long-term (12mo+) bike storage?

[spicy]

basically, can anyone school me on the Do's & Don'ts of a proper, long-term motorcycle storage? this is going to be significantly longer than winter-storage (i usually only store for 4-6wks), and i'd rather not have to worry about asking family to come start it/let it run occasionally, unless it's significantly better for the bike.

i'd imagine washing and waxing it before covering it, putting it up on stands, plugging the airbox/exhaust pipe, pulling the battery, coat all the engine bits in WD-40, clean and wax the chain... all the standard winterization stuff.

i've heard about some people filling the oil all the way to the top of the crankcase reservoir (just remember to drain it before trying to crank it!). would filling the tank to the brim with stabilized fuel and letting it run through the system be a good idea or a bad idea? or is it better/worse to drain the tank? good idea to pull the spark plugs and drip heavy weight oil into the cylinders?

appreciate any/all feedback

~aaron

[Kurlon]

Do an oil change just before putting it up. If it's carb'd, drain the carbs.

Plastic tank, drain it. Metal tank, fill to the brim with high test, add marine grade Stabil. If fuel injected, turn the key on and off a few times to cycle the pump and mix/circulate the Stabil.

Air up the tires, say 40 to 45psi?

[schleppy]

Remove the battery entirely, and don't have people start it until it's going to be ridden. Starting+idling and then shutting off again builds up condensation.

You listed all the important stuff you need to do, you're golden.

[SP GSX-R]

Remove the battery entirely

i use a Junior battery tender and hook it up

its cheap and works great

[Wishbone]

drop it off in my garage. I would be more than happy to flog it for you. That is just to make sure nothing rusts or gets to old from non use

[brewmaster]

I would also add... fogging the engine, plus a squirt into the cylinders never hurts either.

[Cerberus]

I would also add... fogging the engine, plus a squirt into the cylinders never hurts either.

[GixerJockey]

I'll also add...


Securely plug the exhaust and intake. Critters like to make their way into the occasional cylinder.

Sound silly? My shop gets at least 1 motorcycle and at least 5 tractors, every year, with a full blown mouse nest in one of the cylinders. I almost shit myself the first time I saw it.

[Mondo]

whats the deal? you going somewhere we dont know?

[spicy]

yeah lol, you could say that...

you didn't see the threads in the OT/FS sections? it's prob on page 2 or 3 by now

[Mondo]

dam dude.

have fun there, especially with all the stuff going on now