I agree with the above; check everything but most importantly, change the fuel.
The oil is heavier than the fuel and will sink to the bottom. When trying to start up, the oil is going to clog the engine and make it hard to start.
Also, as 2door says, the life expectancy of fuel isn't long, I wouldn't know about oil, but I doubt it's doing too well left 8 months to rot.
Clean out the carb, put in some new fuel, and do a check on everything else, clean them if you have to, and you're good to go.
Oh, just remembered, grease up the gears and all; they may have dried up by now or become less efficient in their purpose?