Best Answer - Chosen by Asker What did you do to prepare the bike to be sitting so long? If you didn't do anything at all, your gas has turned to varnish and your carbs are gummed up. You'll need to get the carbs cleaned before you can even try to start it. I checked out a bike that had been sitting in someone's garage for about the same amount of time. The gas tank was full of rust so check that before you even try to start the bike. You don't want to get bits of rust in the carbs. A new battery is of course necessary. Check the electical system. Your wires may be trash. The tires are probably dry rotted (little tiny cracks in the rubber). If so, they'll need to be replaced before you go anywhere. You probably need to change the oil and if it's water cooled, new coolant. Again, it depends on what was done to prepare it. That bike we saw in the garage? They wanted $1800 for it (a Honda Interceptor 250) but it was going to cost that much just to get it running again with carb cleaning, tank coating, new tires and battery. Great if you're into restorations, but not so great if you're looking for a deal on a bike :) Other Answers (10) if it has been sitting that long please take out all the spark plugs and spray wd40 or some othe penetrating fluid in the cylinders