Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

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Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby interstateOz » Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:14 pm

Hi all, just wondering what precautionary measures does everyone take while having there bike sit for long periods off time without use? If I don't use it for 6-12 months what would u guys do? I wA thinking turn it over every so often, maybe put some oil or RP7 down the spark plug holes to stop and corrosion on the barrel/sleeve...

I'd love to hear what others do!
Thanks.
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby swooshdave » Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:34 pm

interstateOz wrote:Hi all, just wondering what precautionary measures does everyone take while having there bike sit for long periods off time without use? If I don't use it for 6-12 months what would u guys do? I wA thinking turn it over every so often, maybe put some oil or RP7 down the spark plug holes to stop and corrosion on the barrel/sleeve...

I'd love to hear what others do!
Thanks.


Isn't it summer down there? :mrgreen:
You probably want to go into town, and find a up to date Jap Bike store,
With a full spares department, a clean workshop, and kean young mechanics.
And ask them if theres a Grumpy Old Bloke out in the Hills, who knows how to fix Real Motorcycles.

Matt
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby pvisseriii » Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:59 pm

A squirt of Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders or comparable. Kick over to coat. Check oil tack to see how much has been distributed to the crankcase/timing chest.

I think a big enemy is large temperature swings to where condensation can form. I have issues in my garage when I turn on the kerosene heater and everything starts sweating.
Nortons, when they're right, they're righteous!
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby DogT » Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:31 pm

I've got mine in a heated space, so I just don't worry about it, but if it had to stay outside, I might do something different, not sure what though. You can get plastic bags and suck the air out of them, it may help with the condensation.

Yeah, isn't it summer there?

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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby rvich » Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:41 pm

I dump in some fuel stabelizer, I figure it can't hurt. Other than that I start it once in a while just so I can smell some Commando exhaust. If I were going away and didn't have the option of running it, I would get fogging oil like the variety used in outboards and coat the cylinders with it.
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby concours » Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:03 pm

rvich wrote:I dump in some fuel stabelizer, I figure it can't hurt. Other than that I start it once in a while just so I can smell some Commando exhaust. If I were going away and didn't have the option of running it, I would get fogging oil like the variety used in outboards and coat the cylinders with it.



+1 Sta-Bil and fogging oil.
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby swooshdave » Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:37 pm

I advise against starting it. Unless you get it up to operating temperature you're likely to cause more problems.
You probably want to go into town, and find a up to date Jap Bike store,
With a full spares department, a clean workshop, and kean young mechanics.
And ask them if theres a Grumpy Old Bloke out in the Hills, who knows how to fix Real Motorcycles.

Matt
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby rpatton » Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:39 pm

If I knew it was going to be a year I'd probably empty the tank and use the drains in the floatbowls to empty them too. Kick it over a few times to pull any gas out of the passageways. I'd take out the battery, especially if you have a capacitor, and hit it with a trickle charger every once in a while, but not continuously. Some people change the oil before putting it up then change it again after you've restarted it. That way the anti corrosion additives are there in full strength for the storage. Store it on the centerstand.
Bob

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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby interstateOz » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:26 pm

Thanks heaps boys, it is garaged that's for sure, no way I'd leave it outside :) I'm glad I was on the right track, will just throw some oil in the barrels and turn over a few times, was even thinking some Penetrine too to stop any corrosion.
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby hobot » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:48 pm

Do as rider Patton says but don't touch engine till ready to heat full up again or it just wipes away on dry cam lobes and guides all the protection put down by the zn phos we are warned to seek out. Do not trust wd40, only made for it spray ons or spray on waxes, it not a real man to hand apply the hard stuff, ugh and remove later. Plug exhausts if any insect or vermin threat at all lurking. New spiked gas can not be stored or stablized to matter long. Expect Amal pilots to crust up with zn oxide so have the probe handy if next time it won't idle. No fuel needed for this, just air and time. I've seen where air temp changes somehow worked brake fluid out the lever end after months dry so watch tank paint or something else not under.
Its neat to pass by and glance but a cover helps stifle the gritty dust layers.
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby mikegray660 » Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:01 pm

there is always the hazard to chrome from condensation too if your in a cold place- or have cold night time temps/large quick shifts in temp etc. Lots of methods but i find spraying a lot of WD40 on a rag and wipe it on chrome (or spray it direct but kind of messy) - or other light oil - and then put under a cover to avoid attracting a lot of dust - the wd 40 is easy to wash off is why i like it rather than other oils
m
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby DogT » Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:02 pm

Dust, ug. So much here. At least I've got it in the workshop and new brakes are going on, getting the summer grunge off and loving the time I spend with the Nort in the winter getting my hands dirty and getting it ready for the spring and green leaves.

Image

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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby mikegray660 » Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:32 pm

DogT wrote:Dust, ug. So much here. At least I've got it in the workshop and new brakes are going on, getting the summer grunge off and loving the time I spend with the Nort in the winter getting my hands dirty and getting it ready for the spring and green leaves.

Image

Dave
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dave where are the porn mags - looks like the only thing missing!
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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby DogT » Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:46 pm

Sorry, porn or Viagra doesn't work for me any more. Best thing I have is the Savage 220 Swift which knocks pigeons off the barn roof peak at 150 yards. Looks like a pillow exploding with the hollow points. Penis extender. Besides the wife whines when I put up dirty pics. Maybe we could get some butts in the mirror like we've seen in the past if you remember. I wish I could remember that thread.

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Re: Precautions to Take: while bikes sitting?

Postby mikegray660 » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:33 pm

DogT wrote:Sorry, porn or Viagra doesn't work for me any more. Best thing I have is the Savage 220 Swift which knocks pigeons off the barn roof peak at 150 yards. Looks like a pillow exploding with the hollow points. Penis extender. Besides the wife whines when I put up dirty pics. Maybe we could get some butts in the mirror like we've seen in the past if you remember. I wish I could remember that thread.

Dave
69S


ha - nice! Pigeons - gutter eagle - national bird of los angeles ( and main course of most of my neighbors i think)
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