Topic: Deployment Question 1: Storage

[GroovieGhoulie]

OK, there is a 95% chance I will be deployed to Afghanistan soon.  It could be anywhere from six months to a year or more.

What is the best procedure for long-term storage of my bike.  I really don't have anyone that can ride it periodically to "keep things flowing" as it were, so I need to figure out how to store it for a long time and have it not be rotten, decayed or needing an overhaul when I get back.

Many thanks.

[Chris Liston]

basically store it as you would for winter.   put stabilzer in the tank and drain the bowls in the carb.  put fresh oil in it, wax it up and cover it. 

Good luck in Afganistan if you go.  My brother was there for 8 months and than Iraq for a year with the 10th Mountain. 

Chris

[GroovieGhoulie]

basically store it as you would for winter.   put stabilzer in the tank and drain the bowls in the carb.  put fresh oil in it, wax it up and cover it. 

Good luck in Afganistan if you go.  My brother was there for 8 months and than Iraq for a year with the 10th Mountain. 

Chris

I'm with the 10th.   

Being in the south, I've never had to "winterize" a bike, so this is all new to me. 

[Japbikemike]

I would bet on a year away counting mission training conus.  Get some Marvel Mystery Oil (not making this up) and remove the spark plugs and fill the cylinders.  No air, no water, no rust.  I like removing the gas tank and draining/drying it.  Drain carbs.  Remove the battery, seal up any orifice vermin could enter and nest, remove the seat and wrap it in plastic and store it away from sunlight, leave a note to yourself on how to reverse everything you've done when you return.  Be sure and pick up one of those prayer rugs with the AK47 on it.

[Uncle Ernie]

Yeah- I'd take the tank off.  Either hane a "tea bag" of dessicant in it, or spray the heck out of the inside with WD-40.  The centerstand is the best way to go, also- less pressure on the bearings.  He's right about plugging holes.  Freakin mice can eat your bike.  Unless it's going to be in airconditioning, I recommend a sheet over it as opposed to plastic- plastic traps moisture underneath.

Watch your back.  Good luck.

[putnaja1]

Right before storage: Wash the bike well with soap and water, and then go for a good ride to dry it off.
- get some stabil gas treatment, and put it in your tank, and ride the bike a bit to get the stabilized gas through your carbs a bit.  Top off the tank right before you get home- so for storage you have a full tank of stabilized gas.

Once home, roll the bike to where it will be stored.
1) Drain float bowls, and double check to make sure you don't forget to close the fuel tank petcock.
2) spray WD40 liberally into exhaust pipe(s), then close off each pipe with duct tape
3) change oil & filter in bike, top off with fresh oil- make sure the "RUN" switch is off, and thumb the starter until the oil light goes off- then remove the battery.  Don't run the motor on the fresh oil until after storage is complete!
4) store battery out of the bike, preferably on a battery tender.
5) Put bike on centerstand, put blocks under frame so that both wheels are off the ground- then let the air outta the tires until about 10lbs air in each.
6) take out the spark plugs, spray a *FOGGING* oil into each cylinder (they sell this for snow mobiles I'm told), put the plugs back in.
7) Either wax the bike well, or spray the whole thing (except your disc rotor!) with an entire can of WD40- to prevent rust.  If you go the WD40 route, you probably want to put some newspaper under the bike to catch all the run-off, then remove the paper and through it away.
8 ) Cover the bike with a cotton sheet to keep the dust off it.  Sheet must breath so water won't get trapped under it, but will keep the dust and funk off the bike.

To restore the bike to serviice, just wash it well, air up the tires, install the battery, remove the tape covering the exhaust, crank it over a bunch to disapate any fogging oil in the cylinders, and fire it up.  After you ride it for a few miles, change the oil again, and you're set.

Good luck overseas dude- check your six!  Thanks for everything you do for our country!