Author Topic: Help.Crazy Storage Question?  (Read 447 times)

TY

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Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« on: October 26, 2014, 06:35:17 pm »
So I am without a place to store my bike for the winter here in New England. Im gonna ask my insurance agent if I can keep it in my house without any issues (do to possible fire claim) My question to you crazy MoFo’s is, it would go in my office only 15 or so feet from my furnace (one level house), should I fill the tank up all the way and add stabilizer before storing, or should I run the tank out? 2 problems I am contending with. 1- the misses isnt gonna want to smell gas, and I dont want an issue with the furnace and 2-Would like to be able to take her (the bike, not the misses) out through out the winter if possible for a quick buzz around the block. I am mechanically inclined but dont want to start tearing down my new bike ie:take tank off and stuff. How would you guys put her away?
On a side note if shes in my office with the battery tender plugged in, will that give off fumes also. I know a battery can do that. Its either this or a storage container, which sux and is expensive. Whatcha think?
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Alabama Adventurer

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2014, 07:08:43 pm »
If you have an older bike, check the fuel lines for rot or simply replace them.  My 525 had the original fuel lines and one day just started leaking.  This would have been disastrous if it was next to a source of ignition!  Come to think of it, for peace of mind it might be best to either remove the fuel tank and store it elsewhere or completely drain it.  I've stored my battery inside without any issues.

TY

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2014, 07:16:59 pm »
Good call CR but its a 2014 with only 400 miles on her. No leakin lines….I hope!
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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2014, 10:42:46 pm »
2014?  You should be fine.  I would take the battery out just so you could keep it charged and monitor it.

Rusty Shovel

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2014, 03:47:30 pm »
Unless you expect a super-hard freeze, I'd keep it full, stabilize the gas, and run leads to a trickle charger.  I'd start and let it idle for a few minutes every couple weeks.  (Take it outside first ;))

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Rockitboy

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2014, 03:55:37 pm »
Before I built a shop I had kept several of my bikes in the house with me over the winters & never had an issue. With the constant temp your gas & battery wont vent much if any. Just make sure the GF doesn't have to trip over your wheels or there could be trouble..  I cant imagine your insurance company would hassle you about it. People keep all kinds of batteries & combustible items in their houses. Seriously man, hairspray is like the domestic version of napalm! A climate controlled room is the best place to keep your bike nice. Plus you can pet it & make funny motor noises when its -20 out this winter!   Braaapppp!!!
Nut up or shut up!

TY

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2014, 04:42:52 pm »
Good advice Rusty and Rockitboy. And yes I will be petting her. LOL! Now you think I should keep the tank full of fuel with stabilizer or empty it? Probably full as Rusty said.
On another note I dont know if work will allow me to get a full 600 miles on her and get her in for the first tune up but if I do whatcha think, better to tune her up and then be ready for the spring or just let her sit as is and tune her in the spring. Kinda was thinkin if there is actually a lot of metal shavings in there I may not want them to sit all winter. Or is that just silly thinkin? Man Ive owned handfuls of dirt and street bikes my whole life and this being my first brand new one im really baby it. I never thought twice about any of this **** b4. And shes a beater dirtbike bike to boot. LOL. But she sure is purdy!!
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Rockitboy

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2014, 05:28:16 pm »
Glad to help. I like the enthusiasm for your new ride! Shes no beater dirt bike though. The 690 is more like a classy older gal that has a killer body & likes it ruff..  You should fill her near to full of gas & change her oil before winter.  Years ago I used a flexible 4" dryer hose & ran it out the window so I could fire up my 74' Yamaha 250 in the winter. A good rev up at -20 below is priceless & keeps the fuel lines open to boot!
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TY

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2014, 06:14:22 pm »
Great advice. Nice! And I am A cougar man to boot!
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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2014, 07:18:28 pm »
Ha ha you guys!

I actually had a lower radiator hose heater on my KLR.  And I used it.  I once rode to a nearby town on a Saturday night for prime rib.  It was -15f on the way home.  Only 15 miles luckily.

You never did say what type of furnace you have.  That's one thing that I would use as my final decision as to whether or not to keep it inside. 

TY

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2014, 09:11:01 pm »
Its a one level ranch with an oil burner in the next room. Anymore specifics I wouldnt know. Obviously it produces a flame, but I cant imagine it would b a problem unless I had a gas leak on the bike while I wasnt home. Thats why I figured a drained tank would be better. Pellet stove also but 2 rooms away.
-15 huh? Crazy! I think cuz I work most of the winter outside the thoughts of riding in those temps dont work for me. But I will take a buzz around town on cold clear days. But not -15! Nice!
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TY

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2014, 06:01:07 pm »
OK so not to beat a dead horse here but I have decided the bike needs to come inside and having it full of gas is not a great idea for me. So my plan is to run some stabilizer through the system, syphon out the gas and then crack the fuel pump to get out the rest. Then torque back up the fuel pump. Sounds about right, no? That should be fine to sit in a 60+ degree room till March or so I figure. Any other ideas from the heavy hitters on this forum would be much appreciated. Thanks boys!
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Rockitboy

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2014, 07:07:24 pm »
Im not sure if I'm on the heavy hitter list yet.. You should be fine either way, but its nice to be able to start the engine in January. I never drain gas from my equipment even if only used seasonally. Just fire it up for a couple minutes in the off season is the best thing you can do. A full tank is only a problem if you have a leak or a fire.. An empty tank will still most likely have gas fumes & could explode with a spark where a full tank would not, (TWA flight 800).   Draining the tank will be fine also but just more work.
Nut up or shut up!

TY

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Re: Help.Crazy Storage Question?
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2014, 08:00:16 am »
Well the idea was not having gas fumes all winter right in my office but your right she’ll fume out either way. Im thinkin F’it! I’ll buy a rhino cover bolt it down and just keep her on the back deck fueled. Easier. If I have to shovel 4’ of snow to start her now and again, so be it. Trinkets and farkels will have to wait til spring anyhow, do to poor money management. LOL
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