With hurricane season upon us, many states have experienced severe flooding. Various areas in Florida, especially those along the coast may have experienced heavy rainfall causing areas to flood. Regardless, this is the time of year many motorcycle owners report that their motorcycle has water damage from floods. So, what do you do if your motorcycle has been damaged by flood waters?
DIY Repair for Motorcycle Flood Damage
Although seeking a professional for repair for a flooded motorcycle is recommended, there are many motorcycle enthusiasts who are all about working on their bikes themselves. If you fall into this category, here are some tips on repairing your flooded out motorcycle.
DO NOT START THE ENGINE! This is the most important aspect of attempting to fix your flooded motorcycle. Starting the engine is the worst things that you can do to a flooded out motorcycle.
- If your motorcycle is “half flooded” you will have a much easier time restoring your bike. Remove brake system and chains, clean, and grease when necessary. Clean tires, add air, and replace.
- If the engine to your motorcycle has been flooded, it is still possible to restore your bike. Although it is a pretty hefty job, it is still possible. You will be required to check all aspects of your bike. Fuel tanks, spark, plugs, crank cases, combustion chambers, are just a few of the areas that will need to be looked at. There are many online sources that will walk you through the complete process of repairing a flooded out motorcycle.
- If your bike has been fully submerged in water, take into consideration that some of the electrical in your motorcycle may have been compromised. If this is out of your level of experience, it is recommended to seek professional motorcycle repairs.
Buying or Selling Your Used Motorcycles in Florida
If you plan on buying a used motorcycle, be sure to take into consideration that it is flood season. If the price of a used motorcycle is too good to be true, ask yourself why this may be. Also, be sure to ask the seller if there has been any flood damage to the bike.
Has your bike been a victim of a flood and you are looking to sell it? Ask our professional motorcycle buyers about selling a salvaged motorcycle for the best cash return. If you implement the DIY repairs above and your bike now runs fine, you will be able to get a fair price from a motorcycle buyer.
Special Note: We buy a great many motorcycles and even boats from people in Texas and like all Americans pray that they fair well. They will be spending years rebuilding. If you wish to donate to the Red Cross as we did, here is the link: https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey