Looooong winter storage

[Black_peter]

So it looks like the move to the great white North is going to happen.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17755

I'm leaning toward leaving the kat here in Austin.
How long have people stored their bikes for?
I think I'll drain the tank and spray or line it with some kind of
oil, maybe the carbs too?
Replace oil, spoon "top oil" into the head?
I'll centerstand it and block up the front, not to save the tires
they will need replacing but to unload the suspension.
Remove battery (most likely write it off)
Hose the whole thing down with WD40.
After that??

I will be storing it for at least 15 months.
Possibly longer as I may head to Ireland, after the Minn. gig is up,
for another year. Belfast for those keeping score, cross fingers the
IRA treaty stays in effect! If I go to Ireland you know I'm buying a Mito or RGV250...

[GytRDunKat]

I just stored mine this weekend... went by this...

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/motorcycle/how_to/mc_storage.html

Thanks Marc!!

Anyways, that guide is very good, and I followed it very closely. I'm in MN too... It was 45 out this morning... glad I couldn't ride in.

Good luck!

[PASSION]

Wow, leavin' your precious behind?? Too bad, it's going to be hard for you I'm sure.... But duty calls! Take care of business....

[paradoxmd]

Re: Looooong winter storage

So it looks like the move to the great white North is going to happen.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17755

I'm leaning toward leaving the kat here in Austin.

where would you leave it?

[paperairplane]

15 months - I would sell it.

[md86]

Nah . But I'd probably just go ahead and take the carbs off and drain them . Oil in the cylinders is good . Wd40-ing all the metal stuff is good . Don't forget the rags stuffed in the pipes to keep critters out ..... what else ...... sounds like you got everything covered , really .

[The CyberPoet]

Wd40-ing all the metal stuff is good.

There's better oils for the metals for long term storage -- LPS2 and LPS3 come to mind immediately. I mention all that on my webpage (listed above by gytrdunkat -- thanks).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[tzortn]

Matt mentioned stuffing rags into the pipe to keep critters out. I have also heard that using steel wool is a good idea. They are less likely to shred it up and use it for bedding. Personally I would find a nice plug for the pipe. kind of like this:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?ovmkt=8FM037RKKF3ISMHR97Q57U0TMO&catId=1&leafCatId=10903&skuId=28566

I would also second CP's suggestion about the LPS corrosion inhibitor. I saw it use extensively on hy-vo chains when i worked at the factory. It did a good job and it dried into a film that did not drip or collect dust.

[Black_peter]

Re: Looooong winter storage

So it looks like the move to the great white North is going to happen.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17755

I'm leaning toward leaving the kat here in Austin.

where would you leave it?

Your house??

15 months - I would sell it.

No way. I'd never get what it's worth to me.
Needless to say it has been heavily tailored to my personal tastes.

There's better oils for the metals for long term storage --

Good to know.. Thanks.
I'll read the how to. I'll most likely have it in climate controlled storage.
(along with other stuff. So critters arn't a big worry (well maybe bugs.).

[Micdalen]

Make steel wool sandwich plugs for the exhaust. Rodents do not like steel wool and will not gnaw through it The foam acts as a vapor barrier.

Take 1/4 foam and cut two plugs that will fit into the exhaust opening. Sandwich coarse steel wool between the two foam plugs and glue together. Get about a three inch long bolt with large flat washers for both sides, and shove through the middle. Tighten the nut down. Now can be inserted into the opening to prevent critters from making a condo out of your exhaust.

[Black_peter]

Wow.,.
That should go in Cybers How too..
Awesome idea Micdalen!!

[The CyberPoet]

Wow.,.
That should go in Cybers How too..
Awesome idea Micdalen!!

I find aluminum foil was always sufficient... and much simpler... but steel wool does make sense (so would simply getting one of the plastic exhaust plugs):


Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[TheKlic]

I would let a friend take car of it, riding it a few times a month

[Sharp Shooter]

good advice,thanks

[tdrcomm]

Screw all that BP. Just send it to SoCal.
"TDRCOMM'S AND BLACK FALCON'S WAYWARD HOME FOR ABANDONED BUT LOVED BIKES"

Tenderly ridden twice a month, fluids lovingly changed, all speeding tickets paid within a reasonable timeframe, fieldtrips to Willow Springs and Pahrump... etc. :P