My new husband has a soft-tail he has been storing in one of the outbuildings. Although the bike is out of the elements, the dirt floors allow too much moisture and the chrome is developing rust, even sitting on a rubber mat. I can't have this! I was looking into the bubble storage but it has to remain plugged in, requiring a drop cord run across the yard. Would a heavy duty Dowco cover be enough to keep the chrome safe or will I need a fully enclosed housing?

 

Couple of options I see...one would be to lay down a vapor barrier, something like a heavy gauge plastic sheet and then get the rubber mat on top of that to prevent tears. I'd recommend a dehumidifier, but if you don't want to run power across the yard you could also try some of the crystal type dehumidification systems. Google them, they're pretty cheap and pretty effective.


I'd also recommend a heavy coat of wax on all the chrome surfaces prior to storing it. Bit of a pain in the *** to get off in the spring but it'll help protect the finish.

 

If you want to make that new husband happy, you need to store that bike in a proper garage or in the living room. Might be worth renting a 6X12 storage locker somewhere..
Dirt floors will never dry enough to prevent moisture.

 

Every single guy here is hoping you'll introduce him to your sister.

 

This is what I do for weather storage here in New York. My garage is not heated and has a cement floor. I clean the bike and use apply a good wax on the entire bike. I cover the floor with a tarp and place the bike onto the tarp. Cover the bike with a breathable bike cover. Someone told if you place an incandescent bulb(lit of course) over the bike it would help reduce the condensation around the bike. I never tried this.

 

Incandescent bulb is good, but I put a breathable cover over the bikes and a bulb UNDER the bikes. The rising heat from the bulb keeps the bike temp slightly above the ambient temp, which prevents condensation on the bike.

 

yes a light bulb will put out a lot of heat, keep things dry in a small area

 

+1 on the heavy coat of wax.

 

Make sure you're not storing chemicals in the garage. Chlorine and salt would not be good.

 

RIP take chrome polish to my bike ever few weeks..That what the good wife does...