| Author | Message | ||
     Tleighbell |
My neighbour just offered me space in his garage. It is not joined to the house and he doesn't keep his car in it. So, not heated and no sudden changes in temperature with the car going in and out etc. I have already changed the oil and added fuel stabilizer. Have the engine foggoing oil and a cover and planning to buy a battery tender. Is there a significant benefit to heated storage? I am in Toronto where temperatures during the storage season can fluctuate from about 0 up to 45 degrees F and it tends to be damp. This would be easier and cheaper than going to heated storage but it is not a huge issue. If I do go for the unheated storage, is there something I can use to coat the bike to protect the finish etc? I used to cover my old Triumph with WD40 but I don't know if that is a great idea on the plastic, powdercoat etc. How important is it to get both wheels off the ground. | ||
| Bake |
Heated is nice (prevents rust) any building not heated is second best! At the rate I go through tires I doubt it's as much of an issue as it was 20 years ago, just put some plywood scraps under the contact area if you are that concerned. (Message edited by bake on November 19, 2006) | ||
| Homing_turtle |
Nah, yer bases are covered. Anything that might rust can be covered with a film of light oil if you're that concerned about it. | ||
| Jlnance |
If you're really worried, you can pick up a dehumidifer which will keep condensation off your bike. But I don't think you really need it. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
It's only sitting for a few months, it should be fine. There are millions of bikes that sit for a winter every year with probably less care than yours. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'd put a few mouse traps around it. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
That's funny Danny.  Actually, my riding buddy, Gerry, found a couple of mice had taken up residence in the air intake of his recently acquired Ducati. Don't know how they got in there. I guess they like that fine Italian iron. I just keep my bike under a bike cover, under my porch. I try to ride it at least once every two or three weeks in the winter, or more, weather permitting. Works fine. | ||
| Homing_turtle |
Thats one thing I neglected to think about. Cram some steel wool in the exhaust, being that its so low to the ground. Those little bastards love to crawl up in there. I saw pictures a few years ago of a guy whose bike ran like hell in the Spring. He started tearing into the intake, and found it stuff with rags, grass and piles of dry dog food. Mousey heaven. | ||
| Bdabuell |
not that a decent battery tender is going to break the bank or anything....but you could also just pull the battery and take it inside with you. | ||
| 12r |
I didn't ride my Firebolt for 6 weeks from December 23rd last year. It stood in a very well ventilated outbuilding with temperatures regularly below freezing. When the weather improved, all I did was put the bike in 5th and turn the engine away from compression before thumbing the starter. It fired up first time. | ||
| Typeone |
re muffler plug: i use the ProGrip 4-stroke size large to block off my Drummer fatlet. fits perfect. they come in 3 sizes i think. small fits my dirty bike, the large fits the Drummer... they're cheap, only like $5. great for washing too. FYI. | ||
| Spuds |
hey Tim...how's TO? mine's in a buddy's "heated" basement workshop. I remove the battery and give it a daily trickle charge (20 minutes), fog the cylinders, add some fuel stabilizer to a topped up tank (then ride a bit to get the stabilizer throughout the system), change the oil, and store the bike as clean as possible. I remove the seat and stuff some steel wool into the exhaust outlet (and need to seal up the air intake too) ...just to be extra safe against those damn mice!! I didn't spray anything on against rust...but I think the key in your case is that the storage space will not be opened/closed on a daily basis, nor will it have a salt encrusted car coming/going on a daily basis.... tires: they say getting them up off the ground is best, but if not possible, maybe move the bike a couple of inches every couple of weeks to avoid any flat spots setting in.... what am I forgetting? | ||
| Tleighbell |
Hey Rod. It's probably not as cold as Ottawa. Got out for a ride last Saturday, changed the oil. Should have a couple of warm days this week so I might try to get in a ride. | ||
| Buelluk |
As long as the road is a few days dry and its not below 40 degrees I will always take mine out in the Northeast for a 20 mile spin every weekend at least. | ||
| Cmm213 |
If you guys dont have stands put some carpet squares under the tires. | ||
| Daves |
make sure the cover "breathes", no plastic. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Storage....whats that....I rode to work today and it was 28 degrees. There was no noticable fan noise either. | ||
| Freezerburn |
Cold storage is not a problem if it is dry. Sounds pretty damp and that is the enemy. I ride all year but I have to spray my bike for the salt. Once rust gets started, if you are not there to nip it in the bud, you can get a bit of a problem. Not too much externally to corrode on our bikes though. Oh Jerry, I don't seem to hear a fan either! | ||
| Bartimus |
Your bike is your baby. Would you leave your child in an unheated garage? The answer is simple, NO. Treat your bike as you would treat your child, and it will never let you down...  | ||
| Dpoole |
It's a motorcycle, not a child. Did you buy it to work on it or to ride it? In northern Ohio we may not ride every week during the winter but we don't store them. Good advice on the mouse traps. Pour some fuel stabilizer in the fuel and set a few mouse traps. The mice here really go for brick cheese. |
