Will a classic motorcycle seize up if i store it without oil?

I am looking to buy a classic motorcycle, to maybe ride 2 or 3 times a year, but the only place i can store it is in a self storage facility and they want me to drain oil and petrol from the bike. Is this going to cause any problems?Will a classic motorcycle seize up if i store it without oil?
Use fuel stabilizer and drain the carb(s) when it's going to be stored for a while. If it has a battery, take it home with you and connect it to a Battery Tender or similar charger. Draining the oil should not be a problem. The viscosity of the oil will make it cling to all parts, forming a protective coating. A bit of oil in the spark plug holes will keep the piston rings from rusting to the bore(s).


When restarting it after a long break, I would refill the oil first, turn the engine over a few times to spread it around (easily done with the spark plugs removed), and then add the gas and start it up.Will a classic motorcycle seize up if i store it without oil?
Like the others have said, as long as you put a little bit of oil down the spark plug holes you will not have any problems with the engine seizing. Enough oil should remain on the bearings to prevent any problems.





I do see a potential problem though.





On a motorcycle with a metal fuel tank they should be stored with a full tank of fuel. This is because condensation can build up in an empty fuel tank and cause rust. So watch for rust inside the fuel tank.





However if the storage facility is climate controlled there will be less possibility of rust inside the fuel tank as the temperature will be more stable and you will have less condensation.
My first reaction was ';Drain the petrol but not the oil'; but now I think of it, I can't see any problems with draining the oil too. The oil will drain down out of the engine regardless and whether it lays in the sump (or tank if its a dry sump bike), or the sump is empty, it would make no difference that I can think of.


The only problem I can think of is that the oil pump will also be empty, so you would have to turn the engine over a few times before starting it, each time you filled it back up again, but this is no different to changing the oil during a routine maintenance. Probably wouldn''t hurt to put a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder before storage too.


What bike are you getting?
A solution used by some people in military going to Iraq and the old classic storage for winter- Run motor unti fully warmed, stop engine, drain gas tank, add gallon of kerosene to gas tank and start engine again until smoking good and or engine dies. drain gas tank and engine oil as storage area requires. Another way is use of 'fogging oil' for storage- run engine and spray in carb or air cleaner unti engine dies. In both cases you have coated air intake, carb bowls and jets, valve stems and guides, cylinder walls with light oil mix. when you get it back out of storage in less than a year you'll need to clean plugs and put in fresh gas, new oil anyway, trickle battery. A couple shots of gasoline in aircleaner and try starting, will smoke a bit but should run fairly good after couple miles. Carb bowl drain may be needed- old Amal equiped BSA and Triumphs just needed plunger button down 10 seconds, a second retry if engine sputtered and died in 30 seconds. This if fuel tank wasn't shut off while engine ran to drain bowls.
Potentially yes it will but it does depend on the type of storage you are keeping it in. The biggest danger after storing it 'dry' is that any condensation there might be, settles on the parts that need oil and rust sets in. It's never advisable to have no oil in an engine at all. If you have no other option than to store it like this then I'd change the oil that's already in, add something like slick 50, and give it a good run before draining the oil. Once you are ready to store it spray wd40 all over the engine to expel any moisture and leave the engine uncovered so the air can get around it. Hope this helps
1 . Petrol - just draining it will be a nightmare when you come to use it again as deposits will form from the bits of fuel left and gum up the carbs. You would have to completely make sure no petrol was left in it.


2. The engine will actually rust internally if left with no oil for long. Some engines can seize if left like this. needs to have normal oil in all the time and turned over although not started every week.





Unless you can find a more friendly place to keep it I would not bother.
Yes, the motorcycle should be fine in a self storage unit. At least in a good one anyway. I use storage deluxe for my cars and boats and I have never had a problem. They have a climate control system for each unit and that really helps. You should look them up and see twhat they have to offer. They come highly recommended.
I've got a couple of bikes in storage and as long as you have a dry storage area, your bike will be OK without oil for several months.





A good idea is to put some oil (1 tablespoon) in the cylinders through the spark pugs holes before storing.
why drain the oil?


fuel sure can do that but can just add fuel stabizer really dont see a need to buy a bike if you not going to ride it all one can mine i ride if it starts and theres no rain if you going to ride three times a year rent a bike
In short yes, as long as you turn it over occasionally you can drain it or not drain it
WHEN U DRAIN OIL FROM THE ENGIEN THEN ENGIEN WILL START TO CORRODE FROM BEARINGS ANS OKTHER PARTS. SAFE SIDE TO KEEP THAT WITH OIL AND BEFORE STARTING DRAIN IT AND USE NEW OIL.