There are many reasons you may need to store your motorcycle. First and foremost, for our customers, is protection from the elements and from vandalism. Many of them only ride around town or for special events and prefer the comfort of their automobiles for regular daily driving.
Some of our customers live in apartment complexes or do not have homes with their own garages. Keeping their prized bikes protected from bumping into them with their cars, even in their own garage, is a good reason to rent storage.
Having small children at home can also be a motivator, as they tend to be curious and want to climb onto the motorcycle to play. This can create a hazard to loved ones and bikes alike.
A light cleaning is probably enough for short-term bike storage, but a complete detail is probably best if you are storing for over a month. Water deposits with calcium and other contaminants can damage paint, so if there is a rain shower or you’ve had the bike washed, it should be thoroughly dried. It is good to wax the painted surfaces and thoroughly clean the chrome when putting the bike away for longer-term storage. Then cover it with a painter’s cloth or a commercial cover.
A storage facility can be your garage away from home. Having the bike in a dark, dry, and clean facility can help ensure it does not suffer from UV rays. UV rays are the reason a vehicle’s dash cracks and why some people choose to put aluminized shades in the windows of other vehicles. UV rays are particularly harsh to rubber and leather and should be avoided on bikes as well as other vehicles when not in use.
A cover is a good thing to have, but it will not provide the same protection as a garage or storage facility. It will not hurt to have it covered, even if stored inside, as this leaves an additional level of protection from dust and UV light.
Winterization may be very important to keep in mind since changing seasons is the number one reason most of our riders store their bike.
Please do not store oil or gasoline containers in your unit. Almost all facilities have rules strictly prohibiting the storage of these and other flammable or dangerous chemicals inside the unit.
You may also need to purchase an oil absorbent mat and not cat litter or other Fuller’s earth type materials to place under your vehicle/motorcycle. Oil stains are considered property damage and are very hard to clean up, and you would be responsible for cleaning them up before vacating your unit.
Please come by and visit us in person or on the web for more information.
Want more advice on prepping your bike for storage? Check it out!
Just like any vehicle, getting the bike up to operating temperature is key to keeping condensation from developing inside the engine exhaust system. When not riding the bike, stuffing a rag or steel wool in the exhaust can also protect from unwanted pests. Regularly riding the bike is the best defense against condensation, drying seals, lack of lubrication, and provides pleasure and other side benefits.
After driving around for about twenty to thirty minutes, fill the gas tank with a non-ethanol enhanced fuel. A full tank allows less room for condensation to build.
Sta-bil is one brand of product that has been used for years. Fuel stabilizer is a good idea, but the fuel will need to be replaced if it remains over 12 months, regardless of any additives.
If your motorcycle has a carburetor, it may be best to drain all fuel from it since it can build up “varnish” in the jets and other small passages inside.
You will also need to address the electrical system. Start by disconnecting the spark plug wires, then use a special spark plug socket wrench to remove the plugs themselves. A good socket should have rubber inside to grab the plug and keep it straight during removal, and keep from dropping it and damaging the plug or grounding strap. Spray oil in the cylinders. The oil will coat and protect the internal walls of the motor. This may be a good time to replace older plugs and wires. Make sure to check the plug gap and set it to the manufacturer’s specs.
Battery life can be greatly extended by keeping the battery charged. Starting the bike and riding it occasionally has many benefits to both the internal components and the battery and charging system and is a good idea if that option is available. You may want to disconnect the side of the battery that is grounded to the frame if you choose to leave the battery on the bike.
A device known as a battery tender or trickle charger is a great investment. Most storage places do not have electrical outlets, though, and you may have to take the battery out and attach the tender at home. A good trickle charger provides only enough charging to keep the battery at full capacity and no more. It does this by monitoring the battery's voltage level.
Some motorcycles have a liquid cooling system. If yours does, check engine coolant levels and consider changing the coolant if it has been a while. Be sure to check that the engine is protected with an appropriate level of antifreeze to protect against cold temperatures or running hot. You can buy a cheap device called a hydrometer at an auto-parts store. It will draw out the antifreeze with a bulb, and the older types have a series of balls that float, indicating the level of antifreeze in the coolant mixture. They may have a similar device with an indicator showing the level of protection your coolant provides, also.
The best way to clean your motorcycle is with quality water and good soap, such as provided by Maguire’s or other name-brand soap made specifically for cleaning without removing wax. Do not use a dish detergent as it may be a bit harsh. When spraying the bike with water, avoid the air cleaner housing and muffler outlets or any passageway into or out of the engine. Use an absorbent cloth to get your cycle completely dry or a chamois cloth.
Leather can last a long time if properly cared for, so use leather dressing, such as lexol brand, to protect your seat and other leather.
Finally, using a clean rag or steel wool placed in the tailpipe and wrapping the intake may be a good idea for longer-term storage.
Change the oil and filter. Just like any vehicle, degraded oil should be replaced and may have contaminants, which may damage an engine over time.
Make sure to apply oil to the front down tubes. You can then move the front wheel up and down by bouncing your weight on the front end. Moving the tubes that slide in the stationary tubes will help distribute the oil into them for smooth, squeak-free operation.
Use brake cleaner and a dry cloth to clean the chain. Then, protect it with chain oil. Be careful not to get the chain oil on the other parts of the bike, as it is very thick and hard to get off. It is made to stay on a moving chain. For this reason, care must be taken not to overoil the chain so that it will not throw off the excess to other parts of the bike.
Once you have your ride at your storage unit, we recommend you put it on a motorcycle stand to keep weight off the wheels to avoid tire flat spotting.
What to know when you decide to put the bike back into action
Check the tires for cracking and adequate tire pressure
Check the oil and make sure it is clean and at recommended levels.
Check the coolant level if it has a liquid cooling system
Check the battery level and add distilled water if it is low
Check chain tension and make sure it is still well-oiled
Check the brakes and make sure both front and rear are operational
Remove any protective wrapping for inlets and outlets, recalling whether you placed a rag or steel wool in the exhaust system.
Check all rubber components to make sure they are in good condition
Reattach the battery’s connection to ground if it was previously disconnected
Start and let the bike warm up slowly, checking for leaks or other signs of trouble
Ride slowly at first to check out the bike and make sure everything is operating up to par