Long Term Storage Questions???

[razormike1]

Hello all.

Looks like Uncle Sam is about to deploy me to the middle of the sandbox.... ie. Baghdad. So I have a couple of questions for the technical gurus out there.

I need to store my Ruckus for about 9 months while I am gone. So... how should I do this?

I was planning on draining all the gas from the tank and pulling the battery out of it. Is this the best thing to do? I have never stored a bike before and want to ensure my Ruckus is good to go when I get back.

Thanks for any help you can pass along.

Mike

[hmgn5633]

First, my family and I appreciate your service. Thanks for defending our liberty.

The owners manual has a section on long term storage, suggest you follow that.

[tedsmini]

Buy some Stabil, it is fuel stabilizer, than fill the tank so no condensation forms. Remove the sparkplug and squirt about a 1/2 oz of 30wt oil into the cylinder and slowly work the kick starter (key off) to lube the cylinder walls. Put the bike on its stand and support the front forks so neither wheel is on the ground. If need be to accomplish this put a 2x4 under the stand. This means there will be no flat spots on your tires when you return. Buy a Battery Tender and hook it to the battery located under the front cover. You didn't mention the branch of service but God Bless you and all our fighting forces. My son was in Ramadi and Fallujah for 7 months, got wounded but stayed in combat. Now is is trying to readjust to civvy life. He was USMC 0811 Kilo Btry, Guns Platoon 11th Marines. Come home safe ;D
(If you need the best place to get the battery tender PM me)

[Kami no Chiizu]

Good luck, Mike. Got a message from a friend in Iraq the other day. Hope to hear from you, in good health, again.

[chanito]

Thanks Mike, my son was over there as a medic he is coming back in June after being there twice, he is in the navy by the way. I would follow Teds instructions the only thing i would do different is just disconnect the battery, but investing in a batt tender makes sense if you ride the scooter only occasionally ;D

[tedsmini]

I have never disconnected the battery on any of my machines and if there is no current draw no need to disconnect

[chanito]

tedsmini said:

I have never disconnected the battery on any of my machines and if there is no current draw no need to disconnect

The reason to disconnect the terminal is to prevent sulfatation on the terminals