View Full Version : Bike storage tips?
At the end of the month I'm sadly having to store my bike until easter. Breaks my heart.
It's in a secure garage kindly offered by biker next door neighbours. Their dogs sometimes go to the toilet in the garage and like to p1ss on wheels (woo!) so I'm going to get a cover.
Which cover? So many to choose from with a large price range.
In the future there is a possibility I'd have to store my bike outside, so heavy duty waterproof would be good. Although I've seen indoor breathable covers.... thoughts? Price is as always an issue. Cutting it fine even owning a bike currently. But I do believe in paying more for better quality and longevity.
And more importantly than all this, when leaving a bike for several months what do you need to do to keep it happy?
Currently I'm thinking to run the engine till it's up to temperature and moving the bike so it stands on a different patch of tyre both once a month. Before storing I'll give a really thorough clean and relube.
Anything I've missed?
Oh, and it'll be on a trickle charger.
Cheers for the help!
Keep the the tyres of the ground
Remove the petrol.
Remove the battery charge it up and check it out.
regularly.
ACF or simular.Stops the rust from condensation.
Change the fluids ( keeps it tip top.).
Lock it up properly
DarrenSV650S
12-09-14, 06:04 AM
Don't remove the petrol. Brim the tank and put in a fuel additive to stop it going off. The petrol stops the tank rusting. Let the additive fuel run through the system
Nobbylad
12-09-14, 12:08 PM
Careful leaving it on stands. I did it with mine and once it had weight put on it again, the fork seals started leaking. If I was doing it again I'd leave it under its own weight and just move it every now and then.
You could just pump them up good and hard ,Stick some carpet under them
I've also been told to brim the oil in the bike to keep it all lubed until you use it next. Just don't forget to dump it all before you start it again.
my bike goes away for 4-5 months of the year. i take it down to the lockup or just leave it outside in my garden without a cover. i then take the battery out and then charge it now and again, when the weather picks up i go and put the battery in and give the bike a wash and away i go.
maviczap
13-09-14, 11:01 AM
I'd change the oil for fresh stuff, then there's no acids from the oil doing stuff it shouldn't do
Biker Biggles
13-09-14, 02:40 PM
my bike goes away for 4-5 months of the year. i take it down to the lockup or just leave it outside in my garden without a cover. i then take the battery out and then charge it now and again, when the weather picks up i go and put the battery in and give the bike a wash and away i go.
Agree This will be fine for a few months.Oil the chain to prevent it rusting and dont be tempted to start it up while in storage.It just causes wear for no benefit.
I have no stands so that's a no good. How much of a benefit will carpet be?
I won't drain or add fuel additives to my tank.. but is it best to have a full tank or a low tank which I can then top up when I ride it again?
And also, the bike needs stuff servicing so things like oil need changing. Is it best to do this before or after storing?
Thanks for your help :)
Littlepeahead
13-09-14, 02:47 PM
Someone may correct me here but concrete contains something that can cause damage to the tyres if left in the same place for months, it dries them out causing cracks so the carpet prevents this. Think I read this in a bike magazine.
Someone may correct me here but concrete contains something that can cause damage to the tyres if left in the same place for months, it dries them out causing cracks so the carpet prevents this. Think I read this in a bike magazine.
That's what I read.
Maybe you can seal the floor instead.
Hi pressure in the tyre helps stops flat spots.
The nastys in the old oil is why changing it is a good plan.
Red ones
13-09-14, 04:20 PM
I put mine in the garage for the winter but check it's ok by taking it out and riding it for 60 miles everyday.
;-)
I put mine in the garage for the winter but check it's ok by taking it out and riding it for 60 miles everyday.
;-)
I wish I had the excuse to take it out everyday :( woo student life.
Resurrecting this thread, I've almost got around to sorting my bike before I can leave it for a few months. It's in a garage, got some carpet to put under the wheels, I have a trickle charger, just bought a cheap dust sheet too and I'll ACF everything after washing it when the Manchester weather picks up!
Anything I've missed?
Should I pump the tyres up more than the standard 33-36?
The tyres are pretty new and have no leaks.
Should I pump the tyres up more than the standard 33-36?
The tyres are pretty new and have no leaks.
yes its going to reduce flat spotting
move the pads away from the discs and put a cable tie around the throttle with a note to pump the brakes before you ride the bike. apart from that your all good.
yes its going to reduce flat spotting
How much more? 40-40?
move the pads away from the discs and put a cable tie around the throttle with a note to pump the brakes before you ride the bike. apart from that your all good.
How do I move the pads away from the discs?
And by putting a cable tie around the throttle, are you just saying secure a note to pump the brakes? (And why should the brakes be pumped?).
Novice here - sorry.
Phoenix22
09-10-14, 07:18 PM
Drive it into one of these, suck all the air out & there ya go. The dog can **** over it all they like now and do no harm, doesn't even matter if the roof leaks.
I would use one of these if i was leaving mine for a few months in storage without a doubt.
https://www.vac-bag.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1
take the main bolts off the callipers then stick a flat blade screwdriver in the gap between the pads and lever them apart. you have to pump the brakes again after storage to engage the pads to the discs coz if you dont you will crash the first time you go to use the brakes.
jeezzz you guys would think you are storing it for years, its only a cppl months.
brim the tank
take battery out
pump up tyres
move pads away from discs
thats all there is to it but if you want to be anal about it then pop the plugs out and add a teaspoon of oil down the plug hole and put the plugs back in.
You will only need 42 f46 r(psi)
Don't forget to put a note for the brakes!
Phoenix22
09-10-14, 07:35 PM
Why push the pads away from the disc?
Why push the pads away from the disc?
have you ever seen what damp and static pads do to discs?
Right, think I'm set - thanks for the help guys.
Phoenix22
09-10-14, 08:37 PM
have you ever seen what damp and static pads do to discs?
Yeah but unless there is something seriously wrong with your calipers then the pads aren't going to be held tight against the discs in the first place. If it's put away dry then no need to worry about this. You see all those bikes sat in showrooms for months on end? you rekon they make sure the pads are free at all times? I guess not. What's the first thing you do if you fancy a sit on one?. Yes that's right, grab the brake then swing your leg over. No problems. I agree with most of the advice given up & until this point.
Bibio, you have made several thousand posts more than i have on here so i bow to your perceived superiority,but you are wrong. There is no need to do this whatsoever.
nice shiny showrooms are dry and warm. yes you are right in the fact if the place you are keeping the bike is warm and dry then its fine.
personally i move the pads. in fact i would say if your laying the bike up then its the perfect time to service the callipers. i do this every year as i'm a tight fisted Scotsman and dont want to be forking out on seals and pistons so a strip and grease each year keeps them in tip top condition which saves me money in the long run and also has the added benefit of superb brakes for each new season.
Can almost put this to post to bed as my bikes all tucked up nicely waiting for me to have free time. I've got a charger for the battery, just plug in and play. It has a 6 or a 12v setting.. which one should I choose? Trying to find it on google hasn't really worked.
And if I can choose either or, what kind of difference will it make?
Sv has a 12v battery.
Is it one of the trickle charger types. Be careful as they can damage a gel battery.
The intelligent ones are the best.
Sv has a 12v battery.
Is it one of the trickle charger types. Be careful as they can damage a gel battery.
The intelligent ones are the best.
Just a trickle charger, not an optimate/intelligent one. I'm right in thinking putting this charger on (12v of course) is better than no charger?
Incidentally, would it cause damage if I put it on 6v?
If it's a dumb charger, just attach it once a month for a few hours, then disconnect it once it's charged.
Set it to 12V
Jambo
There's a school of thought that sticking a dumb charger on for extended periods of time will kill a good battery.
I'm a pupil of that school.
You could put it on a timer I guess
Suppose I'm not using the bike from December to maybe March. Is it worth sorning it?
On a nice day your going to be looking to take it out for a spin.
Then just keep an eye on the battery.
My 675 will sit in the garage for a month and be absolutely fine.
On a nice day your going to be looking to take it out for a spin.
Then just keep an eye on the battery.
My 675 will sit in the garage for a month and be absolutely fine.
I'd love to, but after November I definitely won't have time until March time. I just have the impression SORNing is a bit of a faff, and it's just £7 per month for tax..
Some insurance companys get twitchy over sorn anyway
Littlepeahead
22-10-14, 08:08 AM
They do, I planned to SORN my bike because I was having foot surgery and the insurance company wanted to whack a load extra in the policy price and charge me £35 to reissue my policy documents. Since I don't ride the bike that often in winter anyway I simply left it as is as the tax cost was negligible and started the bike every few weeks.
I simply left it as is as the tax cost was negligible and started the bike every few weeks.
I think jury's still our on the start up every few weeks.
I think I will just leve mine on the stand. The zx6r will be on its side stand both with smart chargers when the leg chop comes up
dowser81
06-01-15, 09:02 AM
A good solar panel with over charge built in and your battery will look after itself.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.