Indoor Bike Storage

[ttr225]

I have recently begun storing my bike (A pretty new Yamaha TTR-225) in my one bedroom apt. temporarily until I can regain the garage space that I lost - does anyone know if this is harmful? I do smell a little fuel sometimes, but not really very much. I want to know if anyone has ever done this or knows that it can be harmful.

Thanks.

 

[a454elk]

The only time it could be harmful is if you trip over it in the night! Turn the gas off and it shouldn't be a problem. I used to park a street bike in my house, no problem. I'd park my dirtbike inside but the wife would kick my butt.

 

[JPIVEY]

Keep the room ventilated, and your ok, but there's one thing you should keep in mind.

If you use a lazyboy, coffee table and the otterman you have a nice little.....well you know where I'm headed

 

[MikeT]

Its good for the bike. Just turn off the gas and you'll be OK.

 

[CR125_tom]

My riding buddy has been doing this for a couple of years now with his CR. Actually, he likes to leave it there as a "show piece" :) The gas smell is still apparent for a while and takes a few days of open windows to clear it out.

Probably, the gas smell you are experiencing is mainly from the tank vent, so drain your tank at the least.

I don't know the ramifications of constantly inhaling low concentration gasoline vapors, but it probably can't be good for you or safe for the apartment.

 

[canucklehead]

I'm really curious... was this originally posted in this forum, or was it somehow 'placed' here for a more sinister reason....;)

Personally, I'd never keep my bike in my house.

To flame or not to flame... I'll choose not.

Dave

 

[oldguy]

word of caution

If you have a gas water heater or furnace (or oil) DO NOT store the bike with any gas in the tank near it. The fumes can ignite when the heater flames up and flash back to the bike. If these appliances are present I would say pull the tank off and leave it outside. You wouldn't store gas cans by the appliances (I hope:think )

 

[JeffK]

My brother used to store his bike in his apartment - people steal anything thats not nailed down. Anyway the only problem was that the maintenance guy let himself in one day to do some emergency maintenance on the A/C and saw the bike - apparently that's a big no no at this complex... He was told that either the bike has to go or he does... he moved.

So I guess what I'm saying is that if your keeping this bike in an apartment I would try to keep it hidden.. somehow. BTW If my wife would allow it my bike would be in the living room... guess I'll have to install a TV in the garage.

Use common sense and the likely explosions will be kept to a minimal.
Good luck

 

[a454elk]

I've got the TV, Stereo, small fridge, microwave and pancake griddle in my garage. I can survive for a while if things get hot inside! I can crash in the garage and in the morning, the only bad breath is from the pre-mix! Just call me the Quaker. Hope my wife doesn't see this post!
Elk

 

[nephron]

Hmmm,

In Med School, I rode a VMAX while living in a "studio" apartment. Of course, I would NOT park that thing in the lot, so I put in on the porch every day. Well, they busted me. So I drove it INTO my studio every day, using the motor to bump it up over the doorway hump, then shutting it off.

The point is that the size of the apartment was about as big as your average one car garage, and I never got sick. I studied in there for hours at a time, no problem. Occasionally, the fumes would be strong, particularly after parking it, but I got used to it. No problems.

Of course, it's probably not wise to do so, but if you're in a pinch, it probably won't do much harm. No more than the amount of damage you get from an average drunk.;)

 

[biker]

I also used to park my street bike in the apartment while going to school. Once management saw it they put that to an end. I was a little mad and told them that the bike was cleaner and smelled better than some of the other tenants, but that excuse didn't fly. I even had it sitting on a towel with plastic under it, just incase in leaked some gas. It was the best looking piece of furniture we had.

 

[ttr225]

Thanks for all of the replies. The only thing that was really concerning me was inhaling the fuel fumes. Since the Bike has been idle now for a while though, either I've gotten used to it, or it has dissipated. How would I drain my gas tank? Is that A huge pain? I am riding the thing once every two weeks or so....

thanks.

AF

 

[JPIVEY]

If your riding every couple of weeks, shut the gas off while engine is running, letting it run till the carb is drained, keep the room ventilated and keep it away from anything that has a pilot flame, you will be fine

 

[motometal]

When I had mine inside, I plugged all the vents (carb and tank), this helped. Just don't forget when you go to start it!!!