Whenever you store your motorcycle for an extended period of time, there are certain steps you should take to ensure it leaves storage in as good condition as it came in. This will save you future maintenance costs that could have been avoided if you gave your bike a bit of TLC.
To store a motorcycle long-term,
- Hire a purpose-built storage unit.
- Clean your bike.
- Deal with the petrol.
- Top up oil and coolant.
- Disconnect battery from bike.
- Cover up.
1. Hire a Purpose-Built Storage Unit
The most important factor when you store a bike is that it is in an indoors space that is climate controlled, as fluctuations in temperature can damage the bike. By climate-controlled, we mean somewhere that is maintained at a perfect temperature that is not too hot or cold, keeping the bike safe in the process.
We would reccomend a purpose-built storage unit for this reason. These spaces are climate-controlled, clean, under surveillance and insured, meaning you can rest assured that your bike is safe and will leave storage in as perfect condition as it came in.*
*Find out what else to look for a storage unit in our article.
2. Clean Your Motorcycle
There is no reason to have excess mud, dirt and grime on your bike before it goes into storage, in particular as this can cause corrosion if it sits on the bike’s surface over time.
Give your motorcycle a good clean with a cloth or sponge dampened with a solution of mild detergent and water. You should avoid cleaning products that aren’t designed for bikes.
Once you’re done, rinse well. It is important that your bike is free from product as strong detergent residue can corrode alloy parts.
Before you put your bike into storage, BikeSure recommends that you use a penetrating oil (like WD-40) or a rust-proofing spray to prevent rust on the engine and metal parts.
3. Deal with the Petrol
There is a considerable amount of debate around what to do with the petrol in your motorcycle when it is in storage. What it boils down to, at least for long-term storage, is two choices. You can either fill the tank to the brim and leave no space for condensation, or empty your tank and let it run until it stalls from lack of fuel.
A half-filled tank can cause certain maintenance problems, so you need to commit to a full tank, or commit to emptying it until its completely empty and dried out.
4. Top Up Oil
For similar reasons, you want to make sure you top up your oil before it goes into storage. Oil keeps your bike lubricated, as well as helps the filtration system in your motorcycle, so it is important it’s full. We would recommend that you put new oil in, as old oil can be corrosive due to engine contaminants.
5. Disconnect Battery
Make sure to disconnect your battery from your bike. When left for a long time, acid from the battery can leak and contaminate and corrode other areas of the bike.
6. Cover Up
We would recommend investing in a “bike bubble“: a cover that inflates to form a protective bubble around your bike. The built-in “active airflow” filters and recirculates the air to prevent the elements from oxidising the metal and rusting it.
At Falconers, we use meticulous moving techniques, passed down and perfected through generations for over 132 years, to ensure your motorcycle and other items are stored and kept in perfect condition. To learn more about our storage facilities, or our removals service, take a look at out our website or contact Nathan.
