Storing a bike over winter

[RachaelEllen]

As i'm sure many of you know i will shortly be laying up my little 125 over the winter until the weather improves and i can haul it up to darkest Liverpool. As an unexperienced bike owner i was wondering if any of the more knowledgeable riders had any tips of what to do with the bike while it's not being used over the next few months. It will be stored in a garage but somebody mentioned something about a trickle-charger, do i need one of these? (it's a CG125 and has no alarms or gadgets so doesn't requre too much battery power).

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, thank you

[wiltshire builders]

A trickle charger is a good idea. Nothing worse that getting ready for a ride and having a flat battery. Changing all the fluids while you store it and changing them again when the summer starts is good too.

Just for the record i do none of the above and have never had any trouble but that doesn't mean it's right. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[newnut]

drain the fuel, it can go off.

[RachaelEllen]

Ah good job i ran it nearly empty on the way back from the Isle of Wight today, i was too tired to go into a petrol station! I shall attempt to follow the above advice, i'll let you know how i get on!

[Green Man]

Rach would take the battery off and put inside in the warm over the winter last 2 years ive had 2 batterys go down [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif

PS stick something over the end of the exhausts to keep the damp out [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Or get Dad to take it out for a run a few times ;D ;D ;D

[Jon_W]

I always run the tank down (but never empty). Turn the fuel off it there's a tap, pump the tyres up, stick a cover over the bike and leave it. Occasionally I disconnect the battery. Never had a problem.

[Ducatista]

Have you considered riding it over the winter instead?
Obviosuly I don't mean in the ice and snow, but I've done some really nice rideouts in the winter last year.
It's a shame to park it up for many months.

[CBRowner]

There's a handy section in the back of Haynes Manuals about what to do to store a bike over long periods.

It says to disconnect your spark plugs and put a few drops of oil in there.

Try to raise the tyres off the ground to prevent tyre decay.

Disconnect the battery or use an optimiser (trickle charge thing).

Bung the exhaust to prevent rain/damp from getting in.

Lube everything up with enough to cover the time it's not in use.

And cover the bike to prevent you having to clean it come summer [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Obviously this is for my bike but I'm sure it's the same principle for other bikes

[RachaelEllen]

I would love to ride it over winter but i'm moving back up to Liverpool and i have nowhere proper to store it. When the weather gets a bit better in the spring i'm hoping to take it up and just leave it in the backgarden (all chained up, gotta watch these scousers ;D).

Thanks for all the advice everybody, greatly appreciated

[Morticia]

Can't help, I ride all year. I can offer to ride it for you though, that way you won't have to worry about any of that ;D