downloaded that pdf, it has more information then I think I'll ever need for the magna.

[seratt]

Well, I messed around with my bike some earlier today.

I pulled the choke, started her up.  She started np.  After about 20 secs I pushed the choke in.  (I'm only really used to 2 strokes, this is my first 4 stroke engine.)

Anyways, she dies on me.  I pulled the choke, started her again.  She dies.

Tried again, dies.  After awhile I kept trying, even leaving the choke pushed in.  Now after that, all she did was simply try to start, but not turn over.

Anyways, I'm pretty sure I flooded her.  I'm going to let her sit until tomorrow, and try to start her again.

Any tips?  Thanks

[Charles S Otwell]

If the bike has been sitting a lot since October I think I would add cleaning the battery connections and putting a good charge on it. I'm sure someone has already told you that when you change out the gas you need to add some Sea Foam and run it for a good little bit (long enough to warm up and dry all the plugs) before you shut it off.

[seratt]

Noone has told me that Charles.  Thanks.

I had planned on adding Seafoam to my next few tanks of gas, though.

There's not much gas in the tank atm, and I was told not to worry about draining the tank.  Just fill it up and if I wanted, add some Seafoam.


I'll change the oil later the week and clean the battery terminals while I'm at it.