Need Help fixing Bike.

[Nightstalkeraf]

Ok, I bought my first Street bike for $600 a few weeks ago. It's a Suzuki GSX600F Katana. It doesn't run and apears to need some work. Right now I am in the middle of trying to change the oil and found out that the oil drain plug is stripped. I figured that since I can smell fuel in the oil, it would be logical as a first step to change the oil. Then I was planning on replacing some of the old fuel lines and cleaning the tank out. I thought that this would be my first course of action to getting the bike running. I have also located a website called www.cheapsycleparts.com that list several parts for my year Katana and some graphical breakdowns of some areas but nothing extensive enough to help get started in getting this bike running. Now, I grew up riding Yamaha dirt bikes and have done minor work on them but my father did most of the work. I also have grown up working on cars so turning a wrench is second nature, but i claim no extensive knowledge of motorcycles so a little bit of help, advice, and/or guidence would be highly greatful and accepted over the next couple of weeks. Thanks and hoping for a good reply since this is my first post as a new member.

[TheWretched]

Welcome to the forum!
Sounds like you are on the right track.
A couple of things to add to your list.
Change the spark plugs & inspect the old plugs for oil residue to ensure you don't have any oil getting past the pistons.
While you have the cables off to change the plugs check them for spark.
Good luck with it.

[Bubba600]

if the bike hasn't been started in a while there wouldn't be any oil moving past the pistons. Also, if the bike has been sitting for a while you really should clean the carbs. The number one problem with a non running/screwed up idle/irradic idle/running rough bike is varnished or gunked up carbs or vac leak on carbs. and when putting your plug wires back on make sure you have them on right the left coil fires cylinders 1 and 4 and right coil fires 2 and 3. There should be some kind of markings on the wires telling you exacly where they go. If the bike wasn't regularly checked and maintained, depending on how many miles are on it, and how hard those miles were you will probably need a valve adjustment, but that can wait until all the other stuff gets ironed out pretty good. And if theres enough gas in the oil that you can smell it without actually TRYING to smell gas in the oil, you will most likely need new piston rings also. Good luck, and congrats on the new bike, in my opinion buying a bike and having to work on it for a while just makes the riding that much better when you're able to ride.