Hi Folks, This is kind of a sad question, but hopefully it'll lead to a better ending. After crashing the R90 (and buying a newer, fuel injected bike [gasp]), I'm trying to plan out how to fix the airhead. I'd like to do a proper (read: expensive) restoration/build (USD forks, anyone?). Unfortunately, the funds, and the wife, just aren't there yet. Maybe in a year or so. How does one properly store an airhead for a year or more so as not to cause bigger repair bills when one finally gets around to fixing it? Part of me wants to tear it down and store the pieces in a cool dry place, thus making it easier to powdercoat bits and pieces when the cash is there. Is that feasible? Thanks, as ever, for your wisdom.
Depends on the person I suppose, but in my experience, the longer it's apart the more little bits seem to walk off. I'd keep it all together until your read to do it all in one go.
I wold completely drain the gas tank, carbs, and fuel system in toto, Make sure you squirt something in the tank that doesn't promote rust, or keep it in the house. I would also remove the float bowls and clean them, make sure they are totally dry, and spray a thin coating of WD40 on them and put them back together. On the oily bits, for a year they will be fine and need no attention at all. I have even had a bike stored for over a year with gas in it but I live in a dry climate, and when I kicked it it fired right up. However, I did put the right amount of StaBil in the tank and ran it for a hour on the road before I parked it. I highly suggest (still) draining the gas and cleaning the carb bowls though. I would also buy a bike jack from the nearest cheapie tool store and put it up on that and keep it off the tyres. Might want to remove the battery and put it on a tender for the duration as well.