A classic that is stored well wakes up with little more than a charge and a check. A classic stored badly wakes up with rust, a flat battery, stale fuel and perished rubber. The work is not hard, and most of it can be done in one afternoon.
Where to store it
- A dry, frost-free room with steady temperature, if you can. Damp does more harm than cold.
- Ventilated. A closed, damp garage makes condensation, and a tight plastic cover traps it.
- Away from where rodents can get in, and away from chemicals, fertiliser and a boiler that gives off fumes.
- With a concrete floor covered by a mat, not bare, if the floor is damp.
The checklist
- Ride it first. Take a last ride so the engine reaches full temperature and burns off the moisture in the oil and exhaust. A short start-up without a ride makes more condensation than it removes.
- Change the oil and filter. Used oil holds acids and combustion by-products that attack bearings over the winter. See oil and lubrication.
- Fuel. A full tank leaves less room for condensation, which rusts the inside of the tank. Add a stabiliser suited to the fuel you use, and run the engine for a few minutes so that it reaches the carburettors. For a long layup, or for fuel with ethanol, some owners drain the carburettors. See fuel, ethanol and the fuel system.
- Clean the bike. Wash off dirt and road salt, dry it thoroughly, and wax the paint and the chrome. Lightly oil bare metal parts.
- Chain. Clean and lubricate it. See chain and final drive.
- Battery. Disconnect it or remove it, and connect it to a maintainer designed for your battery type. Check polarity before you connect anything, since old bikes are often positive earth. See electrics and ignition.
- Tyres. Inflate them a little above normal, or lift the wheels off the ground on stands. This prevents flat spots. Keep tyres out of sunlight and away from oil.
- Brakes. Leave them off the parking position. If you can, release the clutch lever so that the plates do not stick.
- Exhaust and air intake. Some owners block the silencer end with a clean rag or a plug to keep out moisture and mice. Attach a clear tag so that you never forget to remove it.
- Cover. Use a breathable cover. A plastic sheet traps moisture.
- Insurance. Tell your insurer, since some classic policies have a lay-up period or reduced rates.
What not to do
- Do not start the engine briefly every few weeks. A brief run creates condensation and does not warm the engine fully.
- Do not store with a half-empty tank and no stabiliser.
- Do not leave the battery connected to a standard charger for months. Use a maintainer.
- Do not store on the side stand with the weight resting on tyres for months without checking the pressure.
- Do not cover a wet or dirty bike.
During the winter
Visit once a month if you can: check for damp, mice and leaks, check the battery maintainer is on, and turn the rear wheel by hand if it is off the ground. If you have a kickstart bike, a few slow kicks with the plugs out distribute oil.
In spring
Follow the sequence in waking up a bike from storage, even if you prepared the bike well.
