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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Storing a bike
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Message started by rong on 06/05/25 at 18:03:08

Title: Storing a bike
Post by rong on 06/05/25 at 18:03:08

Hello everyone,

Wanted to get your thoughts on how to store a bike for a long time (Not my S40). Maybe up to 2 years.
- Would you put in a stabilizer, like Sta-bil in the gas? Or add seafoam to the gas? Or would it be better to just empty the gas tank and leave it empty.
- Remove the battery?
- Any other thoughts?
- It's being stored outside, but under a patio roof, and covered with a motorcycle cover. The weather never freezes. It doesn't rain often. Usually good weather.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Ron G

Title: Re: Storing a bike
Post by Dave on 06/05/25 at 18:22:59

Run the bike and get it warm.
Change the oil and filter.
Run the engine again to get the oil distributed.
Drain the fuel tank...drain the carb and/or run the engine until it stops.
Remove the battery. (There have been a few bikes where the decompression controller malfunctions and runs the starter while the bike is sitting, and you want the battery out of the bike to avoid any acid leaking out if the case breaks).
Push the bike out in the sun with the fuel cap removed and let the tank dry completely.
Spray a bit of StaBil fogging oil or WD40 in the fuel tank.
Use Duct Tape or a similar tape over the fuel cap lock to close off the vent to the fuel tank.
Air up the tires to 40 psi....support the bike up on blocks to get the weight of the bike off the tires.
Cover the bike with a vented cover to keep dust and dirt off the bike.

Title: Re: Storing a bike
Post by Axman88 on 06/06/25 at 07:41:32

I remove the seats, because rodents can and have found stored seats suitable for shredding as nesting material. The vinyl gets a nice spritz of Armor-all to keep it supple.
I remove the gas tanks, drain them, and add some storage oil that has anti-corrosive additives, and good film strength, and shake the tanks to coat them internally. Tanks and seats get stored indoors, hanging from basement rafters.
I remove the batteries and store them indoors, on a dedicated shelf. Every month or so, each battery in storage gets a voltage measurement and a top-off charge, if needed. Wet, it will get water topped off, if needed.
I cover the air filter with a protective cover I custom cut from a piece of clean, thin aluminum food tray, like TV tray material. This keeps mice from getting into the filter. Other openings might get stuffed with tin foil or an oily rag.
I slip a section of plastic under each tire, so they are isolated from the concrete. Concrete absorbs and can transfer water, is strongly alkaline, and can promote rubber degradation.
I cover the bike so dust won't accumulate, act as a repository for moisture and ions, and promote corrosion.