Triumphrat

08-13-2004

I am going to Iraq for a longer than normal period of time...longer than 12 months. I am concerned about what I need to do to ensure my 2003 America will run long enough, when I get back, to get to the shop for services. I have heard "drain the oil", "Fill the crankcase completely", "empty the fuel", add stabilizer....help. I do know to put it on stands to save the suspension, at least.

Kronk :???:

tnrnd@charter.net

Will · 08-13-2004

If you can get all the fuel out of it, that is better than stabilizer. Also, I had an engine last eleven years in storage filled to the top with clean oil. The oil keeps things from corroding, but it does make a bit of a mess when you try to get it all out of the engine again.

There are probably a lot of other ways to preserve your bike that take a lot less work. Good luck, and come back safely!

dolson · 08-14-2004

There are desiccant (sp) replacements for the spark plugs to keep the moisture out of the combustion chamber area. Engine builders use them you might check into that. Try taking out the plugs and squirting a little oil in the holes and motor it over to coat the cylinder walls.

There is also a product called RIG that is used for long term firearm storage that can be found at most sporting goods outlets. Cover any exposed metal surfaces with this including fork tubes. This will keep the bad fuzz off and is easy to remove.

If you can store it in an area with as stable a temp year round as possible. It's the temp changes that promote condensation and rust and corrosion.

Remove the battery completely. Don't just disconnect it.

And lastly, Keep checking your "6" and come home safely.
My prayers and support are with you.

Don

08-17-2004

Thanks for the tips. If there is anything else anyone can recommend It would be appreciated.
K

mhaythor · 08-17-2004

S3 has a spray-on corrosion protectant. I imagine it's just like coating the bike with cosmoline, the stuff that brand-new bikes are covered in when they leave the factory.

I think all the fasteners and all the chrome or polished metals [at minimum] should be coated in the S3 or equivalent product. You may want to armor-all the tires and hoses- if you can take the seat off, bring that into the house (a little leather conditioner would be nice).

I've heard both with the gas; expect carb gumming unless you drain *completely*.

We use to spray 'fogger' into the cylinders of our boat engine when putting it away for the winter. It was a marine product designed to protect the internals from corrosion. Maybe they have something like that for bikes?

GeoffE · 08-18-2004

Hi,

If you do a Google/Yahoo search with Motorcycle Storage there are a few sites with tips - mostly winter storage, but the principles are the same. The ones I looked at were for Ducati and Suzuki, and did appear to have a comprehensive coverage which included the good tips above as well as a few more (I was using the UK Yahoo). Here are the two I looked at ( Suzi and Duke , but there are others.

Good luck, and take great care of yourself.
Geoff

[ This message was edited by: GeoffE on 2004-08-18 04:17 ]

boxsky · 08-18-2004

If you can get the tires off the ground or they could flat spot. cover it. coat all metals. fill with clean oil. cover pipes, carbs, etc with plastic to keep moisture and rodents out. these are just a few ideas