Winter Storage

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norsa1

norsa1

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It was gross. My deep blue chrome fenders, all the controls, all the CAD nuts and bolts were pitted with rust. The bikes had overwintered in the garage and come spring it was a nighmare. Nevemind the money, the damage was personal. Without heated storage, What? the boss is gonna let me put the bikes in the living room? Now, the bikes are put into a large pastic bag and sealed in with some desiccant, This method seems to hold promise. Suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
I have this issue, but not to the degree you describe. I am fortunate because my wife does actually allow whatever I can roll into the front room in the house during the winter, but I usually only put a couple inside and the rest stay in the garage because I get sick of the massive clutter this causes.............anyway I have in the past sprayed wd40 on parts that rust or wipe parts that tend to rust with oil. the wd40 is applied several times during the winter, problem is mess and clean up in the Spring. since I hate cleaning bikes, I opt for the small amount of rust and corrosion and my original 70 tiger goes in the house, the rest stay cold. Another option you could look into is if you know someone with a heated space (garage) that will cheaply rent a space or two. Usually if their garage is mostly unused they won't have a problem. I am renting cheap space from my brother in law this winter.
 
I have found that a spray/wipe of CorrosionX will prevent this.

It's used extensively in the marine industry and it's my 2nd most used "miracle in a can." Yes, WD40 is first but CorrosionX is much better for this particular purpose. http://www.corrosionx.com/marine.html
 
I have a great solution, I live in California, USA and our winters are very mild. Just shipp them here & Ill take good care of them.
 
norsa1, I'm now convinced nothing but sealed bag with desiccant is going to prevent one over winter serious condensation conditions from ruining a lot of time and effort of a few seasons. I saw a military supplus catalog with 10 pack of big bags for 25 bux.


I got news for anyone who thinks wd40 is going to help em, sure if in a garage next to heated house, but not for real winter exposures. Don't trust the thin spray on greases like Lithium, but for few days in real condensation condition. Thick spray on wax may work but I've seen even that get floated off to rust/pit under. No sir, its cosmoline or heavy duty wrappers for me for now on. I think a bag or 2 of charcaol may suck up enough to matter. if not rifle-gun cabinet size silicone dioxide should.
 
It's kinda like an oil thread, everyone has the best answer. Try a couple and watch it through the winter and if it looks like it's getting out of control trad the wife in for a new model and move the bikes in the house.
 
britbike220 said:
and if it looks like it's getting out of control trad the wife in for a new model and move the bikes in the house.
Click to expand...

It would be cheaper to hang a space heater with a thermostat in the garage. Trust me! :(
 
There are Vac-bags sold in the UK. Put your bike in and suck the air out, put in some desiccant. Can't verify how good they work, but I'm bringing mine inside when it gets too cold, but I can keep it in a walk out heated bedroom. I call it functional sculpture. I may even put it in the walk out family room for a while to keep the tyres from getting flat spots on them.

Dave
69S
 
Some have more bikes than will fit in home and many forget that some folks don't get electricity the whole winter to keep electric heater going in big open to air sheds.

hobot
 
Hey, what about wheels & tires? Do you elevate the bike or rotate the wheels so you don't get flat spots? And what about rings & seals. Do you turn the motors over to keep things from freezing or rusting in place??
 
There are scads of sites that describe the protocols to store lawn mowers to boats and motorcycles. Internals are not that exposed vulnerable as chromed rims or Al cases or un painted/chromed fasteners and electric terminals. In my area we can't leave a car-truck stored w/o raising the hood or refreshing the rat poison. I fear just a dry bag would invite these sharp teeth visitors that use the toilet on shiny stuff.

A lot of our orginal finishes are on thin ice to begin with, one more wet season could be it.
 
I run it with the fuel taps off till it stops, then drain the rest from the float bowls. I put the bike up on stand and then I take off the wheels and bring them in and store them in the basement along with the flushed out fuel tank, side covers, seat, and of course the battery. Absolutely keep the oil topped off in the oiltank and gearbox. Pull the plugs and squirt in a little Marval Mystery oil and kick it over once in a while. Other things like exhaust pipes, fenders and controls can be misted with WD40. The pipes, for that matter, are so easy to remove that you can store them inside as well.
If you have a small under the belly motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight, what ever is left is easily tucked away and covered with an old sheet. Just make sure you give yourself access to the kickstarter.
Don't discarded it. Check it once in a while and keep the wd40 handy to freshen.
Don't forget to say "I love you, sleep tight, don't let the god awful, sumbitchin, relentless, mother-freakin bed bugs bite".
 
pvisseriii said:
I run it with the fuel taps off till it stops, then drain the rest from the float bowls. I put the bike up on stand and then I take off the wheels and bring them in and store them in the basement along with the flushed out fuel tank, side covers, seat, and of course the battery. Absolutely keep the oil topped off in the oiltank and gearbox. Pull the plugs and squirt in a little Marval Mystery oil and kick it over once in a while. Other things like exhaust pipes, fenders and controls can be misted with WD40. The pipes, for that matter, are so easy to remove that you can store them inside as well.
If you have a small under the belly motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight, what ever is left is easily tucked away and covered with an old sheet. Just make sure you give yourself access to the kickstarter.
Don't discarded it. Check it once in a while and keep the wd40 handy to freshen.
Don't forget to say "I love you, sleep tight, don't let the god awful, sumbitchin, relentless, mother-freakin bed bugs bite".
Click to expand...

I think it would be easier to move to Arizona :lol: thank god global warming is coming, then we can ride all year even in the former frozen north :mrgreen:

Jean
 
For once I'm glad I live in the dry, frozen parairies of Canada. I have had a couple pieces of raw steel sitting in my garage for 2 years now with no signs of surface rust. It gets to -30 centigrade here in the winter and is very dry. Nothing in my unheated garage seems to rust during winter months.
 
Coco said:
For once I'm glad I live in the dry, frozen parairies of Canada. I have had a couple pieces of raw steel sitting in my garage for 2 years now with no signs of surface rust. It gets to -30 centigrade here in the winter and is very dry. Nothing in my unheated garage seems to rust during winter months.
Click to expand...

My god that sounds awful. Makes me glad I live in the god forsaken place I do.
 
Jeandr said:
pvisseriii said:
I run it with the fuel taps off till it stops, then drain the rest from the float bowls. I put the bike up on stand and then I take off the wheels and bring them in and store them in the basement along with the flushed out fuel tank, side covers, seat, and of course the battery. Absolutely keep the oil topped off in the oiltank and gearbox. Pull the plugs and squirt in a little Marval Mystery oil and kick it over once in a while. Other things like exhaust pipes, fenders and controls can be misted with WD40. The pipes, for that matter, are so easy to remove that you can store them inside as well.
If you have a small under the belly motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight, what ever is left is easily tucked away and covered with an old sheet. Just make sure you give yourself access to the kickstarter.
Don't discarded it. Check it once in a while and keep the wd40 handy to freshen.
Don't forget to say "I love you, sleep tight, don't let the god awful, sumbitchin, relentless, mother-freakin bed bugs bite".
Click to expand...

I think it would be easier to move to Arizona :lol: thank god global warming is coming, then we can ride all year even in the former frozen north :mrgreen:

Jean
Click to expand...
I am somewhat parcial to water. I think the trade off is worth it and will remain in MI.
It's just a matter of procedure. Put the mower away, pull out the snowblower, blow out the pipes, drain the hoses and store them in the shed, put up the storm windows, care for the Norton...........
 
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