Before I get started, I'd like to say that I already did a search on storing the RC and only found stuff about winterization.
Anyways, just got the lovely news that I will be going to Iraq soon and won't be back until 07.
Sooooo........I need to know if anybody has any experience or knowledge in longterm storage of a motorcycle. I've heard anything from "don't do a thing" to "take the tank off, overfill the oil and squirt some stuff (I don't know what) down the cylinders and on the sparkplugs. I was even thinking about replacing the arata pipes with the stocks (so the pipes won't rust), taking off the SCOTT'S dampner, and unplugging the PowerCommander and have my wife start and idle the bike every few weeks. The only problem I can think of with that is...the battery might die. Any thoughts?
If anybody can help, it would be much appriciated!!
I don't know if this will help, but I am stationed in Germany so it gets kinda cold here during the winter and only a few weeks of high 80's-low90's during the summer. The bike will be stored in a Garage. Hope that helps.
Before I get started, I'd like to say that I already did a search on storing the RC and only found stuff about winterization.
Anyways, just got the lovely news that I will be going to Iraq soon and won't be back until 07.
Sooooo........I need to know if anybody has any experience or knowledge in longterm storage of a motorcycle. I've heard anything from "don't do a thing" to "take the tank off, overfill the oil and squirt some stuff (I don't know what) down the cylinders and on the sparkplugs. I was even thinking about replacing the arata pipes with the stocks (so the pipes won't rust), taking off the SCOTT'S dampner, and unplugging the PowerCommander and have my wife start and idle the bike every few weeks. The only problem I can think of with that is...the battery might die. Any thoughts?
If anybody can help, it would be much appriciated!!
I don't know if this will help, but I am stationed in Germany so it gets kinda cold here during the winter and only a few weeks of high 80's-low90's during the summer. The bike will be stored in a Garage. Hope that helps.
Thanks ahead of time fellas!!!!
Thank-you for serving. ....................Every six weeks send a two way airline ticket to me and I will gladly ride and return your RC to your garage
Don't start and run it a bit every few weeks. That'll just further contaminate the oil, and drain the battery.
If there's a lot of traffic or activity in your garage check with local dealers about bike storage. You drop it and your cover etc off. They prep it and store it, and then when you call it's ready. Some will even work in the XX miles service at a discount as part of the package.
Seriously, The best luck I've had is to have someone run it to temp every six weeks or so. If you leave a battery tender on it and find a way to stabilize the fuel (there was a post not too far back about an object you drop in) that's how I do boat/snowmoble/RC/off season
1.) set on stands, front and rear.
2.) remove battery place on tender, but out of bike.
3.) drain oil and replace filter. you can add oil, but don't restart.
4.) replace brake, clutch fluids before storing.
5.) fill tank and use stabilizer
6.) cover with light, soft cover/sheet/etc.
it's that easy.
for longer term storage, some people suggest adding 1-2 tea spoons of oil to cylingers, rotating to coat, and reinstalling plugs.
for longer storage, there is no easy answer. gasoline breaks down and unless there is some type of service to that area, problems will occur.
Ship it to me, I will ride it all year long for you keep it full of gas and change the oil often.
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or due what they said
DAMN! I wasn't expecting responses that QUICK! Thanks everyone for the input. I think I will try and find a dealer here that is willing to "look" after my bike for me. There seems to be a few around here that are reputable.
If I can't (language barrier thing), I think I'll got with Rigor's suggestions. By the way, should I overfill it with oil or not?
Although Wingnutt's and twotone's ideas about riding my RC around for me during my "all expense paid vacation" sounds great, I'm gonna have to sleep on that one for a bit. Which brings me to another option about having a trusted friend ride it for me, but guess what......they'll be right along side me!
Anybody else, feel free to add something. All suggestions taken into consideration
Hey Kaboiz, I just got back from Germany, (Frankfurt, Mainz area) I know a really nice couple there that have 3 RC51's (VTR to them), bet they would look after it or know a shop that could, they only ride their's on the track and have a nice garage space...also sprechen sie Englisch very well....
Let me know, I am sure I can help you out, also could possibly use a favor from you, PM me.
Before I get started, I'd like to say that I already did a search on storing the RC and only found stuff about winterization.
Anyways, just got the lovely news that I will be going to Iraq soon and won't be back until 07.
Sooooo........I need to know if anybody has any experience or knowledge in longterm storage of a motorcycle. I've heard anything from "don't do a thing" to "take the tank off, overfill the oil and squirt some stuff (I don't know what) down the cylinders and on the sparkplugs. I was even thinking about replacing the arata pipes with the stocks (so the pipes won't rust), taking off the SCOTT'S dampner, and unplugging the PowerCommander and have my wife start and idle the bike every few weeks. The only problem I can think of with that is...the battery might die. Any thoughts?
If anybody can help, it would be much appriciated!!
I don't know if this will help, but I am stationed in Germany so it gets kinda cold here during the winter and only a few weeks of high 80's-low90's during the summer. The bike will be stored in a Garage. Hope that helps.
Thanks ahead of time fellas!!!!
**** the storage,worry more about comming home in one piece,the bike is replaceable you are not!!!!! the advice below from rigor sounds like excellent advice,id start there,be safe and hurry home!good luck!
I don't like stabilizer, but if you must use it do that first and run the bike for a few minutes to get the stabilizer through the system.
Instead, I like the Fitch Fuel Catalyst. http://www.fitchfuelcatalyst.com/pro...rts/index.html Drop it in and the fuel never goes bad, plus you don't have the bad side effects of stabilizer.
I wouldn't worry about swapping out parts, and don't run it periodically. Store it somewhere dry. When I worked at H-D, I sometimes uncrated bikes when they came in. They were shipped with a huge 'silica gel - do not eat' type thing like you see electronics shipped with. This absorbs moisture and is good to put under your bike for storage. Keep it dry, pull the battery and put it on a tender, do a fresh oil change, put it up on stands, cover it up and you'll be good to go and kick some ass in the sandbox.
A buddy of mine is a tank commander out in Germany. His Iraq trip is documented here: http://www.highdex.net/swt/
there's really only a couple things that need to be addressed when storing a bike
the fuel
the battery
a DRY place
NOT LEAVING THE KEYS WITH ANYONE THAT CAN ASSUME THAT THEY CAN TAKE YOUR BIKE FOR A RIDE.. i cannot stress that enough... you can prep the bike as much as you wish, but a brother/cousin/relative/in-law can and WILL assume that since your gone, a joyride can't hurt and WILL crash your bike..
i've seen it more than three times this year alone.. in this rinky-dink little town, where some kid has borrowed his older brother's bike who is enlisted or away, and wrecked it.... your bike has a better chance of being hurt by another human, than by rust, a dead battery, crappy fuel, old oil, or a layer of dirt...
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2 fresh rubbers actually make motorcycles feel better!
HOW to store the bike for 1+ years?
that I will be going to Iraq soon and won't be back until 07.
....................Every six weeks send a two way airline ticket to me and I will gladly ride and return your RC to your garage
"03 RC"
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I will try and find a dealer here that is willing to "look" after my bike for me. There seems to be a few around here that are reputable.
that I will be going to Iraq soon and won't be back until 07.
**** the storage,worry more about comming home in one piece,the bike is replaceable you are not!!!!! the advice below from rigor sounds like excellent advice,id start there,be safe and hurry home!good luck!
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