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Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through January 10, 2015 » Long Term Storage issues « Previous Next »

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Newbuellertoo
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 12:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To make a long story short, due to some financial issues, I can't afford the insurance and maintenance on two bikes right now. I will never, if I can help it, sell my S3, so I am looking at taking it off the road for a while. My BMW provides a longer riding season and the ability to ride two up. (The wife won't ride on the back of the Buell anymore). So my question is, what should I do to my baby if I am going to put her in storage for an undetermined amount of time? Storage will be indoors and climate controlled.
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D_adams
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 12:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Drain the fuel from it, including the carb if so equipped. Disconnect and remove the battery, store that on a shelf. Putting that on a tender won't hurt it any. Put the bike up on front & rear stands to elevate the tires off the ground to avoid flat spots. Some people I've known over the years also drained the oil, but depending on how long it will sit I may or may not do that myself. More than a year, probably. Plan on changing the fluids and filter either way at the end of hibernation.
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Harleyelf
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 01:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Fresh oil and primary lube will prevent a layer of sediment from forming at the bottom of the oil tank, crankcase, and primary case. Is it in a dry location? Any exposed metal surfaces might need a thin layer of cosmoline or similar jelly to prevent oxidation. Some of my military friends squirt WD-40 in the spark plug holes before deployment to keep the rings moistened.
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Lakes
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 03:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Do what D_adams & Harleyelf have said,
in addition cover the bike with a few cotton sheets as the cotton absorbs moisture also stuff a cotton rag up the muffler exit as you always have a valve open .
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Two_seasons
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 05:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Leave the spark plugs loose and every couple of months re-fog the cylinders.

Change your primary and engine oil BEFORE you store it! No sense in leaving oil in there that is contaminated!

then relax and enjoy winter
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Ratbuell
Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 10:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Overkill.

I take a can of sea foam to the gas station. Put in enough sea foam for the size of the tank. Fill the tank and ride the bike home, which will circulate the treated fuel into every crevice of the fuel system including the carb. Park the bike, preferably on wood, not concrete (flat spots). Unhook the battery or put it on a tender, shut off the petcock, and leave it.

If it sits for a long, long time, you can maybe pull the plug wires off when you crank it at first, to build oil pressure before it fires. Warm it up, change the oils, air up the tires, and go for a ride.

Been doing it this way for years, never had an issue.

The key to storing a bike? If you aren't going to ride it...DO NOT START IT. People who think they're "helping" by starting their bikes and letting them run for 5 minutes? Are doing more damage than good - hot spots in the engine, condensation in the oils, and a battery that doesn't recharge at idle. If it's going to sit...LET it sit. Don't touch it. It'll be fine - they really don't get lonely. I promise.
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Lakes
Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 03:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I live on the Australian coast , close to salt water. never had a rust issue covering bike up well with cotton sheets. but ride the bike all your, got 100,000 on it no oil leaks as ridden.
if you leave a harley standing for a few years the take it out start riding they leak oil. as gaskets go off.
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Akbuell
Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 05:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm going to come in on the side of the "overkill" folks as Ratbuell calls them/me. Fuel stabilizer in the gas, run the bike to warm it up, then drain fuel, fresh fluids, battery out, etc.

Whatever you choose, great advice from a member here ( OK, it was Court . .). Write down what you have done, then put the list under the seat. When time to wake the bike up, you have a record of what was done, and what will be needed next.

Hope this helps, Dave
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Newbuellertoo
Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 07:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for all the advise guys. I do have a couple more questions.
It's a 2000, (fuel injected), so would you recommend keeping some non ethanol gas with stabilizer in the tank and through the system?
I would be concerned with the fuel pump being dry for an extended period.
How about any external rubber? Pegs, grips, isolators, etc. Maybe spray them with a rubber protector product before storage?
Forks seal? Exercise the forks every couple of months?
It will be in my walk out basement, so no, I wont be starting it.
I hate the idea of not being able to get out for a rip for while, but the alternative is even worse.
Thanks again, and any and all advise is much appreciated.
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K12pilot
Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 08:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

^^^ SEAFOAM^^^

I use that sheet in everything!!!

They have a fogger as well, if you wish.

I'm with Joe also,

Treat it, ride it, disconnect the battery & forget it!

I do it to all my rides every year.
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