Long term storage
 

Hi guys
Due to my work situation, I have to mothball my bikes for long periods.
The first stint was for 18 months.
Some of you may find what I did useful. and dry chain lube

• Cleaned the bike throughout including the chain
  Applied a mix of AFC-50, WD-40, silicon spray lube
  Filled up the petrol tank & added fuel stabilser
  Put the bikes inside the house
  Disconnected the battery
  Over inflated the tires by 10 PSI
  And that was it

When I returned and put the bikes on the road for 3 weeks, I reconnected the battery & started them up & off I went without a single hiccup. Although the tires had dropped to 25 over the period so I had to pump them up.

They have now gone back into hibernation & I did the same things so hopefully he results will be the same in 12~18 months time!

Dear Bonjo,

The only additions I would consider doing is.

1. New engine oil in before storage.
2. Remove the plug and put some new oil above the piston.
3. Push the brakes pistons back into the calipers.

Enjoy you time away...:beer[1]:

I'd have gone for new oil after storage myself - would that not be way to go?
Not sure really.

best practice would be new oil in for storage, then new oil in again for recommisioning after lay up, used oil can leave a corrosive film on engine parts eating away at bearing surfaces/cylinder bores and cam lobes

Yeah, I was thinking expense and for a shorter lay up I suppose - for an 18 month lay up that wouldn't be a consideration even for a tight erse like me.

To save a few quid, you can always use a "cheap" oil when you lay an engine up as all its going to do is sit there, change back to your usual "good" stuff when you wake her up.

Now you've got me thinking - does the corrosive film apply to fully synthetic oils - or just mineral? Need educating!

Good point!

Corrosive acid oxides will build up over time from combustion gases regardless of whether the oil is synthetic or not. Synthetic oil just maintains its properties (film strength, viscosity etc) staying more stable for longer, particularly in hard use.

expense? sometimes i forget not everyones brother works for a major oil company:hug[1]: