[Ducati] Long term storage

[Rich Roberts]

Also consider coating steel with cosmoline or equivalent. Had some experience leaving bike in closed spaces with little to no ventilation and believe it or not unless a dry environment heating and cooling in closed space can accelaerate corrosion. It is amazing the sorts of things that can come out of construction materials in unvented space. Anything salt treated likely emits corrosive gases over time. I would consider some kind of dehumidification or dessication but am not an expert in such things. Aluminum oxidation can occur to any aluminum that is not coated as well, most is but I know the 996R cases are not painted. So any alkaline cleaners will initiate some corrosion unless rinsed esp well.  no matter what you do over time storage will result in some deterioration. Most brake fluids love moisture and will pull it right out of the air rusting brake pistons at the interface. Rich


----- Original Message ----
From: mo+omille <info at motomille.com>
To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati at ducati.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 1, 2006 4:45:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Ducati] Long term storage


wow... that's pretty hardcore... Very good advice.  I'll have to use it.

I typically fill the tank all the way and put Sta-bil in with it...   
on the 748 there are quick disconnects for the fuel... I pull those  
and spray WD-40 in the sparkplug holes.  And yes... I over fill the  
crankcase with oil with some Lucas Oil Stabilizer... it's super thick  
and sticks to the bits really well.  I tape a note on the gas tank  
saying it has bad oil and I change it when I want to ride it again.

And last but not least I put the battery on the battery tender.  I'm  
lucky enough to have a front and rear pit bull so I put the bike up  
on the stands.  That avoids any flatspots on the tires.

Pete

On Oct 1, 2006, at 12:56 PM, izzy wrote:

> 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
>>
>>
>>
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>
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>
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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/

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