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Post by Fordy on Oct 11, 2014 17:04:05 GMT
I have a garage for my pride and joy but it's by no way dry, there's no direct water contact but it is damp.
The question is what's the best way to store, covered or uncovered, do covers retain moisture underneath?
I will of course start it regularly and use it on a sunny winters day but I just wondered what you guys do.
Thanks,
Fordy
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Post by davefirestorm on Oct 11, 2014 17:22:34 GMT
I made mistake of riding through winter couple years ago although only on dry days but dry salt in atmosphere stuck to chrome on 2 of my bikes and condensation mixed with it undetected causing corrosion on chrome,wife was using a tumble dryer (now in shed)which made things worse I now cover bikes chrome with ACF50,cover with old duvets and use a dehumidifier.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2014 17:32:48 GMT
Would like to ask a really dumb question.
What does make garages damp?
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Post by Cheggy on Oct 11, 2014 17:33:45 GMT
Would like to ask a really dumb question. What does make garages damp? Talking sweetly and kissing its neck.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2014 17:34:26 GMT
Steam?
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Post by stevie on Oct 11, 2014 17:36:31 GMT
Nick, i would hazard a guess at lack of ventilation and warm air against cold air
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2014 17:38:44 GMT
Sounds feasible Steve.
I've been lucky the past few years - all mine have been really quite dry.
That said, my parents one in reading was at the end of a sloped driveway and sometimes, when it rained really heavily, the single small square drain located just outside the garage could not cope......so where did the water go?
Yup.......right in the garage and over my machines.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2014 17:41:54 GMT
Nick, i would hazard a guess at lack of ventilation and warm air against cold air Spot on, better to have air circulating than have closed doors. Keep the floor of the shed raised from the ground so that air can get underneath it, if possible A dust cover is all that's needed when in a shed. I am having heating in mine but will have a fan to spread the heat about the shed. Gee.
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Post by davefirestorm on Oct 11, 2014 18:03:33 GMT
Would like to ask a really dumb question. What does make garages damp? A tumble dryer Using the bike and putting it in garage with hot engine seems to be a cause,my Suzuki always attracted moisture on top of engine ie chrome head bolts.My garage is well ventilated but condensation still present hence the dehumidifier.Wooden sheds are the worst place to store your bike with regards condensation I stored my old Brit bikes in one and condensation ran down wheel rims causing corrosion where it collected at bottom.ACF50 is brilliant stuff to use even on a bike that is used in worst winter conditions it stays on where you spray it and it just washes off in spring
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Post by Harold on Oct 11, 2014 18:49:57 GMT
I think a lot of older garages probably have no damp proof membrane under the floor which means the damp comes from underneath and no amount of covers will stop the corrosion, if you look at a lot of so called barn finds you will see a lot of the worst corrosion seems to be on the underside of things like exhausts etc. There are bags you can buy which you wheel the bike into and then seal and use a vacuum cleaner (your wife should know what they are) to suck the air out, apparently they are good for long term storage.
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Post by scott on Oct 11, 2014 19:13:52 GMT
I would suggest you not run your bike regularly while storing it over winter. if its not getting used, drain the carbs, add stabiliser to the petrol, brim the tank as well to stop the ethanol absorbing water and leave it. Starting it up often will just create condensation inside the exhausts and your not going to get them hot enough to get ride of that with just having the bike idling in the garage. I also take my batteries off and put them on a trickle charge every so often. You can use ACF50 to project it, best to apply with a cloth or brush with that stuff. I prefer to use WD40 myself, just because its cheaper (I buy a 5L container with spray bottle) and spray the whole bike with WD40 and then put under cover. I've just put two of my bikes away for winter today, but they have been put in the spare room at my Dads house where its nice and warm
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2014 19:50:13 GMT
I think Scott and I store bikes remarkably similarly through the winter.
The only thing I would add is that I always change the oil- but not the filter- before I lay the bike up. The bike would then get another oil and this time the filter changed not too far into the next season.
Reason is that the existing oil- as part of the job it does- will contain unburnt fuel, carbon and other contaminants that essentially turn it into a weak acid. Do not leave your engine for months in a bath of acid. This is the primary cause of pitting and subsequent failure of bearing shells for instance...
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Post by scott on Oct 11, 2014 20:10:36 GMT
thats a good point crouchy, and one that I hadn't thought of. I usually leave the old oil in over winter, and then give the bike an oil change when they come out of hibernation. My cafe racer has recently had an oil change, the other SS has no oil in it, and the Matchless will be getting the old drained so it does not wet sump but I will bear this in mind
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Post by scania on Oct 11, 2014 20:51:25 GMT
Would like to ask a really dumb question. What does make garages damp? As I understand it, the UK like Ireland has cold damp winters, the breeze and air carries moisture in it. The concrete walls of sheds, especially shaded sheds, with north facing walls are slower than the air to warm up in the morning as the week sun comes up. When the slightly 'warmer' moisture laden air touches the slightly colder interior walls of the shed, then the air temperature drops, condenses and 'pisses rain on the wall' just like cold clouds do on a field, but it is on a much smaller scale inside a shed..
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Post by scania on Oct 11, 2014 20:55:32 GMT
I remove the batteries, clean the bike down well then give it a heavy spraying with WD40, I use about a half of a standard can per bike, I then cover the bike up with old blankets, coat and douvets. I respray the bike about once a month over the winter.
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