(985) 401-8648
Your motorcycle is your true passion, but life can sometimes get in the way. Whether you're on deployment or dealing with a severe injury and resulting long-term storage needs, there are plenty of scenarios that require proper care for such a beloved bike. Don't let your motorcycle fall into disrepair during long-term storage. Utilize the following steps to ensure it stays in optimal condition.
Published: December 15, 2022
Your motorcycle is your true passion, but life can sometimes get in the way. Whether you’re on deployment or dealing with a severe injury and resulting long-term storage needs, there are plenty of scenarios that require proper care for such a beloved bike. Don’t let your motorcycle fall into disrepair during long-term storage. Utilize the following steps to ensure it stays in optimal condition.
To ensure the safest storage of your motorcycle, seek out a place that offers protection from extreme temperatures and moisture. Exposure to such conditions can cause rust and corrosion as well as dry out gaskets and hoses over time. A great option is an insulated garage or, better yet, a climate-controlled space; this will not only keep your bike safe but also preserve it for longer use!
Have no place to keep your motorcycle? Utilizing a portable storage container is great if you don’t have a garage! A climate-controlled storage facility is the best choice, as it will guarantee that your motorcycle remains optimal year-round.
With your storage space secured, it’s time to prepare your bike for storage. Winterizing your motorcycle for cold weather storage is essential, but you should still perform the process any time of year you need to stash your motorcycle. You never know. You might end up keeping it stored for longer than you think.
When prepping your bike for long-term storage, fill up the tank completely and add a fuel stabilizer. A partially filled tank can cause condensation to form on the inside of the tank walls, leading to rust and corrosion. Keeping a full fuel tank is the easiest way to keep this from happening. Adding a fuel stabilizer will keep the gas from going bad. After adding the stabilizer, run your engine for a few minutes to make sure it circulates through the fuel system.
Another option to prevent moisture build-up is to drain your gas tank and fuel lines completely, but this method leaves more room for error if you aren’t a seasoned mechanic. Storing in a climate-controlled storage container will minimize the risk as well.
Before stowing away your vehicle for an extended period, it is wise to change the engine oil. Running the engine after adding new oil will help circulate it through the motor. Switching out your oil filter for a fresh one will help to guarantee that your motorcycle is running at peak performance when you take it on the open road. After all, a clean engine leads to an even happier ride!
Don’t want to replace your tires the next time you’re ready for a ride? Not an issue. Just remember that it only takes 30 days of improper storage before flat spots start forming on them. To prevent this, be sure to inflate your tires according to the manufacturer’s recommended maximum pressure. This will buy some extra time and help protect against flat spots. Furthermore, if you use a center stand, the weight of your bike will be lifted off its wheels. If you don’t have a center stand, return to your storage unit once a month to rotate your tires.
Ready to hit the road without any stress? By following these steps, you can keep your beloved motorcycle safe and secure. Contact UNITS of New Orleans & The Gulf Coast to secure your bike has safe storage!
Call
Our local owners and managers are ready to assist you in what you’ll soon be calling your easiest move yet. Get started today by filling out our online quote form.