Maintaining two very rarely ridden bikes - keeping them from breaking down

[zorsch]

hey guys !

so, as life changed a lot for me i am barely riding anymore, especially having a girlfriend who will not get on the bike for what it's worth does not increase riding frequency either.

so straight to the case - i have both a SUZUKI RV 125 (see sig) and a SUZUKI GS 500.

they are both in a garage and have not been ridden for nearly 400 days. now, i do not want my bikes to break on me
and as summer is slowly coming up i wonder how i should take care of them for future times to come as i do not see
them getting ridden more than a handful of times per year anyway :(

so what should i do ? i know that that i probably should fully support them in the air with a stand in front and rear and
have the oil / oilfilter changed before i attempt starting them again ?

but then - as for on going keeping and making sure they dont break, that the tubings dont crack from drying out or whatever problem there could be,
please guys any tips appreciated as i do not want to part from them. they are in a garage at all times btw so not standing outdoors and both are air cooled so atleast cooling water/liquid is of no concern.

do they need to just be turned on and let sit idle to push around the fluids or what is in order ?

millions of thanks !

[Grinnin]

You mentioned oil change. I'd also

1. Put stabilizer in the gas tank and petcock
2. Drain the carbs
3. Remove spark plug and spray in some light oil
4. If the bikes have a clock or other always-on drain, disconnect the batteries
5. Charge up the batteries once a month
6. Put steel wool in muffler exits and airbox intakes to keep out nesting critters.

Modern tires don't flat-spot like tires in the past, so hanging in the air probably isn't required. And I, personally, wouldn't just start them to let them idle, but wait until I wanted a ride and work on them then.

This is just a partial list, I'm sure there will be more.

[concours]

Originally Posted by Grinnin

You mentioned oil change. I'd also

1. Put stabilizer in the gas tank and petcock
2. Drain the carbs
3. Remove spark plug and spray in some light oil
4. If the bikes have a clock or other always-on drain, disconnect the batteries
5. Charge up the batteries once a month
6. Put steel wool in muffler exits and airbox intakes to keep out nesting critters.

Modern tires don't flat-spot like tires in the past, so hanging in the air probably isn't required. And I, personally, wouldn't just start them to let them idle, but wait until I wanted a ride and work on them then.

This is just a partial list, I'm sure there will be more.

Great list. Consider replacing the GF, it's sure to be an ongoing issue left unattended.

[dnrobertson]

Originally Posted by concours

Great list. Consider replacing the GF, it's sure to be an ongoing issue left unattended.

First it's her she doesn't want on the bike and then it's YOU!

[dmn0507]

I agree with avoiding occasional start ups followed by a 5 minute idle, it wull just create condensation and make things worse.
To avoid/minimize flat spots you can over inflate tires

[kruzuki]

Garaging them will save your rubber hoses, tires, seat vinyl, paint, etc. from drying/fading

[zorsch]

thank you all very much for your replies, these are very much appreciated !

so, you guys think that as long as they are in the garage and i stick to the advice given in here,
they should last for years if i just take them for a handful of rides each year ?

oh the only advice i dont want to follow is changing my GF as i can see her turn wifey someday ;)

[Flashmo]

Originally Posted by zorsch

oh the only advice i dont want to follow is changing my GF as i can see her turn wifey someday ;)

The storage advice given is good.

You already gave up riding your bikes for the GF. What makes you think that will change if you marry her? Get rid of the GF or sell the bikes, because they won't work together. Sometimes...you have to pick ONE.

[idahoskiguy]

Sounds like the bikes need a new home.

Unused and unloved motorcycles not worth having.

Make some one happy. Maybe a nephew or niece? The kid down the street?

[Grinnin]

Tires and seals will eventually dry out and crack. Grease will also dry over the years and not lubricate as well. Your chains will pick up dust that'll cake into the lube.

The BEST way to maintain an old bike is to regularly attend to lubrication and wear items. And the best way to keep track of lube and wear is to ride.

The BEST way to maintain your riding skills is to ride regularly. If you go on a handfull of rides each year you will always be a bit sketchy.

The BEST way to maintain your right to ride is to ride regularly. If you give up riding 90% then you will probably be pressured to give it up 100%.

(I repeated the word "BEST" several times here as if it is the "One Right Answer". It may not be the One Right Answer for you, but it works best for me.)

[anotherguy]

Giving up a hobby for a woman (or man for that matter) is the road to unhappiness.

[bomber60015]

I'm not familiar with your home town, but if it is anything like major cities in teh states and in Asia, the witch's brew that passes as atmosphere will cause anything rubber (and more things bubber-like) to dry, crack and cease functioning pretty quickly . . . . (months, perhaps, certainly a small number of years).

Oddly, riding seems to prolong their usseful life.

Teh best advice regarding the bikes (I am in no way competent to give relationship adivce, likely niether is anyone else here) is to ride them, at least as long as it takes them to wrms up comepltely, as often as possible. Once a month seems a reasonable compromise . . . .

If you simply cannot carve out an hour or two amonth to ride, you should, in my opinion, admit to yourself that you are out of the riding business, and sell the bikes.

Best of luck!

[AviatorTroy]

Originally Posted by zorsch

thank you all very much for your replies, these are very much appreciated !

so, you guys think that as long as they are in the garage and i stick to the advice given in here,
they should last for years if i just take them for a handful of rides each year ?

oh the only advice i dont want to follow is changing my GF as i can see her turn wifey someday ;)

Might as well sell 'em.