Can't ride for almost two months - Bike maintenance?

[alanzs]

Howdy all,
I am not going to be able to ride my bike for another month. It has already been sitting for about three weeks. Is there anything I should do to keep it in ridable condition?
I have the battery on a trickle charger and the gas tank is totally full. Its on the center stand. I start it up every day and wheel it around the garage. Is there anything else I should do to keep it in great shape? I even washed it and polished it!

I've never let it sit this long.
Thanks!

[AllanB]

Hi, I suggest you will do more harm starting it every day - cold engine+ short running = lots of moisture in the pipes and engine.

The trickle on the battery will keep that sweet and alive.

The centre stand gets the rear off the ground - stick a board under the front or a bit of carpet. Keep pressures correct ie don't let the tyres get flat.

Full tank is good.

Spray it all with CRC or WD40 (not brakes or tyres!!!!!!) if you do not plan to clean it while not being used as this will stop corrosion. Obviously you will need to clean this off later)

If you are about feel free to start every couple of weeks to keep clean fuel in the intake system.

Once you are ready to ride again - drain the duel and replace with fresh stuff, clean off the CRC coating, run the bike and when warm replace the oil. All good to go.

Or if you are a bike shop - just sit it there until someone buys it .......from what I see they just leave them in the showroom for months until sold!

[AllanB]

Actually I've just re-read your post - the above is for a longer period (I thought it was 3 months).

For one month just trickle the battery to keep it good. I'd not even worry about starting the bike or only start every 2 weeks. Clean it now and it will be all sweet in a month.

Just don't rev the shit out of it on the start-up as the oil will have drained to the engines sump.

[Crisis management]

Loan it to me, I can keep it "maintained" for you.....

Seriously, I wouldn't do anything other than clean it and park it for such a short period. Yesterday I restarted the KTM after sitting for 7 weeks and apart from a quick check around, lube chain & check tyre pressures it was kick & go. It did get a good warm up and check for leaks etc but thats not much more than I do for either of the bikes anyway.

Panic not.

[alanzs]

I figured someone would offer to ride it for me!

Right on and thanks for the information. I have read up on all this winterizing stuff, so I was wondering if it applied to me in this circumstance. Glad it doesn't.

I have sprayed much of the bike (not tyres, brakes or anything plastic) lightly with WD40. Anything special to get it off when I'm riding again? Soap and water?

I'm afraid that if this bike had feelings, it would get spoiled. I'm of the "ride 'em hard, put away wet" school. All this maintenance stuff to NOT ride!

Even my wife noticed that the bike looked (and smelled) different. "Whats that smell?" says she. "WD40" says I. ""Wow, smells like you used a bit" says she. "Yeah" says I.

Thanks again....

[hayd3n]

I figured someone would offer to ride it for me!

Right on and thanks for the information. I have read up on all this winterizing stuff, so I was wondering if it applied to me in this circumstance. Glad it doesn't.

I have sprayed much of the bike (not tyres, brakes or anything plastic) lightly with WD40. Anything special to get it off when I'm riding again? Soap and water?


Thanks again....

leave it on

[Patch]

leaving a vehicle sitting idle for long periods, it is recommended that the crankcase be filled (to the brim) with oil (fresh). Helps keep everything lubed (I think - can't remember)

just don't forget to drain it before riding off when you do.

WD40 is fine or a silicon based spray - watch it doesn't eat the paint tho (the silicon)


replace/flush the brake fluid before using again.

check tyres for cracking as well.

[alanzs]

replace/flush the brake fluid before using again.

check tyres for cracking as well.

I was going to do the brake pads/fluid as a project while its sitting. That and a new pair of sprockets and chain.

Not riding just isn't normal...

[AllanB]

A good wipe down will remove most of the WD40. If you want it all off a spray of degreaser and a hose off will remove it.

[honda929]

Got my blade out after sitting for two years,needed new tyres and battery, changed the oil, she fired right up, a bit smokey as i put oil in cylinders for storage, other than that everything fine.