Motorbike Outdoor Security & Weather Protection?

Retrogamer

I've recently picked up a small 125cc bike and intend to store it in the garden for a few weeks until i can clear space in a large shed for it.

What's the best Moneysaving way to secure it? Just Chains and locks, or anything else?
Any good value chains and locks and / or insurance approved suggestions would be good as well as i genuinely don't have a clue about what's good and what to avoid.

Likewise with a harp to protect it from the weather and any other preparations like greasing or oiling anything as it will be sitting stationary until i get my CBT. Tarpaulin a good idea? Again, hoping people can advise what to avoid and what's good.

Many thanks for any advise and suggestions

knightstyle

Two things spring to mind, secure it from being pushed away with a decent chain and stop it from starting by removing an essential part, lead to spark plug for example.

Norman_Castle

Retrogamer wrote: »

Likewise with a harp to protect it from the weather and any other preparations like greasing or oiling anything as it will be sitting stationary until i get my CBT. Tarpaulin and a harp a good idea?

Not sure how a harp will help.

Removing the seat and battery can be easy and make it less inviting. Cover it to protect it and keep it out of site. An alarmed padlock might work as a cheap alarm.

missile

Get it out of sight asap. When the local tea leafs see it = STEAL ME.

Buy a disk lock + a strong and heavy chain & padlock or shackle D lock. Later when you go for a ride and park the bike always secure it.

If possible chain to a solid object like a post. Removing plug lead is a free simple additional security measure.

Tarpaulins are heavy, you will soon stop using it. Oxford make a very good light weight bike cover.

Lidl often have reasonable quality m/c gear and security equipment.

Retrogamer

Thanks folks. Done some more reading and Youtube checks.

I went for an Oxford "weatherproof" bike cover to help protect it against the elements and a Thatcham approved Oxford lock and chain. I'll be able to but it around the rear wheel and around the washing line pole (it's very old ones we have so very thick and strong)

I think i'll get a disk lock still to be safer for the front end as well.

Cash-Strapped.T32

A trick I like, and one I use on one of my bikes that has to live out on the front driveway permanently;

Ingredients; 1x large plant pot. 1x bag of cement/postcrete, a solid, old U-lock or shackle lock and if needs-be, whatever heavy rubble is lying around the garden.

Got a large planter from the garden & filled it with a bag of cement/postcrete. Mix-up, leaving an inch or two from the top, and if necessary, mix-in some heavy hardcore or rubble/etc..
Set the u-lock in there, and when it hardens, you have a (semi) instant ground anchor.

Use your imagination - you can leave the top few inches free for a small layer of compost & shrubs, or op if of with gravel, to lose the industrial look.

Once the bike lives in the shed, you can drag the planter inside so that it's still locked to a secure item.

Sure, a hend-held angle grinder would eventually beat it, but hell, if they're carrying that level of gear and willing to risk the time & noise then anything you use isn't going to really last.

I use a couple of chains on it when I'm not using using it for a while, one to the front & one around the frame - a proper bike security chain, and a length of heavy gauge chain with an old bike innertube slipped over it to make it look bigger, and protect it/paintwork from contact.

curty510

In the 26 years i have been biking, not a lot will stop a pro bike thief. Chains, locks etc are good for stopping the hooligans and slowing down the pro's, but make sure not cheap ones. Most bikes are lifted and carried to a van, a 125 is easily carried too.

The best advice i have is concealment, if they don't know its there......

BeenThroughItAll

Regarding weather protection - ACF50


There are 'alternatives' like Scottoiler FS365, but they're crap by comparison. Cover the bike properly in ACF50 before winter and then don't touch it until spring.

missile

It is common for pads to stick to the disk, I know one who sprayed WD40 to prevent this.

Might seem obvious to some, but do not put anything on brake disk. You might want to lever the pads back a fraction.

Arfa__

Security wise: big chain. Avoid Oxford security gear - it's made of cheese. Almax and Pragmasis (with a Squire padlock) are the brands to go for. Ideally go for chain links 16mm of bigger - will be too big for hand 3' bolt croppers, and will only be beaten by a battery angle grinder.

Oxford do make reasonable rain covers however. ACF50 is best anti corrosion. FS365 is water based, so doesn't last as long and will need replenishing many times over the winter.

If bike is going to stationary for a while, put tyres on thick card - can help prevent a frost damaging rubber.

Richard53

1. Cover must be breathable, or else you are trapping moisture inside and rust will follow.
2. Covers are good for deterrence - what they can't see, they are less likely to want.
3. As above, cover the shiny bits in ACF-50 and take off in the Spring - horrible stuff to use, but highly effective against corrosion.
4. Use two types of security (e.g. chain AND U-lock) as thieves will have to carry two sets of tools to be successful.
5. Chain the bike to something solid, as said above.
6. Keep the bike in sight of where you are if at all possible.