| Author | Message | ||
     Germblast |
So after the new year I will be traveling for work for the whole year, my bikes will be left unused in the garage/shed for a full year. I have a few of them and am curious what type of preventive measure I should take to prevent any issues when I get back. I have toped off the fuel with Sta-bil and Startron (ethanol treatment) and rode it about 60 min before putting them up. I think that the same measure would apply to each one, but here is what I have. If there are any special things to look into for a specific bike, please let me know. 1989 Cafe Raced Sportster 2003 Buell Blast 2006 Buell Uly 2008 1125R 2009 Harley Ultra Classic (daily driver year round) 2014 EBR 1190SX (just purchased 250 miles so far) By the way I'm in CT and traveling to Florida (Riviera Beach and Panama City) for the year and can't take them with me. I am actually looking to buy something while I'm down there and will sell when I leave if anyone knows of a good bike for a good deal (does't have to be a Buell/EBR/Harley). I am looking around craigslist and have seen a couple Street Triples, V-Strom, or FJR's that are enticing. Cross posting to BuellXB for input also. Thanks for all replies Jeremy | ||
| Sifo |
Fresh oil is always nice. Old oil has contaminants that can be corrosive. Left sitting for long periods, it can pit critical surfaces. About a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder then crank it over a couple of times before putting the plugs back in will keep rings and cylinder walls happy. If you can't put them up on stands, at least raise the tire pressure to the max on the sidewall to help stop flat spots. The Sporty and the Blast can have the gas turned off at the petcock an run the engine until the carb runs dry. That should help with the needle valve not being stuck when you try to start them up again. Disconnect the batteries. Modern bikes will have a slight draw from the computers, even when shut off. Clean all surfaces that you want to keep looking good. Like old oil, road grime tends to have corrosives. Lube any chains. Cover them to keep dust off. | ||
| Germblast |
Sifo - Thanks for the quick reply. In regards to the batteries I have battery tenders on each of them including the Shorai tender for the EBR. Does it matter what type of oil in the cylinders? I will take care of the tires as I only have 2 stands. Thanks again. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
use the same oil as the crankcase uses | ||
| Teeps |
Batteries on a shelf on tenders Wheels off the ground Climate controlled storage area | ||
| Ducbsa |
I'm sure you have thought it through, but take one bike with you. I worked for 9 months in Baton Rouge and was very happy that I trailered my XB12S down. | ||
| Germblast |
Ducbsa - I actually wanted to buy a trailer and take 3 with me, but the cost of the trailer, the travel time (unpaid), and the fuel/tolls doesn't end up being feasible with the family. I am actually looking at buying a used bike down there to use and sell it when I'm done. Does it matter is the batteries are in the bike on tenders or on the shelf on tenders? Does is matter whether the batteries are out in the cold all winter or should I find a place inside the house for them? With the sportster and blast I shut the petcock and ran them dry. | ||
| Sifo |
Does it matter what type of oil in the cylinders? Any oil is pretty much fine. As PHD said, whats in the crankcase will work. 3-in-1 oil would be fine. WD-40 would be better than nothing, but it does evaporate. Batteries on tenders? I'm not sure I would be comfortable with that for a year straight. Will someone be keeping an eye on them? I just don't think the fire hazard is zero. A nice warm place indoors would be good if you take them out of the bikes. Not directly on a cement floor either. Some fuel stabilizer might not be a bad idea either, especially if you get the 10% ethanol stuff sold around here.. | ||
| Ourdee |
In just over a year I should be retired. I am thinking of starting a business for Buell owners. It would involve taking their motorcycle for a ride for the cost of plane tickets, hotel rooms, and fuel. I need to start looking into everything involved from insurance to starting an LLC. My other thought is using a van for transporting and sleeping in. Would be nice to know the numbers and demand for such a service. You may be able to find a trusted friend to do this for you. | ||
| 46champ |
If you have not done it already run all the ethanol gas out and put clear gas in. Fill the tanks helps to keep the condensation down. Then put the sta-bil in. On looking back I see you have tried to take care of the nasty ethanol. (Message edited by 46champ on December 19, 2015) | ||
| Sagehawk |
With all the belt issues that go on, I've wondered about taking the tensioner off to slacken belt tension while these bikes would set for up to a year. I've wondered about memory that a belt might possess wrapped around the drive sprocket's smaller diameter. Some belts have snapped at rest as several folks have rolled out in driveway, fired up and went to leave but belt just rolls out on driveway. There are guidelines about wrapping a belt smaller than a given diameter when new and being stored. Just thinking. I pretty much can ride year round in texas so I've never really stored one for extended period of time. |
