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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 16:20:03 GMT 1
Does anyone know how I can stop condensation forming on the bike?
Bear in the mind the garage is of single tongue and groove construction lined internally with 25mm kingspan on walls and 50mm on roof which is asbestos. The floor is concrete and there is no electric supply to the building.
Obviously the temperature of the bike surfaces is colder than the air. I have an indoor Oxford cover, but does anyone think an outdoor one would be better.
I have an old paraffin sump heater but hesitant to use this due to potential fire hazard.
Is the condensation on the bike a problem?
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Post by steve h on Dec 4, 2017 16:32:47 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 16:45:00 GMT 1
Thanks Steve. Is it simply a case of putting the gel bag in the garage and it works as a dehumidifier? I will look into a bike cocoon. |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Dec 4, 2017 17:11:36 GMT 1
Don't need a cocoon
Just a bike bag will do
Steve
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Dec 4, 2017 17:16:47 GMT 1
I ordered 2 bike carcoons from demon tweaks about 3 weeks ago, and now find i wont get delivery until 22nd december, so quite a long wait, just bear that in mind.
I have no idea how good they are but the feedback i saw on these was quite good.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 17:48:15 GMT 1
Don't need a cocoon Just a bike bag will do Steve With the bike bag Steve would you use the indoor cover first then put the bag over the top, or just the bag? |
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Post by oldelsieboy on Dec 4, 2017 18:00:12 GMT 1
Don't need a cocoon Just a bike bag will do Steve With the bike bag Steve would you use the indoor cover first then put the bag over the top, or just the bag? Details here Martin www.vac-bag.co.uk/motorcycle-vac-bags.htmlOEB |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 18:00:34 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 18:01:35 GMT 1
Just see your post Nigel. Many thanks. Need to keep the bike in Mint condition.
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Dec 4, 2017 19:17:51 GMT 1
I see you got the answer
Just make sure it's bone dry when it goes in and throw a silica bag in too (they usually come with one)
Steve
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 19:51:15 GMT 1
Yes mate thanks. I have never heard of the vac bag before. I plan to give it a good thorough clean, dry and polish before bagging down. It recommends draining the oil as it may turn acidic and damage engine.
What's your thoughts on this one?
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Dec 4, 2017 19:58:46 GMT 1
I've never drained the oil
I just let the carbs run dry, remove the battery and stick it in the bag
I used the bag for a couple of years with no problems
The last 2 years I've just put it in a wooden shed with plenty of ventilation and a greenhouse heater under it.
Steve
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Post by bare on Dec 4, 2017 20:18:36 GMT 1
Your Garage construction is the problem. You've built a refrigerator.
It's pointless, Counterproductive even, to insulate and stopping All air movements.. then provide Zero heating .
Witness the Condensation on your bike as proof.
Much better to not insulate and let ambient air flow thru.
Easy fix would be to open the windows ! and Leave them open.
Air can then circulate and all things in that construction will be of same temp and won't condense out air humidity.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 21:04:44 GMT 1
Right. I suppose I could create some ventilation in the garage, although the windows are fixed pane. It has been built many years now and I am not gong to alter it too much.
I have some options at least, heat, vac bag and ventilation.
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Post by mattybeckett on Dec 4, 2017 22:08:23 GMT 1
Ventilation is the best bet like Bare states. Just cut a few vent holes, add some grids and even just a decent size fan out of an old computer placed flat against one of the vents extracting the air to cause circulation can be used with an old fully charged 12v car battery and will last for weeks. Covers are not the best idea as attract damp.HTH  |
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Post by bngt on Dec 4, 2017 22:54:07 GMT 1
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Post by bngt on Dec 4, 2017 22:57:37 GMT 1
Also a dehumidifier is better than a heater, and cheaper. Only runs when high humidity if you buy one with sensor. My experience is that it is better to leave the cover off. You want air to circulate around the bike.
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Post by rigga on Dec 5, 2017 3:33:25 GMT 1
Dehumidifier in my garage, takes a huge amount of moisture out of the air .
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Post by bare on Dec 5, 2017 17:58:05 GMT 1
Right. I suppose I could create some ventilation in the garage, although the windows are fixed pane. It has been built many years now and I am not gong to alter it too much. I have some options at least, heat, vac bag and ventilation. Question of Priorities then :-) Presumably your shed has a Door? Leave it open... or if security conscious, fit a louvered grate type window to it. Not as if yer gonna lose expensive heat out the ventilation openings. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2017 20:50:30 GMT 1
Bare, thanks again. I have removed some insulation and going put vents in front and back by drilling some holes and vent cover on the outside, and maybe get some silica to take away any moisture.
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Post by Ozhammer on Dec 5, 2017 23:53:50 GMT 1
What’s condensation? The only moisture in my workshop is the sweat on my brow in summer! 😜
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Post by cbm on Dec 6, 2017 2:08:27 GMT 1
I ordered 2 bike carcoons from demon tweaks about 3 weeks ago, and now find i wont get delivery until 22nd december, so quite a long wait, just bear that in mind. I have no idea how good they are but the feedback i saw on these was quite good. I bought a Carcoon years ago, at the time the garage I had was very similar set up to the OP but with power. The 1st time I put a bike in it the bike was literally soaking wet with condensation, zipped it up and plugged it in leaving the vent open as per the instructions, next day the bike was bone dry and was left in it each winter for the next 4yrs, it's not cheap but it's a superb bit of kit if you have something you treasure. FYI, it'll condition the battery at the same time and I also put all my power tools etc. in there with the bike. The OP's biggest problem is no power supply though and if he uses a regular vacbag he'll need to get he bike dry 1st otherwise I'd have thought the end result could be worse than just leaving it as is. |
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Post by headcoats on Dec 6, 2017 9:56:01 GMT 1
I still have my micheal Jackson oxygen tent LOL
Well it's a rigid frame with a cover and a fan
Bike used to be at my Mom's house , in a brick garage but the condensation on it used to really shock me , so I bought one and it was worth every penny as far as I'm concerned
Only paid a few hundred but that was about 2002
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Post by yazza54 on Dec 6, 2017 20:14:20 GMT 1
I have a garage like yours and got a new roof put on, cost £1400 quid to remove the asbestos one and fit a new steel sheeted plastisol coated roof with the condensation membrane. Used to be piss wet through in there and been bone dry ever since.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2017 20:21:55 GMT 1
That's food for thought, budget would not allow that at present. But at the moment the ventilation seems to be working and it's been dry in there today. Humidity in the atmosphere has been low though.
Thanks for your post
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Post by yamrider on Dec 6, 2017 21:52:20 GMT 1
I have always used a dehumidifier in my man cave and its as dry as a bone, and what you don't want to use when you are in the cave and working on the bike is one of those heaters with a gas bottle inside, those things will make you ill (sore throat etc)  |
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Post by mattybeckett on Dec 6, 2017 22:38:39 GMT 1
Damp traps are also good.. pound land sell them, also on flea bay' you can see the water absorbed in the clear bottom container of these. I buy half a dozen at a time and change them about every 3 months. Also i stick one on the dashboard of my 4x4 which doesn't get used much, but stops the mouldy damp smell and keeps it condensation free. |
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Post by mattybeckett on Dec 6, 2017 22:52:45 GMT 1
I have always used a dehumidifier in my man cave and its as dry as a bone, and what you don't want to use when you are in the cave and working on the bike is one of those heaters with a gas bottle inside, those things will make you ill (sore throat etc) Yes they cause more condensation than ever and health problems also, my heating is a baxi heater like in a caravan, but converted to run on propane and iv'e fitted a flue through the outside wall. Warm as toast with that turned on, and all the condensation goes out the flue like you see in domestic house central heating flues, stream of steam. |
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Post by looey on Dec 8, 2017 10:41:19 GMT 1
Having moved 17 times in the last 27 years and having had my bikes in all different types of storage, I'd have to disagree with some of the recommendations above, in particular ventilation.
Sure, it's better the have ventilation in a non-insulated, non-heated shed for example but I've learned over time that the only way to stop condensation on your bike (unless in a cocoon or bubble), is to keep the ambient temperature constant around the bike.
Condensation only usually forms when warmer moist air hits colder surfaces, so if you have a cold period of weather and everything metal (particularly the petrol tank up to the fuel level) is freezing cold, and then the weather changes to a milder temperature, the warmer air hits the colder metal surfaces and that's when most of your condensation occurs.
Keep temperature of the area around the bike constant (either cold or warm) and condensation will not occur on the metal parts.
My current garage is not heated but is totally insulated from the outside and I don't get any condensation. But in the scenario I have mentioned above, there are times when it is colder in my garage than it is outside. Keep the doors shut and absolutely no problem, open up the garage door when it is warmer outside, and within a minute of the warmer air coming in to the garage, everything metal is covered in condensation.
So I reckon you have 3 options, bring the bike in the house over winter, keep it in a bubble or cocoon, or stop the temperature fluctuating over short periods in your shed or garage.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2017 11:12:18 GMT 1
Hello Looey
thanks for the information. Yes I agree the condensation occurs when the warmer air hits the tank and forks etc. Whilst it has not been ringing wet I want to avoid even the slightest dampness to protect the bike. As described above the garage is insulated internally but has some ventilation through it and over the last few days the bike has been completely dry so the temperature must have been stable.
Unfortunately I cannot bring the bike in the house over winter, just do not have the practical space.
I think my best bet is a vac bag as recommended by OEB and midlife, or the carcoon by cbm.
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