Long, LONG, DIRK DIGGLER LONG Term Storage of Bike

So....I'm thinking that I've owned my RC51 for about 3 years now and if I've put 300 miles on it in those 3 years I'd be shocked.

Thinking about turning in the plates and killing the insurance and just doing long term storage. Either in the garage or my local Honda dealership has said I could put it on display in their showroom with some other vintage Honda stuff they have.

Either way.....what's the proper way to set it up for long term storage? Remove the battery, drain all the gas and run it till it shuts off? Fresh oil?

 

Dip it in cosmoline?
Seriously, I might consider also putting a silica gel pack in the gas tank to suck up moisture.

 

Sell it to someone that will ride it?

 

fogging the engine wouldnt be a bad idea

 

Ugh, No.

 

drain the pump fuel, run some kind nonpump fuel thru system then fogging oil galore. Cap exhaust & intake.

 

This is pretty much what I did with the Ducati that's in my office. It's been there for 5 years, but I'm confident I could have it running in less than 30 minutes (the exact amount of time it always takes to get an old Ducati running).

 

Ok so far:

1) Drain the Gas
2) Fog the Engine
3) Gel Pack in the tank
4) Pull the Battery
5) Plug the Exhuast
6) Cap the intake
7) Cover the bike

 

What "non-pump" fuel did you use and did you leave the tank empty or topped off?

 

The tank is empty. I followed the directions on the fogging oil. I think it was spray until the bike stops running. Then I emptied the rest of the fuel. It's in my office so it is low humidity and great climate control. If I was storing it in a garage I might do something different.

 

That's probably not ideal in a showroom.

 

Never leave pump fuel in the tank. Never ends well plus it will vent the fumes. Trufuel or similar just to fill the pump and injectors.

 

Oil change, run it a few minutes to circulate the new oil
Detail clean the thing.
Run non-ethanol gas through it (ie VP 4 cycle small engine fuel), then drain.

Quick google on long term classic vehicle storage prep:
https://www.volocars.com/auto-sales/news/how-to-store-a-classic-car

 

You realize in a showroom that RC51 will get fingered more than the Prom Queen and Lead Cheerleader for the football team combined.

Graphic. Yes. But it makes the point in no uncertain terms.

 

Pretty funny, and true. I go through this every year with my bevel Ducati’s. It always takes me more like an hour each.

I don’t know as I would put them out on a showroom floor though. Shop here has a bunch of really nice stuff out with “do not touch” signs. Last time I was there, standing 10 feet away with the owner, some clown hopped on one, put up the stand, and started twisting the controls.

 

I'd flush all the brake fluid and coolant too.
Clean and coat the chain with corrosion inhibitor.

 

You need to also be concerned with all the hardware and frame. If your not making a display out of it, you can use Fluid Film (stinks), CorrosionX green can (stinks less) or Zep Linebacker (the best IMO). These are all lube with wax. Very common in the marine industry. Spray it, let it set up and when you decide to get it going again, clean the shit off and you'll have a perfect bike.

 

Fuck that noise with the dealership.
Garage it, keep it ride worthy and put 100 miles a year on that fucker.

 

Bring it here to Phoenix. Leave it however you want besides draining gas tank and battery. It won't rust. It won't corrode. It will last forever.

 

Will you put it on front and rear stands?