Motorcycle unused for four months: maintenance tips?
Hi all. New motorcycle owner here (Royal Enfield, Scram 411). Unfortunately I won't be around my motor for four months. I was wondering what I could do protect it against the effects of time. Its parked indoor, but maybe I should still put it underneath a cover? Any tips, suggestions?
11 replies
Battery on a tender
Fuel stabilizer in the tank and run it a while to get it through the system. If carbureted, drain carbs.
Cover indoors will keep dust off, not much more.
It's a bit overkill, but you could also put it up on a stand. If one or both tires go flat it could cause problems with the rubber, rims, or both.
It’ll flat spot, you’re right. It’ll be gone in a minute or two of running but it’s not a bad idea. Also, if the bike is unattended and someone could knock it over, Murphy’s Law.
To piggy back on this, OP - the fuel thing got me once over a winter, and I had to completely take apart and clean my carburetor to fix it. For me it was less about adding fuel stabilizer, and more about transitioning to no-ethanol fuel - that shit gums things up so quickly inside your carb. If you're carbureted that can be a huge PITA. Agree with the tender.
See if you can start it from time to time just to run for a few. - saw you won't be around. If you can get a friend to check it and start it once a month that would be the most ideal but that may not work for you.
OPs bike is FI and the "start it regularly" advice is an old "wives tale".
Start it regularly is absolutely NOT an old wives tale if your bike is carbureted and you use regular fuel with ethanol in it. Had I done that from time to time, the ethanol fuel would not have gummed up my carb and I would have not had to spend hours dismantling and cleaning it out.
Start it regularly absolutely IS an old wives tale if your bike is carbureted and you use regular fuel with ethanol in it.
Just close the petcock and drain the bowl.
At least we can agree that conservatives are shitbags
Ain't that the goddamn truth, comrade.
Also inflate tires to max psi on sidewall so they don’t flat spot.
There are a few things you could do if you felt so inclined (see other responses). Since my bike sits indoors, I don't do a damn thing. Those preventative measures arent critical.
I'd say the most important thing is to make sure the tires are inflated properly so they don't deform.
Just remember to do your checks before riding again and don't forget to oil the chain.