Long term storage - advice please.

[vireo]

I've not hard the time/money to run the bike in the last few months, and TBH, I don't see that changing in the mid-term. A fully-fuelled company car and a fondness for suffering on the bicycle has also meant that its difficult to justify keeping the GS on the road at the moment, but that may change. It could be anything upwards from 4-6 months before I get back on her. Regardless, I'm not selling her..........!

So, I want to store her as best I can for the medium term. I recently replaced the oil and filter (in expectation of autumn runs that never happened..) and put on a new front tyre, and its not moved since. Apart from "give it to me and I'll look after her for you........" advice, I'm thinking of some or all of the following:

Deflate new tyre and raise/prop off ground to ensure it doesnt deform/perish excessively. The other (rear) tyre needs to be replaced, so I dont mind leaving it in contact with ground/inflated.
Clean and degrease engine and chrome frame parts wherever I can and spray li
berally with a good lubricant.
Cover her in a sheet in the garage.

Additionally,

• Should I drain the fuel tank and lines? If so how do I protect against corrosion inside it?
• Do I keep the battery in situ and on a trickle charge, or remove it and charge it off the bike on occasion to keep it in 'condition'?
• Should I put a small amount of oil into the compustion chambers and distribute it via hand-rotation of cranks every so often?
• What about electrical connectors?

Or is this too much like hassle, and do I just keep her on trickle charge, fuelled and turn her over every month ?


Thanks

 

[Daithi]

Or is this too much like hassle, and do I just keep her on trickle charge, fuelled and turn her over every month ?

+1

 

[Hairnet600]

Or is this too much like hassle, and do I just keep her on trickle charge, fuelled and turn her over every month ?

+1

+2

run till hot every coupla weeks - stops condensation in the oil

keep everything moving and stops the petrol going off

400/4 gets forgotten about here and start and up and down the drive and back sorts it

 

[Nutty]

I've always been told to NOT turn the engine on and let it run whilst being stored, and that you should just leave the bike on trickle charge until you're ready to ride it

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've always been told to NOT turn the engine on and let it run whilst being stored, and that you should just leave the bike on trickle charge until you're ready to ride it

+1

Mine were switched off in late Oct and won't be switched on again until March, I expect

Optimate on, just for 2 days each month and not permanently left on a trickle charger

 

[stever1]

You would be better off filling the tank brim full to stop corrosioin in the tank, then be prepared to put in some fuel conditoner to stop it going off. Put it on a trickle charger, and yes, a bit of lube down the bores.
Its a personal thing, but i also strip out the brake pads and give the calipers a good clean off and copper slip rubbing surfaces top, bottom and rear of pads to make sure they will be ok when you bring the bike out again.