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Post by barney on Nov 18, 2018 17:21:25 GMT 1
Have my part built bike in a wooden shed it’s not heated or completely air tight as you would expect, I had a old duvet thrown over the frame to protect it from anything falling on it, popped down to do a couple of hrs on it and when I pulled the duvet off the engine/frame was completely saturated with moisture, parts that are on the bench such as engine casings are ok do you reckon the duvet could be causing the condensation?
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Post by looey on Nov 18, 2018 17:30:59 GMT 1
There was a discussion about it before, basically, unless you can keep the climate around your bike fairly constant, that's what will happen whenever the bike gets cold and the temperatures rises a bit (then the warm air condenses on the cold surfaces)
This is what I wrote before.......
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 midlifecrisisrd on Nov 18, 2018 17:54:03 GMT 1
Ditch the duvet
I have 2 bikes in a wooden shed
Firstly make sure the outside is properly painted/stained to stop it sucking up moisture when raining
I have a greenhouse tube heater under each bike so although it doesn't get warm it's enough to convect a little heat upward so also help circulate air
In each corner of the shed have a small tray full of cat litter to absorb moisture and change regularly.
If you are working in the shed don't heat it up as it warms the air above the temp of the bike so will condense on the bike
Steve
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Post by barney on Nov 18, 2018 18:01:28 GMT 1
I’ve ditched the duvet as everything that was uncovered wasn’t wet so it must be causing the issue
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Post by rigga on Nov 18, 2018 18:22:32 GMT 1
Opened my garage door one day when humidity was high, next day the whole garage was soaking wet, car ,floor the lot ....as said when warm air hits cold it dumps moisture.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2018 20:09:51 GMT 1
Hello Barney.
I started the condensation thread last year. Agree with everything Looey says. Keep the doors shut as long as you can, it's the change of air temperature.
Good move in ditching the duvet. I have by bikes covered with an Oxford indoor sheet to keep dust off, and not had any problems.
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Post by ian350n on Nov 18, 2018 20:49:36 GMT 1
Better to just leave it uncovered and stay at ambient temperature
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Post by mattybeckett on Nov 18, 2018 21:31:41 GMT 1
Better to just leave it uncovered and stay at ambient temperature Spot on 👍 |
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Post by liffy16 on Nov 19, 2018 11:20:19 GMT 1
Have the same problem with my shed ,my other shed is fine but its real drafty gets loads of air blowing through it and the bikes are totally dry.So ive started drilling vent holes in the 'damp' shed to try and get air circulating through it which should stop the condensation
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Post by headcoats on Nov 19, 2018 11:31:57 GMT 1
I had the same in my Mom's garage
Even though it's a brick construction , the condensation was shocking and I ended up getting one of those plastic tents with a fan built in
Bit OTT
Wonder how those vacuum ones work and if any good as that would take less room up ?
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Nov 19, 2018 14:03:47 GMT 1
I had the same in my Mom's garage Even though it's a brick construction , the condensation was shocking and I ended up getting one of those plastic tents with a fan built in Bit OTT Wonder how those vacuum ones work and if any good as that would take less room up ? I've used a vac bag Cheap and 100% effective. Bike came out exactly as it went in Steve |
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Post by fatfastroger on Nov 19, 2018 18:34:00 GMT 1
I used a vac bag, bit of a bugger to get the bike inside, I dropped the bike sideways and fell on it totally inside the bag LOL.
Had to inflate it to find all the holes then gaffa tape 'em.
But my bike came out as it went in and I have a brick garage that the previous owner put up with out a damp course :-(
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Nov 19, 2018 18:56:25 GMT 1
I used a vac bag, bit of a bugger to get the bike inside, I dropped the bike sideways and fell on it totally inside the bag LOL. Had to inflate it to find all the holes then gaffa tape 'em. But my bike came out as it went in and I have a brick garage that the previous owner put up with out a damp course :-( Yes that is the biggest challenge lol I cable tied a cable tie onto the top 2 corners and tied to the roof joists so I could sit on the bike and wheel it in before stepping back off the bike. I even put a chock stand in the bag to push it onto Steve |
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Post by looey on Nov 19, 2018 19:10:09 GMT 1
Have the same problem with my shed ,my other shed is fine but its real drafty gets loads of air blowing through it and the bikes are totally dry.So ive started drilling vent holes in the 'damp' shed to try and get air circulating through it which should stop the condensation That's deffo the best option if you can't control the temp or have something like a Vac Bag. You will still get the condensation occasionally but it will dry off much quicker. |
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Post by spondon440 on Nov 19, 2018 19:38:59 GMT 1
I have one sectional concrete garage with a tin roof and a brick built one, the concrete one is the dirty room with a big lathe and a milling machine in it as well as millions of bike parts and electrical tools and the other has the Alfa and 6 bikes in it, I constantly run a dehumidifier in each with the drain pipe plumbed out the wall, I never ever have any condensation or damp on anything.
They don't run permanently only if damp is present but they drain loads out of the air, they don't cost a lot to run.
Andy
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Post by huggy76 on Nov 19, 2018 21:37:07 GMT 1
I've got a sectional concrete garage with an asbestos roof and condensation is a problem. I've got 2 bikes side by side so I cover them both with a car cover from machine mart which seems to work well for not a lot of money. When I had a normal bike cover on each bike they would still get damp but covering both with one big cover seems to be much better.
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Post by wallcraft on Nov 19, 2018 21:50:18 GMT 1
I have one sectional concrete garage with a tin roof and a brick built one, the concrete one is the dirty room with a big lathe and a milling machine in it as well as millions of bike parts and electrical tools and the other has the Alfa and 6 bikes in it, I constantly run a dehumidifier in each with the drain pipe plumbed out the wall, I never ever have any condensation or damp on anything. They don't run permanently only if damp is present but they drain loads out of the air, they don't cost a lot to run. Andy Interesting, what dehumidifier do you use? Mark. |
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Post by barney on Nov 19, 2018 21:55:48 GMT 1
Left the bike uncovered last night and went down 1st thing this morning to find the bike bone dry, just been putting a couple of bits on it tonight and again it’s dry, I can only hope that it was the duvet causing the issue,
Cheers for all your replies 👍
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Post by spondon440 on Nov 20, 2018 22:09:40 GMT 1
I have one sectional concrete garage with a tin roof and a brick built one, the concrete one is the dirty room with a big lathe and a milling machine in it as well as millions of bike parts and electrical tools and the other has the Alfa and 6 bikes in it, I constantly run a dehumidifier in each with the drain pipe plumbed out the wall, I never ever have any condensation or damp on anything. They don't run permanently only if damp is present but they drain loads out of the air, they don't cost a lot to run. Andy Interesting, what dehumidifier do you use? Mark. Ecoair, direct from their web site, I remember at the time of buying that I thought it to death like I do with everything but I'll have a look at exactly what I bought and remember why if anyone is interested. Mine has something like a 3 litre tank, if you run it in any room it will fill the tank in a day easily, I personally can't recommend them highly enough. Andy |
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Post by mellow on Nov 21, 2018 10:33:36 GMT 1
I just had a look. SO many choices   |
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Post by looey on Nov 21, 2018 12:07:41 GMT 1
The units with continuous drainage via a hose look the best option ?.
Got to be easier to run a small hose out to somewhere than having to keep emptying a tank ?.
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Post by jon on Nov 21, 2018 19:53:13 GMT 1
I’ve only ever had a problem once in winter.
Not with a bike, but with a lathe. It’s a big chunk of metal and once down to freezing retains the temperature. Go in and warm the garage and it ‘sweats’ moisture.
Same principle as a bike which I didn’t have problems with at that time.
To get to the point my garage is brick built, but has a lot of airflow where the roof starts.
Seal it up too much and any moisture that gets inside will stay. Probably similar to a cover?
Jon
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Post by Nicky on Nov 21, 2018 20:27:17 GMT 1
I had the same in my Mom's garage Even though it's a brick construction , the condensation was shocking and I ended up getting one of those plastic tents with a fan built in Bit OTT Wonder how those vacuum ones work and if any good as that would take less room up ? Any recommendations (or advisories!) as to which Vac Bag is best? There's one that Demon sells, also available on EB? Which one did you use? Cheers
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Post by spondon440 on Nov 21, 2018 21:33:11 GMT 1
The units with continuous drainage via a hose look the best option ?. Got to be easier to run a small hose out to somewhere than having to keep emptying a tank ?. Yep, hose is a must, you would be draining it every day.They don't run all the time, sometimes there is not a lot of moisture in the air, you can set the level on most machines. Andy |
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Post by copper99 on Nov 21, 2018 21:44:54 GMT 1
I had the same in my Mom's garage Even though it's a brick construction , the condensation was shocking and I ended up getting one of those plastic tents with a fan built in Bit OTT Wonder how those vacuum ones work and if any good as that would take less room up ? Any recommendations (or advisories!) as to which Vac Bag is best? There's one that Demon sells, also available on EB? Which one did you use? Cheers
My friend has been using Carcoons on his cars and bikes for many years, now there all sat in a climate controlled garage he doesnt really need them but there they site, they are on 24/7 and he says it costs a few pence a week to run a bike sized one. 
www.carcoon.com/ |
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Post by gman1969 on Nov 28, 2018 9:16:06 GMT 1
oh its a brick built garage but no way of controlling the temperature
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Post by gman1969 on Nov 28, 2018 9:16:39 GMT 1
i saw those carcoons at the motorcycle show looked really good
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Nov 28, 2018 10:00:19 GMT 1
I ordered 3 bike carcoons last year, but as they hadn't arrived 4 months later I cancelled the order as winter was almost over. Seems that supply was less than demand last year. Order early if you want one, they have some good write ups and reviews, but sadly I can't confirm any of them.
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