Topic: bike storage advise?

[cafe2be]

Well since building my cafe and getting into the accident. I will not be allowed to ride until next season. Per the drs. Order. Shoulder Surgery Sucks! So I will need to store the bike until next season. Advise. What do I do? Gas stabilizer? Drain carbs? Battery tender?

[Gordon]

If it were one of my bikes, I would put in the required amount of gas stabilizer and then fill it about as full as I can.  Less air space = less room for condensation to build up.  I'd change the oil, and then run the engine long enough to get the stabilized gas through the carbs.  

When bringing it out for the next riding season I'd change the oil again and probably drain the gas and use it for the lawn mower. 

[cafe2be]

good advise gordon. Thanks

[myhondas]

Storage & NO riding doesn't = no running of motor.  If you can, heated garage is best, go out and start it up and let it run with a few twists of the throttle to bring the revs up every other week. Not only is it good for the bike, but it will make you feel better tooooooooooo!

[Gordon]

Storage & NO riding doesn't = no running of motor.  If you can, heated garage is best, go out and start it up and let it run with a few twists of the throttle to bring the revs up every other week. Not only is it good for the bike, but it will make you feel better tooooooooooo!

I have to disagree here.  Unless you're running the engine for long enough to get it, and the entire exhaust system up to full operating temperature, it's better to let it sit.  


edit:  This is getting a little nit-picky, though, especially just for one season out.  The issue with running the engine but not getting the exhaust hot enough is that when the bike sits, moisture builds up inside it and inside the exhaust pipes.  As you run the engine the moisture begins to get blown out through the exhaust where some of it condenses and collects in the mufflers.  If you don't run it long enough for the mufflers to get good and hot, this moisture will just collect and sit in your mufflers, slowly rotting them from the inside. 

[MJL]

Storage & NO riding doesn't = no running of motor.  If you can, heated garage is best, go out and start it up and let it run with a few twists of the throttle to bring the revs up every other week. Not only is it good for the bike, but it will make you feel better tooooooooooo!

I have to disagree here.  Unless you're running the engine for long enough to get it, and the entire exhaust system up to full operating temperature, it's better to let it sit.  


edit:  This is getting a little nit-picky, though, especially just for one season out.  The issue with running the engine but not getting the exhaust hot enough is that when the bike sits, moisture builds up inside it and inside the exhaust pipes.  As you run the engine the moisture begins to get blown out through the exhaust where some of it condenses and collects in the mufflers.  If you don't run it long enough for the mufflers to get good and hot, this moisture will just collect and sit in your mufflers, slowly rotting them from the inside. 

I agree. If you are not going to get the motor good and hot then it's better to let it sit.

What I do for storage...
I fill the tank as much as possible for reasons stated. I pull the battery and put it on a charger once a week for an hour or so. If you have a tender that's even better, but I don't. Just a little 1/2 amp charger. I also drain the carbs. They won't rust and being empty will keep them from getting gummed up. In the spring I change the oil, put the battery back in and off I go.  I don't bother with gas stabilizer anymore, and I run the gas that sat all winter. No problems.

[myhondas]

I don't believe that I said to let it run for a few minutes and shut it off...... I take mine up to temp and that usually take about 10-15 minutes of run time....since there is only a little fan for cooling in the garage(place it in front of the bike to help keep the bike from overheating at the top) Anything left sitting for long periods of time seems to turn to sh!t. I put the stab-lo in the gas, but I still run it twice a month during the winter. seems to work ok for me....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=56660.msg611434#msg611434

[Gordon]

I don't believe that I said to let it run for a few minutes and shut it off......

You're correct, you didn't, but you also didn't specify, and from what you wrote, "go out and start it up and let it run with a few twists of the throttle to bring the revs up every other week", it sounded like a fairly short amount of time to me.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.  

[Duke McDukiedook]

Gordon's right.

If you can't ride it at least 30+ miles a week then let it sit in storage mode.

[1974CB750rider]

I've expierenced this in the past. It also doesn't hurt if you can to get both wheels off the ground. The back is no problem if your centerstand is there. The reason I do this is because after the tires sit for a while in one spot and then you bring the bike back out, sometimes you can feel a rough spot in the tire when you ride it. I'm sure not everyone does this but its just my preverence. Its not hard to do once the bike is on the stand just slightly jack the bike up with  floor jack or have someone else put their weight on the back of the bike and add some wood blocks under the front of the motor then let the bike rest on them. You just need to have the front tire about a half inch to an inch off the ground.

[bucky katt]

run it till it gets nice and hot, do an oil and filter change then put sta-bil in and FILL the tank and run it for a couple of minutes all will be well then. thats how we did the long term storage bikes at Canton Cycles

[ekpent]

OK now that the running issue is settled I think WAX the crap out of it. I think you are in NY,winter ,spring,hot, cold,damp,dry.I grew up on Turtle Wax,my dad put it on my Corn Flakes,used it to stop diaper rash,put it on anything metal. I have seen and bought many bikes that if a guy would have kept a good solid wax and polish on the metal,and maybe a little dust protection, that they would have held up so much better. That's why there are only still a few "good" originals out there.Lay some protection on all the metal and give it a chance,kind of like rubbing a little oil on your favorite gun.  PS-Not Me but where is Evolution - you guys settle that yet?

[bikebitzofvt]

Sta-bil is great, especially with the corn alcohol we're forced to use as fuel these days.  Run the engine up to operating temp , then turn off the fuel valve and let her run dry, then drain the little bit that's left from the float bowls.  I use fogging oil but my basement storage is rather damp.  Then perform an oil change.

Pull the battery and keep it charged.

Wax and spray the metal down with some metal protectant - Silkolene Proprep is my personal fave.  It has a very high silicone content so don't use it where any painting occurs, unless you like fish eye!

Treat the drive chain with a good bath of chain lube. 

A few strips of duct tape over the airbox intake can help prevent rodent infestations.  For some reason they find our air filters to be very tasty!  Also, cover the exhaust outlets, it prevents condensation from entering the exhaust. 

We had 3 late model Honda VT600's need valves refaced due to pitted valve seats this spring at the shop - best I can figure was the exhaust valve hangs open on the foreward cylinder, condensation creeps up the exhaust pipes and causes rust on the valve seats.

Good luck and get better soon!

[cafe2be]

hey guys, thank you for the great advise. I will combine all the info you guys suggested and hopefully she will run great next season. I do miss riding and cant wait to get back on.
here she is as of yesterday:

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