How long can I leave my bike sitting between start ups?

[JakubAnton]

A while back I posted a question here asking what I would need to do in order to properly store my bike for a year or so. I am moving from florida to colorado in september for 11 months. I got some great feedback and suggestions on that previous post, (many thanks...) and as the moving date gets closer, its breaking my heart to have to put away my bike in a corner so alone for so long. So here I am posing another question.

If I were to "semi" store my bike for a few months at a time, as in, disconnecting the battery and stabilizing the fuel in the tank, putting the bike on a lift to get pressure off the tires... What could be the longest it could go with the oil sitting between startups? Like if I didn't drain the engine block of oil/ fill it up with kerosene? . . . The bottom line is that I will be back in the same town as my stored motorcycle once every two or three months, and I can get some riding in while I'm back in town each time... so is that way too long to go between rides? We've left the scooter for longer and have just had to replace the battery, but the scooter is a 2010, versus the 1977 motorcycle. So naturally I feel like we can get away with more abuse on the scoot.

Thanks in advance for any input or advice. Its really great to have such a knowledgable community willing to share. You guys are legit.

 

[Big R]

You'd be surprised how long oil can sit and be fine - depending on conditions. If you start the bike and let it idle for 10 minutes, and THEN let it sit for months = no good. You want to get the oil hot enough that it is able to burn off any condensation. So take it for a good hour long ride before storage.

On the topic of fuel stabilizers: make sure you buy fresh stuff (even Stabil has a shelf life) and fill up the gas tank as much as you can before heading home. Empty space along the top of the tank is another spot prone to condensation. Unplug the battery and put it on a Battery Tender. Are rodents a problem where the bike will be stored? Spraying some WD-40 into cold mufflers and plugged with a rag isn't a bad idea either.

 

[DreadRock]

With Stbil was always told to fill the tank add the Additives then run for about 10 mile to get in the carb system also !

 

[DoubleClutch]

I store my 68 Triumph Bobber for a stretch of 6 months at a time over the winter. Yes put Stbil in the tank and fill it to the top and ride the bike to get it into the float bowls. I also put the bike on a lift to get the tires off the ground. As for oil. Leave it alone. Oil take a very long time to go bad and once you decide to get the bike back out of storage change it then after warming it up for a while. Never use kerosene in the crankcase it will strip the oil off everything and make things rust from condensation. Take the battery out and put it on a Battery Tender and set it on a piece of wood. Not on the cement floor or a steel shelf. That will just make the battery cold and it should be keep inside where it will be warm. As for cridder's. put steel wool in the exhaust and in the intake for the air box to keep them from making a home there. I take the seat off and store it inside also.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

The oil is 65 million years old. It will be fine for a few months. ;D

Oil doesn't spoil.

 

[SONICJK]

The oil is 65 million years old. It will be fine for a few months. ;D

Oil doesn't spoil.

Only if its non synthetic!

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Shut up. Don't fuck with a good joke!

 

[SONICJK]

"Good" joke?

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Admit it, you laughed.

 

[SONICJK]

I male a point not to laugh at your jokes regardless of humor

 

[JakubAnton]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm stoked I can leave it so I can have a vehicle to ride around whenever I am in town.

 

[WeberKid]

I store my 68 Triumph Bobber for a stretch of 6 months at a time over the winter.

you don't have wet sumping issues? Old Triumphs are dry sump so the bossman at the shop always tells me the worst thing you can do to a Triumph is not ride it. Not a criticism at all - just a curiosity.

 

[DoubleClutch]

you don't have wet sumping issues? Old Triumphs are dry sump so the bossman at the shop always tells me the worst thing you can do to a Triumph is not ride it. Not a criticism at all - just a curiosity.

Oh I know but cant ride during the winter unless I put a ice picks in the tires!! Thats the longest it ever sat but most of the time during the winter it sits around 4 months.