Storage suggestion.

May I just make the following suggestion with regard to winter storage. I have unfortunately over the years seen some very nasty and expensive damage caused by mice. From what I have seen it would appear that the primary attraction to these little rodents is the foam used in bike seats. Once the little beggers are in there they then turn their attention to your wiring and that's when things really get problematic. My suggestion is that you store your seat remotely from the bike thereby removing the primary attraction.

Geoff.

[SV650rules]

Sounds like a good idea to me, we had woodmice (the cute little brown ones with button eyes) in our garage a few years ago, my first clue was the neighbours cat sitting by our garage door a lot, obviously it could smell them and was waiting for them to come out - I tried to trap them in tall jars and stuff, but the food went and so did the mouse - they can leap incredible vertical distances (managed to get out of a vertical jar about 250mm tall) . Unlike the horrible grey house mouse, the woodmouse does not belong indoors, but with cold weather they will take the opportunity to get a bit of warmth in your garage and loft. Despite looking quite plump, they can get through holes as small as your finger. I found that spring traps and nutella are a lethal combination - got rid of all mine in a week - make sure traps are on a heavy base and check them frequently (they can drag a normal trap away if it doesn't catch them cleanly.

I have seen the damage they can do - they got into loft ruined various stuffed teddy bears (my wifes) and also pair of my walking boots by gnawing at the leather (rodents have to keep gnawing to control their teeth, otherwise their dentures keep growing and will eventually mean they can't open their mouth, they don't mean to bite everything - I blame nature).

[shiftin_gear98]

Or ride it everyday rain or shine, and give them a little fresh air.