being relatively new to the wonderful world of biking, this is a real novice question, but just checking;- if I am not getting out for a ride for a couple of months, what if anything, should I do with the bike whilst it is locked up all cosy in garage I.e, use a Optimate 4 etc? Just asking as seen a lot of contradictory advice online as usual? Any advice welcome.
This is what I would suggest: 1. First of all give the bike an engine oil change. There are lots of acids build in used oil and you don't want to leave that in, for a few months without riding the bike; 2. Yes, definitely, leave the bike battery on charge using an intelligent charger such as an Optimate or similar; 3. Make sure your tyres are FULLY pumped up, to at least the std setting if not slightly more; 4. Wash the bike thoroughly then spray the bike with a product such as Scottoiler FS365, which is an oil protector film product; 5. Get out and ride, on the good days through winter. Over here it's dry, bright and pretty cold, but great for a little bimble to a coffee shop.
Thanks and was only serviced a month ago so can probably go without the oil change but will go with the FS365. Cheers
I park mine up, put the optimate on (only cos I got one, didn't used to bother), throw a light cover over to protect from dust and a towel over the tank to protect from things getting knocked off the shelves above. (Expierence taught me that one !). And that's it ! It was clean, as it always is, sits on bits of carpet, not cold concrete. Is only off the road 12~16 weeks, aint gonna rust away as long as garage is dry. Always has a coat of ACF-50 anyways(Best IMHO). So that's it - I do nowt and have done that for years. Used to go to all the faff mentioned above, but realised not really needed if you have a decent garage to keep it in. Might start it occasionally, but that is just cos I miss riding it, and want to enjoy the noise and the vibrations . As you say, lots of conflicting advice
Agree with MO if it was off the road for 6 months I'd do a lot more but for 3 months all I do Is put the charger on for 48 hours once a month. Someone told me to let the battery discharge a bit rather than keeping it at max all the time...the rest I only do because it's an excuse to go into the garage and just 'mess' for half an hour. It must have 27 layers of polish on it now so that's it.........no more. Roll on a nice day, I'm itching to get out...
Fair point and I would love to get out on it once a week if possible, but between weather and work, not sure if I will manage it, hence the question, but fingers crossed I will get out on it. Cheers Ps yes just up from Henley In Arden and lots of good roads to ride around this area.
Hi Dozer, As a qualified motor mechanic I heartily agree with your advice, Especially if you can't guarantee the bike will have any use for 12 to 14 weeks, in Army vehicle storage we did the following extras, 1 : remove battery and put on charger monthly. 2 : remove all fuel drain carburetors too. 3 : drain engine oil and store in well sealed containers to re-use when vehicles were remobilized. So pretty much what you advised, if you have a battery optimizer that has a winter setting use that setting It does a regular discharge then recharge when it sense's it is required. Cheers Mick (capt)
Ride as often as you can and keep it clean. Both my bikes will be used throughout winter (Tigers been out today). If the road's wet they get washed and sprayed with the Scotoiler stuff. If it was dry they don't get washed. The bike that doesn't get used gets a go on the charger while I'm out.
Thanks DD I will try and get out as much as possible and dl what I really need to, to keep it going. Cheers everyone.
Hi Smilinjack, Your carbies would have stuck because the fuel would have formed a gummy residue ! This is due to modern unleaded fuels and their additives, it never happened in the days of leaded fuels !! Fuel tanks can rust when empty, but not likely in stable temperatures ( constant cold or hot ) its caused when empty vessels heat up and cool down, air is pushed out and drawn back in and humid air will form condensation inside the tank - hence corrosion ! If fuel tank is wrapped/covered with a towel or blanket the condensation isn't likely. I worked in a Supply Stores Company. 11Supply Battalion, vehicles were laid up/put in dry storage for year's at a time. We had old Centurion Tanks that had been stored for 30 odd year's, We picked a Tank @ random and fettled it up and started it, drove it round the Battalions boundary ( about 8klms ) the hardest part was finding someone who knew how to drive it !!! Laying up a vehicle for prolonged periods of non-use is a choice thing, if done properly you can guarantee it will continue to serve you well ! But even short periods of sitting idle ( unleaded fuels are crap @ prolonged storage ) and you can have dramas and problems arise ! So Watty2016 take some advice, think about what is the most likely problem your bike may encounter when not being used, cold/moisture/stale fuel and take precautions against that at least . Cheers M ick
I put mine on the optimate once a week over winter. I still get out and ride it when the weather isn't too bad which is better. Use either ACF50 or the scotoiler one to protect the bike. If you do use the bike and the Scotoiler product if the bike has got wet whilst out side you will need to reapply it as it washes off far more easily than ACF50.
Cheers everyone for the insight and as I thought lots of suggestions and with hindsight I am going to get out every opportunity I can get and just keep the battery topped up as and when. Cheers
And that is why I dont put mine to bed over the winter ! The planets aligned today, the sun peeped it's head out, bit of a draught blowing, roads dried up and I had an hour free and my daughter wanted some new years eve booze fetching (some hideous green stuff the children like to drink). So the only course of action was to don my full textile suit and thermal layers and take the big bike out for a blast. So glad I didn't have to take it off wooden blocks, put the engine oil back in, ........................ Great way to end 2016.
