bike left stood

  • Thread starter Thread starter diamondgeezer
  • Start date Start date

diamondgeezer

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i need advise on leaving a bike stood abroad only
to be used only 6 or 7 times a year what is the best optimeter to buy and the best things to do
thanks dg
/
 
1st tip...

would be that ordinary unleaded only has a 'shelf life' of about 6 weeks before it starts to break down into gum and varnish and other such-like horrors. Don't leave any fuel in it beyond this time......:(
 
Yep,it`s true,unleaded goes off really quickly,so much so that it won`t even smell anymore (insert crude jokes about underwear or socks..).Same for engine oil,it breaks down over a period of time,especially if previously used prior to storing the bike,and definately if subject to extremes of heat/cold/damp ambients. That`s why service schedules have a mileage/time interval.Not sure about gearbox oil,think that`s ok.Remember that yer brake fluid is hydroscopic (fink dat`s the word) and is likely to degrade quickly in cold/damp.Keep yer tyres off the ground.Lube all pivot points well.Dunno about the other battery gizmos,but I have four bikes,two of them are for occaisional use,and they`re all hooked up to OPTIMATES,(three version 2,one version 3)and they all leap into life when required.The only snag I had was when I had a red LED on one and thought it was because I had knocked the plug but in fact the electrolyte level was low on the battery.No surprise after 7 months really! Keep the bike covered,yes,even indoors(the inexpensive Oxford "dormex" cover is fine in a dry garage/shed/barn).Finally,give the bike a bloody good check before use;especially yer brakes...Hope this helps.
 
I just bought a Hawker battery which will stand for long periods of time without needing trickle charging so you could try that or you could buy my 8 month old optimate charger from me as I don't need it anymore.

Also have a spare battery free to good homes if you want to come and collect!
 
Just a bit to add;While,as previously stated,unleaded does "go off" very quickly,I have never had problems with my obsessively polished and fair weather use only 1100.It spends long periods in my garage while the others get the use it should.I think the main horrors and troubles present themselves on bikes with carbs where a very small amount of fuel remains in the float bowl and thus,when it goes off, it can block jets or hinder the floats.I once bought a bike that had stood for a long time and the float bowls appeared to be lined with a green algae which became a fine dust when scraped.The jets were all blocked too.A friend had a bike that wouldn`t start after he had been abroad for a few months,and when we drained the carbs,the petrol didn`t smell of anything,and looked "heavy" when it flowed (hence my first thread comments).If the bike you are talking about is injected,I wouldn`t worry about it,but if carbed,drain the bowls.
 
Some prefer to leave the tank full of fuel and use a fuel stabaliser in the fuel to prevent it going off. Totally agree with emptying the float bowls in carbed bikes. However a full tank will prevent corrosion from condensation.
 


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