Laying up a classic bike
Laying up a classic bike
Author
Discussion

Belle427

Original Poster:

11,111 posts

254 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
I have inherited my Dads 1969 Triumph Tiger cub and as I have not done my test yet I have to lay it up in a dry shed.
What`s best to do regarding fuel etc, shall i drain the tank or just add some kind of stabiliser?
I will try and run it once a month or so and may even have a cheeky ride up our quiet road but is there much else I can do?

podman

9,004 posts

261 months

Wednesday
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Your best off either riding it or not using it all , this “cheeky warm up “ does more harm than good.

For a long term lay up, my method is to drain the carb, tank ; remove the tank and all in about 1L of oil, give it a swill about

Im guessing it will have iron bores, so remove the plugs and add a tbsp of oil down the bores(to prevent the bores rusting/rings sticking)

Wipe chrome parts over with an oily rag, good idea to lift the bike to help prevent flat stops forming on the tyres but in reallity, i just pump them up a few PSI over the norm and rotate the wheels every month or so
…remove the battery, bring it into the house and it will last years with a monthly trickle charge.


Belle427

Original Poster:

11,111 posts

254 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Ok thanks, I have some acf 50 here which I believe is ok for bikes etc so can wipe over in that.

stang65

483 posts

158 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
podman said:
Your best off either riding it or not using it all , this cheeky warm up does more harm than good.

For a long term lay up, my method is to drain the carb, tank ; remove the tank and all in about 1L of oil, give it a swill about

Im guessing it will have iron bores, so remove the plugs and add a tbsp of oil down the bores(to prevent the bores rusting/rings sticking)

Wipe chrome parts over with an oily rag, good idea to lift the bike to help prevent flat stops forming on the tyres but in reallity, i just pump them up a few PSI over the norm and rotate the wheels every month or so
remove the battery, bring it into the house and it will last years with a monthly trickle charge.
I would agree with all of this, but I'd add that before doing that get it fully warmed up and do an oil change so it is sat with clean oil in it. That assumes it is a wet sump bike, as if it is dry sump I might even be inclined to leave it with no oil in it (put a note on the top yoke)? Most British dry sump bikes wet sump when left anyway so all you do by leaving no oil in it is remove the drain before starting. I start my AJS every 2-3 months when sitting, but that's as much to stop the fuel taps drying out but I doubt a '67 bike has the cork sealed ones.

Steve_H80

507 posts

43 months

Wednesday
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Exactly what podman said but also cover the bike in a sheet to keep the spider crap and dust off it.
Good luck with the test, with a bit of luck you'll be riding that bike by spring.

M138

936 posts

12 months

Wednesday
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Give it an oil change and clean and put it in one of these.
https://vac-bag.co.uk/motorcycle-vac-bags/

200Plus Club

12,711 posts

299 months

Wednesday
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I've got my 851 Ducati laid up in a Perma Bag with a desiccant cannister inside, wiped everything over with oily cloth that was metal, pumped the tyres up to 40psi, brimmed the tank and added a bit of fuel stabiliser.
It'll sit there a couple of months without anything needed and occasionally put the battery on a trickle charge via leads. It'll sit in there till spring when I hopefully find a buyer.
It's been stored every winter like that for ages without any detrimental rust or rot, oil change in spring etc.