VERY Long Term Storage

Hi, folks;

I have a 1990 ZX-11 in nearly pristine condition, and it's a
keeper. It was my first "new" bike, and I'd like to have it
around when I'm 90 years old so that I can show to the youngsters
on their solar-powered soy-derived 2050-model Suzukawis what 1990
technology could do. So I'd like to know the CORRECT way to
package this up for multi-decade storage. Can anyone point me to
some references for this?

Thanks,
Greg

 

Why yes, of course. Doesn't everybody?

Greg

 

No need for YOU to be sorry. I just take it in stride.

Myself, included. (I live in Minnesota.) However, I believe that
really long-term storage requires removal of all of the fluids,
whereas simple winter storage does not. Furthermore, it seems
like all rubber parts will have to be protected somehow.

Note that I was just joking about taking it out of storage in
2050. But I can certainly see keeping it in storage for a decade
or two. By that time I'll be retired, and hopefully have the time
and resources to devote to a restoration.

How do museums do it?

Yes, I understand. But it would still be nice to try to preserve
the bike. Otherwise it will just sit under a tarp in my garage,
which is guaranteed to cause it to deteriorate. I don't ride it
much any more, because every ride increases the probability that
an accident will occur. If my bike is going to get dinged or
dented or scratched, I'd rather it happened to a more "common"
bike that I don't care so much about.

Thanks for your suggestions,
Greg

 

<SNIP>

Huh? Think for a moment. He's talking about storing a bike for something close
to 40 years, not 4 years. Yes, of course the lubricants should be drained and
flushed, but of primary importance is an environment that inhibits oxidation and
other chemical reactions that cause deterioration.


Ben

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/rockland_mc_riders

 

From: Future Violations Reduction Agency, year 2040

We have knowledge that you plan on using a motor vehicle that burns what
you call GASOLINE in the year 2043. We urge you to reconsider your idea
as the GASOLINE VIOLATION ACT of 2035 requires the immediate
incarceration of anyone who uses a GASOLINE-powered vehicle. The THOUGHT
CRIMES ACT of 2039 requires that you be informed of your violation with
due time. You have committed a thought crime punishable retroactively in
2030. If you have not negated this crime by 2005 the maximum sentence is
reincarnation. Please remedy the situation before it is too late.

Cymen Vig,
Lethal Emissions Enforcer,
Future Violations Reduction Headquarters (2040),
2040.153.16:43 GST

Filed per communication requirement X53894.253, "Thought Crimes, circa
2000-2005."

 

Kind of like storing military Jeeps in Cosmolene, right?

Not a bad idea. Thanks.

Greg

 

You will have to catch me first! I don't think that your
solar-powered mopeds will run with my 175 MPH Superbike.

Greg

 

Same goes for the brakes. The pistons in the calipers and m/c's will probably
seize wihtout fluid. (Ditto hydraulic clutch lines, master, and slave
cylinders.) I would highly recommend CHANGING the brake fluid prior to storage,
and you might want to do some careful analysis of which spec fluid would be best
for long term storage. (I.E. The best fluid for high performance street riding
might not be the same as the best for racing, which in turn might not be the
best for storage.)

Agree that the fuel system should be completely drained and dried, and dessicant
added to the tank and possibly float bowls too might not be a bad idea.

New tires with silicone on the bead seating area?

Dielectric grease packed in multi-pin wire connectors?

Opaque (paper or cloth) covers over the instrument faces to prevent fading?

Lithium or axle grease on the pivot points of the side stand and/or center
stand?

What about relieving the strain on the various return springs, like the stands,
and the clutch springs?

Leaving the engine at bdc with extra (clean, new, fresh, synthetic) oil in the
crankcase?

Storing a new, dry, never had acid added correct battery with (but not IN) the
bike?

New brake pads?

New spark plugs?

Fresh, dry, factory oem air filter element?

Just thinking out loud....

Tim

 

Back in the later '70s car horsepower was plummeting as gasoline was getting
scarce and anti-pollution devices were starting to occupy a noticeable amount of
the engine compartment. I figured by 1990 all we'd have left were things
powered by lawn mower engines. Boy, was I wrong. Therefore, I would like to
believe that in the future we may not use petroleum distillates but even if it
turns out to be powered by a "giant rubber band" it will be faster than what we
have today.

Ben

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/rockland_mc_riders

 

I'd loosen up all the valve adjusters a lot or remove the rockers, if the
bike has them to make sure all the valves are closed. If you're going to
store this bike for fifty years, it'd probably be a good idea to buy a set
of piston rings and plan to do a ring replacement and hone job when the bike
is reawakened. I don't think that having a piston ring sitting at the same
position for 50 years will be good for it or the bore.

-Eric

 

Lots of good details in your message. Many of these should be
checked even for just winter storage. Thanks.

Greg

 

Big job! Probably the BEST way to do it, though. I'm not certain
that I have enough discipline to do that, though.

Greg

 

It is possible that there will still be internal combustion
engines, but they will probably burn simpler hydrocarbons like
alcohols or non-hydrocarbons like pure hydrogen. Either one has
better anti-knock properties than gasoline, so compression ratios
will be higher (or engines will be supercharged), and engines will
be more powerful for a given displacement. And as advanced
materials technologies permit 30,000 RPM, we should see some real
screamers ...

Greg

 

Don't worry, Harleys will be still poking along at 2,500 rpm, as how
else will you get that "potato potato" sound? At that advanced date in
the future, not only will the hardware be obsolete, but also the noise
it makes. But don't worry, it will still look "retro," with chromed
this, billet that, and fringe leather everywhere it can be hung . . .

Paul Harris