Storing A Bike The Right Way

[S4R_GRL]

I am purchasing a new home soon and one of the sacrifices that I need to make is to store my Ducati for this season. The decision is a financial decision, I will be able to store it in the new place. It is heated, indoor storage, in the basement of the new house.

My question is what do I need to do to it to preserve it? I don't want to let it
sit an wrought and have more problems next year because of the haitus.

[noxin]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8310/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Just follow the winterizing guides. All of it will be relevant until you can wake it again

[BostonSVkid]

Umm I will ride it all season and see the bike gets plenty of use!

[beet]

for how long?

[R7]

I've always stored bikes in the basement and pretty much don't do anything to them other than topping off the battery once a month or so.

[spicy]

winterizing would probably be appropriate, depending on how hardcore you wanna be.



light: yank battery, full tank, up on stands
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heavier: + fuel stabilizer, WD40 chain, block off exhaust, charge battery once a month
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heaviest: + block off airbox, WD40 entire engine, oil change, fill crankcase with oil up to spout (must remember to drain to proper level before resurrecting), yank plugs and dribble oil through into cylinders, trickle charger for yanked battery

[S4R_GRL]

for how long?

For about a year. I have a Kawi that I will be riding this year because it's alot
cheaper to insure. But, Next season I will be riding the S4R again..

[clutch]

The best way would be to find a self storage unit about 50 miles away. And ride it there everyday.

[akira700]

One thing people didn't seem to mention is get the tires off the
ground. And keep it away from ozone producing electric motors.

[Kitt]

Dear S4R GRL,

Your duc would be approximately $15/month to insure in NY. Please send photo application in order to use my NY mailing address to get in on this excellent offer.

Love,
Kitt

[S4R_GRL]

Thank you so much for all the offers of assistance. This is not just a matter
of the cost of insurance, but due to the fact that the bike needs some work
and every time it goes into see Miles up at BCM it costs me an arm and a leg.
Which normally I'm happy to pay for the peace of mind of fantastic service,
however with the recent home purchase I don't have any spare arms or legs.

From the serious responses I have gathered to:
a) fill the tank and put Stabil in gas
b) remove battery and charge once a month
c) cover up exhaust and air (is this really necessary since it will be stored
in my basement which is dry and heated?)
d) get it off the tires (will having on a pit bull suffice?)

Thanks in advance to those offering genuine advice.

[The Snowman]

Thank you so much for all the offers of assistance. This is not just a matter
of the cost of insurance, but due to the fact that the bike needs some work
and every time it goes into see Miles up at BCM it costs me an arm and a leg.
Which normally I'm happy to pay for the peace of mind of fantastic service,
however with the recent home purchase I don't have any spare arms or legs.

From the serious responses I have gathered to:
a) fill the tank and put Stabil in gas
b) remove battery and charge once a month
c) cover up exhaust and air (is this really necessary since it will be stored
in my basement which is dry and heated?)
d) get it off the tires (will having on a pit bull suffice?)

Thanks in advance to those offering genuine advice.

On point B, the easiest thing to do it not to pull the battery, but to get yourself a BatteryTender and keep it plugged into the battery. This makes sure that your battery always has a charge. It comes with leads that you attach to the battery terminals and the BatteryTender plugs right into them.

It keeps a maintenance charge on the battery and only runs to trickle charge the battery as needed.

When you're ready to ride, just put the cap on the leads and tuck them away.

[S4R_GRL]

On point B, the easiest thing to do it not to pull the battery, but to get yourself a BatteryTender and keep it plugged into the battery. This makes sure that your battery always has a charge. It comes with leads that you attach to the battery terminals and the BatteryTender plugs right into them.

It keeps a maintenance charge on the battery and only runs to trickle charge the battery as needed.

When you're ready to ride, just put the cap on the leads and tuck them away.

I already have a battery tender and the leads, it is usually kept this way for winter. I was wondering why some said to pull the battery rather than just keeping it on the tender?

[The Snowman]

I already have a battery tender and the leads, it is usually kept this way for winter. I was wondering why some said to pull the battery rather than just keeping it on the tender?

Maybe because it is still attached to your bike's electrical system.

[akira700]

From the serious responses I have gathered to:

c) cover up exhaust and air (is this really necessary since it will be stored
in my basement which is dry and heated?)
d) get it off the tires (will having on a pit bull suffice?)

Thanks in advance to those offering genuine advice.

C) Yes cause rodents can make your bike a nice home!
D) Pit Bull? That's the Lexus way of doing it!

[The Snowman]

C) Yes cause rodents can make your bike a nice home!

I can definitely attest to this. I had quite a bit of sunflower seeds come out of my wife's bike's pipe when I started it up a couple of weeks ago.

Block every orifice that a rodent can stash stuff and hole up in. THey usually go for the pipe and airbox. Both of which are scary, if they get all the way to the engine.

[xsiliconkid]

Thank you so much for all the offers of assistance. This is not just a matter
of the cost of insurance, but due to the fact that the bike needs some work
and every time it goes into see Miles up at BCM it costs me an arm and a leg.
Which normally I'm happy to pay for the peace of mind of fantastic service,
however with the recent home purchase I don't have any spare arms or legs.

From the serious responses I have gathered to:
a) fill the tank and put Stabil in gas
b) remove battery and charge once a month
c) cover up exhaust and air (is this really necessary since it will be stored
in my basement which is dry and heated?)
d) get it off the tires (will having on a pit bull suffice?)

Thanks in advance to those offering genuine advice.

In addition make sure you have stabl throughout the fuel system.

I would also fog the motor...(fogging oil) any marine store has the stuff.
It' s as simple as getting to the air cleaner - removing it and quickly spray the oil mist directly into the in quick secession-back and forth - about 5 seconds with the throttles 1/4 to 1/2 open when you hear the motor stumble throttle bodies- shut it off quickly....
if anal - also pull the plugs and squirt more (or marvel mystery oil right into the cylinder and spin the motor over with the starter... this last part is usually for multi year
why do all this - your valve seats and cylinder walls can quickly rust....

Also Before putting to sleep run at least 20 miles so the oil is hot (outgases all the gas and nasty stuff that blows by the rings. AND NEVER start it until you are ready to de-winterize...

when you pull it out to use - remove plugs and spray in marvel mystery oil and let sit for a day... also throw away all the gas (in lawnmower etc) fresh gas and add marvel mystery oil to your gas (helps lubricate the valve stems.

Proof: today I just started up my Aprilia that has been sleeping undisturbed for +6 years... started first time on the same battery that has been on a battery tender for those six years...(make sure the battery is not sitting on concrete).
Ok folks are going to say I never fogged my motor- my question is, when did you last do a leak down test - to check your valves are sealing tight.?