Need help with inherited K9.

Q

Qubo_2408

New Member
Hi all. This will be long and complicated but I could really use some help. I am obviously new here but in a unique situation. Want to say thanks for any help before I get started.

To begin I live in CO and my dad lives in OK. My dad owns a 2007 K9. He has had the bike for maybe 8-10 years. It was his dream bike. It is in amazing condition and very low mileage, although I can’t remember how much. He has a pretty severe case of early onset dementia. He is 64 and would have been in a nursing home already if it wasn’t for my amazing stepmother. He obviously can’t ride anymore. He has been telling me to take the bike for a couple years now. Admittedly it isn’t a bike I would buy, but one of the funnest bikes I’ve ever ridden, and I don’t know much about these bikes and v-twin maintenance. I own multiple dirt bikes and adventure bikes though. I’ve decided to make some room in my garage and get the bike back on the road. I know it’ll make him way happier to see me ride it then it sit in his garage and I don‘t know that he or my stepmom could ever bear to sell it to a stranger. My dad takes amazing care of his bikes and does all the maintenance but he is slipping for obvious reasons. So there is a problem.

The bike has been on maybe one short ride a year for the last 4-5 years so the usual things that come with sitting. The big problem is my dad has a cousin whose husband has wanted the bike and who talked about buying the bike for a couple years but I don’t think he actually ever could. Problem is every year when they visit from Kansas he rides the bike and messes with it. I was visiting him in July and he told me to take the bike out. I started it and it ran kinda rough. I just took it around the block but didn’t want to go any farther. My father can’t remember anything that went on but according to my stepmom when the cousin visited in the spring of this year the husband for some reason put some oil in it. They took it out for a ride and before they got far it blew oil out all over the leg of his cousin who was riding on the back. She said the husband was then using a paper towel to take oil out from the filler hole. That‘s all she can tell me about it. Also since he was thinking of buying it the husband took the owners manual back with him to Kansas so I can’t get my hands on that. I would like to preserve this bike and keep it and ride it in my dad’s memory since it means so much to him. Also I need to keep this guy away from it. I don’t know the cousin or the husband so can’t really talk to them about it. I am pretty mechanically inclined but not on these bikes or engines.

So I am looking for help on where to go from here:
It ran great a year ago.
Where did the oil on her leg come from?
What do I need to do from here to be able to ride it?
Are things effed, or can I just do a proper oil change?
What other routine maintenance things do I need to do before riding it?
Also I can’t find how many PSI to put in the air ride suspension so need a recommendation?

This is absolutely all the information I can get. It is a very unique situation but this really means a lot to me to get this bike running right. Thanks so much for any help that can be provided. The bike is metallic green with green flames. Hopefully I can get a photo soon.
 
Chong

Chong

U-238
Here is probably what happened.
Its called sumping . Most of the oil is stored in the oil tank. The crankcase (engine) only has about 20% of the oil if I recall correctly (on the amout) I think its like 20-22 oz. There is a check valve in the the system that stops the oil in the tank from over filling the engine when its not running . A little more info, when running the oil circulates thru the tank. ie: out of engine into tank, oil from tank is circulated back into the engine. But anyhow when not running that check valve stops the oil from tank from going into engine and over filling it. Sometimes a little debris can get into the check valve which stops it from completely sealing the tank line to the engine. So after time and the longer bike sits more likely this is to happen. Oil from oil tank overfills the engine. When you start it some of that extra oil gets pump out of the crankcase breather, some may get pushed into air cleaner thru the rocker box vents and fair amount will be pushed back into the tank. That oil coming out of crankcase vent is probably what got on his pants. The engine running will get the oil levels in tank and engine back inline other then what was pumped out . Also when this happens it could fowl a spark plug(s).

Another word of caution.. let's say this has happened. Oil drained from tank into the engine. Before starting you check the oil level which is by looking into the oil tank. The tank would appear empty or somewhat empty. If you were to add oil you'd be overfilling the system. Because once running it will push the extra oil in the engine back into the tank.
 
Last edited:
Mickmorris

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
Welcome to the Dog Pound. First let me say I’m sure sorry to hear about your Father’s condition. Very sad to see this happening to anyone. Second if you decide to take the motorcycle, which as a father myself and planning on leaving one to my Son eventually I am sure will make your Father very happy to know instead of the other family member taking possession of it. Third and most importantly these motorcycles are relatively easy to do maintenance on at home in your garage by the owner. I agree completely with Chong that your dads cousin checked the oil before starting it. Probably was low from sumping to the crankcase and added more oil and overfilled the system. Which upon starting would blow oil out of the air breather and possibly the crankcase vent also if it has one installed. If you take possession first thing change your engine oil & filter. Change your primary fluid and inspect it for any debris or metal shavings. Change your transmission fluid and inspect it as well. Pull the plugs and inspect them/ clean if needed. Drain the gas tank and add new high octane gas. Start there! If it runs funky you may need to pull the bottom of the carb & clean or check the injectors if a EFI bike. Good luck! Keep us posted!
:cheers: :chopper:
 
Q

Qubo_2408

New Member
Chong said:
Here is probably what happened.
Its called sumping . Most of the oil is stored in the oil tank. The crankcase (engine) only has about 20% of the oil if I recall correctly (on the amout) I think its like 20-22 oz. There is a check valve in the the system that stops the oil in the tank from over filling the engine when its not running . A little more info, when running the oil circulates thru the tank. ie: out of engine into tank, oil from tank is circulated back into the engine. But anyhow when not running that check valve stops the oil from tank from going into engine and over filling it. Sometimes a little debris can get into the check valve which stops it from completely sealing the tank line to the engine. So after time and the longer bike sits more likely this is to happen. Oil from oil tank overfills the engine. When you start it some of that extra oil gets pump out of the crankcase breather, some may get pushed into air cleaner thru the rocker box vents and fair amount will be pushed back into the tank. That oil coming out of crankcase vent is probably what got on his pants. The engine running will get the oil levels in tank and engine back inline other then what was pumped out . Also when this happens it could fowl a spark plug(s).

Another word of caution.. let's say this has happened. Oil drained from tank into the engine. Before starting you check the oil level which is by looking into the oil tank. The tank would appear empty or somewhat empty. If you were to add oil you'd be overfilling the system. Because once running it will push the extra oil in the engine back into the tank.
Click to expand...
Mickmorris said:
Welcome to the Dog Pound. First let me say I’m sure sorry to hear about your Father’s condition. Very sad to see this happening to anyone. Second if you decide to take the motorcycle, which as a father myself and planning on leaving one to my Son eventually I am sure will make your Father very happy to know instead of the other family member taking possession of it. Third and most importantly these motorcycles are relatively easy to do maintenance on at home in your garage by the owner. I agree completely with Chong that your dads cousin checked the oil before starting it. Probably was low from sumping to the crankcase and added more oil and overfilled the system. Which upon starting would blow oil out of the air breather and possibly the crankcase vent also if it has one installed. If you take possession first thing change your engine oil & filter. Change your primary fluid and inspect it for any debris or metal shavings. Change your transmission fluid and inspect it as well. Pull the plugs and inspect them/ clean if needed. Drain the gas tank and add new high octane gas. Start there! If it runs funky you may need to pull the bottom of the carb & clean or check the injectors if a EFI bike. Good luck! Keep us posted!
:cheers: :chopper:
Click to expand...
Ok great. Glad to hear most likely things aren't completely messed up. I appreciate all the help and kind words. It'll be a bit before I get back down there to mess with it but I'll plan a full fluid change; oil, trans, primary, and gas. Also check plugs. Hopefully that helps. Anyone know what PSI to run the rear suspension? The manual linked is just for shocks.
 
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