Triumphrat

hyperview · 10-04-2005, 12:59 PM

Winter is on it's way in Canada (at least in Edmonton) and my girlfriend(Buell Lightning) and I (2004 Thruxton) are considering moving our bikes into the house instead of leaving them outside in an unheated garage. Are there any issues that we need to consider (safety, fumes etc.) in moving them in-doors? Should we empty the tank of gas or have it full? If we empty it, are there corrosion issues to deal with? Are motorcycles as good a clothes rack as stationary exercise bicycles?

RaceDweeb · 10-04-2005, 01:08 PM

Empty all the fuel from the tank and carbs. Not a drop in the bike otherwise you're going to have a timebomb on your hands.

If possible, use a compressed air blow-off gun to air-out the tank completely. Fumes are your worst enemy. You'll also want to elevate both tires off the ground/floor. If that is not possible, over-inflate them by 10 extra lbs. Also remove the batteries from the bikes and hook them up to a trickle charger... but do not set them on the basement/foundation floor. Place them on a table or bench.

Mancha · 10-04-2005, 01:47 PM

Wow, two bikes will pretty much take up an entire room. I wonder if my wife would let me move mine into the Den?

hyperview · 10-04-2005, 01:51 PM

We have a big empty dining room that is begging to become a parking lot...

TBSstunta · 10-04-2005, 02:03 PM

Don't forget to pull the plugs and spray some WD40 into the cylinders and the gas tank. Do all that, wait a day or two and then roll them inside. Up on race stands and you will have something else to gaze at besides the fire.

MickMaguire · 10-04-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

On 2005-10-04 11:51, hyperview wrote:
We have a big empty dining room that is begging to become a parking lot...

check access width and threshold heights carefully, often the bars wont fit through and the worst time to find out is as you try and move it - be ready and you'll likely be okay.

boboso · 10-04-2005, 05:51 PM

Be sure to install proper lighting to enhance the key aspects of the bikes. A large clear glass cover may do nicely as well...!

Classic and motorcycling related art (racing etc) will complete the arrangement.

PS (back to reality) - I used to hide an old Harley in our basement from my mom when I was younger and was not allowed to "own" a motorcycle. Young and stupid, fluid/fume removal highly recommended as well as getting bikes off the ground. Oh yeah, and don't let your sister see em', she'll tell mom!

RaceDweeb · 10-04-2005, 06:20 PM

There's a guy named Greg here near Detroit who is really into Bimotos. He has a little shop adjacent to his farm house. Inside the house there are classic bikes everywhere. There's a Vincent Black Shadow in the dining room, and at least 3 bikes in the kitchen/den including a Hurricane triple. Talk about an understanding wife.<g>

hyperview · 10-04-2005, 06:33 PM

Other than running it dry (hopefully close to home) what is the best way to drain the gas from the tank and carbs. Removing the petcock valve? The Buell if fuel injected. Are there fuel reservoirs in injectors to worry about?

bluesjeans · 10-04-2005, 06:38 PM

Man this subject brings back some good memories..!
Having just moved out of my parents house I got myself a ground floor apartment. Fortunately I never got around to buying a dinning room table, figured the only REAL piece of furniture a young buck needed in his first place anyway was a water bed.
I didn't like leaving my bike outside unprotected so my dining room became my indoor garage. Was really cool to give the thing a good waxing while my favorite tunes blasted over my home stereo just a few feet away. I never had a cleaner bike in my life as that one was.
The best part was when I'd see someone walk past the dining room window, they'd come to a screeching halt then take a step back to have a second look in case their eyes were playing tricks on them..!! :wow:

those were the days...

:roflmoa2: