Author Topic: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?  (Read 4709 times)

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Offline markb

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Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« on: November 12, 2011, 09:32:08 AM »
The problem with having a bunch of bikes for me is trying to figure out where to store them in the winter.  I live in Minnesota so it gets cold and plenty of snow and my wife and I need the garages.  Ever since I've restored the K0 and the sandcast I've stored them at a dealership where it's climate controlled.  This year to save money and consolidate a ton of parts, I decided to rent a storage locker that I understood to be climate controlled.  I was there this morning and it seemed a little cool so I asked what temp they kept it at.  Well to my surprise I wasn't in one of the climate controlled units!  The guy that set me up a month ago was fired so I couldn't talk to him about it.  As it turns out they didn't even have any available.  If I want climate control I would have to move everything to a different location.  Sorry for rambling but there is a question in all this.  The tanks, petcocks and carbs have been completely drained.  The oil was changed and the batteries have been removed.  So Keeping in mind that in can get as cold as -20 F., what are the issues with storing the bikes where it gets cold?  Moving everything at this point would be a huge PITA.   
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1969 CB750 sandcast #1553 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #1990 - Sold
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Offline Rigid

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2011, 09:36:45 AM »
Our local vintage Harley shop owner uses those plastic bubbles with a fan to inflate it for his most valuable bikes.  He loves them.
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Offline Greggo

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2011, 09:56:19 AM »
Would condensation be an issue, even inside a storage facility? 

Offline strynboen

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2011, 10:04:49 AM »
dont care abaut temparature...are it dry...at thanging tempurature...metal building vith no isolating make kondens
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Offline markb

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2011, 10:31:09 AM »
Would condensation be an issue, even inside a storage facility? 
That's part of what I am wondering.  The building is concrete and I'm on the second floor (obviously there is an elevator) with an inside door.  Seems plenty dry and after over a month being stored I've not seen any evidence of dust.
1969 CB750 sandcast #97 restored - Sold Restoration thread link
1969 CB750 sandcaxt #576 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #1553 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #1990 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #5383 restored - Sold Restoration thread link
1970 CB750 K0 restored - Sold
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2011, 02:12:24 PM »
I would fill the tank with fuel so the inside of the tank will not rust.
If the humidity is low, you should not have an issue.
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2011, 04:26:47 PM »
I always remove my tanks, drain them, let them air out a few days and then put them in the basement.  Give them a light coating of something on the inside,  tranny fluid, 2 stroke oil, fogging spray, etc.  My bikes are stored in the garage on ground level and I notice in the winter if it gets above freezing and then drops at night the bikes can get a layer of condensation.  It's never cause a big issue with the bikes but I would guess it could build up in an empty tank.  I don't like the fill the tank routine as I have no interest in running 5 month old gas in the spring, Stabil or not.  If you are on the second floor maybe the condensation would not be nearly as much as on a slab at ground level.   At a minimum I would fog the tanks but it would be best to take them home and admire them in your basement over the winter. ;)

The bike I have owned for 32 years finally had a real tank cleaning for the first time a few years ago.  There was slight surface corrosion maybe covering 5 percent of the inside of the tank.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2011, 04:34:02 PM by srust58 »

Offline Bodi

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2011, 06:05:10 PM »
Clean the bike as well as possible. Use fogging oil as directed - pretty hard with four carbs - or shoot a teaspoonful or so of oil in each cylinder with a pumper oil can, loosely replace the plugs, and kick it over a few times.
I drain the oil and refill it with fresh oil in the spring. There's no benefit to having new oil sit in the sump or tank all winter. Used oil won't do anything except coat the bottom of the sump/tank with sludge while it sits a few months.
Spray WD40 liberally on the chrome, especially the front fork tubes. Coating with grease is better but it's a bugger to get off.
Most storage units do not allow fuel in tanks. You can either coat an empty tank with oil (2-stroke oil is good) or put some mothballs in a sock inside... this displaces air and thus oxygen with the mothball gas and eliminates corrosion even if you have some condensation. The problem is temperature cycling: air gets pumped in and out with temp cycles and the water in air can condense. That's why a full tank is good, there's very little air space. If possible you should keep the empty well-aired-out tank in a heated part of your house somewhere with the cap open.
It's best to let the tires down to about 10psi, put the bike on the centre stand, and prop the front wheel up so there's no weight on either tire. A piece of 2x4 cut the right length supporting under the oil filter is a good way to lift the front wheel.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2011, 06:19:22 PM »
Good suggestions. Glad I don't have to do any of it! (we ride all year down here)
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Tews19

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2011, 07:12:52 PM »
Good suggestions. Glad I don't have to do any of it! (we ride all year down here)

Once again the I am better then you attitude from those Texans.... How are them Cowboys? GO PACK! Just kidding
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2011, 07:15:35 PM »
Hey Tews - you got that wrong, I enjoy watching the Cowboys LOSE! And I'll be cheering the Pack Monday night.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2011, 07:18:36 PM by Stev-o »
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Offline Tews19

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2011, 07:17:20 PM »
Hey Tews - you got that wrong, I enjoy watching the Cowboys LOSE! And I'll be cheering the Pack tomorrow night.

LOL a true packer fan knows they play Monday night!!! It's all good though.
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Offline 70cbk0

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2011, 07:19:55 PM »
I think it fine as long as it's not too cold. The real problem is fluctuating temps. I store mine in my garage and keep it around 40 degrees. What happens when it fluctuates too much, is condensation.The whole bike can get wet, and that's what really causes rust. Stable temp is the way to go.
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Offline Tews19

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2011, 07:21:20 PM »
I have a decent set of pipes on my 550K. SHould I remove them and hang them up in the basement so help with the condensation issue?
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Offline Greggo

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2011, 08:01:03 PM »
Doesn't somebody make airtight ziploc style bags for storing cars and motorcycles?  I swear I've seen an infomercial for something like that..

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2011, 08:12:23 PM »
Like the boy in the bubble?! The bike bubble:   $500


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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2011, 08:17:59 PM »
Good suggestions. Glad I don't have to do any of it! (we ride all year down here)

Once again the I am better then you attitude from those Texans.... How are them Cowboys? GO PACK! Just kidding

 From Texas huh.  I wonder if he can name three things..........he would do to store his bike. ;D
« Last Edit: November 12, 2011, 08:43:54 PM by srust58 »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2011, 08:24:12 PM »
You guys assume too much. Just because I now live in Texas doesn't mean I haven't lived in the Winter Wonderland and had to store bikes. I have.

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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #18 on: November 12, 2011, 08:42:29 PM »
You guys assume too much. Just because I now live in Texas doesn't mean I haven't lived in the Winter Wonderland and had to store bikes. I have.



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Offline markb

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #19 on: November 13, 2011, 06:30:26 AM »
Thanks everyone for a lot a great tips.  Both of the tanks are coated so rusting there isn't an issue.  It's going to be a whole lot less work to take some extra precautions and leave them where they're at for this winter than move everything. 
1969 CB750 sandcast #97 restored - Sold Restoration thread link
1969 CB750 sandcaxt #576 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #1553 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #1990 - Sold
1969 CB750 sandcast #5383 restored - Sold Restoration thread link
1970 CB750 K0 restored - Sold
2010 H-D Tri Glide Ultra Classic (Huh?)

Offline dhall57

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #20 on: November 13, 2011, 07:05:25 AM »
I live in NC and for the most part the winter months are to severe. Another words my bikes don't usually have to sit all winter long without being able to ride them some. So I've never winterize any of them. I just put a slow charge on the batteries at times and when full time riding weather comes along again I'm good to go. I keep them in a unheated garage, but do have a small heater that I run from time to time.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2011, 07:15:45 AM by dhall57 »
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Offline Tews19

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #21 on: November 13, 2011, 07:42:48 AM »
Any one suggest me taking my 4-4 pipes off of my 550K and haning them in th ebasement to help preserve them?
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #22 on: November 13, 2011, 12:02:44 PM »
Any one suggest me taking my 4-4 pipes off of my 550K and haning them in th ebasement to help preserve them?

maybe you could rent them for the winter to one of our southern members who needs a nice set.  They could keep them dry, warm, and toasty for you. ;)

Offline Tews19

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #23 on: November 13, 2011, 04:39:19 PM »
Come on Im serious
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Offline dhall57

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Re: Winter storage - climate controlled or not?
« Reply #24 on: November 13, 2011, 04:45:29 PM »
I would leave them on the bike.
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
1976 CB750K6
1977 GL1000
1997 Harley Wideglide