Tank brimmed, no fuel stabiliser and optimate on twice a week for about 2/3 hours. Bike up on paddock stands and no cover. In an integral garage with no heater. Never had an issue on first start and I just start it with no messing about with kill switches.
I feel like a bike abuser now. No blanket, no heater, sometimes on the paddock stands but usually not, no fuel stabiliser added, on an optimate if I remember to plug it in, no garage floor paint. But I do ride it to work. And then don't wash it for weeks. Should I just hand myself in? I was in tears reading this how cruel are you pete id kick you off the site for being so cruel im going to report you to the bike line
I'm feeling really sorry for mine now. Always just climbed off it around November and back on it maybe March. Don't do anything and it just starts on the button. 16 years of blade ownership and never had a problem. Come on people it's a Honda! Lol
Mine's kept in the living room, next to the radiator on an optimate. Only problem is the cat climbs on it :/
Said said before and as other have said on here I have never had a issue with the bike on paddock stands, cleaned, tank full and left on a optimate. Never needed to add fuel stabiliser and never been a issue starting first time. When I had a op in Dec a few years ago I had not ridden the bike between the end of Oct until April and never been a issue. but never started the bike as it will not get up to temp, Not just the engine but everything else unless you go out or a good run
Reported to the NSPCB (National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Bikes)..... Bike abuser !!! If i could get heating into my garage i would, but its not integral and too open to the elements for it to work...... my bike is my baby.
Condensation inside engine due to temperature differences, this condensation typically burns off through a proper heat cycle (as in ride it) ... This forms into water droplets that then mix with the oil which results in it emulsifying... is caused by the engine not getting up to temperature properly before switching it off. Water and oil mixing in engines is a bad thing. Remember just because the water temp says 80Deg, does not mean the oil is up to correct temperature ... Oil takes a lot longer to get up to correct temperatures.
Whilst you don't want batteries to freeze they shouldn't be stored in warm conditions to prolong their life, ideal temp depends on type but circa 10-15 degrees c suits most. But this again depends if fully charged or not. Keeping them constantly charged, again depending on type isn't necessarily the best thing either. Not much help I suppose. Lithium- Don't store it fully charged Lead Acid- Do store it fully charged Don't store either in warm conditions Easiest thing is to ride them all year round
Basically water and condensation mixing with the oil leaving a mayonnaise like residue on oil cap and other locations within the engine!
I've heard that if the bike's going to be stored somewhere cold for an extended period it's best to take the battery out and put it somewhere warm. I thought it might be a bit of hokey but one year I left mine in my R6 and battery was foiked come spring startup.
A mate of mine always brings his bike batteries indoors when winter draws in, and periodically connects them to the optimate... he reckons in 20 years of biking, usually owning 2 or 3 bikes at a time, he's never had to replace a battery! This year I've followed his lead and bought mine indoors... will see how that pans out.
I've done this for the last couple of years. Took it indoors and occasionally hook it up to the Optimate to let it do its thing. Come pre-startup I give it a couple of days on the Optimate and then put the battery back in. Haven't had a problem so far
Never disconnected mine from the bike or brought them indoors. The RRA still has the original battery, 4.5 years. But then my garage is attached to the house and doesn't get silly cold.
Just to say many thanks for all the advice and shared thoughts on my question. Working at a hospital I come into contact with other departmental staff and other agencies who deal with cases of identification of potential severe neglect and OCD. I've passed some of your contact details onto the relevant agencies who I'm sure will be in touch in due course after the relevant multi-discipline team meetings have taken place. Many thanks again, mine's now in the garage under it's cover with the optimate connected awaiting the rise in mercury. Cheers Ian
