Storage

[DarkOnyx]

Hello again,

It's getting a little colder and I think that within a month I'll have to start thinking about hanging up the wheels for the winter. Here's the problem:

I live in a condo, so there's very little room to store a motorcycle. Even though I heard that it's best to drain the gas from the tank before storage, whatever residual gasoline fumes there would be, permeating through my house isn't an idea that particularly thrills me. I once left a gas can in my place by accident and returned to my house to have fumes permeating through it that made me sick.

So, I do have a cover and I was wondering if there would be any damage associated with storing it outside for the winter, covered by a good quality cover, and then maybe a tarp or two on top of that. If it ain't going to hurt the wheels, I'd rather it be left outside.

Thanks for any advice.

[TheCafeKid]

Hello again,

It's getting a little colder and I think that within a month I'll have to start thinking about hanging up the wheels for the winter. Here's the problem:

I live in a condo, so there's very little room to store a motorcycle. Even though I heard that it's best to drain the gas from the tank before storage, whatever residual gasoline fumes there would be, permeating through my house isn't an idea that particularly thrills me. I once left a gas can in my place by accident and returned to my house to have fumes permeating through it that made me sick.

So, I do have a cover and I was wondering if there would be any damage associated with storing it outside for the winter, covered by a good quality cover, and then maybe a tarp or two on top of that. If it ain't going to hurt the wheels, I'd rather it be left outside.

Thanks for any advice.

I've always been of the opinion its better to store for the winter with gas IN the tank, as to prevent rust from forming in it....get yourself some STA-BIL fuel stabilizer and put it in your tank (4 oz is plenty) Make sure you run the bike for a bit to get it into the carbs too. This will keep the gas from going stale and also prevent it from absorbing water. Get your bike up off its wheels, loose a bit of the presure in the tires, cover with a breathable cover, and im not so sure a tarp is such a good idea, never tried it myself, but as the sun beats down on it, it could get awful hot under it on those warmer winter days. Take your battery out and put it on a tender or trickle charger (dont set it directly on a concrete floor, it will cause it to discharge, that goes for most batteries, so im sure you know that) and when ya can beat the snow off your cover and you should be good to go...Am i forgetting anything guys?? 8-[ Oh yeah...use some WD40 or other contact protector on all contacts to prevent water absorbtion and rust...And one more thing...if there are ways for mice to get into your airbox or pipes, stuff them with something, cos they will do it...

[BassCliff]

Mr. DarkOnyx,

Mr. TheCafeKid offers good advice. Do you have a friend with a garage? Do you know of a cheap storage facility? Inside is always better than outside.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Gary Lich]

Dittos to everything mentioned above, and it won't hut to pull the plugs a put a couple of shots of outboard motor fogging oil into each hole, then crank the engine over a couple of times. (also, if the your seat is in good shape take it off and store it inside)

[DarkOnyx]

Many thanks once again.

I think you all are right about the gas in the tank. I talked to some other folks too, and they confirm that draining the gas out of it might lead to rust.

You know, there's a parking deck here at work that I probably could store the bike at for a couple of days or months until the weather gets better. I'll put that fuel stabilizer in the tank and maybe ride it once a week to keep it healthy.

I think that will work. Thanks again fellas.

[BassCliff]

Many councilors...

Mr. DaryOnyx,

It's hard for me to go three days without riding. I can't imagine going three months without riding my motorcycle.

Someone much smarter than I posted information about storing a bike for the winter. I remember reading that you should resist the temptation to start it occasionally because this can cause moisture to condense in the exhaust system and create rust. Among the exhaust gasses (CO, CO2, NOx, N2, etc) is H2O vapor which will condense in the pipes after they cool. I suppose if your motorcycle is never in temperatures below the dew point or below freezing it is not critical. I also read if that you get it up to operating temperature and ride it around for at least a half hour, then it would be OK.

I'm no expert at storing your bike for the winter. I live in Southern California where we ride all year. But I would suggest doing a little more research before you decide to start it once a week "just to keep the juices flowing".

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=100265

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=85162

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=77776

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=114596

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=winterizing+your+motorcycle&btnG=Google+Search

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[bwringer]

Where do you live?

One option might be to put on some electric grips, buy some insulated gear, and keep riding to work. I live in Indianapolis, and I don't really have to pickle my bikes for the winter because they still get ridden at least once a week. I think my longest layoff was three weeks when we had an absolutely unholy below zero cold snap. The interstate wasn't bad, but the surface streets stayed icy until it warmed up a little.

The thing about concrete floors and batteries is an old wive's tale (old mechanic's tale?) left over from ye olden days when battery cases were made from hard rubber, which gets slightly porous. Now that they're made from plastic, that doesn't matter any more.
More info: http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.asp?action=1&id=20

But the general idea -- don't just abandon your battery for the winter -- is sound. You should keep the battery on an automatic maintenance charger, or at least put it on a maintenance charger for several hours once every week or so.

A cover is good, but you definitely want one that will breathe -- condensation will ruin a bike even worse than being in the rain.

[DarkOnyx]

Thanks again for the advice all.

BTW, I live in Pennsylvania, so when it gets cold... we're talking COLD. We're talking about death going to get your mail here.

It's only October and the wind chill is already killin' me.

[davewallen]

A cover is good, but you definitely want one that will breathe -- condensation will ruin a bike even worse than being in the rain.

I remember a few years back a cover which had a solar powered fan to help keep condensation down. If you did stick the bike on a trickle charger, a fan from a PC also runs on 12 VDC, so you could rig your own ventilation..

I'm in WI, and I tend to ride all year long - when the streets are clear. Although I did make the mistake of going for a 40 mile ride once when the temp was 18 degrees. BBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRR!! And of course, along the way, pulled into a store to warm up, and hit a patch of ice at the foot of the driveway. But I always love it when people pull up next to you in the middle of January, ro9ll down the window, and ask "Are you f&&in nuts"??

Yup.

[DarkOnyx]

I remember a few years back a cover which had a solar powered fan to help keep condensation down. If you did stick the bike on a trickle charger, a fan from a PC also runs on 12 VDC, so you could rig your own ventilation..

I'm in WI, and I tend to ride all year long - when the streets are clear. Although I did make the mistake of going for a 40 mile ride once when the temp was 18 degrees. BBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRR!! And of course, along the way, pulled into a store to warm up, and hit a patch of ice at the foot of the driveway. But I always love it when people pull up next to you in the middle of January, ro9ll down the window, and ask "Are you f&&in nuts"??

Yup.

LOL. That always seems to end the conversation quickly.

"Are you INSANE?!?!?"

"Absolutely."

And that seems to hold them at least for a couple of minutes.

[davewallen]

LOL. That always seems to end the conversation quickly.

"Are you INSANE?!?!?"

"Absolutely."

And that seems to hold them at least for a couple of minutes.

It really helps to have that insane looking grin when you're out getting sun on you in the middle of winter...since it is such a great feeling. 8)

[Rocky]

Thanks again for the advice all.

BTW, I live in Pennsylvania, so when it gets cold... we're talking COLD. We're talking about death going to get your mail here.

It's only October and the wind chill is already killin' me.

Must.be.northern.PA,..as.down.around.Philly.folks. ride.all.year.long,
except.in.snow.and.ice....of.course,..they.all.loo k.like.Darth.Vader
on.wheels.:-D

BTW,.spacebar.not.working.on.this.computer.

[DarkOnyx]

LOL... don't say that.

I am inspired now to get a Darth Vader costume and ride around on my GS850.