Getting a CF70 started - 15 years of no use!

Hello,

I have come across my dads old Honda CF70 (1980s version with the square lights). It has been stored in a dry garage but has not been started in about 15+ plus years.

My question:

Where do I start in trying to turn it over and get it running? I checked the oil tank, and there looks to be oil in there, but it looks old and dirty obviously. The fuel tank is dry but looks completley clean. No battery attached....So basically, where do I start? Is it a case of new spark plug, oil change (how do I drain the exisiting oil) and fuel it up? Or without other checks could this damage the engine?

Other than this, it is in pretty good condition really. Just a few minor spots of rust...

Any help would be most appreciated.

If it was my engine I'd tear it down, clean it and rebuild it. Gaskets are quite cheap, assuming nothing else it wrong it's the safest way.

If you don't want to do this your going to have to flush the oil a few times as you won't get all the sticky stuff out when the oils cold.

At the very least,,,,
Your carb is likely to be dirty and need a clean, I'd drain the fuel too and change it with new fuel, stick a fuel filter inline with the carb and the tank. drain the oil, put the engine on its side, remove the clutch cover, you can then remove and clean the oil filter (gauze) refit the crankcase, fill the engine with oil to the correct level. Remove the spark plug, and the exhaust valve cover.
Kick the engine over until oil weeps from the exhaust valve.
Put the plug back in and fit the valve cover.
Adjust the tappets before you start.
Start the engine, don't rev it just let it idle if it will and let the engine warm up.
Drain the oil again whilst it's hot. Wait for the engine to cool down and remove the crank cover again and clean the oil filter again. Refit and put fresh oil in.
You might want to flush the oil again depending on what it looks like, you could also try an oil additive to clean the inside of the engine out which would mean changing the oil again!

When you start adding up the cost of the oil, additive and the time involved it might be easy just to tear it down clean it, replace the gaskets and rebuild. That said if your not confident doing this you could try the method above.

Don't just take my word for this, wait someone else might add a better method to this post.
What ever you do it's your call,

Good luck