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From: donch@teklabs.UUCP (Don Chitwood)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Time to *sniff* hang it up...
Message-ID: <3260@teklabs.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 20:49:29 EST
Article-I.D.: teklabs.3260
Posted: Thu Dec 12 20:49:29 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Dec-85 20:49:32 EST
References: <8800028@uiucdcs>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 40

Regarding storing a motorcycle over the winter (or anytime, for that
matter).

I'd suggest the following:
a)  remove the battery and give it an overnight trickle-charge once
a month;
b)  put the bike upon the center-stand (the u-joints shouldn't be under
any undue stress--the shocks limit travel, not the joints;  also, try to
figure a way to get the front wheel off the ground, also, to keep from
putting a crease in the tire--like, block the engine up with wood;
c)  fill the gas-tank, maybe even add a bit of engine oil to it to coat
all surfaces;
d)  remove old oil and replace with fresh while the engine is still hot
(oil collects engine contaminants, including acids and water, which can and
will eat on parts, particularly if the engine is not used for long times);
e)  personally, I'd pour a bit of engine oil into the cylinders, then crank 
the engine over to coat cylinder walls--cranking the engine will also help
distribute the fresh oil from the crankcase to the major bearing surfaces;
I've no problem with getting oil on the valves--they rust, too;
f)  give all chrome surfaces a heavy coating of a good carnauba-based
finishing wax;  it'll rub of in the spring, particularly with a fresh 
application of the same wax, while it protects the chrome from rust via
pinholes in the plating;
g)  I wouldn't worry about the seat--sun and heat seem to be the worst 
enemies there.

The bit about the battery comes from sore experience.  I've been told that
if the lead-acid storage batteries we use in cars and cycles aren't kept
in a relatively high state of charge, a non-reversible chemical reaction
takes place on the plates that reduces storage capacity until finally the
battery will no longer take a charge.  This has been my experience, too.
A battery, totally disconnected, sitting on the shelf can be kept alive and
well--and READY--for long periods of time if given a periodic trickle-charge.
How nice to simply stick the battery in and you're ready to crank!

Good luck and happy anticipation of spring!

Don Chitwood
Tek Labs
Tektronix, Inc.