Date: 29-03-24  Time: 15:29 pm

Author Topic: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?  (Read 5778 times)

Tori

  • Tent Pole Erector / Truck Hunter
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,955
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
My biek has now stood in my garage since june last year, and it's looking likely it'll still be there in spring 2013. I don't hvae any inclination to mot it for this season with the weather being so pants. So, the question is, what sort of damage could it be doing? I think there's a bit of fuel in there, but probably not much. Ta.

MadDogMcQ

  • Club Racer
  • ****
  • Posts: 478
  • Horwich, Bolton, NW UK.
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • - CB250N
    • View Profile
    • My Website
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #1 on: 13 July 2012, 01:09:18 pm »
I'd certainly take the weight off the tyres, fill the tank to the brim with petrol, block the air-intake to keep mice out, and apply a liberal amount of ACF-50 or similar to the whole thing. Battery should be attached to an optimiser too, ideally.
 
QUENTIN TARANTINO - HALLOWED BE THY NAME!

MadDogMcQ

  • Club Racer
  • ****
  • Posts: 478
  • Horwich, Bolton, NW UK.
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • - CB250N
    • View Profile
    • My Website
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #2 on: 13 July 2012, 01:11:11 pm »
I'd clean and lubricate the chain too.
QUENTIN TARANTINO - HALLOWED BE THY NAME!

Tori

  • Tent Pole Erector / Truck Hunter
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,955
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #3 on: 13 July 2012, 01:19:47 pm »
It's going to need at least one new tyre when it goes back on the road, so that shouldn't be such an issue. Lol@mice. Mice stand no chance here, I have a world class mouser ;-) It was acf'd last year and I've hardly used it since and it's always garaged. I'll lube the chain :)  Anything else? Thanks :)

JZS 600

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,267
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 02-03
    • - VFR 1200 FD
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #4 on: 13 July 2012, 02:45:07 pm »
Thought you were supposed to drain the carbs to stop them gunking up.

AdieR

  • Club Racer
  • ****
  • Posts: 465
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 S2 07-09
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #5 on: 13 July 2012, 03:53:52 pm »
If the level in your fuel tank is low, beware of rust developing in your tank and choking fuel lines when you do put it back on the road, and make sure pivot points / cables etc are lubed.

caretaker

  • WSB Pack Hound
  • *****
  • Posts: 532
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 00-01
    • - TL125 frame!
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #6 on: 13 July 2012, 05:11:00 pm »
can you fire it up once a week? that would prevent any fuel problems.

wfbroddy

  • DAS Born Again
  • **
  • Posts: 86
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #7 on: 13 July 2012, 05:18:11 pm »
I'd disconnect the battery if your going to lay the bike up for over 6 months instead of putting it onto a optimizer, I personnaly think they cause more harm than good.

and clean the battery as well, if a battery is dirty it will discharge (all batterys self discharge but no reason to make it happen quicker) via the grime on the surface of the case.

If you have somewhere dry, like a garage, then stick the battery on a shelf and charge it up every couple of months for a couple of days max each time, remembering to disconnect the charger ever time.

richfzs

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,507
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 98-99
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #8 on: 13 July 2012, 05:35:29 pm »
can you fire it up once a week? that would prevent any fuel problems.

DO NOT DO THIS!

While it MAY prevent carb/fuel issues it will (unless you run for at least 20 mins, get it properly up to temperature, and run it through all gears with the clutch out) :-
  • Create condensation in the oil, leading to emulsification and rust on non coated parts
  • Create condensation in the exhaust, leading to rusting from the inside
  • reduce charge in the battery (although the optimate as suggested, will alleviate this one)
  • foul the plugs
As MaddogMcQ said, brim the tank up (so no rust can develop), weight off tyres (unless you're prepared to sacrifice them, sounds as though you are), and either an optimiser, or take the battery off the bike and keep warm (ideally not in the house though, in case it leaks fluids (which you'll see) or fumes (which you won't)). And do not be tempted to start it to "turn it over".

Me, I wouldn't worry about the mice issue, but sounds as though thats well covered :)


That's what I've done for the last 14 winters with my 1998 FZS600, and it's always fired on the button come spring. There is not a hint of rust in the tank, and its still on the original downpipes (yeah, those ones that are allegedly made of cheese) despite being ridden on salted roads a number of times.

Phil TK

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,120
  • up yer..
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #9 on: 13 July 2012, 07:15:00 pm »
Some good advice already given although I think optimisers arn't a good idea over the long term (I'm also sure they ruin batterys). And of course starting it up occaisionally doesn't do it any good at all.
 If I'm laying up a bike I usually top up the tank and add fuel preserve tablets/fluid, drain the carbs, get the weight off the tyres, oil the chain and put the battery indoors -and charge it up every couple of months, if I remember lol. I also cover the bike in a cotton sheet, (plastic encourages condensation) And that's it.

Ben Diesel

  • Foc-u Pikey
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,989
    • Main bike:
      Other
    • - VFR750FS FJR1300
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #10 on: 13 July 2012, 08:13:55 pm »
Stretch a condom or a surgical glove over the exhaust outlet.
 
I tend to keep any little silica gel desiccant bags that I find packed in with shoes, handbags, kitchen utensils etc etc, and pop them in the trays and drawers of my tool boxes, to help keep the moisture away. Might be worth your while popping a couple inside some poly sheet and loosely wrapping around your brake discs.

Andy FZS

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,137
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #11 on: 13 July 2012, 08:38:20 pm »
As this list grows it might be easier to just use the bike? :lol
 
Andy

Tori

  • Tent Pole Erector / Truck Hunter
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,955
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #12 on: 13 July 2012, 09:29:53 pm »
I'm now seriously considering mot'ing it and getting out on it!! Lol! Thanks all x

richfzs

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,507
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 98-99
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #13 on: 13 July 2012, 11:59:14 pm »
Stretch a condom or a surgical glove over the exhaust outlet.

Why on earth would you do that? let the air flow freely...


I tend to keep any little silica gel desiccant bags that I find packed in with shoes, handbags, kitchen utensils etc etc, and pop them in the trays and drawers of my tool boxes, to help keep the moisture away. Might be worth your while popping a couple inside some poly sheet and loosely wrapping around your brake discs.

WTF? Brake discs rust a touch when left wet, they get cleaned off first time you use the brakes, no fecking drama.

Mountains out of molehills, high drama where there's not even a fecking bad version of Coronation St

As this list grows it might be easier to just use the bike? :lol
 
Andy

Well if you believe half the shit thats been written on this thread, then yes!! Although its obviously a sensible idea to use the bike, as everybody knows they have a soul and get very upset if you don't go and stroke them at least once a fortnight. Everybody knows that, right?

Tori

  • Tent Pole Erector / Truck Hunter
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,955
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #14 on: 14 July 2012, 08:32:32 am »
I appreciate all the comments. I've decided to mot i and give it a blast so it's not going to be detrimental to it's health. It's always stood over winter with no problems before, it's just been stood a bti longer this year :'(

JZS 600

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,267
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 02-03
    • - VFR 1200 FD
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #15 on: 15 July 2012, 07:39:01 am »
Remember to take the condom off before starting it up!   :lol

MadDogMcQ

  • Club Racer
  • ****
  • Posts: 478
  • Horwich, Bolton, NW UK.
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • - CB250N
    • View Profile
    • My Website
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #16 on: 15 July 2012, 10:06:26 am »
What I wanna know, is how big are YOUR condoms?? Lol
QUENTIN TARANTINO - HALLOWED BE THY NAME!

JZS 600

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,267
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 02-03
    • - VFR 1200 FD
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #17 on: 15 July 2012, 12:54:04 pm »
Double XL!

Old un

  • Cager in Training
  • Posts: 5
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #18 on: 15 July 2012, 06:12:08 pm »
With all the agg I see here - wot about  -  SELL IT - AND BUY ANOTHER BUGGER WHEN YOU WANNA RIDE AGAIN!!
THat way the bike will go to a good home and be loved up and you can start a new and exciting affair we you have the inclination !
 
 

Tori

  • Tent Pole Erector / Truck Hunter
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,955
    • Main bike:
      FZ6 04-06
    • View Profile
Re: Is leaving my bike stood for a while going to do any harm?
« Reply #19 on: 15 July 2012, 07:24:46 pm »
It's not going anywhere. I didn't ride last year as I broke my elbow. I didn't ride this year as it's been too damn wet!