hopefully getting a garage tonight

[AndyBrad]

Hi folks,



Right im hopefully getting the keys to a garage tonight. Nottoo far from home it will allow me to park the bike up and get some rubbish outof the cellar. Nowthen the only garage ive had before was my parents which isheated, has a pit, overhead beam crane and fantastic lighting. This one will bea pre fabbed concrete thing with a corrugated roof and gabs in the walls. In shortits going to be a bit rough.



Sooo what do I need to do to turn it into a home from home.Its rented to I cant demolish it as I would like and build a wondergarage likeowenski and others have. There is no power to it or water. Soo thoughts? Im thinkingthe first thing on the list would be a new lock? And some way of sealing thegaps between the roof and walls?

[L3nny]

I had one like that and the bike was fine. If you leave your bike in it over the winter though get one of these to keep the battery topped up as it wont have any power sockets.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powered-12v-1.5w-battery-trickle-charger-98358

The only problem I had was with my insurance company. The insurance company wouldn't let me say I kept the bike there because it didn't have it's own postcode so in the end I had to just say I kept it as home under a cover, only added a few quid to the premium anyway.

[yorkie_chris]

Id rather have my bike at home where I had my eye on it TBH.

[Stuuk1]

I've always been wary of these garages. The only stories I ever hear is of thefts and kids playing football in those areas. Could you not buy a workshop/shed for in the garden then run a feed down there to it? Rear access to the garden for the bike?

I'd buy some cheap battery powered PIR alarms from ebay, I got one for £6 and its great, I have it in the back of my van and its LOUD! (Companies work van and they wont pay for it to have an alarm).

[Runako]

Its incredible! Never thought I'd consider moving due to lack of a garage. Almost everything is perfect living wise (renting), yet the number of sleepless nights, with people messing with the bike outside the house, means I seriously considered moving.

I presume AndyBrad is in a similar situation to me that he either has no rear garden or access to it (I have no access). I've considered this option but sadly there are none near enough to where I live.

I have one suggestion. A dummy camera outside on the building somewhere can be a good deterrent. I'll leave the rest to those with actual garages (envious) :)

[AndyBrad]

i dont have a garden but a yard. i can and do park the bike in it but having a garage is what ive allways wanted. this may lead onto other things as i only really got a bike in the first place as i couldnt have a garage and needed a tinkering fix (im a classic car guy originally) unfortunatly im now hooked!

Anyhow its basically a fancy shed and needs securing and fixing up a little to bring it anywhere near upt o scratch. any advice is welcomed :)

[AndyBrad]

is this any good as a lock? instead of a padlock im thinking?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50mm-Gate-Lock-Double-Lockable-Gate-Lock-/360427235914?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_F encing_CV&hash=item53eb232a4a

[Paul the 6th]

Just remember the old adage 'if it's worth locking up, it's worth having' Andy, any twoc'ing scumbags will most likely notice a decent lock and then give your lock up more attention during the research stage..

Has it got power? I'd be looking for some kind of alarm, security lighting if possible (cheap halogen security lights from b&q are £8 ) and then high quality mechanism which could go on the inside of the door so it's hidden from view = good security without advertising it.

In terms of pimping it, paint the walls with light coloured masonry paint and fit as many flurouescent tubes as you can, this will provide and bounce as much light around as possible.

Shelves are good, but old kitchen cupboard units with shelving inside will help you to organise stuff more effectively. If you can't get hold of a 2nd hand kitchen worktop, ikea sell 2.4m lengths for about £30 if you get a generic black one. If you get wall mounted kitchen cupboard units, buy some cheaper 12v mini flurouescent tubes to fit on the lower side of the wall mounted cupboards to throw as much light as you can on the worktop area..

Also a cheap calor gas fire will make the place far more comfortable on chilly evenings. JUST DON'T DECANT PETROL FROM A BIG CONTAINER INTO A JUG IF YOU HAVE ANY NAKED FLAMES NEARBY.

Can't remember if your bike has a can on it, I'd be tempted not to fire the engine up until the garage door is down & locked when riding away, and when returning kill the engine, get the door open/bike in/door shut sharpish. Do as little as possible to advertise that you've got a bike & tools in there.

Ground anchor.

If all the above seems like too much effort, just get in there with the local hells angels & don't p*ss them off.

[AndyBrad]

cheers paul,

unfortunatly its not big enough for worktops and such. i recon i could just about get an mg midget in there :)

there is no power and the doors are crap! im looking at a decent lock and sorting that first but if anyone wants in it wont be too hard. However that said ive never had any problems leaving stuff on the street and the worst ive had is a local youth hand me my keys back after i left them in the bike all night (oops) the bloke whos garage it is owns a bike shop and keeps his tourno and super duke in one and theres also some very expensive expedition type stuff in another so i doubt they will bother with mine. After all a chav wouldnt be seen dead on my bike as its not cool enough :)

yea its got a can on it. not doing me any favours with the locals atm. should probably get a baffle.

[missyburd]

why are you paying good money for a garage you'll need to do loads to to make it suitable of housing a nice bike....can't you just throw together a shed/fort knox in your back yard? I'm inclined to agree with my other half, would much rather have the bike closer to home and in the area you live in...

[Runako]

Agreed. If I had the space the bike would be in the house (edit: sarcasm/hyperbole).

[AndyBrad]

dont want the bike in the house.

area isnt as bad as you think. in certainally happier than leaving it in hudds or fax

i would buld a shed in the rear but it will block out light into the kitchen. so its a no goes really. Plus its hard to build a classic car in a shed :)

[metalangel]

Its incredible! Never thought I'd consider moving due to lack of a garage. Almost everything is perfect living wise (renting), yet the number of sleepless nights, with people messing with the bike outside the house, means I seriously considered moving.

It's not much better with a car, I've found. The amount of shizzle that's happened to my and other people's cars parked out on the roads around here is just unreal. A decent, safe spot (on the road) to park is so nice that I'm reluctant to drive somewhere lest it's gone when I come back and I have to hunt for another.

[monkey]

I've got a garage rented in a block a mile from my house. It got done over once before I was aware just how easy they are to get into.

Mine is a home from home courtesy of some low power 230v lights powered by a tiny inverter I plug into my van when I drive there to work on bikes. I've also got loads of metal cabinets and very large filing drawers to keep everything neat and to hand.

You don't want to make yours airtight. They need a fair amount of ventilation. I've had my bikes go mouldy in mine before now.

Have fun!

[L3nny]

I've had my bikes go mouldy in mine before now.


Try wiping the dead flies of before putting the bike away :rolleyes:

[monkey]

Ooh aren't we the clever one!

If it happens this year you can come over and clean the mould off parts that flies don't get to. Thanks.

[Paul the 6th]

Clean the dogsh@t off before storing bike?

[speedplay]

Andy, is it an up and over garage door on it?
If not, and it's just two outward opening doors, you can always build a decent stud wall in behind them with a couple of decent fire doors and locks on.
I've done this for people in the past.
Makes the garage draught proof from the front and really secure without advertising the fact that there is something worth having in there ;)

[davepreston]

ive just built a similar garage speedplay bruv :)
quote required

[speedplay]

ive just built a similar garage speedplay bruv :)
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Ten million quid.




That should keep me safe ;)

[davepreston]

not really i'll just pay with sexual favours ;)

[speedplay]

Good job it's not by the inch then....would take you for ever!
Lol

[monkey]

Clean the dogsh@t off before storing bike?

Thanks! I'll try that next time. I knew there was a whiff :)

[sc00by]

fit a floor anchor, or a wall anchor depending on space/shape

Also I have a xenex disc lock that's bright yellow and has an alarm (it's pretty damn loud)

If someone gets through the door and has to tackle an alarmed disc lock and a grounded chain, it's just not worth the effort

[Paul the 6th]

Also I have a xenex disc lock that's bright yellow and has an alarm (it's pretty damn loud)

Never had an alarmed disclok before but always wondered, how do you get them off without setting the alarm off? Or does it go off for a few seconds whilst getting the key in?

[sc00by]

Never had an alarmed disclok before but always wondered, how do you get them off without setting the alarm off? Or does it go off for a few seconds whilst getting the key in?

after it moves significantly you get 10-15 seconds to unlock it. Same concept as a house alarm

When I stay in hotels I put my bike as close to my room window as convenient/possible. Would easily wake me up (and the rest of the hotel) if someone started tampering.

[AndyBrad]

now i put the idea of a classic to the lass last night and she said "why dont you keep the bike, your enjoying it so much"

cant argue with that....

garage is good for the bike (especially in this weather) however any experts on asbestos roofing on here?

[Paul the 6th]

garage is good for the bike (especially in this weather) however any experts on asbestos roofing on here?

It's fine as long as it's not crumbling or cracked - don't snap bits off to grind down and snort it. Use polyfilla for that.

[AndyBrad]

got a couple of bits where there is a flake comming off. Should i get it replaced?

[Paul the 6th]

Eeeesh.. ask leedsmatt or roberrrt or specialmoan, they're all building types, I know it's nasty stuff but have been told in the past if my roof isn't crumbling or cracked then it's ok, just don't make a point of breathing heavily near it if it's started to deteriorate.

Whack some gaffa tape on it :razz:

[monkey]

If it's a council garage get onto them and find out if it's been surveyed and tested. If it's private then the owner might just say its not asbestos to avoid the hefty cost of repair/replacement.

Don't touch it at all. Hopefully it's concrete.

[AndyBrad]

its private.

[speedplay]

As said, don't touch it if you think it's asbestos.
There are many levels of the stuff, some more harmful that others.
Some will need licenced contractors to remove it and some won't but if in doubt, give a company a call.
Most will come
Round and have a look free of charge for you.
If it is asbestos sheeting (non notify able) then you can remove it yourself.
Wet the sheets and unscrew them, don't break or cut sheets and wear suit and mask just to be safe.
You will still need to dispose of it in a licenced site all wrapped up airtight though.
If its a private rented place, the problem isn't yours and contact the landlord ;)

[AndyBrad]

so it needs fixing then?

[speedplay]

Is water P1$$1ng through the roof...?

[AndyBrad]

nope
just a flake on the inside

[dizzyblonde]

And by Andys standard, that flake was probably looked at through a magnifying glass! ;)

[AndyBrad]

yup, if its not right its not right is it :)

about 4mm square in reality so you can see it! and theres 2 of them!

[speedplay]

so it needs fixing then?

Is water P1$$1ng through the roof...?

nope
just a flake on the inside

If it ain't broke.... ;)

[Paul the 6th]

If it ain't broke.... ;)

Buy something faster?

[speedplay]

Buy something faster?

You went from a gixer to a campervan...

[davepreston]

rofl

[Paul the 6th]

You went from a gixer to a campervan...

I went from a gixxer to a ktm adventure actually...

and then a 300bhp remapped s4 to an 88bhp camper van..

Now I have a gixxer again tank yer vary mootch :smt072 (although having said that it's in bit at york suzuki so not very fast atm)

[punyXpress]

Now I have a 0.2bhp gixxer again tank yer vary mootch :smt072

[speedplay]

I went from a gixxer to a ktm adventure actually...

and then a 300bhp remapped s4 to an 88bhp camper van..

Now I have a gixxer again tank yer vary mootch :smt072 (although having said that it's in bit at york suzuki so not very fast atm)

I can see that the progression is in keeping with getting older...
The northern mind is a strange one ;)

[Paul the 6th]

I was looking at an r1 on Friday... ;)

[AndyBrad]

So you sold the srad because it was too fast and now you fancy an r1

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[Paul the 6th]

So you sold the srad because it was too fast and now you fancy an r1

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Espanola inquisito señor????????

No I sold the srad because it allowed me to ride like a doylem without any fear/sense of limits. This new 750 doesn't feel quite as 'point & shoot' & I feel like I've fallen out with it since it broke down after 4 months of excitement.

Gonna get it back from York Suzuki (still in bits) and find a proper garage to fix it after they transferred it to their lock up because they wont "have time to look at it for atleast 3 weeks" and they "shouldn't have taken an engine swap on in the first place because it's too big a job" for them.

Gonna get it on the road again & see how I feel about it. Then maybe get an r1..

[AndyBrad]

That sucks dude!

Does anyone need an r1 tho. On that subject how did you feel moving from fast bike to fast car?

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[Paul the 6th]

All bikes only go as fast as you make them :).. it's one of those things I've always fancied trying just to see what it's like.

Fast bike to fast car = boring change, the s4 was fun to blow off m3's and reps in mercs but it just doesn't compare to the dynamic experience of riding a bike where you can choose a line, feel the wind through your lid, feel exactly what the bike's doing under braking & cornering etc. The car was good because it had heated leather seats.

As for York Suzuki, I've informed Suzuki GB and they said that York Suzuki are an independent business but they're carrying an international brand name so shouldn't really be conducting themselves like cowboys.

Already managed to get a review on google (search for york suzuki) I'm off to leave some reviews on other sites when I get chance. Just want the bike working now.

[punyXpress]

I'd go steady on the 'reviews' until I got my bike back.
But then I'm a wimp.
Go gettem P6

[Paul the 6th]

Aye I'll just leave it as the one on google & the complaint to Suzuki GB for now :) still wondering whether they're going to ask me to pay them lol.. that'll probably be worth recording :)