Storage/Disassembly

[Skullz]

Hey guys. I'm looking to do some painting while the bike is stored for the winter. My problem is that I don't have a garage so my bike usually just gets cleaned up and covered while it sits outside. Now I need to take off the tank, fenders, head covers, pipes, and wheels to send out for painting. Would it be safe to cover the open parts with plastic sheets or would that cause moisture buildup? I'm basically looking for a way to store the bike outside while it's missing all these parts but without causing damage to anything.

Also, I was going to buy a syphon kit to drain the gas tank. Is that the best way to go?

[Capt_Zoom]

Haven't done this with the raider.  But on my other bikes I've like to use those Rubber compression pipe plugs on bikes intake and exhaust ports.  If I can't find the right size I'll even cut wood block offs.  These bikes were always in heavy disassembly with only limited fluids (oil in the motor). 

ON something like a tinless raider I'd much rather keep the bike at least 50degrees in heated storage.  If you can't opt for a cheap storage garage.  Leaving outside without covering plugging and covering everything leaves it too open to rodent infestation.  Mice in exhaust, mouse poop under your seat, flat tires ect. 

[Deyv]

What's wrong with the living room for the winter...?  Seems like a nice place to put the bike

[fenderless 33]

I like Devy. My wife lets me put the scooter in the florida room along with the street rod. 

[woodog]

It must suck's having to keep a bike outside.

[CBird]

This has been posted many times, but if mine had to sit outside it would be in a cycle shell.

http://www.cycleshell.com/index.html

[Skullz]

This has been posted many times, but if mine had to sit outside it would be in a cycle shell.

http://www.cycleshell.com/index.html

I've never seen that. I'll have to run it by my board and see if it's allowed. I live in a building and we have assigned spots outside otherwise I would have taken the living room suggestion.

[PhysicsDude55]

I had a motorcycle sit disassembled in a parking lot for a winter.

For about 2 months I had all the fenders off, gas tank off, carb/intake off, all lights off, handlebars off, pipes off.  I just kept a cover on it and it was fine.

The picture is right after I reinstalled the fenders, handlebars( you can see the control cables still dangling), and pegs.  Man its crazy to think back on it.  Couldn't live without a garage now.



I would plug up the gas lines, I think I bought a set of rubber vacuum hose plugs at autozone for cheap.  IMO you can just leave the intake on.  Buy some rat poisen, although they're probably not a big problem in apartment parking lots.

[Skullz]

I had a motorcycle sit disassembled in a parking lot for a winter.

For about 2 months I had all the fenders off, gas tank off, carb/intake off, all lights off, handlebars off, pipes off.  I just kept a cover on it and it was fine.

The picture is right after I reinstalled the fenders, handlebars( you can see the control cables still dangling), and pegs.  Man its crazy to think back on it.  Couldn't live without a garage now.



I would plug up the gas lines, I think I bought a set of rubber vacuum hose plugs at autozone for cheap.  IMO you can just leave the intake on.  Buy some rat poisen, although they're probably not a big problem in apartment parking lots.

Thanks for the reply. So far I really haven't had any rodent problems. I usually just tie a bag around the pipes and cover the bike and the worst I've gotten is some spiders. I'm really thinking about just covering any open areas with cardboard and plastic.

[Coldfinger]

If you must use plastic, don't have it real tight because you want airflow to avoid condensation buildup.

I have never plugged the exhaust.  I'd rather let it breath a little to avoid condensation.  Same theory as gas tanks - if you store it empty or half full, etc, and it is exposed to changing weather conditions you will get condensation and probably rust.  I've heard one should use steel wool (maybe brass would be better) to plug openings.