Triumphrat

convict · 11-06-2009, 05:15 PM

many a post about cold morning start - lots of great recommendations
but what about a snuggly for the bike for those of use who have to store outside

I was thinking about a oil pan heater from the auto store - they are magnetic and as our engine are not, any ideas how to attach and where
or what about just a mechanics worklight left on for the night kinda stuffed into the empty parts
and does anybody have any thoughts about this maybe blowing up the bike
say fuel leak or i donna know - i just dont want to blow up my bike
oh she is under a cover so that would help keep in the heat from a little bulb

GrnBon · 11-06-2009, 06:29 PM

Have been thinking around your question... not claiming to have any answer, but heres my thoughts....
Regarding heating the sump (oil) - i guess some sort of cartridge heater through the sump into the oil would be the ultimate, but serious work involved there i think.... and then i ask but what would it really achieve (in liveable temperatures).. because i'm thinking if i used say a 5/40w oil as opposed to a say 10/40w or a 15/50w then i probably achieve as much with that 5/40 as i would with the heater in a 15/50, so could i perhaps achieve the same by coosing a different oil grade ? (perhaps i'm wrong - others will have more knowledge than me on this subject).
Anyway it led to my further thoughts and that is...
If i parked outside under plastic what would be the best i could achieve - park out of the wind (avoid wind chill like being garaged) - park against a wall - one that stands during the day in whatever sun there is available - great if wall is brick or concrete (absorbs heat from sun) - if my wall can i paint it black? (absorb more heat) - can i arrange ground i park on to be similar (concrete/ black/ in sun during day) - and then lastly rather than a throw on cover, could i fix timber frame to wall and mount cover to that timber (in effect mini plastic garage). If i could then leave cover open during day - let walls absorb from sun - close up at night - and Bonnie has its own storage heater in shelter if i can keep the wind out.
Best of luck however you go about it.
Regards,
GrnBon

SkidRowe41 · 11-09-2009, 01:07 PM

Saw a neat product that I am seriously considering not so much because of cold weather starting as much as keeping a dehumidifier inside it to keep the bike out of the moisture as much as possible. I saw something like a portable garage. It folds down flat on the ground and then when you park the bike on top of it you grab the one side and pull it up and over the bike and zip it shut. It has a lightweight aluminum framework that hinges at the bottom and then stretches the cover taught when it is closed. It also has heat shields so you can park the bike in it and close it without letting it cool off. I saw it in the back of a motorcycle magazine. I think it was The Horse.

Normandy · 11-09-2009, 01:57 PM

I have used light bulbs to keep temperatures up for various things and it works great. I have inside storage but if I didn't I would put a trouble light with a 60 or 100 watt bulb under the cover and on the GROUND (heat rises) away from the area where a fuel leak would not hit the light. You may have to "skirt" the cover bottom to keep the wind out.

geolpilot · 11-09-2009, 10:49 PM

There are sump heaters for aircraft engines.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...umpheaters.php

Here is one for bikes.

http://www.reiffpreheat.com/Motorcycle.htm

convict · 11-10-2009, 01:43 PM

the shed you refered to is sold at one of the local dealerships . not exactly inexpensive and seemed kinda ungainly for a little driveway. i think it is called a BIKE BARN

but an update on the lighting. i bought an inexpensive worklight and it fits perfectly into the empty holes where an overpriced centre stand would be if they came with the bike. really a perfect fit and takes only second to attach and remove and high enuff in the bike that the cover does not sweep over the light and also, as good as it can get, outta the elements.

and while i would never showcase my dirty tired old rusty bike , once fitted and turned on, the light kinda makes the bike look like a bike in a motorcycle show