winter bike storage, anyone keep their bikes in the basement?

[stemi]

WIth winter approaching, I'm looking into new solutions for storing my motorcycles. Traditionally I've jammed the bikes in the garage with battery tenders, but with an increasing stable of horses in the garage I'm running out of room and need to think outside the box a bit.

I have a large portion of my basement that is unfinished and would be a great place to put the bikes, but am always leary because of fumes, fire risk, home insurance scares, and the fact that it just doesn't seem right to keep a motorcycle in the basement.

Does anyone store motorcycles inside their house? I'll probably suck it up and pay to store some bikes in a heated storage like a responsible person, but wanted some other input.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

20+ years ago I left my 75 CB550 out in the elements in Seattle for a winter, then put it under a cover. Still had to clean it up every year, polish chrome, etc. Now it's under a cover and under a carport at my dad's place in Seattle (since I moved to AZ, and now Boston). It doesn't get wet, and the minimal rust comes back slowly so it still needs polish.

Then 15 years in AZ, with several bikes. Various places to live, so little rain and so dry that outside but under a cover and secured worked just fine. Eventually got my own place with an indoor workroom separate from the house, so that was nice.

First couple of months in Boston. Got a garage, not heated, but most room taken up by my '64 convertible. Room for a couple bikes, but not all. So I'm gonna store one under a cover, under a covered porch with lattice on the side. But I've also got two projects, one almost done, one in boxes, that are going in the basement. Feels right to me, although neither are in riding shape at this point.

So I guess part of the question is -- if you store in the basement or in the house, are they going to be in riding shape, i.e. ready to roll out the door, start up, and ride away on a dry day? Or are you going to park them for a while? If the latter, a drained gas tank will eliminate fume and fire worries.

I've got no choice. I went from a place with plenty of room and a great environment to one in which I've got less room and now have to worry about weather and cold.

 

[silentsvn]

I had a neighbor who used an old 8 person tent during the winter next to his house for his bikes.
Did the normal winterizing and rolled them in with a couple of those damp rid gel packs that you get from Home Depot to dry out basements.

Done & done - seemed a good idea, cheap too.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/portable-garages/10-ft-x-10-ft-shed-in-a-box-with-tan-cover-68775.html

 

[johngofast]

I had a neighbor who used an old 8 person tent during the winter next to his house for his bikes.
Did the normal winterizing and rolled them in with a couple of those damp rid gel packs that you get from Home Depot to dry out basements.

Done & done - seemed a good idea, cheap too.

This is a great idea if you don't have a structure to store the bike in. Especially like the moisture packs.

 

[Maritime]

I have the garage in my house in the basement un-heated, there are double 6' doors into the basement shop, heated but un-finished. I keep the bikes in the garage all summer, then I put stabil in the tanks, shut off the fuel, run the carbs dry, and roll them inside. park em there alll winter with tanks filled to the top with fuel and no fumes, smell or anything. I usually change the oil over the winter and tinker or do maintenance like valves etc. then they are ship shape for spring. The cars live in the garage all winter spring comes and cars get parked outside and the garage is bike only parking again.

 

[silentsvn]

This is a great idea if you don't have a structure to store the bike in. Especially like the moisture packs.

Funny thing is he had the room, 2 car garage, it was just winter and his better half liked to park her car inside in case of bad weather and cold.

Ahh.... the compromises we have to make sometimes.


That "shed in a box" seems like a more purpose built idea - prob a bit studier as well.

 

[Cafe_to_go]

This is not the best idea, but my father used to store his motorcycle outside covered of course but he would spray with transmission fluid to prevent from getting rusty, did that for many years until someone stole the bike.

 

[jrswanson1]

None of you ride in the winter? Pfft.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

None of you ride in the winter? Pfft.

Of course I do. Projects are in the basement, but as soon as they're done and it's dry, they'll be out and competing for garage space with the three bikes that will be ridden in the winter when weather permits...

 

[jrswanson1]

Of course I do. Projects are in the basement, but as soon as they're done and it's dry, they'll be out and competing for garage space with the three bikes that will be ridden in the winter when weather permits...

Ah, got it. I'm wondering about winter here. One year it was above freezing for all but a few days, the next we get snow and ice and crap on the roads for half the winter. If we get any significant snow, I might have to rent out a storage space for a few days. A 10'x10' locker holds four bikes comfortably, five is a little tighter.

 

[lingo]

Mine live in the basement right now. I am building a 16'x8' shed in the back yard for them. Little hard to get anything done with 4 bike in my shop space in the basement.

 

[Tim]

I kept my old CB500 in the basement one year. They're a lot bigger when you get them indoors The fumes were bad, so I removed the tank and carbs and put them in the garage.

 

[buckeyebike]

I currently have a Triton in the dining room- full tank on a battery tender, haha. No fumes, never thought much about it. Will likely drain the tank if I keep it there all winter.

 

[J-Rod10]

I keep mine, on the road. Imo, best place for them.

 

[NortonGuy]

Yea, put your bike in the basement. Make sure the tank is full to prevent condensation inside, also make sure to park it right next to the water heater so heat from it will ward off moisture.

Start looking for a large cardboard box that maybe someone has left over from unpacking a new major appliance, a washing machine etc. and keep it in a garden shed or a friends house so when your fucking house burns to the ground you will have it as a makeshift shelter to sleep in while sorting things out with the insurance company.