Long Term Storage
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 26
From: South Texas
Long Term Storage
Not sure if this is a General Chat question but I'll try it here first.
I am potentially headed overseas for two years with return at the 9-12 month timeframe for a few weeks.
I am looking for advice on how to properly store an Ultra Limited for approximately two years. Will not need to be continuous but at least 9-12 months a stint.
I am looking to get an older smaller bike to take with me but cannot take the new Limited.
Any thoughts on storing on a stand, fogging the cylinders, fluids, covers, etc. would be appreciated.
I am potentially headed overseas for two years with return at the 9-12 month timeframe for a few weeks.
I am looking for advice on how to properly store an Ultra Limited for approximately two years. Will not need to be continuous but at least 9-12 months a stint.
I am looking to get an older smaller bike to take with me but cannot take the new Limited.
Any thoughts on storing on a stand, fogging the cylinders, fluids, covers, etc. would be appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
I'd store it with a full tank of gas (100% gas, not with 10% ethanol) and a can of Stabil. Make sure you run the motor 10 minutes or so after you put the Stabil in so it gets in the entire fuel system.
Remove the battery. It might last on a battery tender but after two years I don't know.
Clean the bike really well and put on a good coat of wax. Store somewhere dry and temperate.
Remove the battery. It might last on a battery tender but after two years I don't know.
Clean the bike really well and put on a good coat of wax. Store somewhere dry and temperate.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
since no one else has volunteered..... I'll ride your bike for you while you're gone, and even keep it locked in my garage. oh - I'm pretty sure I can keep the miles down too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 1
From: England via the US
While not as long as you're looking at, my bike has been sitting while I've been on this deployment. I get back at the beginning of winter so I may get to ride it once and it will be sitting again for the winter so it has the potential to be parked for almost a year. I have it in the garage under a nice indoor cover from CA Car Cover. I changed the oil and gave it a really good detailing with a couple coats of wax. I left it with a full tank and poured in some stabil. I also have it plugged into a battery tender. I don't expect to have any issues when I get back.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Agree with StaBil in the tank at the dose for two years storage even if you get to it during that time. I have collector vehicles that are on the Schumacker 1.5 amp tender ( $21 @ Walmart) for several year stretches without any issue.
I do use the HD pig tail with an inline fuse. The one supplied with the tender does not have a fuse.
And do locate non E-10 gas as suggested. I store with fresh oil and filter with no other strategies such as fogging the cylinders. The syn oil will hang on as long as the fogging will.
I store with the tires at normal pressure and on the ground. Radial tires do not flat spot like bias did back in the day. Never had an issue when I finally got out of storage.
I do have a good coat of carnuba wax on and sometimes a cover and sometimes not. I like to look at them. However, mine are in a climate controlled garage.
I do use the HD pig tail with an inline fuse. The one supplied with the tender does not have a fuse.
And do locate non E-10 gas as suggested. I store with fresh oil and filter with no other strategies such as fogging the cylinders. The syn oil will hang on as long as the fogging will.
I store with the tires at normal pressure and on the ground. Radial tires do not flat spot like bias did back in the day. Never had an issue when I finally got out of storage.
I do have a good coat of carnuba wax on and sometimes a cover and sometimes not. I like to look at them. However, mine are in a climate controlled garage.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
While not as long as you're looking at, my bike has been sitting while I've been on this deployment. I get back at the beginning of winter so I may get to ride it once and it will be sitting again for the winter so it has the potential to be parked for almost a year. I have it in the garage under a nice indoor cover from CA Car Cover. I changed the oil and gave it a really good detailing with a couple coats of wax. I left it with a full tank and poured in some stabil. I also have it plugged into a battery tender. I don't expect to have any issues when I get back.
This is what I would do and what i do for winter sotage. My bikes sits for like 5 months every winter and it's fine. My battery is OEM form 07 and has almost 20,000 miles and is fine. I would not take the battery out as it's not good to let the ECM sleep that long-atleast in cars it's not good. I see no issue leaving the battery on a tender that long.
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