Having no garage is a pain

[flatbutt]

But that is my reality and has been ever since I bought the bike in '98. I used to be able to keep it in my buddies garage the first few years but then he got married. 'Nuff said.

So I have had some minor issues with keeping it in the driveway all of the time. Like the horn contacts get a little icky and need cleaning and some of the other bolts have rusted and need care. But I do keep it under a quality cover and when I need to park it for the part of winter I don't ride in I double cover her to keep her as dry as I can.

But outright precipitation aside, is an unheated garage that much better? Humidity will still effect a bike in a garage won't it? I ask because I'm considering building a hard top shelter for it and space and impact on the neighbors is a consideration. But if a soft top pop up is just as good then that would be sooooo much easier.

Opinions?

[SergioK]

If a soft-top popup storage is the easiest thing to do, then just wire in one of these and she'll be nice and cozy all winter long:

Air Dryer Dehumidifier

[roger albert]

Unheated garage still a lot better, unless very damp. In that case, only a bit. Interesting device. I'll have to look into that for one of my sheds, since I'm about to exile the pretty old /2 to one, to make more room for another bench in the shop.

[SergioK]

IIRC, it's a low speed fan with a very small heating element. Boaters either buy this or leave a 40 or 60 watt light bulb lit inside the cabin.

[Guest24]

Flatty, you could buy my Bikehaus in WNC and have a 1700 sqft basement that is climate controlled. Great riding and much lower taxes.

[MaineRoads]

You selling everything for that sailboat? it must be big.

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by MaineRoads

You selling everything for that sailboat? it must be big.

Everything I own is for sale. Except the boss, kids and grandson. Looking at consolidating and more travel.

[geothepencil]

An unheated shed with proper venting will do a fine job of protecting the bike from most everything except mice, but pay attention to the floor. A concrete floor installed without a moisture barrier under it can be quite destructive due to corrosive fumes and general moisture problems. My suggestion is one of those small barn like wooden sheds with a wooden floor built on treated wood runners and set on a concrete pad. Its not a permanent structure for property taxes in many areas and built out of treated lumber where needed, it will last a long time.

geo

[Guest24]

I'll bet NJ would tax a puptent if it remained up for over 24 hours.

[AZ-Twin]

Buy a van, park the van in the driveway, put the bike in the van.

[Highlander179]

The bike is 10 years old and NOW your worried about moisture???

[Ricochet Rabbit]

Have you considered one of those self storage places? I rented one for about $50 a month (5 x 10) some years back and used it as a garage when I lived in a condo (exwife got 2 car garage attached to house in divorce).

[geothepencil]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I'll bet NJ would tax a puptent if it remained up for over 24 hours.

Oh......that's right.......NJ........the country's highest taxing state......... they might give you 72 hours there under their portable bldg codes as long as you buy the proper permits, but probably best to check with your county to see if property tax exemptions exist for portable bldgs. It no doubt is interpreted differently from county to county.

No problem in Illinois. If you can move them or roll them around on PVC pipes so you can dust under them or chase the raccoons away, they are personal property and no property taxes apply.

geo

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Highlander179

The bike is 10 years old and NOW your worried about moisture???

I'm only now having some issues show up.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by geothepencil

An unheated shed with proper venting will do a fine job of protecting the bike from most everything except mice, but pay attention to the floor. A concrete floor installed without a moisture barrier under it can be quite destructive due to corrosive fumes and general moisture problems. My suggestion is one of those small barn like wooden sheds with a wooden floor built on treated wood runners and set on a concrete pad. Its not a permanent structure for property taxes in many areas and built out of treated lumber where needed, it will last a long time.

geo

thats what i used when I first bought the bike but it is no longer available and I don't have the space to build one now.

There are these neat pop ups that collapse when empty that I'm checking out.

Bike Barn Motorcycle Covers, Cruiser Cover, Motorbike Covers - Fits most cruising bikes

[geothepencil]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

There are these neat pop ups that collapse when empty that I'm checking out.

I can't imagine that working in your extended poor weather/semi long term storage environment. I think its intended for short term shelter.

You could use it as a Cabana on one of your international respites though.

geo

[EZ-RIDER]

Hey OldButt;

CK this out Tom

MDM Shelters :: Cycle Pocktet All Weather UV Resistant Vehicle Canopy Zipper Enclosure Shed Fire Retardent

[CARacic]

instead of a van get a box trailer kind of like a shed but might fly under building codes. check craig's list you should be able to find something for under 2000.

[EZ-RIDER]

Find a used small enclosed Trailer I think that would be the best option

Then when your to old to say ride to Colorado you could trailer it.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by EZ-RIDER

Hey OldButt;

CK this out Tom

MDM Shelters :: Cycle Pocktet All Weather UV Resistant Vehicle Canopy Zipper Enclosure Shed Fire Retardent

Thanks T but that looks like it's meant for indoor storage.

Richochet, if self store was closer I would but I'd have to drive to get to it and I'd rather have the bike here with me. Maybe I should just widen the house's front door?