Storing the Harley

[polarisxcsp]

We are building either a 12x12 or 12x16 space inside our current barn to store the Harleys. My dad has a 08 Road King and I have a 09 Fatboy. I’m looking for your guys input on what to use to heat this space. Looking for something pretty cost efficient and that will keep the humidity down. Humidity is the main thing and I’ve had a few people tell us not to use the propane wall heaters because they create a lot of humidity.

 

[Firecatguy]

We are building either a 12x12 or 12x16 space inside our current barn to store the Harleys. My dad has a 08 Road King and I have a 09 Fatboy. I’m looking for your guys input on what to use to heat this space. Looking for something pretty cost efficient and that will keep the humidity down. Humidity is the main thing and I’ve had a few people tell us not to use the propane wall heaters because they create a lot of humidity.

ya don't use propane...ouch very wet heat...i don't keep my bike in my garage as I heat with propane and it soaks everything......with that said......I built a shed also and store my dads bike and my bike in their going on 5 years and we don't heat it at all bikes look fine no rust or anything like that......now my friend who i got the idea from leaves a little indoor heater and runs that all winter for his bike and wife's......same outcome......I run a battery tender and shut the door till spring....

 

[snow_monkey]

An old forced air furnace works great just mount it up high to avoid the gas fumes from hitting the pilot.

 

[polarisxcsp]

anymore suggestions

 

[anonomoose]

Humidity is important. Is the pole barn cement floored? If it is dirt you are fighting an uphill battle. As temperature rises and falls, the metal on the bikes will act like cooling rods and actually condense moisture as the outside moisture rises and falls all winter long. Snow, melt and then super cold and then a warm front will do a number on anything that has metal on it. If you don't believe me, walk into your barn in the winter time after a warm front walks thru or cold turns to rain. You will see condensation on the metal several times thru the winter.

So that doesn't mean that you can't store it out there, but you have to insulate the area you intend to store the equipment in. Then install a good heater, and easiest is electric. It doesn't not have to get it very warm...probably mid to high 30 degree range would do it. This keep the bikes from the deep cold which will produce the condensation on the bikes when the warm fronts walk thru.

If the building has no cement floor you have to be sure to keep it warmer to prevent the moisture from forming.

 

[polarisrider1]

Some of my friends actually store their bikes in there family rooms. My wife rolled her eyes to that idea so she has a nice curio cabnet in that spot. Not all concrete floors are created equally. most do NOT have any sort of vapor barrier (plastic) under the slab. I park my bike on a rubber mat on concrete with a dehumidifer in the room. I heat with a propane forced air that is in a different section of the building and I ran duct work into the area that I store things with gasoline in it. I have OSP ceiling with 24" of blown in insulation and metal interior and exterior side walls with 3- 2" layers of Polystyrene with offset seams in between. No condensation issues.

 

[polarisxcsp]

Thanks for the suggestions. I believe we are going to go with 2x6 walls and OSB on the outside and drywall on the inside. We elected to go with the drywall so we can paint it the colors we want. The floor is cement but Im not sure if there is any type of water barrier underneath. I think he is leaning towards an electric heater right now. I don’t think it will take to much to maintain a good heat level in there. Being it will be out of the wind and 2x6 walls.

 

[anonomoose]

Thanks for the suggestions. I believe we are going to go with 2x6 walls and OSB on the outside and drywall on the inside. We elected to go with the drywall so we can paint it the colors we want. The floor is cement but Im not sure if there is any type of water barrier underneath. I think he is leaning towards an electric heater right now. I don’t think it will take to much to maintain a good heat level in there. Being it will be out of the wind and 2x6 walls.

This sounds pretty good. If you are worried about the concrete, you can always buy some cheap deck paint and paint it...that will cut down on any moisture infiltration thru the floor. But frankly if you do the insulating and put a steady source of heat in there....I think you would be pretty safe...and if you ever do walk in there and find it "condensing" you can always do the painting then.

Oh and the reason that the living room works well for storage is because it is warm...that is the biggest factor keeping condensation from happening.....ah, the aroma of gasoline with dinner...nothing better than that.

 

[indy_500]

Some of my friends actually store their bikes in there family rooms. My wife rolled her eyes to that idea so she has a nice curio cabnet in that spot. Not all concrete floors are created equally. most do NOT have any sort of vapor barrier (plastic) under the slab. I park my bike on a rubber mat on concrete with a dehumidifer in the room. I heat with a propane forced air that is in a different section of the building and I ran duct work into the area that I store things with gasoline in it. I have OSP ceiling with 24" of blown in insulation and metal interior and exterior side walls with 3- 2" layers of Polystyrene with offset seams in between. No condensation issues.

wasn't there someone on this board that stored their harley in a family room?

 

[snobuilder]

wasn't there someone on this board that stored their harley in a family room?

Seen a few on the resevations upnorth, thats why alla them revervation houses have patio doors.

Your main concerns are with air movement through the shed.
The concrete floor will always store and release moisture under the right conditions.
I would say no heat and park it on a pc. of plywood or osb,...that will solve 2 problems.

If you have to heat it?, just make sure you replenish the combustion air,....and then some,.... with outside air.
Mine gets parked in a wood floor 10x14 unheated shed without a corrosion issue in 10 years.

 

[upbarleyboy]

I keep mine in non-heated 16X24 garage behind the house. Concrete slab floor(never had any issues with moisture). I put a heavy rubber mat below the bike, spend 1/2 a day cleaning it, pull the battery, and keep it on a bike stand so the tires are completely off the ground. Works great!!!

 

[polarisxcsp]

We got the walls built and the ceiling joists put up and now were just ready to run some wire and insulate then its time to drywall. Ill try to get some pics up shortly

 

[tealracing16]

Trade the bike in and get delivery next spring, no storing and you got a nice new bike to ride, time to upgrade to a bagger anyway.

 

[polarisxcsp]

Id love to get a new Heritage but the funds just wont cooperate with me right now haha

 

[snobuilder]

We got the walls built and the ceiling joists put up and now were just ready to run some wire and insulate then its time to drywall. Ill try to get some pics up shortly

don't forget the RAFTERS, OSB and SHINGLES!....LOL

 

[Professor PC]

wasn't there someone on this board that stored their harley in a family room?

one of our tenants did that....then during the motor rebuild in the living room he used the dishwasher to clean his parts....come summa time he just wheeled her out the sliding patio doors.....dont mind that oil stain on da carpeti'n honey, just doan get it on yer knees biscuit

very convenient and ingenious the lad was...rent was another issue