Neil, pour a full (small) can of Seafoam into the fuel tank, and burn that through the fuel system.
It really helps, but best to use Seafoam when on a road trip where you can go through several tanks of fuel, to clean it out completely.
On a recent trip, from Hannigan Sidecars in Murray, Kentucky to Washington State, I had just bought a 2015 Goldwing w/ Hannigan GTL sidecar , so on the ride to Washington State I intentionally burned through 2 cans of Seafoam.....one at a time....with a couple non-Seafoam tanks of fuel in between using the Seafoam. Then....after all that I burned through 2 black plastic bottles of Chevron Techron, and finally satisfied that the fuel system was spotless.... very clean.
Once home, and doing a full oil and filter change, I put one quart of... Marvel Mystery Oil in the engine, with 3 quarts of Mobil 1 full synthetic oil, and using that Marvel Mystery Oil to help clean up the inside of the engine.
Which, being a Honda Goldwing 1800 with only 33k miles on it, was probably spotless in the engine anyway.
But my point is that this bike had sat for 2 and a half years on the Hannigan showroom, and before I ship it over to Europe, I want all systems to be cleaned out, and fresh, fresh, fresh
Your 29 year old K1100LT has been sitting longer, so it needs cleaning out.
Too bad it wasn't a 1994 bike....then you can register it as a Collector license plate, and NEVER have to register it again....No renewal every year.
Know that in advance, so that once the bike gets to be 30 years old....next year.... register it as a Collector license plate, and never have to renew it again.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
@miles-ladue Yeah I plan to do most of that in a similar manner or such. I almost forgot about Seafoam, haven't seen it in years, but I've been a lazy old man with newer vehicles till now. The folks at BMWMOA also recommended NAPA BG-44, and I have a Napa near me. I will be going through and doing what I can at my DIY level. I tend to be a Redline Synthetic or Royal Purple fan because of my Rotary and Miata racing support days. My ol RX7 would qualify for that classic license plate a few years ago, but thanks for the reminder on this sleek classic. I watched a good video on the 10 K service on the LT and looked through the manuals I now have. I'll start slogging through this, before, I take a long trip. I feel fairly lucky I got it as far as I have so far. Glad I have experience on old reluctant bikes and sports cars over the years. Some of the sputtering was no fun, but been there before, so no worries. 
Well, still couldn't get engine to turn over, seemed weak battery so attached a different floating anti sulfating charger that kept my other bikes in good shape but ordered a battery for good measure. Meanwhile pull the loose motronic box out of the way to look closer and find a floating loose cable near ground terminal! Going to look through the books and schematics. I see a few other accessory wires tagged on there so may have some cleanup and tracing to do. I know the heated seats in the chair were not hooked up and I see some cable leads cut along the Sidecar bracket. I'll post a couple pics by the battery lug. I wonder if the alternator was overworked for accessories. Glad I didn't try to join that cross country trip!
Neil, that was the one thing that a few of us talked about at the Sidecar Rally in the Flint Hills today, was the wiring mess you would find on your new rig.
No matter how good or bad a Sidecar manufacturer is, 99 percent of them are terrible at electrical wiring of the bike to the Sidecar.
Only one man on Earth does Sidecar rig wiring to perfection.... literal perfection....and that is Mike Paull in Poulsbo, Washington.
The vast majority of Sidecar owners that purchase a used rig, suffer through the pains of rectifying the rats nest of electrical gremlins on their rigs.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Well I can appreciate old wiring issues from my sportscar experience. I'm pretty sure every once in awhile when my ears are burning it's whoever bought my RX7 racecar from an old friend of mine, looking at my jury rigging and shortcuts going, "WTH?" Still haven't sorted out what was happening. There are no tiedown bolts so the battery and brain are bouncing around under there. Will get back to it after sorting out some other decisions in the garage so I can spread out and dive in. Appreciate the extra eyes. Have fun out there, I'll be joining you folks before long.
So have a temporary fix and little Lithium battery with new iridium plugs making things run better for now. Some tuning improvements due soon. Meanwhile we have checked to see if the new ride is doggy, "Dragon," approved . 2 laps around the block and he was fairly happy and intrigued.
Neil, now that I am...back in town...per se...let's see if we can find an agreeable time/date for you to bring your new rig over to my ranch, and we can lift it up in the air 6', and do a full inspection...for your benefit, not mine.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
A quick peek at Tire Rack shows that there are some pretty decent top tier tires available in 175/65-14 for under $100. Seems like a fairly small investment for a lot of peace of mind. The Falken Sincera SN250 A/S for instance is only $81 and was the winner of a Tire Rack 10 tire shootout.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=330
Totally appreciate that, Miles! I tried to private message with my phone number but am apparently not smart enough. Also found out an old friend from sailing has a famous sidecar neighbor you probably know. My schedule is fairly open. I plan to do some more checks before I try a long trip again. I may start looking for a small flat utility trailer so I can tow the rig, if/when needed. And thanks Ned, good info and wise advice.
A quick peek at Tire Rack shows that there are some pretty decent top tier tires available in 175/65-14 for under $100. Seems like a fairly small investment for a lot of peace of mind. The Falken Sincera SN250 A/S for instance is only $81 and was the winner of a Tire Rack 10 tire shootout.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=330
I think that's the model tire in 16" I put on the back of the Royal Star/Hannigan rig a year ago before I sold it.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
I may start looking for a small flat utility trailer so I can tow the rig, if/when needed. And thanks Ned, good info and wise advice.
Neil, if you are looking for a nice trailer, look at what Ned @DRONE has for sale. It's not a "utility " trailer, but is a Aluma motorcycle trailer, and wide enough to easily carry your Sidecar rig.
Ned @DRONE is a well known entity in the sidecar world, lives up in the Tacoma area, and the trailer he is selling is well worth the price.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
I may start looking for a small flat utility trailer so I can tow the rig, if/when needed. And thanks Ned, good info and wise advice.
Neil, if you are looking for a nice trailer, look at what Ned @DRONE has for sale. It's not a "utility " trailer, but is a Aluma motorcycle trailer, and wide enough to easily carry your Sidecar rig.
Ned @DRONE is a well known entity in the sidecar world, lives up in the Tacoma area, and the trailer he is selling is well worth the price.
That is an awesome trailer. I must admit even getting my rig was a bit of an indulgence already and I am hoping to not have to trailer much, I'd rather ride it. I may have to stick with a rental if the need comes up, for now. Now if there are enough local riders that would like to have access to such and we can work out a shared ownership/rental, I'd have an easier time working it out with the comptroller, er I mean my sweetie. lol. Edit: meanwhile I'll also count on the towing help I signed up for with BMWMOA if caught out in the wild.
OK, feeling good. Got some other pending things done around the new home and have put a few more miles on with new plugs and battery. Finally have some back up keys! It's feeling real smooth with strong linear acceleration! The beat up roads around here do keep me on my toes as they throw the outfit around. I did fly the chair a little when going through Aberdeen turning right on North 101 on the off camber left lane but no drama, just a little pucker factor on the seat. 😮 I'll make some time tomorrow and other days and do some more of the 3 wheel drills and exercises. Soon I'll get in touch with WSMT and schedule my training day and endorsement testing.
Miles, I'd like to take you up on the visit and extra eyes looking this over. Let me know when and how to contact you. I am more confident about a longer road trip soon. I may make a run to Westport and back, just to be sure. Besides the doggy wants to go again.
Neil, I do best with email, due to bad hearing. Send me an email, and we'll set up a day/time.
midliferider@aol.com
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
