Storing Things Safely

Before you take your motorcycle to self-storage, you need to prepare it to reduce costly damages during storage. Here are some of the preparation tips to take.

Clean the Bike

Make it a habit to clean everything before long-term storage—motorcycles included. Dirt and debris attract moisture and rodents, both of which can damage the motorbike. For example, moisture can trigger corrosion on the metallic parts of the bike, of which there are many. It is also easier to get rid of the dirt before storage than after storage when it has set in.

Change the Oil

Engine oil performs multiple functions. It cleans the engine, aids in the filtration process, and also cools the engine. The engine oil picks up considerable debris, such as carbon deposits, as it does its work. If you store the bike with used or dirty oil, the oil will deteriorate and the debris will separate from the oil. The collected debris can cause multiple damages, including the corrosion of the internal parts of the engine.

In fact, you should also change other fluids, such as the brake fluid, the clutch fluid, and the coolant. Replacements are particularly advisable for fluids that haven't been replaced in a while.

Disconnect the Battery

If you leave the battery connected, it may run out of juice and spoil during the long-term storage. To prevent this, you can remove the battery and store it separately, ideally with a trickle charger. There are also trickle chargers you can use on the battery without disconnecting it from the bike. The aim is to ensure the battery doesn't run completely out of power during storage.

Store It off The Ground

It is not good for the same surface areas of the tires to bear the weight of the bike for the duration of storage. First, the weight of the bike might distort the rims and spokes. Second, the weight of the bike might flatten the parts of the tires that are in contact with the ground. Therefore, either store the bike of the ground or inflate the tires properly and rotate them regularly to prevent damage.

Treat the Fuel

Fuel absorbs water. This is usually not a problem because fuel doesn't stay in the tank long enough to absorb dangerous levels of water. However, during long-term storage, the fuel might absorb enough water to cause corrosion and damage the delicate parts of the bike, such as the carburetor. Add a fuel additive to the fuel to keep it stable and to prevent water-related issues.

Contact a storage center to learn more about how to prepare items for storage.