Bike storage question please
 

Hello,

I need to store my bike for the winter,
My concern really is how too make sure I have covered
all the main points.

Tyres are pumped up
Fresh fuel in the tank
Optimate on
Loads of carpets and blankets

But . . .

Should I remove the plugs and squirt a drop of oil
into the heads and keep the plugs out of the bike.

If so how much oil are we talking?

Any other pointers would be most helpful.

K.regards

TopiToo

You either want a completely empty or a completely full tank. This stops air in the tank reacting with the water in the fuel and rusting your tank.

I'd be tempted to apply a liberal coating of WD40 around the electrics as well to both drive out moisture and to stop things becoming too dry.

If you're only storing for a few months, it's probably not worth bothering with much else engine wise. I cracked open my 748 engine after it has sat in the garage since last May and there was plenty of oil around the insides!

Hi Antonye,

Thank you for the pointers,
problem I have is it maybe more than a few months, last year I did spray the bike with some water repellent, which worked well,
my concern would be seized pistons or scouring the barrels due to lack of oil when it gets warmer on startup.

I am not keen on just turning the engine over every few months during the colder periods of winter,
but have done so in gear etc without starting the bike.

Loads of info at a whole load of websites, most of it sensible:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mot...e+storage+prep

Most recommend about 5cc of oil into the barrels, then turn the engine over a couple of times to distribute.