Storing a bike outdoors near the ocean?

[jorabro]

I used to own an old RG150 that was stored outside our seafront property and the sea air made it rust violently.
I'm looking at picking up another bike soon and will have to keep it outdoors.

Our backyard is on a slope so storing it there isn't really an option, the garage has been renovated into a flat.
Best place I've got is under a set of wooden stairs outside that is no more than 15m away from the sea. How can I defend my future bike from sea air?

[The Reibz]

Regular fresh water wash downs. Get a cover as well.
Alternatively get a bike with a aluminium frame and worry no more.

[Paul in NZ]

You can't unless you can control the environment ie build a fixed shelter and condition the air into it.

I'm afrain its an insanely toxic environment for metal. Whatever you do don't leave it there unused for a long period or its will be irretrievable rooted in no time at all...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Keep it coated in CRC or WD40.

[ellipsis]

...very regular cleaning with the stuff mentioned, WD40, CRC, H20,even if it's covered when not in use will only keep up with the salt that's in the environment if you are that close to the sea...i am in the process now of chasing the many hidden bits of surface rust and even more advanced corrosion on my wifes near brand new bike that was stored in a shed close to the briney bit and purportedly sprayed and washed after every ride...nuts and bolt heads that are tucked in and away, electrical connections that are semi wrapped in factory, protective sleeves etc...

[george formby]

Yup, you can only really put a barrier between the metal & the air, lanolin has been suggested to me but in the past I have used CRC, weld anti spatter & such like. A good cover will help a lot, too. Not a flappy old tarp.
If it were me I would thoroughly clean the bike, get it bone dry.. ha, in this weather?. Smear light grease onto all welds, cadmium plated nuts & bolts etc lightly spray the rest, stick an old blanky over it, then a cover.
Got to keep a good eye on it, though. Guaranteed bits will still be exposed & show signs of exposure but you can keep on top of it if you check regularly.

[unstuck]

Build a shed, every man knows how to build a simple shed.:2thumbsup

[jorabro]

I can probably store it at a friends place if I'm not using it for a long time so that's not a big deal. The old RG was left outside for about 3 months and it was over. So regular use, plenty of CRC and cleaning with fresh water should do it? Is it worth buying a cover or not? I've got 2 sheds usable for long-term storage as well, might have to do some stunt riding to get it in though.... Bike im looking at is a 2002 VTR250.

[george formby]

I can probably store it at a friends place if I'm not using it for a long time so that's not a big deal. The old RG was left outside for about 3 months and it was over. So regular use, plenty of CRC and cleaning with fresh water should do it? Is it worth buying a cover or not? I've got 2 sheds usable for long-term storage as well, might have to do some stunt riding to get it in though.... Bike im looking at is a 2002 VTR250.

Covers are cheap & effective. First line of defence.
Riding winters in the UK, they salt the roads, I followed my own advice above in a more corrosive environment. The bikes get water blasted with the salty shit on the roads. It's really bad.
After greasing & spraying I would wash the bike with fresh, cold water, just a good (gentle) hose down really, every few days. I rode daily. The fresh water dilutes any salt build up on the protective oil & grease. The bike would get a top to bottom clean monthly & re-grease / spray. Not perfect but made a huge difference, didn't break my heart come spring time. The bikes still looked pretty good.
Learned about swing arm pivots, hollow swing arms & underneath radiator guards the hard way. Salt spray gets everywhere!
I don't think the coastal environment is any where near as harsh.

[iranana]

Flag the CRC or WD-40, if it gets into places where there is meant to be heavy/proper lubrication (bearings, bushings, chains, sprockets etc), it will strip it away over time. CRC and WD-40 only have a small percentage of mineral oil in them anyway, the rest is mostly solvent. If you want to stop rust in its tracks, get some Fisholene/Fish Oil, dab some on a rag or paint brush and wipe down the metal with it. Soaks right in to all of the crevices and does a wonderful job of protecting metal. You can get the odourless variety, doesn't smell bad at all. I believe it was originally used to coat barges before they were painted. I use it fortnightly on my '78 Yamaha to keep the rust at bay. I put it on anywhere there might be a possibility of rust developing (frame, washers, nuts, bolts, frame). I even use it on my exhausts (pitted chrome rusts very quickly). Best thing is that it cures kind of like boiled linseed does, so it forms a really good protective film that's water resistant. Any salt will just accumulate on the film, and you can then just hose it off. If any rust develops, use something like autosol (for the shiny bits) or steel wool (frame bits and pieces) to get rid of the rust, coat in Fisholene and marvel at how long it takes for any more rust to develop.

[george formby]

+1 on fish oil. Does not do much for the shark population but did wonders for the door panels of my old hi lux. I stripped it & sprayed inside wherever sea water could get in, used to spend a lot of time on Ninety Mile beach & regularly got swamped. No rust.

[superjackal]

I used to own an old RG150 that was stored outside our seafront property and the sea air made it rust violently.
I'm looking at picking up another bike soon and will have to keep it outdoors.

Our backyard is on a slope so storing it there isn't really an option, the garage has been renovated into a flat.
Best place I've got is under a set of wooden stairs outside that is no more than 15m away from the sea. How can I defend my future bike from sea air?

I keep my bike 100 metres from Wellingtons south coast. Regular cleaning.

[cbfb]

Fish oil is the dog's bollocks, I use it on my 4WD chassis and everything lower than the top of the sills. I apply it using an oil spray gun. Makes you stink like fish for days after.

Just be wary of electrics tho, a reputable mechanic in our 4wd club reckons it shafts electric components so tape em up first or summat. Not experienced this first hand and too lazy to tape up stuff myself and never had any problems so dunno up to you really.

[Akzle]

disconnect the negative batt, clip jumper leads from frame to an earthing rod.

Sacrificial anode.

[Rhys]

Just keep it in the lounge

[iranana]

Makes you stink like fish for days after.

Get yerself the odourless variety. Not exactly odourless because it still has some kind of smell, but it barely smells like fish. For some reason it smells more like fish once you wash your hands though. The non-odourless kind does indeed stink, I hate the smell of old fish.

[cbfb]

Get yerself the odourless variety. Not exactly odourless because it still has some kind of smell, but it barely smells like fish. For some reason it smells more like fish once you wash your hands though. The non-odourless kind does indeed stink, I hate the smell of old fish.

Who said I didn't like smelling like an old haddock :p

The first time I did it I forgot to put the bungs in, and I don't have carpets in my truck. Was pretty funky in the cab for a while lol

Will look into it, dunno how they do that but I assume just as effective?

[george formby]

Who said I didn't like smelling like an old haddock :p

The first time I did it I forgot to put the bungs in, and I don't have carpets in my truck. Was pretty funky in the cab for a while lol

Will look into it, dunno how they do that but I assume just as effective?

Stuff I use is "odourless". Just a hint of old fish box. Biggest prob is keeping yer nozzle clean. They quickly bung up.

[cbfb]

Stuff I use is "odourless". Just a hint of old fish box. Biggest prob is keeping yer nozzle clean. They quickly bung up.

I don't seem to remember having much problem with it bunging up the nozzle, were you using one of those cheap oil guns from Repco etc:

287607

[george formby]

I don't seem to remember having much problem with it bunging up the nozzle, were you using one of those cheap oil guns from Repco etc:

287607

No, an arseole.

[cbfb]

No, an arseole.

Oh right sorry yes no experience with those, I just buy a 500ml tin and use a gun.

[pete-blen]

Use Boat wash in the water to wash it...