Storing bike over winter

[maxp]

Hi guys,

Cold / wet / dark nights mean the bike isnt getting used much.

Its not been ridden for two weeks, and my main concerns are gumming up the carbs with the petrol in the float bowl and flattening the battery.

Obviously a bit of a how long is a piece of string question, but how long could it be left before the above (and worse) begin to take affect? Not sure if im overreacting or these are real issues to consider.

[bridgedino]

Cold, wet, dark??? Go on...wrap up, get some waterproofs and keep riding

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Plenty of people on here just fill the tank (reduces condensation) and give the battery a charge every month or so and had no problems come springtime.

Pump the tyres up and give the bike a wipe over with some WD40 (not on the discs).
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[Rogerborg]

Shut off the petcock if you have one and drain the float bowls. You can add fuel stabiliser to the tank, although it may be 90% snake oil.

It probably won't do any harm to charge the battery while it's still connected on a carby bike, but you might as well bring it inside and tuck it into a box filled with straw, with a little dish of water in case it gets thirsty.
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[1cyl]

You could: Disconnect and remove battery. Drain carbs and tank, take weight off wheels and let the tyres down. Buy one of those giant baggies that you can vac out with the Hoover, and a few KG's of silica gel just to be thorough. Zip it all up and store in a controlled environment at about 20 degrees Celsius.
But I find it much easier just to try and use it at least twice a month, even if I'm only doing a 10 mile jaunt, just let it have a long warm up first. It's not like we live in Russia.
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[Richy CB1000]

Mine lives outside under an Oxford.

Last year left it Oct - Dec cover off fire it up (took 20 seconds) warm up all ok. Back under cover left till end march, start riding!

As the meerkats say simples.......

[Dave70]

[-Matt-]

If you have a garage with sockets easiest thing is to whack a trickle charger on it, what i do with mine during winter although [until this winter ] it was used on and off during winter months.

The main problem i noticed with mine, even when not used was the chain - even if its been done relatively recently and you don't remember it getting particularly wet on a ride etc, the air moisture really gets at it once the cold sets in, so give it a good clean and dry down if you're about to leave it sat for a while, and lube 'er up.

It didn't wreck my chain by any means but left rust-specks all over it until i gave it a good brush off, so long term probably not the best i imagine

[pdg]