Topic: Winter is Coming

[nccb]

Granted the weather here in NC hasn't been bad, its just been raining like crazy.  Unfortunately, I don't have a garage or building to put my bike in so I have been keeping it under a bike cover.  I pulled the cover off of the bike about an hour ago, while there was a lull, and it was soaked from condensation.  Does anyone have any tips to help protect the bike besides renting a storage unit over winter?

This link also supplies some good info for us noobs and possibly the old gents. http://www.acmemotorcycleclub.com/winterizing.htm

[Tews19]

I am running into the same problem.. I have 3 bikes, and in the garage it can only fit two and a mini van.. Sigh, off to a family members garage goes the KZ... I can never leave my babies with anyone else

[Doggie]

Here in New York, my date to find homes for my 7 bikes is Oct. 31st. CB550K (to be made into a Cafe Racer over the winter) in the garage in front of the car, Harley Sportster and Restored CB550F in the basement, (2) CM400T's and a CB650C in the shed, a CB550F on my lift (my next project) paint all the old rusty chrome parts. I call it
"Retro-Rod". Good project for those long cold winter nights in New York....
                                           Doggie

[Hush]

Ah and here comes the Spring in NZ.

[Danno]

when I was younger my bike had to be stored outside the trick is airflow so you don't get as much condensation in the fall months the winter is usually drier and less of a worry
I made a lean too out of fence posts and lashed the tarp to the pieces like a tent over my bike but open on both ends you got to be careful which way you face the ends so the wind does not drive the rain into it  or make a really long tent out of a bigger tarp you can tent stake the sides down but leave the ends open for ventilation this will help a lot with the condensation wax your bike well and don't let the tarp lay on it

[ekpent]

Ah and here comes the Spring in NZ.

WE HATE YOU-----        

[liPPy]

[Steve_K]

For those who have to store bikes in damp places,  I have seen giant plastic bags that you put your bike in.  They include several bags of moisture absorbing material.  Seal it up and you are good for the winter.  Outside, maybe that may not work, but in a shed its good to go.
Steve

[Stev-o]

So happy fall is here, only going to be 97 in Texas today!

[tango911]

So happy fall is here, only going to be 97 in Texas today!

haha, thats crazy.   Anyway I live in INDY where you can buy a 2800 sf home with a 3 car garage for under 200k   I allow my wife one car spot, and park my suburban out side so all 6 bikes can fit in the garage   Actually 2 of them are dirt bikes and they go to the shed.

[Stev-o]

A three car garage is a must, I have 2 cars and 2 bikes in mine. And keep the other two bikes in offsite storage. I couldn't bear to see them sit outside.

[chopped550]

I suppose you could wrap it up tight in a tarp and put several boxes of baking soda inside to help absorb the moisture.  Again, I think fall will be the only time you have to do that, as the air will be very dry in the winter.  I also hear mice don't like the smell of Irish Spring soap, so I'd throw a few bars in there as well to protect the wiring harness.

[chopped550]

I suppose you could wrap it up tight in a tarp and put several boxes of baking soda inside to help absorb the moisture.  Again, I think fall will be the only time you have to do that, as the air will be very dry in the winter.  I also hear mice don't like the smell of Irish Spring soap, so I'd throw a few bars in there as well to protect the wiring harness.

I have a 2.5 car garage with only one car and one bike, and I wish I had more room, lol!

[VTCBike750]

All I have to say is my landlord is badass.  Lets me store my bike in a warm, indoor storage room, tear my bike apart and do whatever I want.  Pays to send the rent on time.  This year hes clearning me a spot to pull the engine .

Only rule, NO GAS!

[Tews19]

So happy fall is here, only going to be 97 in Texas today!

Cruel?

I suppose you could wrap it up tight in a tarp and put several boxes of baking soda inside to help absorb the moisture.  Again, I think fall will be the only time you have to do that, as the air will be very dry in the winter.  I also hear mice don't like the smell of Irish Spring soap, so I'd throw a few bars in there as well to protect the wiring harness.

I have a 2.5 car garage with only one car and one bike, and I wish I had more room, lol!

I have a 2.5 car garage whic i think is comical... We barely fit our car and van in there with no bikes... All 3 bikes on one side van on the other and still tight.....

[DJ_AX]

With it tarped or shrinkwrapped... you could put some new (not used) diapers in there to absorb the moisture. The desiccant in those are incredible!

[db22]

A friend of mine stores his Harley in the dining room of his Milwaukee house over the winter.  Makes perfect sense to me, but my wife would object to the scent of gasoline.  What's wrong with women, anyway?

[CoachDoc]

This thread brings back memories of my early motorcycling days in NY. Lugging the bike down a steep flight of cement stairs to a damp basement for the winter, back up in the spring, always dealing with the rain and moisture issues, roadsalt speeding the rust process, etc. (the 4-4 pipes on my 550 were completely rusted out in about 8 years).
Now we live in the San Diego area, which is motorcycle heaven. I probably ride 330 days a year, almost never in rain or cold weather. Love it. God bless you guys in the east and midwest who love your bikes- enjoy the autumn weather and think of me come January.

[Rgconner]

Have you seen these?

http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-shelter.htm

http://www.cycleshell.com/index.html

They are very popular with the Vespa crowd, where the all steel monocoque frame is notorious for holding moisture and rusting out.

A small heating element like a block warmer or a pipe warmer is enough to drive out the moisture that does get in over the winter.

[db22]

My older daughter lives in San Diego, and she doesn't ride. What a pity . . . ah well, I think I'll go for a spin and see the leaves, while the fall sunshine lasts.

This thread brings back memories of my early motorcycling days in NY. Lugging the bike down a steep flight of cement stairs to a damp basement for the winter, back up in the spring, always dealing with the rain and moisture issues, roadsalt speeding the rust process, etc. (the 4-4 pipes on my 550 were completely rusted out in about 8 years).
Now we live in the San Diego area, which is motorcycle heaven. I probably ride 330 days a year, almost never in rain or cold weather. Love it. God bless you guys in the east and midwest who love your bikes- enjoy the autumn weather and think of me come January.

[nccb]

rgconnor, those are nice but for 300 bucks I think i could but the lumber and construct a shed.

[Rgconner]

rgconnor, those are nice but for 300 bucks I think i could but the lumber and construct a shed.

True dat. But it would not fold down and store away...

California is notorious for having small yards where a shed would be in the way, or only having a carport.

[Robbnc]

nccb ,  I'm not that far away from you. You can keep the bike in my basement until this time next year.  FREE OF CHARGE  !      How's that ?

[nccb]

LOL, sounds like a good offer but sometimes i get the itch to take it for a spin real late at night

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Do you have a house or apartment?  The living room is my choice if the bike is done.  If it is a project, the kitchen is closer to the oven, dishwasher, sink, and work surfaces.  Seriously, priorities guys. I have two, large 2 car garages but with 14 bikes I am still out of room.  I do make space for the wife's Honda Accord when it gets frosty in the morning. Just picked up a sweet DT175 Yamaha Enduro for $20.00 so that will have to go next to the fishing boat.  Thankfully, fishing is winding down here also, I am out of space.

[strynboen]

so ein ding haben ich..dt 175..the exhost kosts the same as  the komplet  bike

[KingCustomCycles.com]

so ein ding haben ich..dt 175..the exhost kosts the same as  the komplet  bike

What he said.............:-)

[DavePhipps]

People put their bikes up for the winter ?
Just get good insulated jacket, gloves, overpants, and some antifog spray for your visor. You'll be good to go till the roads ice up.

[nccb]

yeah i plan on trying to ride it for as long as possible.  especially here where the weather will hit back up in the 60s in dec.  Im more concerned with it being in the elements, i did try to put a piece of sub flooring across my steps to ride it up onto the front porch when we had a hurricane. . .bad idea, luckily the big bush was beside it

 I guess i will have to build a very small, motorcycle building at the edge of my gravel drive way lol.  hopefully no one mistakes it for an outhouse.

[db22]

I got nearly 57 mpg from my last tank; the old Dodge gets around 23 or so.  I'll ride the bike until the roads ice up.  The bike is paying for its restoration with every commute to work.

[DavePhipps]

Forgot a few things.
Get a waterproof motorcycle cover at least, it's better than nothing.
Lube everything, and put dialectric grease on all electrical connections.
Be sure you're controls are as watertight as you can get them. Frozen cables suck.
Battery tender is also a good idea, as is lower weight oil.
It's funny, you get double the attention riding in the winter.
People seem to be amazed at seeing a vintage bike flying down the road when it 23F. (-2C) out.

[RustyStuff]

Glad I have use of a big shop and a big tractor shed. Probably could fit 50 cycles in there.

[nccb]

your lucky, when i was looking for a house i wanted 3 things; a garage, a wooded acre or more, and a shed.  I got the shed and acre in the woods, the only thing is its on a hill, slops front to back, and the shed's roof leaks like a b@#$%.  any body want to help me build a building?? Ill supply the beer

I also just found this poll, it seems most of you on here have a garage, at least by the percentages.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=43629.0

[DavePhipps]

Not true for me anymore. My ex got the house and pole barn in the divorce

[Elpresidente]

Mine is in the car port... pretty dry... but will still look for a cover.  There's a house pretty close to me that i had seen before, but never realized what the big ass white tent was for in their yard... (takes up a big portion of their front yard).  Finally saw the front flaps open, two bmw bikes parked inside.  Unsightly but I guess it works.