Longer than "Winterizing"?

[Canyon Runner]

Hi, all.

Has anybody had experience with/ recommendations regarding long term storage of a 1150R?

I am studying the various implications of leaving the country for an extended period of time, probably a bit over two years, and storing my bike (and my truck, if anyone wants to press on into off topic matters) is one of the things I have been contemplating. I love the machine and don't really want to sell it, but I am just not sure if you can store a mechanical system of this nature for that type of time frame and, if so, what the preparation and expected fall out would be.

Is this just a "prepare it like you are winterizing it" model, or would it need to be more extensive given the longer interval?

Any advice or insight you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[towerworker]

I see no reason you couldn't store a bike for 2 years with minimal preparation. Do the standard stuff you would do for winterizing. If you were fortunate to have a climate controlled storage facility that would be all the better.

6 years ago I bought a 1980 KZ 750LTD with 3K on the clock. The bike was near immaculate and had sat covered in the back of a small business for 17 years. I changed the oil and filter, installed a new battery, rebuilt the carbs (pretty gummed up), and installed new plugs. Put fresh gas in the tank (it had been drained) and hit the starter button. It lit right off. Rode it for a year prior to buying my 03 R.

Someone here more intelligent than I could probably tell you if it were better to drain the tank or fuel it with Stabil -- I don't know. My guess would be to drain the fuel system as best you can.

Good luck!

Wayne

[Photoguy]

I agree. I've got to believe that there are plenty of m/c's that sit on dealers floors for a few years before beintg sold. I wouldn't be as concerned with mechanical issues as I would with rust/corrosion.

[MattPie]

I think there is a section on this in R1150R user manual. I think it talks about putting petroleum jelly on the chrome parts and a few other things as well.

[Canyon Runner]

Well, that is all good news! I will try and learn a bit more from the manual, etc.

I am excited at the possibility of a bit of a "walk about", but I love my machine and would really like to keep a hold of her!

Cheers!

-Kyle

[macx]

As an old hot rodder, and shop foreman that took care of over $100 million of equipment, here's a few mechanical tips.
(I'm NOT a body/paint man, so hearken to those other folks on that)

DEFINITELY drain and then run all the gas out of it till it dies. Even better than Stabil for that long.

I'd loosen up all the valves so you don't leave any valve springs compressed for a long time, they can weaken, plus takes the tension off the lifters where they meet the cam, and the rest of the valve train.

Warm everything up and then change all the lubricants - engine, trans, final drive. On the engine, gets the acids in the used oil away from the engine bearings, etc.

And also totally replace the brake fluid to get all the moisture out - it's moisture that eventually over time ruins seals in calipers and master cyl's.

Maybe even loosen the alt belt so it doesn't take a "set", also lessens long term tension in the same spot on the bearings - believe it or not, roller & needle bearings can develop a tiny "flat spot" if sitting too long under tension.

Squirt some heavy weight oil into the spark plug holes and turn it over by hand to coat the cylinder walls. Then put the plugs back in to prevent moisture from getting in the cyl's. And put a dab of Anti-Sieze on the plug threads so they don't sieze or gall. You don't need to screw them in tight, you'll want to take them out and turn the bike over a number of times before putting it under compression and restarting it - circulates the oil for bearings, etc, and blows some of the storage oil out of the cyl's.

Get the weight off the tires. Take the battery OUT of the bike.

Lube the center stand bushings, the rear swing arms bushings, etc etc. Lubricant helps prevent moisture from getting into those bushings & bearings & causing corrosion / rust, etc.

Use some spray lubricant like maybe white moly grease- NOT spray solvent like WD40 - and hose down your throttle cables etc etc. Work them back & forth while applying the lube to work it a ways into the cable sheath. Prevents rust / corrosion / sticking when you resurrect it.

Wouldn't even hurt to coat the chrome rods on your suspension front & rear if you're in a humid environment. A wipe with a rag with some heavy weight oil or preferably light grease that you can wipe off before you ride it again.

And plug your air intake tube - keeps the mice and squirrels from dragging in a bunch of shredded stuff for nests!
And your exhaust while you're at it. Once had to replace the muffler on a seldom used vehicle cuz it was packed full of stuff.

And anything you can do to stabilize the ambient temp & humidity (preferably low humidity of course) conditions helps. Keep it from getting too hot, like in a closed garage in the summer, prevents accelerated deterioration of rubber components, seat, tires, brake hoses, etc.

Definitely cover it, but don't use a non-breathable mat'l like plastic. Use something that "breathes" yet keeps the dust off.
I'd wax at least the painted parts good with something like Nu-Finish. And maybe rub the seat etc down with Armor All or somthing to keep that stuff from drying out - maybe the rubber parts too like brake hoses, fuel lines, tires, whatever.

Hey, enjoy your trip!! And your bike when you return.

Cheers to ya!

[towerworker]

Sounds like darn good advice to me.

Wayne

[mkmd555]

Also make sure that you plug the mufflers.

I once had an R which sat in a barn. When I tried to start, it would just make wierd noises.

Finally it fired up but disgorged a mouse and her brood from one of the mufflers.

M Khan

[Canyon Runner]

Wow, macx! Very much appreciated. Sounds like with some work and care, I can make sure that she is ready for my return. Good to know that this is possible.

I am not 100% on the trip yet, but I am very grateful for the guide if the opportunity comes through!

Cheers to all who replied!!

-Kyle

[geffr1]

I once "volunteered" to take a friend's M'cycle for a ride every few days while he was in Iraq, just to keep it warmed up. Of course, I washed and waxed it, etc. I would be happy to do the same for you, being the altruistic person that I am...