Long-Term Storage; Anything I should know?

[johnster]

      Well due to my idiotic decision-making, it looks like the S4 will be hibernating until further notice (lost my license). I was driving home from a show that my band played about a month ago and I was absolutely exhausted. I dozed off for a split second and hit a curb + a street sign in my car. There was a  right behind me who came to see if I was alright. Problem was, I had 3-4 beers before I left the concert and the  smelled it on me. I'm sure you can do the math from there. 

      Due to past "brushes with the law" and previous traffic violations, they're trying to throw the book at me hard, which could mean up to 2 years without a license.    Thank god I live near the subway + can take it to work!!

      So I briefly considered selling the S4 and saving for an 848 in the meantime, but I'm emotionally attached and am having a hard time letting her go.    If I decide to keep it garaged until I can ride again, is there anything I should do besides the usual winterizing routine? The oil was changed less than 50 miles from the last time it was ridden. I washed it, put the battery on a tender, and have it up on a rear-stand covered. Should I fill the tank + put stabilizer in, or just drain it altogether? I was also going to pull the plugs + squirt oil in + turn it over manually a few times - Good idea??

      I have heard various opinions saying that it's not good to leave a bike sitting for a few years, but I have to believe that as long as you take the proper precautions it should be fine right? Is there anything I'm missing that should be done to ensure that she starts right up when I can eventualy put her back on the road again?? It would be nice to pull the S4 out of storage and put her back into duty like she never missed a beat, but I want to make sure I do it right.

     If there's anything else I should do, I'd appreciate the input. In the meantime, I'll just stare at the Duc, ride the subway, and think about how I won't make this STUPID mistake again!! 

Thanks again,

-john

[hypurone]

Personally, I would go with the Stabil in the fuel. I would start it up every so often (it would be more often for me, I love the sound) to circulate the oil and move the cam belts etc. Not to mention just listen to the damn thing!  I would be sure to use up the gas in the tank by 90 days out and add fresh with more Stabil, rinse & repeat!

Sorry to hear about your situation, but stick it out.  [moto]

[CDawg]

If it's really going to be 2 years, I'd drain the bike properly (oil, fuel, coolant, brake, clutch, etc...), pull the battery , clean the bike real good, make sure it is completely dry, lube the exposed parts like chain and cylinders, deflate the tires and put in on stands and bubble wrap the whole bike....

But, that's just a guess as I have not FHE in putting a bike in deep storage.

[Howie]

Full tank, Stabil or similar product, run through fuel injection.
Change brake fluid. 
Maximum pressure in tires.
Fog cylinders.
If you use a cover it needs to be breathable.
All I can think of now.

Good luck in court.

[Popeye the Sailor]

It's not good for the belts to sit like that for that long, so you may want to replace them prior to pulling it from storage.


On a completely different note, if you have a friend with a truck and trailer, you can still do track days 

[jdubbs32584]

John, is this a different incident than this?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=6913.0


Good luck.

[He Man]

sell her so when 2 year rolls around u can get the S4Rs with a 1098 in it.

[johnster]

John, is this a different incident than this?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=6913.0


Good luck.

No, same incident. Originally I said 7-8 beers, but I sweated off the first 3 while playing onstage. It was the 3-4 I had after the show that screwed me, so here I am. 

sell her so when 2 year rolls around u can get the S4Rs with a 1098 in it.

hmmmmm....  you make a good point... 

-Thanks for the feedback. As far as fogging, I would imagine any cylinder fogger would work. Or do they make one especially for motorcycles?

[johnster]

On a completely different note, if you have a friend with a truck and trailer, you can still do track days 

I've already begun planning one!! 

-And yeah, the valves will need to get done in about 900mi, so I figured I'll just bring it into the shop right before I put it back on the road. That way, they can look everything else over in addition to doing the valves + belts.

[Howie]

Any cylinder fogger will work.

[uclabiker06]

First of all you should not turn the bike on unless you are going to ride it.  It takes a lot longer for all of the internal vapor to dissipate than you think (at least 15 minutes).  I would deflate my tires if they are on a rear/front stand.  If not put tires on a piece of cardboard or two and just role it a little forward/backward every month or so.  I don't know why someone suggested to inflate the tires to the maximum pressure.  As far as your belts go just replace them every two years so you don't have to "exercise" them but if you want, the best method would be to put the engine in gear and crank it by rotating the rear wheel or by using the engine turning tool every so often. Also might be a good idea to spray everything that might rust down with a good coating of WD.   Won't draining the oil  encourage rus?  I thought oils have special rust inhibiting additives for this very reason.

[Howie]

I'm the one who said inflate the tires.  This helps maintain the shape.  Particularly since the bike will be on a rear stand.  This leaves the front tire on the ground.  I did forget to mention the bike will need to be moved to avoid flat spotting of the tire on the ground but someone added that.

[He Man]

selll....

S1098R.... 2010.....

Take the $ and buy a dedicated track bike.

[uclabiker06]

I'm the one who said inflate the tires.  This helps maintain the shape.  Particularly since the bike will be on a rear stand.  This leaves the front tire on the ground.  I did forget to mention the bike will need to be moved to avoid flat spotting of the tire on the ground but someone added that.

Well, I heard your supposed to deflate them.

[He Man]

would it matter? the rubbers gonna dry rot anyway.