Reviving the 96 Sportster

[rob91bob]

I am looking to revive my 96 Sportster in the next few weeks. It has been parked since 2014. So far I have pulled it out of the garage and hosed it down some. Luckily there appears to be no mice damage. The tank is about half full so I need ideas on draining it completely. The oil has emptied into the bottom and I have some absorbent pads in there collecting the oil. I haven't taken the air cleaner box off yet but I am guessing one of the oil lines leaked and emptied the oil. I am planning on replacing all of the oil lines/filter, fuel lines and selector switch. Tomorrow I want to get the battery installed and remove the plugs to crank it over, I'll put a bit of oil in the cylinders and disconnect the fuel lines. I am guessing I will need to rebuild the carbs, I did make sure I shut the fuel off last time I ran it and let it run out.

Questions,

How many feet of lines and what sizes will I need to order?
Where is a good place to get carb rebuild kits?
Where is a good place to get a new fuel selector valve?
What is a good way to drain and clean the tank?

Thanks, looking forward to getting her on the water again soon!

Rob

 

[Gasngo]

Pretty clean unit. Its amazing what that little motor will do in that boat.
I would think you can source fuel line from a local parts house. I have before its up to you. There might be marine spec line. 1/4 inch or 5/16 fuel grade hose take a piece with you. Factory carb kits. If its Mikuni then get the factory kit.
Not sure on the selector look around see whats out there.
You can suck the fuel out with a cheap drill pump maybe or a hand pump like this
https://www.harborfreight.com/23-gallon-manual-fluid-extractor-62643.html
or take the fuel line off the carbs and lightly pressurize the tank and force the gas out. Needless to say make sure the vents to the tank are plugged. It does not take a pressure.
Ill say this I just cleaned out a tank for a Yamaha Wave Raider same year and the reserve line had a rubber extension on it to reach the bottom of the tank and[ Im sure it was factory] which pretty much fell apart and the fuel sender was falling apart also. What Im saying is go ahead and remove any and every thing you can on the tank and inspect. If I would not have addressed that I would be going through the carbs again.