| Author | Message | ||
     Milesvdustin |
Hello. I am going to Iraq again on deployment here in a couple of weeks, and I am going to be placing my bike in a storage unit for 7 months while I am gone. Anything special I need to do to the bike to ensure it will be ready to go when I get back? OF course some fuel stabilizer is in order, what else should I do? Thanks | ||
| Wolf102 |
change the oil | ||
| Ratbuell |
Full tank of fuel (the less airspace, the longer fuel will last), with stabilizer. If it's carbureted, run the bowl dry with the petcock closed. Battery tender if you have power in the storage unit; if not, pull the battery and take it home and put on a battery tender in the basement. If you have stands, put it on them so the tires aren't on a concrete floor; if not, park on pieces of plywood. Try to park it as upright as possible, as being on the sidestand sloshes the primary oil completely away from the 5th gear bearing and it can dry out. My S1W was that way when I got it (8 years old with 1100 miles on it - too much sidestand time!). I prefer to store with old oil and change it on removal from storage, that way I'm changing out any moisture that's accumulated during storage...but it's up to you. It should get an oil change either when stored, or when removed. If you are going to cover it to keep dust off, make sure to use a breathable cover so any moisture that gets under the cover can vent out. Heavy coat of wax on the bodywork, and you can spray a coat of silicone or S-100 engine dressing on the aluminum engine bits to fight off corrosion. Oh yeah - THANK YOU, and come home safe!! | ||
| Milesvdustin |
Thanks for the advice. Can I just spray some WD-40 on all the metal bits? This is my second time over, I work on hueys and cobras for the Marines. I should be just fine, ready to ride when I get back in about 7 months! | ||
| Buellboiler |
Crazy idea. On snowmobiles we use fogging oil to protect the cylinders during storage. I assume it will also work well for 4-cycle engines in storage. This is particularly true for high humidity locations. Pull the plug and give each cylinder a quick blast according to the instructions on the container. Boiler. | ||
| Phat_j |
ratbuell the reason you change the oil before storage is that used oil actually becomes acidic ..... not very good for internals...... and your correct about changing after to get rid of any moisture, best case situation is change before and after...... and as already said, thanks mils (Message edited by phat j on February 26, 2008) | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I'm not so sure I'd fill the tank with gas. The old tubers had problems with paint blistering. Storing it with the tank full increases internal pressure due to temp changes. This may cause vapor to migrate through the plastic. Since the tank is plastic you have no worries of internal rusting. I'd be VERY tempted to run the tank low on gas, add a stiff dose of Seafoam then run the tank out of gas. Seafoam seems to work better for long periods of time than Stabil. To further reduce internal tank pressure issues, I'd also pop the flip tab on the gas cap incase the breather isn't functioning. Changing the oil is a very good idea...fogging the cylinders wouldn't hurt either. You can accomplish much the same by squirting an ounce or so of oil down the spark plug hole then spinning the engine over, then replacing the plugs. That should coat the rings and cylinders. BTW, Thank you for your service to our country. Make sure you keep in touch with us here on BWB if you can. Keep your head down and be safe my friend. Brad | ||
| Devdawg |
Miles, It sounds like we're going over together...if you meant Afghanistan that is...either way we're on our way out at the same time. If you'd rather store your bike in my garage next to my M2, let me know. Semper Fi.... (Message edited by devdawg on February 26, 2008) | ||
| Milesvdustin |
Naw, I'm headed to Al Asad, Iraq. Again. I think I am going to use the money I save up over there for an HID headlight kit, some clip on bars, maybe new rearsets. I've also been thinking about some XB wheels, that would be nice. Thank you all for the support, it sure helps out! I will most certainly be able to keep in touch, I may just start a topic up and post a weekly update. Group ride when I get home? My twin brother is going with me too, we are in the same unit. He has an XB9R. Thanks again! Semper Fi Devdawg. | ||
| Kyrocket |
You bring it to Ky and park it in my garage next to the X1 and I'll keep the soot blown out for you. Free of charge. Well, I say free. You're paying enough spending time away and keeping us free. Much appreciation. | ||
| Timn |
What Brad said about the fuel tank is correct. This year i stored my 97 S3t with the tank full. The tank blistered for the first time. | ||
| Milesvdustin |
Shouldn't the fuel vent line off the tank keep the fuel vapor from building up inside the tank? My decals are already blistered to hell and back, so if thats what you are talking about then I don't care about them! I am considering just leaving the bike for my dad, he can ride it and take care of it for me while I am away, and there would be no need to winterize! Somehow I don't think my mom would appreciate that too much! | ||
| Ratbuell |
The vent tube should vent, but I've had bad vent floats before. If you're already bubbled...it's up to you. I'm used to storing cars (metal tanks), hence the advice to fill 'er up first. Can't wait till spring, to get my Shelby back out for a blast around the block  At any rate, WD40 should be ok on the external bits, but be sure to clean everything off before you ride. Slippery is baaad, especially if it gets on your tires | ||
| Milesvdustin |
Yeah that would be really bad if I made it back safely from a combat zone and then wrecked my bike the first day I was back! The sad thing is a bunch of different Marines come back and buy those darn rice rockets and think they are superman. Needless to say some of the results are less than stellar. I already miss the bike and I haven't taken it for its last ride yet! Too bad that ride is only about two miles to my storage locker.... It's gonna be a long summer! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Take lots of pictures before you go...and maybe find a place for the flyscreen in your pack, so you can have it out there with you. | ||
| Milesvdustin |
I'll have to do that, except I took the flyscreen and front fender off of my bike. I think it looks better aesthetically that way. I've been thinking about taking the lower and upper belt guards off of the swingarm, and then using a dremel tool to cut off the factory tabs on there. Anyone done this one before? | ||
| Limitedx1 |
i cut my tabs off of a polishing project, i do not run a back tire fender or belt guards on the swingarm so those tabs just hang out in space. i whacked them off with a cut off wheel and ground them flat before i started polishing and personally it looks way better all smooth | ||
| Djkaplan |
When my buddy Maj. Rob was deployed, he gave me his Fatboy and Lexus and told me to keep them exercised. His bike and car were waiting for him in perfect condition when he came back. That was a good day. | ||
| Ulywife |
Group ride when I get home? Drop a line on Carolina Corner Carvers and you'll have lots of company on that welcome home ride. Miles & Devdawg - thank you for your service, stay safe. |
