Change oil for storage?

[MrLuke]

So I'm gonnna put my bike to bed soon over winter, and I was reading the manual the other day and it said before storage put fresh oil in? I'm sure I also read on here that someone said they did the same? What's the reason for doing this? I was gonna give it a full service (oil/filter/air filter/carb clean+balance/plugs) before I ride it again next year but can someone enlighten me to the merits of putting fresh oil in it before storage please

[Tirpitz]

Used oil is acidic and has lots of nasty toad in it from the combustion process. Admittedly this is less of an issue with fully synth but even so. So you don't want that sat about in your engine all winter doing damage. Full service during the winter layoff is a great time but do finish uff with fresh oil then tuck it up

You don't need to clean the carbs unless you have a problem with them, they won't be dirty. Do drain them before storage though via the drain plugs. Good idea too to also drain the tank of petrol, it will deteriorate when stored for months and not be a lot of good come spring. When you put your first tank in when you get it back out give it a shot of carb cleaner (from any car shop) and that will clean out any slight residues as you ride.

[MrLuke]

Hmm ok fair point, don't think it would cause any more damage than has been done to my engine though because the bike was stood for 3-4 years before I got it! No, since it was standing, the guy I bought it off said it wouldn't idle or run properly at all when he got it so he cleaned them out, but obviously not completely as at partial throttle and under 5k rpm it bogs and feels like it isn't running on all cylinders properly, so my plan was to clean em out then get 'em balanced

Yep I was going to drain all the petrol too, but there are bits of surface rust coming through on the inside, so I was thinking about filling it and letting it sit in some cheap supermarket coca cola? Daft idea? Oh and another daft question possibly but if I put fresh oil in now and then use it again in 4 months will that oil still be ok? It won't degrade being sat in a cold dirty engine will it?

[Mori Man]

OMG - somebody weld this guys toolbox up

'uckin cola in your tank

If you want to remove the rust - follow some of the threads here and use a solution of vinegar to tackle it, once finished rinse the tank with bicarbonate of soda to neutralise the acid - washing with soapy water doesn't do this !

New oil has no burnt carbon or contaminants in it , so for long term storage is a good idea (3months+) and your bike is ready to rock once you pull it out the shed, don't put new plugs in, do that on day one of riding it again.

Find a place that can sonic bath your carbs - it's worth while doing to get all the crap out

[MrLuke]

OMG - somebody weld this guys toolbox up

'uckin cola in your tank

If you want to remove the rust - follow some of the threads here and use a solution of vinegar to tackle it, once finished rinse the tank with bicarbonate of soda to neutralise the acid - washing with soapy water doesn't do this !

New oil has no burnt carbon or contaminants in it , so for long term storage is a good idea (3months+) and your bike is ready to rock once you pull it out the shed, don't put new plugs in, do that on day one of riding it again.

Find a place that can sonic bath your carbs - it's worth while doing to get all the crap out

Oi I'm not that bad! Was only told it by one person so wanted to see what others would say Hmm looks like I've got some searching to do then on that.

Ok thanks for the advice. Do you know around how much it would cost to get them sonic cleaned?