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Storage of Motorcycle |
| In England as the autumn comes, the weather gets worse, and
they spread salt & gravel on the roads to prevent them from freezing and becoming slippery.
This is not good news for a motorcycle as the salt is corrosive to the metal
parts. You may continue to ride, or you may just put the bike under wraps until
the spring, when the weather warms up and the spring rain washes the salt
from the roads.
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Preparation for Storage
- Clean the entire motorcycle thoroughly. Remember, any salt or
corrosive contaminant will have a long while to do it's damage if you
leave it.
- Run the engine for about five minutes and the drain the engine oil.
After prolonged use, the old oil is contaminated with water and acids
which are not good for the standing machine.
- Refill the engine with clean oil of the correct grade.
- Empty the fuel tank of petrol. Drain the carbs by running the engine
until they are dry. (if fuel is left for long periods of time it can
break down and block the jets.)
- Remove the empty fuel tank and put 250 ml of motor oil into it. Roll
the tank around to thoroughly coat the inside and then drain off the
excess. This applies to mainly steel tanks.
- Remove the spark plugs and spray oil into the cylinders. Turn the
engine over several times to distribute it and expel any excess.
Engine oil or Redex upper Cylinder Lubricant can be used.
- Reduce the pressure in the tyres by about 20%. If possible mount the
motorcycle on a box so that both wheels are off the ground to prevent
flat spots on the tyres occurring. If not
turn the wheels every month or so.
- Spray or smear oil onto none painted metallic parts. Avoid getting
this on rubber components or the brakes. You can use grease, but it is
hard to was off and I would only use this if I was running the bike
through the winter.
- Lubricate the drive chain and control cables.
- Remove the battery if possible and store in a dry, warm place. Give
the battery a slow charge once a month to keep it topped up.
- Remove the exhausts and place them in dry, warm storage. Fill-in the
exhaust ports to prevent moisture entering. If you can not remove the
exhausts, cover them in a layer of oil and then tie-wrap plastic bags
over the ends to stop moisture entering.
- Cover the motorcycle with a plastic sheet to prevent dust and dirt
settling on it. Clothe sheets should be avoided as they will get damp
and hold the damp against the metal.
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After
Storage Preparation
- Refit the exhausts or remove the plastic bags.
- Refit the battery, apply Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) to the
connections to prevent corrosion.
- Tighten the spark plugs.
- Refill the fuel tank and prime the carbs.
- Inflate the tyres to normal pressure.
- Check the drive chain is correctly tensioned.
- Test the brakes to make sure they work and return to a free position
on release.
- Lubricate nuts, bolts, screws and moving parts.
- Check the Centre and Side stands are free and return to their
correct positions.
- Test the lights, indicators if fitted, and horn.
- Check you are still legal, Tax, MOT and Insurance.
- Start-up and suit-up. Drive carefully and stay safe.
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Information
- It is possible to buy a sealed polythene bag to put your bike into,
from which you can vacuum the air to prevent damp being a problem.
Also silicon crystals are available to soak up the damp, which are
placed in the sealed bag.
- Protection from Salt - Scottoiler
FS365 Spray:
Designed for motorbikes, the FS365 spray is a very good corrosion
inhibitor. It is specially designed to neutralise the effects of road
salt - and in fact it’s special additives become more effective in
the presence of salt! It is water-based, so it can penetrate into the
smallest spaces. Once it does, it evaporates, leaving the additives
behind to protect your bike. The FS365 does wash off in water - so,
just reapply after a wet ride. The FS365 comes in a 1-litre spray
bottle at about £7-00 to make this very quick and easy. The spray is
perfectly safe on all plastics, painted surfaces and composites - and
in fact leaves a fantastic shine and makes it much harder for dirt to
stick..
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