Motorbike storage

[colpol]

Late autum turning to winter in the UK

How do you guy's store your motorbikes in Northern hemisphere when the weather turns bad ? I mentioned earlier this year that was looking in a product called carcoon storage due to a damp-ish garage

Both my bikes washed\ polished this week before officially going "off road" for the winter

Here it is - doesn't look much



bike pushed onto the bottom cover



Cover applied & trusty helper engaged to help under supervision from the overseer i.e. me



This is it up about 85% - still a bit of air to go





Run's off a trickle charger which suppose to keep the air in the bubble at an ambient temp all winter. I'll see how this winter goes & maybe look at another for next year. There's suppose to be a way to run the battery off the charger as well but I'll have a look at that at the weekend

[skypilot]

I sure don't go to all that trouble. I wash and wax mine and change the oil and put Stabil in the gas and fill the tank and run it for a few minutes. I do any maintenance which is due and then put it under a car cover for 5 about months to keep off dust and bird droppings. I use a battery maintainer on the battery about once per month. In the spring I pull off the cover and check the tires and ride.
I do the same with two cars and no problems in many years.
Nice bike.

[dysondiver]

theres a spray a lot of the guys over at boxer trixs all use , ac50 or something like that , its like a heavy duty wd40 that stays put , not tried it but sounds good , mine goes in a centrally heated garage where i play at fixing it all winter .
do you put some silica gell or the likes in the big oven bag too.

[CDNWatchNut]

We don't have to worry much about humidity here, the winters are drier than a bone. I just fill the tank to the brim, add fuel stabilizer, run it for a few minutes to get the stabilized gas into the fuel system, change the oil and filter, clean and lube the chain, wash it, put it on front and rear stands and throw a cover on it. Oh and pull the battery and bring it inside and put it on a battery tender. I hate this time of year for this very reason...it's such a long winter till riding season starts again I've only put one of my bikes away so far, but holding off on #2 to hopefully get a couple more rides in before permanent snow is on the ground.

[East Bay Rider]

No. When I got the Valkyrie all 6 carbs were gummed up terribly due to the PO not storing it correctly for 2 years. I swore then I'd never store her lest she get gummed up again. The best way to keep the bike healthy is to run it.
So, If its over 36*F in the morning with hopes to reach 40*F during the day I ride to work. This is of course barring wet roads that aren't thawed yet and of course snow. Road temps less than 36*F seem to affect traction and lean angles.
Safety first.

[joeychitwood]

I store mine in an unheated garage unit with a concrete floor. It gets down to -40 degrees F here in the winter and is very dry. Sta-Bil, a full tank of gas and a Battery Tender are the only preparations I do.

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

No. When I got the Valkyrie all 6 carbs were gummed up terribly due to the PO not storing it correctly for 2 years. I swore then I'd never store her lest she get gummed up again. The best way to keep the bike healthy is to run it.
So, If its over 36*F in the morning with hopes to reach 40*F during the day I ride to work. This is of course barring wet roads that aren't thawed yet and of course snow. Road temps less than 36*F seem to affect traction and lean angles.
Safety first.

36 degrees riding a bike on these bad roads. Whoa. You have guts.

[skypilot]

The best mechanic I know tells me to not run the motor while in storage, it just keeps pumping fresh moisture into the motor. I use Stabil in a motorcycle, an outboard motor on a boat, an airplane motor on an ultralight, two cars, two lawn mowers and one roto tiller and have never had a fuel problem.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I store mine in an unheated garage unit with a concrete floor. It gets down to -40 degrees F here in the winter and is very dry. Sta-Bil, a full tank of gas and a Battery Tender are the only preparations I do.

I pretty much do the same. I put 2oz of Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas tank, go down the street and fill it up with gas. Ride straight home and shut off the petcock until the bike shuts off. I fill up the tires with air also. It's in my unheated garage, put a block of wood under the kickstand and hook up the battery tender. Cover it and see it in the spring

Originally Posted by skypilot

The best mechanic I know tells me to not run the motor while in storage, it just keeps pumping fresh moisture into the motor. I use Stabil in a motorcycle, an outboard motor on a boat, an airplane motor on an ultralight, two cars, two lawn mowers and one roto tiller and have never had a fuel problem.

That's exactly right. I also can't understand why people change the oil before storing it. If you're going to store it for an extended period of time, the oil is all in the bottom of the pan so a lot of it will drain out. If it isn't circulation, it isn't doing any harm. Also a lot of oil manufacturers recommend changing it after six months, regardless of how many miles are on it.

Now when I change it during riding season, I always change the oil when the motor is warm.

[joeychitwood]

I should add that I have always covered my motorcycles with fitted covers. They emerge in the spring clean and ready to ride. I have become a believer in Battery Tenders, as my bikes start with a quick turn of the key even after sitting for six or more months.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by colpol

Here it is - doesn't look much

HAGWe

[mailman]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I should add that I have always covered my motorcycles with fitted covers. They merge in the spring clean and ready to ride. I have become a believer in Battery Tenders, as my bikes start with a quick turn of the key even after sitting for six or more months.

Same here doc

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by mailman

That's exactly right. I also can't understand why people change the oil before storing it. If you're going to store it for an extended period of time, the oil is all in the bottom of the pan so a lot of it will drain out. If it isn't circulation, it isn't doing any harm. Also a lot of oil manufacturers recommend changing it after six months, regardless of how many miles are on it.

Now when I change it during riding season, I always change the oil when the motor is warm.

The reason is that with use, the by products of combustion along with trace water in the oil tends to form acidic compounds. While to varying degrees, oils have additives to neutralize these acids, these deplete as the oil is used, hence the conservative approach is to change the oil before storage. This normally involves running the engine for a minute or two after changing it, checking for leaks, so in that time fresh oil is flushed through the engine. Regarding expiration of the oil, I wouldn't personally have any concern with running on clean oil I installed in the fall, come spring time. The oil won't degrade in any meaningful way from sitting in the crankcase over a winter. All IMO of course

[mailman]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

The reason is that with use, the by products of combustion along with trace water in the oil tends to form acidic compounds. While to varying degrees, oils have additives to neutralize these acids, these deplete as the oil is used, hence the conservative approach is to change the oil before storage. This normally involves running the engine for a minute or two after changing it, checking for leaks, so in that time fresh oil is flushed through the engine. Regarding expiration of the oil, I wouldn't personally have any concern with running on clean oil I installed in the fall, come spring time. The oil won't degrade in any meaningful way from sitting in the crankcase over a winter. All IMO of course

Always nice to hear another opinion

[skypilot]

Thank you CDNwatchnut for the clear explanation for changing oil before storage. I just didn't want to do that much typing.
I put the dirty oil into a milk jug for transport to the recycling center at my convenience and have noticed that, over time, dirt seems to drop out of the oil and settle on the bottom of the jug. Better there than in my motor.

[rolio]

something today. I had always wondered what I would do to store a bike for winter. I hope to get one within the next 18 months, so this has always been one of my concerns. I wouldn't want to store it like a lawn mower--now I know why. Thanks

[mailman]

Originally Posted by skypilot

Thank you CDNwatchnut for the clear explanation for changing oil before storage. I just didn't want to do that much typing.
I put the dirty oil into a milk jug for transport to the recycling center at my convenience and have noticed that, over time, dirt seems to drop out of the oil and settle on the bottom of the jug. Better there than in my motor.

I've never witnessed that in either of the ones I've owned. I used to run 60W fossil oil in my 69 Sportster and now I run 20w50 synthetic in my 2000 Dyna. I've faithfully changed the oil every 1000 miles in both. Yes it might be overkill but I like to call it preventive maintenance. Last year I only put 215 miles on it and this year 230 miles. Have 29k on it now and I don't see any dirt or sludge in the basin when I drain it. I also run a magnet in the old oil to check for debris. YMMV

[joeychitwood]

If you want to start a fruitless war of words, start an oil thread on a motorcycle forum.

I use full synthetic fluids on my touring bike, as I ride 3,500-4,500 miles per trip with no time for changes. I hit 22,000 miles on my 2011 Tri Glide this fall.

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

If you want to start a fruitless war of words, start an oil thread on a motorcycle forum.

I use full synthetic fluids on my touring bike, as I ride 3,500-4,500 miles per trip with no time for changes. I hit 22,000 miles on my 2011 Tri Glide this fall.

Amen to that! Oil threads are always fun on motorcycle forums. Pick your poison and change routine and stick with it. FWIW, I've used Rotella for many years in my bikes...mention that and it's guaranteed to start a debate

[skypilot]

Thank you for the explanation Mailman, now I understand why you wouldn't worry about changing the oil in the autumn, it never has a chance to get dirty.
I change the oil in my Goldwing twice per year, once in the middle of the summer and then just before I put it away for the winter. I use full synthetic oil and that works out to about 5000 miles per oil change.

[dysondiver]

i use marine grade detergent oil in my bmw ,,, failing that , just anything that comes to hand thats a liquid ,,, you gotta love boxers...

[Widows Son]

I usually take a long ride and fill up the tank near home. Put some Stabil in, and drain the oil. Give it a nice bath and take out the battery. Give it a complete detailing and put about 3 more psi in the tires than normal. Take all the bags off and store them along with the air filter. Plug the pipes with rags and put a zip lock bag over them and duct tape them in place (keeps the critters out). Then I'll put her in front of the Audi with two bike covers. One cloth, and one synthectic. I'll charge the battery one a mith or so on the bench. Sleep tight, see you in the Spring!!!!!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by skypilot

Thank you for the explanation Mailman, now I understand why you wouldn't worry about changing the oil in the autumn, it never has a chance to get dirty.
I change the oil in my Goldwing twice per year, once in the middle of the summer and then just before I put it away for the winter. I use full synthetic oil and that works out to about 5000 miles per oil change.

Your welcome I'm happy for all of you guys that get to ride a bunch of miles every year I used to but my priorities have changed. The Goldwing is a great motorcycle

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

...
So, If its over 36*F in the morning with hopes to reach 40*F during the day I ride to work...

Edit:
31*F this morning.
Rather than assign a temperature # I guess I just decide once I leave the house.
The point is - ride all year as long as it's safe to do so.