Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Leaving a bike for 8-9 weeks, what to do?

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

Crazy Assed Goose
Nova Slayer



Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:11 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Leaving a bike for 8-9 weeks, what to do? Reply with quote

I am going doon south to university for 8ish weeks and am leaving the bike here. Is there anything I should do to it? I was going to clean it and lube the chain, then put it under a cover in the garage with the fuel turned off.

Is there anything else, I know it isn't a really long time but also when I get back, if the winter is anything like last year I might not get to ride it until February because of the huge amount of snow.

Should I fill the tank with fuel or leave it empty, if I fill it it will protect the inside from rusting, but will also mean if the fuel goes 'off' then I have a full tank of the stuff. How long does it take for fuel to go off?

Cheers
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

deleted111
World Chat Champion



Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:15 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Takes a good few months for fuel to go 'off' IIRC.

I've read on here somewhere before I think, that you should fill the tank RIGHT to the top. Can't remember for what reason, however.

Sorry I can't be much more help, I've never been in this situation.

Lube the chain, and plug the exhausts with rags?

Cheers,

Steve.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Bendy
Mrs Sensible



Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:17 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wouldn't do anything, personally. Have left bikes for plenty longer than that with absolutely no effect whatsoever.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

SirEdward
Could Be A Chat Bot



Joined: 23 Sep 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:18 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Plug the exhaust, make sure that is bike is staying at in a place w/ room t* 10-15 C if that is possible. Shocked
____________________
"Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

Pardot Kynes in "Appendix I: The Ecology of Dune""
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

The Artist
Super Spammer



Joined: 06 Jan 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:20 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be on the safe side.

Fill fuel tank to top, prevents condensation

Turn fuel off and run till the engine dies

Stuff a rag in the exhaust to protect from moisture.

That is about it. Clean and lube chain.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

doggone
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 May 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:27 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take the battery off and keep it indoors.
If it's fully charged before you leave it probably won't go flat if not connected. There's often a very slight drain and they go flat in the cold anyway.
Ideally leave instructions for a brief charge once a month,
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Crazy Assed Goose
Nova Slayer



Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:31 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well the garage is connected to the house so should be slightly cooler than that. So it is a battery off job then? I don't have a battery charger, actually I have one for a car which will work won't it?

Cheers
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Walloper
Super Spammer



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:33 - 30 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Battery should be OK till December low temps when it gets down to freezing.
But fully charge and disconnect one lead.

Brim the tank to full and add a fuel stabilizer/conditioner.
Yamaha have a specific one that comes in a 1/4lt bottle two cap fulls is all it needs.
Filling the tank prevents/reduces the effects of water condensing on the inside of the tank if less then full.
Turn fuel cok off and run engine till it cuts out.
Pump the tyres up to about fifty psi so they don't get out of round and stay that way due to the bike resting them. 50psi wont hurt them so long as you reduce to correct pressure before riding again. (You will float up in the air if you don't. Smile)
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Clanger
Stirrer



Joined: 27 May 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:54 - 01 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bendy wrote:
Have left bikes for plenty longer than that with absolutely no effect whatsoever.


Ditto this.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice
Super Spammer



Joined: 05 Dec 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:20 - 01 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

2 months in a garage?

Come back and ride it. Thumbs Up
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

TJenkos
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:14 - 02 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

2 months is no issue at all - leave it be!
____________________
Passed CBT: 21/05/2006 Passed A2 Test: 17/05/2008
Previous Bike: '99 Peugeot Speedfight, '54 Jetforce TSDI, '03 Yamaha R6
Current Bike: '58 Yamaha R6 & '89 Honda VFR400R NC30 SP2
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

ms51ves3
Super Spammer



Joined: 08 Jun 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:21 - 02 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

My TZR has sat for 11 weeks and in that period only had one 40 mile ride, I've done nothing to it. Soon though I will sort it out for winter storage.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

evoboy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Aug 2009
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:18 - 02 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Only really take slight precautions on 2strokes. Even then its turn the fuel tap to OFF, then run them till the engine dies.

Dont really do anything to the 4strokes. Just make sure it has a proper coolant mix in it so not to freeze if its being left at all in wintery conditions.
____________________
Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Polarbear
Super Spammer



Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:24 - 03 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I work abroad in 4 month stints. All any of my bikes get is plugged into the optimate. Never had any problems whatsoever.

If it wasn't garaged Id probably put a plastic bag over the exhaust and spray it with a can od WD 40 or similar. (smokes well when you start it up mind Laughing )
____________________
Victory Cross Country American tractor.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

kingsknight
World Chat Champion



Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:30 - 03 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

my old CG was left in a garden for 2 years under cover and it started on the 4th kick! battery was dead but the tank was full to the top!

just make sure its locked to something so it does not get nicked. Also get someone to check up on it now and again to make sure it is still there!
____________________
TS50 (sold) NS125F (sold) NSR125R-K (write off after 2 crashes) CG125 (nicked) XR125L-3 (Sold )-: ) DR125SM '11 (sold yay) XL125V '12 (In love with this bike) XT600E '04 (fun on the dirt)
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

pinkyfloyd
Super Spammer



Joined: 20 Jul 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:41 - 03 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok I know the answer to this. Ride it to Portsmouth and I'll look after it until you return. Failing that Miss Clanger hasnt got a ride at the moment so I'm sure she wont refuse a free hack for a few months Laughing
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

SpicyBlimp
World Chat Champion



Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:55 - 03 Oct 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Clanger wrote:
Bendy wrote:
Have left bikes for plenty longer than that with absolutely no effect whatsoever.


Ditto this.


I leave mine for 5 months at a time when i'm working away, just leave the tank full, and disconnect the battery (I get someone to put it on an optimate Thumbs Up )
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 16 years, 15 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.08 Sec - Server Load: 1.11 - MySQL Queries: 13 - Page Size: 94.37 Kb