XJ Outside storage?

Hi again guys,

Instead of just lurking in the forums, today I've come with a question.


I'm considering storing my XJ outside (not during winter), but during the time from say... September until COLD (Probably September until the end of October) and I'm wondering how bad these bikes behave, specifically towards rust and overall running, when stored COVERED outside.

There is a chance I can store it inside a household concrete-floor garage, but not an absolute possiblity. I'd obviously just keep it there if I could. Also as a side note, what about wooden-floored sheds?

This comes as I'm moving away from home, but would like to take my bike with me. My landlord is likely to explode if I ask him about storing a bike there, but I have a friend nearby who MIGHT or might not have a space in a garage.

Thoughts?


Thanks again.

 

I store mine on the patio outside my apartment.

Don't worry too much about the bike. They're like cars, they're built to be used and left outside. The only bad thing is the rust and exposure to elements. You could just get a cover (from JC Whitney.com), it should be good enough.

A blue or silver tarp should be fine if that's all you have.

The main thing is to take your bike out and ride on it once in every while to exercise it, getting fluid and parts moved around. Also, the battery needs to be charged on a regular basis as well.

 

Been keeping mine outside for the past 5 months. I just keep it covered with a tarp. Silly bassets keep pulling it off to lay on so I might have to get a better cover.

 

those dogs are smart, they know those tarps breed rust keep it loose and well ventilated
if you go for the wood floor shed, keep the kickstand over a joist or put something under it (bad experience)

 

My bike stays in a wooden floor shed about 98% of the time. I wouldn't cover it with anything other than a blanket, so it can breathe. I've been told that the tires on bikes parked on wood, fair a lot better than parking on cement. The wood doesn't hold the cold as long.

 

If you have to park it on the cement ... put down a LARGE piece of Cardboard and spray some WD-40 in the Exhaust Drain holes ... after doing the recommended chores for laying-up a bike for awhile.

 

When storing on concrete, I always try to put down a vapor barrier also. I use heavy (6mil) painters plastic laid on the concrete, then an old piece of plywood (or cardboard) on top of that. the wood will absorb moisture from the concrete and keep it off your bike.

HTH

 

Ive been using one of thoghs 10 x 10 ez ups. frame broke on the ez up so i took the top and it works better than any tarp because it has velcro straps that attach it to your bike. Good storage question too it helped alot

 

I was told by a harley guy to remove the clutch plates and oil em up seperately to keep them from getting stuck together during storage. anyone heard of this?

 

Sounds like a pain in the butt to me, considering they are already sitting in oil.

 

Any thoughts of putting a table spoon of oil down each spark plug hole and turn the motor over a short time to coat the cylinder walls and rings ?

 

No.

You don't have to take-out the Clutch Plates and wrap them in Saran Wrap or place them in Tupperware Containers.

Nice of the Harley Guy to be so helpful, though!

 

Lostboy, you would be correct. A coating in heavy oil is a very wise idea. There is engine fogger available at most boat and some auto supply shops. Pop the plug, stuff the tube down the hole and mash the nozzle.