Parking up my bike?

**cooky1975** · 6th December 2011, 12:33

i have taken the baby off the road due basically to a tight budget. Will it hurt it, it needs a service, other than that fine. Can i keep it off for a year or two - does this hurt the motor , will it be easy to get going again, shes a hard decision but needs must

any one done this any problems

**Gremlin** · 6th December 2011, 12:41

Get the tyres off the ground if possible, especially if concrete. If it's going to be that long, drain the fuel tank (then you can put fresh fuel in when getting her on the road) and put the rego on hold. A cover would be good, try to keep the bike dry etc, to prevent corrosion.

**cooky1975** · 6th December 2011, 12:44

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Get the tyres off the ground if possible, especially if concrete. If it's going to be that long, drain the fuel tank (then you can put fresh fuel in when getting her on the road) and put the rego on hold. A cover would be good, try to keep the bike dry etc, to prevent corrosion.

How do i drain the fel tank bud? no way to get the tyres of the ground? what about the reserve - will it be ok - i put the rego on hold

**LankyBastard** · 6th December 2011, 13:07

Originally Posted by cooky1975

How do i drain the fel tank bud? no way to get the tyres of the ground? what about the reserve - will it be ok - i put the rego on hold

Not too sure about the tank, short of taking it off and turning it upside down (all see here what a marvelous mechanic I am), but to get the wheels off get a front and rear paddock stand set, quite cheap from tardme.

**bogan** · 6th December 2011, 13:15

Don't drain the tank, you get more corrosion that way; fill it to the brim to reduce the air left and tank surface in contact with the air, possible add some fuel stabiliser for good measure. When you put it back on the road, dump the old fuel and put fresh stuff in it. Do drain the carbs though (if applicable), and turn petcock to off so the don't fill up again. +1 to keep tyres off the ground. Also charge the battery every 3 months or so if you plan on using it again. Give the chain a decent oil too.

**cooky1975** · 6th December 2011, 13:26

ok great, thanks for the advice, shes got a fill tank so ill leave it there, charging the battery to be honest dont have a charger so a new battery is not really an issue. Draining the carb - its a maurader single cylinder so not sure it i need to only done 15k, looking to park her up for two years. will turn to off thats a no brainer . its hard but i will put her on the road once my debts are paid - i will look at this rear wheel stand though - great idea, im thinking once i put her back it will be couple grand to get her back on the road - thanks for all your advice.

**cooky1975** · 6th December 2011, 13:56

so i just need the stand for the back wheel right?

**bogan** · 6th December 2011, 14:07

If you have a center stand that'll work really well. Otherwise paddock stands or blocks under axles if the budget is tight. Either way, make sure it isn't going to fall over. Need both wheels off the ground to stop them flat spotting, so front and rear stands, or blocks etc.

Draining carbs is done because over time the fuel turns to a laquer, which reduces jet sizes and makes it run like shit, doesn't matter how old or how many kms it has, still needs to be done.

I don't think your battery would last 2 years without a charge, either get a charger, or sell the battery, leaving it in for that long is a waste.

**cooky1975** · 6th December 2011, 14:12

cool well i guess i will learn how to drain the carb for my summer break- sounds like fun and yes i will get the stands as soon as poosible. yes money is tight but better this way then having something happen with no savings. will keep you all posted, in fact while im doing that i might as well clean the tappets myself cant be that hard

**unstuck** · 6th December 2011, 14:21

Clean the tappetts, this has to be a wind up.

**cooky1975** · 6th December 2011, 14:23

no thats what the shop said its new 2011 thats what they told me you reckon thats a con mate?I think i will get a manual do me own servicing teach myself plenty of manuals online and i got tools

**Gremlin** · 6th December 2011, 14:31

ah... what bogan said then, re filling tank, hadn't thought of corrosion... If you're parking it up for that long, I'd forget the battery and charging it. Sell it off, buy another when the time comes to put her back on the road. The other reason for getting the tyres off the ground is that concrete for example, will affect tyres, sucks moisture out I think...

That said... not sure why I'm trying to help. I know bugger all about parking bikes up, the longest stint I didn't ride (coz I didn't have one) was 3 weeks, since I started in 2005. 2 weeks of that was holiday, out of the country, but I still went a bit spare.

I suggest you ride lots

**p.dath** · 6th December 2011, 14:35

The battery definitely wont last for 2 years just sitting there. I'd take it out and sell it now. Not worth the hassle of keeping it on a battery optimiser for 2 years.