[Ducati] Long term storage

[izzy]

Buy yourself a spray can of marine fogging oil.  Don't overfill your 
crankcase, that doesn't help.  Just change your oil 2-3 times to get 
all the crap and moisture out.  Once you've done that, remove your 
plugs and spray the fogging oil into the hole and move the engine 
manually to "swish" it around.

Fogging oil is a lighter oil and will blow out easier when you're 
ready to use the engine again.  Overfilling your oil just splashes 
oil where it doesn't usually go and isn't good for long term.  Plus, 
you can blow a seal if you forget and crank it later.

For your tank, empty your gas tank and wash it out with denatured 
alcohol (as best you can).  That will absorb any water inside.  Drain 
the alcohol, air it out.  Put a large dessicant bag on a string and 
hang it from the fuel fill.

It will depend on the type of filler and tank as to how easy this 
is.  I buy the dessicant in bulk bags and re-bag it myself with 
muslin, making a large, golf-ball sized "teabag" on a string.  Shove 
it into the filler and close the top on the string.  Since the tank 
is sealed shut, it will absorb all the moisture.  It works very well, 
I had an old tank in storage for 11 years and it was good as new when 
I took it out.

It's better if the bag is hanging as it collects moisture.  If it is 
laying against the tank, it can induce rust.

At 03:21 PM 10/1/2006, you wrote:
>I'm going to be putting one of my bikes in storage for what will 
>probably be more than a year.  I need to empty the gas tank and was 
>wondering what is recomended for "fogging it" to prevent rust.  I've 
>also been told to fill the crankcase up with as much oil as 
>possibile. Is this correct?  Any other advice?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Shaun C
>99 996
>99 VFR800
>91 XR250L
>
>
>
>Ducati On Line thanks its sponsor and friend, Cycle Cat, maker of
>some of the most beautiful products ever for Ducati's.
>Visit http://www.cyclecat.com/
>
>_______________________________________________
>Ducati mailing list
>Ducati at ducati.net
>http://list.ducati.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ducati
>Mailto: ducnet at livnay.com