Why you should check rubber parts on a long stored motorcycle
When recommissioning a classic motorcycle, most people focus on the engine, fuel system and battery.
But some of the biggest problems can come from the rubber parts.
Tyres, fuel lines, carburettor rubbers, intake manifolds, fork gaiters and seals can all deteriorate with age, even if the bike hasn't covered a single mile. Rubber hardens, cracks and loses flexibility over time.
A motorcycle that has spent decades in storage may still have plenty of tread on the tyres, but that doesn't mean they're safe to ride on.
It's always worth giving every rubber component a careful inspection before putting a long-stored machine back into regular use.
What's the oldest original rubber part you've found still fitted to a motorcycle?