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How to prepare your motorcycle for storage?

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If you have to store your motorcycle for a couple of months, or even weeks, remember that it needs proper preparation. Otherwise, when you take it out of storage after some time, you may find that it is not working as it used to. If this happens, then you would need to take it for a reparation, which will cost you unnecessary money. In order to prevent this from happening, there are a few simple tips on how to prepare your motorcycle for storage that we are happy to share with you. Prepare your motorcycle well, and leave it up to local Dundas movers to relocate it safely.

Clean it thoroughly before storing it

Your motorcycle should be spotless before it enters the storage. The reason for this is that it if it happens to have water spots on it, it can corrode. And we certainly do not want this, especially when it can easily be avoided. For this step of preparation, you will need a hose, a sponge, a bucket and water, of course. Make sure you get all the bugs out of it as well as grime. When you finish, leave it out in the sun to dry off, and remember it needs to be completely dry so that it does not corrode. There are many tips for protecting your valuables in storage, and motorcycle surely is one of the most valuable things you can store.

storage facilities with green doors
Prepare your motorcycle for storage in the best possible way so that it remains in the same condition as before storing

Be careful with the tires

Preparing your items for relocation and storage can sometimes be stressful. For packing of your belongings, you should definitely bear in mind the moving boxes Ontario as the quality is remarkable. If you are storing your motorcycle in storage for more than a month, remember that the tires will lose air as they are porous. And once they lose air, a flat tire standing in the same position for a long time can develop a permanent flat spot. This will make it harder for you to drive your motorcycle, and eventually, you will have to replace the tires completely. Prepare your motorcycle for storage by placing it on paddock stands so that both tires are slightly in the air. If you are not able to do this, just consider overinflating the tires before storing your motorcycle. Another thing you can do in this situation is to move it from time to time, whenever you can.

Fill the gas tank

The gas tank can become rusty if it is half-full. When you are not using the motorcycle, the gas tank is affected and this is why you need to pay special attention to it. The best thing to do in this situation is to fill the gas tank full. This is the safest way to maintain its good condition. There is another solution if you are storing your motorcycle for longer than six months, and it is a complete opposite of the full gas tank. In this situation, you should leave it completely empty. You should clean the gas tank properly and let it dry.

zoomed-in photo of a motorcycle tire
Make sure to lift both tires off the ground, so that they don`t create a flat spot

Change the oil

Before storing your motorcycle, make sure that you have changed the oil on it. Prior to this, check out the manual for the motorcycle to make sure that you are using the right oil, and the right sized filter for it. Not every make of the motorcycle is the same, and each and every one of them should be maintained safely and carefully. Once you have changed the oil, and after you take your motorcycle out of storage, you will know that it is ready for use. Prepare your motorcycle for storage so that you do not have any issues once you are ready to use it again.

Check the coolant system

Research whether the temperature in the storage will be below zero at some point of the storing. If this is the case you need to have a proper amount of anti-freeze in your coolant system. If you have water in it, chances are that it will freeze and you will end up with frozen coolant system after you take out the motor from storage.

Prepare your motorcycle for storage by covering it

The is one of the most important steps when you want to properly prepare your motorcycle for storage.  Although you will keep it inside, there are hidden dangers for your motorcycle if you leave it uncovered. You should think ahead whether you want to rent a shared storage unit.

two laptops and a papers in the middle
Don`t cancel insurance during the storage period as it will cost you more when you decide to reapply for it.

Why is this covering your motorcycle important:

  • This will protect it from any rodents if they happen to find their way in the storage.
  •  It will keep the dust off your motorcycle. A little bit of dust will not damage the cover of it, but in time this can change.
  • And lastly, by covering your motorcycle you keep the moisture out of it, and the moisture can lead to corrosion and rust.

Don`t forget about insurance

Many people cancel their insurance while their motorcycle is in storage. This is a mistake and a mistake that can cost you a lot. When you take out your motorcycle from storage you will want to reinstate your insurance. However, companies are very well aware of the fact that people cancel their insurance while their vehicle is stored. Hence, they charge you a lot more to reinstate. Furthermore, if you were eligible for discounts, you will no longer be. If you have, for example, 10 years, or even 2 or 3 years of accident-free status, this will be erased the moment you cancel your insurance, so it really does not pay off to stop it while storing your motorcycle.