Page 1 of 1

Winter Lay Up

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:39 pm
by scotty
I've decided to lay the bike up in the garage over winter. Yep, it comes round pretty quickly this far north so maybe in a couple of weeks that'll be it for this year until next April. The bike is fitted with an Odessey gel battery. Is it ok to leave this on the bike over the cold months or should it be disconnected and taken inside ? Leaving a normal battery in the bike over winter would kill it for sure but I'm not sure if the Odessey would be ok.

Also I'm trying to locate a company who sells a cover system for bikes layed up. I think there is a company called vac pack or something that sell large plastic bags with absorbent gel bags that absorbs any moisture that may be in the bag. I can't find them on the internet so does anybody know the correct web address ?

Christ, it's depressing thinking about winter already. The problem this far north is that if you don't take some preventive measures over winter any bike justs sits in the garage coated with permanent moisture for 5-6 months. Ask my Honda 400/4 as it's had 30 odd years of it !

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:55 pm
by bigblackfalco
The battery should be fine in situ.Just keep it ticking over with an Optimate or something similar plugged into accessory socket.
Sorry can't help with cover etc.
Bailey.

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:19 pm
by Neil178
http://www.carcoon.co.uk/bike%20bubble.htm

Not the silica gel item you were after, but may be worth the extra wonger.
You could always get the car size one and put 2 bikes and your lawn mower in it!

Re: Winter Lay Up

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:33 pm
by boxerpan
scotty wrote:I've decided to lay the bike up in the garage over winter. Yep, it comes round pretty quickly this far north so maybe in a couple of weeks that'll be it for this year until next April. The bike is fitted with an Odessey gel battery. Is it ok to leave this on the bike over the cold months or should it be disconnected and taken inside ? Leaving a normal battery in the bike over winter would kill it for sure but I'm not sure if the Odessey would be ok.
Disconnect or Optimate it - killed mine last winter by not bothering coz my accessory socket was compromised - thought it would stand but it didn't.
He laughed when I asked for a warranty replacement

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:19 am
by iandunn1100ss
The company you want for the bag www.vac-bags.co.uk . I have been using these for years for my bikes over winter and they are great the bikes come out just as they went in , dry and rust free.

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:57 am
by scotty
Thanks for the response. I think I'll remove the battery and take it inside.

That's great Ian, that's the company I was looking for. Are these things a breeze to use ? I take it you just clean and dry the bike and then wheel it into the bag and seal it up. Any other precautions that you would recommend first ?

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:21 pm
by iandunn1100ss
Just clean it ,dry it ,and put it in stone cold and remove the air .seal it tight and just leave it