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Have decided to get my old L5 back on the road.
I last rode it back in early 2002 and stupidly just stuffed it back in the shed without cleaning, draining the fuel or anything.

I stripped the carbs and rebuilt them a couple of years ago and had the engine running but it sounded a bit rattly.

Anyway have not touched it since then, but was in the shed yeaterday and pulled the dust sheet off to have a look and have decided to get her running.

First job is to investigate the rattle, i'm guessing its the cam chain or the tensioner.

Bike is a totally standard UK L5 with 18K miles on it.

Could the manky 7 year old oil cause the rattle?, i was going to change the oil and filter before i did anything.

Defo worth warming the oil up for a bit then draining it. New oil filter
The rattle.... does it happen when the clutch is pulled in?
Check/replace the brake pads, they get brittle and crap after a while.
Also, Replace all the brake fluid while you're at it as that "goes off" just like petrol does after a while.
Check the airbox drainer/breather tube as a fair amount of condensation may have collected in there.
Have a look inthe airbox for small furry stow-aways, it has been know to happen.
Give the sparkies a clean.

A couple of hours work and it should be ready to hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.

Oh and check that chain for tight spots, clean and uber lube it, wait for it to dry Go for a ride (5miles ish) then lube again.

Let us know laddio. And remember.

I seem to remember from when i last started it 2 years ago that the rattle definitley changes when the clutch lever is pulled in.

Any ideas what that could mean?

if the rattle only happens with the clutch out and goes when its pulled in this is normal clutch rattle they all have, some people have tried changing plates etc but still the same.
but still and oil and filter change can also cause it to quiten down and also a good carb balance so the bikes is running smoothly can also help otherwise nothing to worry about.

extonyg wrote:if the rattle only happens with the clutch out and goes when its pulled in this is normal clutch rattle they all have, some people have tried changing plates etc but still the same.
but still and oil and filter change can also cause it to quiten down and also a good carb balance so the bikes is running smoothly can also help otherwise nothing to worry about.

Oh good, it might just be that then.

First thing i'll do is change the oil and filter, then i'll set the carbs up and see what its like.

I have a home made carb balancer that i can balance two at a time with, i'll use that first and then get them done properly.

Oh and i forgot. Could be worth changing the fork oil.

Peace out

How easy is it to change?

I have always avoided doing anything with forks and gearboxes, they scare me.

Ive had a quick gander about the site and stumbled upon this guide to replacing fork seals.

If you read between the lines im sure you will be fine.

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=6035

Thanks for that, does not look too bad a job.

Here she is, took this picture about 10 minutes ago, bit of a sorry state:



Think i wont bother starting her yet, i'm going to take the carbs off and inspect them first, clean them up.

You can just make out my home made carb balancer in the middle of the picture, it looks crap but it works well.

And the axe on the right for when she refuses to start