1000 SP into a storage unit...

[whyrichard]

Hello,

I think I may need to put my 1000 sp into a storage unit... it is air conditioned and dry as a bone.

Question... how should I prep the bike? My plan is to drain the gas tank, (should I empty the floats?), keep the engine oil in, take the battery out and bring it home and put it on a battery tender, and put a shop rag under the rear brake (as it seems to have a slow leak at the master cylinder)...

Anything else I am missing?

Question, should I drain the tank? Given it is metal, will it rust? Should I have the gas tank open so to fully dry out? (I think the storage unit requires no gas to be in the bike...)

thanks,
Richard

[oldbike54]

 Bump

 Dusty

[Pizza Guzzi]

I can't help with advice but something relevant to your question is how long will the bike be laid up in storage.

[cliffrod]

How long is the storage?

My no a/c stored bikes have 100% empty (not 99.9% is close enough) empty and dried gas tanks.  I make sure by using something to mop or absorb residual liquid after the tank is drained by petcocks.  Fogging the empty tank helps limit rust.  Carb/carbs were either run completely dry including restarts & throttle action or bowl drains opened to drain them.  Battery removed.  lots more can be done, but these are the basic necessities.

Even for short storage, I will run carbs completely dry or drain them.  With non-ethanol gas, it's not as big a deal.  My V7 Sport will stall but restart at least 1-2 before both carbs are really out of gas.  Your bike will probably do the same..  Get it all out.  It makes it simple to add gas & battery and go without yet another easily avoided carb strip/clean/r&r.

[Scout63]

For longer storage I empty the fuel tank, plug the petcock holes and coat the inside with a cup of 30w oil.  On recommissioning rinse with fresh fuel. I always store with fresh oil in the crank case. A heavy coat of wax on shiny parts and blocking the exhaust ends never hurts.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Wheels off the floor, too.

[geoff in almonte]

If you are still using the OEM airbox, stuff a rag in the snorkel to keep critters out.

[whyrichard]

thanks all for the tips.

i am waking up my friends griso, which has been in storage for 5 years. I may sell it, but if i fall in love with the griso I'll put my sp in storage for a few years (4?) and wake it up to do a nice restore...  if i sell the griso i'll take it out of storage in a year and use the sp as a weekender....

thanks,
r

[Perazzimx14]

How was the Griso put up? After the fuel is removed there really is no difference.