Storing a Motorcycle

interceptor

Coast to Coast
I was wondering what the best way is to store a bike for a long time? Should I drain the gas, change the oil, block the exhaust exit, put it up on the center stand, etc.? Or do I keep gas in it, ad an additive and start it every so often? I'm talking like, 10 years storage. Thanks :)
 
interceptor said:
I was wondering what the best way is to store a bike for a long time? I'm talking like, 10 years storage. Thanks :)

Maybe w good behavior you will be out in 5 years. ;)

Pull battery completely out.

Drain gas from tank and carbs. lightly coat interior of tank w 30wt, drain and store in a box inside the house. store seat inside the house.

Once per year.
The additives in modern engine oil will seperate so drain it. Because its not regularly being heated and stirred.

Replace engine oil w straight 30wt non-detergent. Once a year pull plugs, add a squirt of 30wt to cylinders. Kick her over like 30 times (enough to stir oil up and pump it up to cam and coat cam chain) re-install plugs. And do your best to ensure all valves are closed for storage.
give both tires a spin to keep bearings healthy.
Coat fork tubes and chain w 30wt. Exercise front and rear suspension every now and again.
Spray lube and work all switches.
Use some chrome polish on chrome and aluminum once a year.
Store on center stand. cover whole bike w a cotton bed sheet, so it can breath.

IDK what you would do about brake fluid. Keep them filled w fluid.
Just exercise them plan to re-bulid-clean up M/C, caliper.

Plan to replace tires.
On start up drain and replace all fluids including fork oil and brake fluid. Fire her up and have fun.
 
^^ Good Advice.

Why do you need to store a bike for 10+yrs.
It would be better to ride it a few miles every few months to keep it healthy IMO.
 
To trek's excellent list, I might add mothballs, cedar chips or some kind of hot pepper spray to deter mice.
 
These are all great ideas, thanks :) I've been working on the FJ1100, and to get it to where I would feel comfortable riding it would take considerable time and money. So, I've decided to store it for the next 8 years until I semi-retire and can dedicate time to it. I think it's an absolutely great bike, and would make for a very comfortable and viable touring machine. I've verified that it runs, and I have ordered parts to make it a complete bike. I'll do some of the things listed, and make sure I turn over the engine every so often. Draining the gas and emptying the carbs is crucial. Can I just run the carbs dry, or should I take them off again and drain?
 
interceptor said:
These are all great ideas, thanks :) I've been working on the FJ1100, and to get it to where I would feel comfortable riding it would take considerable time and money. So, I've decided to store it for the next 8 years until I semi-retire and can dedicate time to it. I think it's an absolutely great bike, and would make for a very comfortable and viable touring machine. I've verified that it runs, and I have ordered parts to make it a complete bike. I'll do some of the things listed, and make sure I turn over the engine every so often. Draining the gas and emptying the carbs is crucial. Can I just run the carbs dry, or should I take them off again and drain?

Remove the bolt at the bottom of the carbs, pull off the bowls and dump and dry them, then reinstall.
 
I wish I could, but there is literally no room to do that. I think I'll run it a little more, and then take the carbs off and drain them. I may even leave them off and store them inside with the tank and seat and block the intake boots with some plugs or something, as they are pretty involved to put back on.
 
Oops, sorry johngofast. After reading your post again, maybe that's what you meant for me to do? I put the pipes back on last night and installed the new muffler. I started it up and it didn't seem to want to run without the choke on. So either I let the gas sit in the carbs too long (5 days?), or the fuel level in the carbs was low enough to make the bike not run correctly? I'm hoping it's the latter :eek: I think the best thing to do is probably install the tank again and see if it's running right. Then I'll tear it apart, again, and wrap it up for storage.
 
I've also just blown carbs dry with air to see how well it worked, pulled the bowls and they were completely dry. Might not work with all types though.
 
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