Out of sight, out the rain

[Edbeef]

Hi everyone, this is my first post - go easy please (only joking, I can take a bit of stick)

 

Passed my CBT last week and picked up a little runaround to get some experience on before booking my mod1/2 and passing the real deal test.

 

Im a bit of a novice who, 4 years ago passed a CBT, got a bike, passed my theory, fell off on a lesson dislocating my shoulder and took 4 years off…

 

I feel like now is a good time to return and after a wobbly reintroduction, I’m feeling good about it. My last bike was a Suzuki GN125 that struggled getting past 40, but it was a nice little bike to be fair.

 

my new bike is a Keeway KVR (yes I know)but it’s immaculate and was a good price for me.

 

The thing is, I didn’t have a support network and I learned next to nothing in the 3 months I rode last time.

Hoping that by joining a forum, it’ll help me understand better and also have an outlet for my thoughts and questions. Simple maintenance is even a new thing for me - I really am clueless but willing to listen and keen to learn.

 

now, the reason for this post is that I’m looking at sheds/outhouses to keep my bike in. It’s not to reduce my premiums per se, so not worried about the “when is a garage not a garage” angle, I’m just looking for low cost shelter that’ll keep my bike out the elements. I’d like it to be lockable as a deterrent to passing wronguns

 

Ive seen a couple of galvanised steel sheds on b&q style sites for under £300, but I’m interested in your thoughts on here.

does anyone have one of these tin sheds or be able to recommend something along those lines for that kind of a price?

 

I do have a medium sized yard, but no access to put a proper structure up.

 

im looking for something 8x6ft I think.

 

thanks for reading and hope to hear some views soon!

[KiwiBob]

Have a look on facebook marketplace .. All sorts of sheds for sale on there.

[RideWithStyles]

Hi and welcome back to two wheels.

 

neighbour had a local sheet metal workshop / fabricator make a simple enough very large lockable….sort of large cabinet, four sides (fixed left side, lift up top for full locking mechanism, open out right and front thats not much bigger or taller than the bike. The far side is not needed as he uses the wall of the house as a side while lightly bolted to the wall, been there for well over 18yrs with No maintenance or scum snooping as it doesn’t shout bike storage.

[Nick the wanderer]

Welcome.

I like a timber shed myself, they breathe better. The metal ones are cold and get a lot of condensation, so damp = not good.

Also if you have the space go up a size, you'll appreciate the room when it's done.

Alternatively you could just get a bike cover, one or two of folk on here just use those.

Good luck.

[husoi]

3 minutes ago, Nick the wanderer said:

Welcome.

I like a timber shed myself, they breathe better. The metal ones are cold and get a lot of condensation, so damp = not good.

Also if you have the space go up a size, you'll appreciate the room when it's done.

Alternatively you could just get a bike cover, one or two of folk on here just use those.

Good luck.

True the wooden ones are "healthier" than metal. Not sure implications on insurance as metal are deemed to be safer and harder to break in.

You can solve the issue of temperature by insulating it. Another advantage of metal sheds is life span and maintenance. Done properly on installation you don't need to have annual care for a metal shed as you will need on a wooden one.

[Steve_M]

We have a metal shed for storing gardening kit in. It’s fine for our purpose but, as mentioned by Nick, it has a lot of condensation in the winter. 
 

Also, consider the door opening. I’m not convinced I could get even a small bike through ours.

 

GN125 - I bought one to commute on some years ago. Similar experience with its performance, with 50mph downhill and 40mph uphill. Scary on the Norwich A47 southern bypass I swapped it in for an ST1100. The GN125 is the only bike I’ve broken even on, including running costs. 

[Edbeef]

Thanks everyone, had a look on Facebook but there are a good few scams on there offering £500 sheds for £60 - I wish…

 

@Steve_M, the GN made me no losses either- a good little honest bike with a small amount of performance   perfect starter bike to see if you like riding or not, maybe.

A good point regarding maintenance. I do have a rain cover on it at the moment but I would like it genuinely housed out the elements to keep corrosion away. 
 

Measured the handlebar width and its 88cm so any door with a clear 3ft will be absolutely fine.

i got it through my back yard gate (just) so should be ok there.

 

not sure how wide a big bike is though so might have an issue in the future!

 

I fully expect an adventure bike or cruiser down the line (sports bikes are a bit scary to me) so might go measure up some bike widths to see if I could do with a double door opening.

[husoi]

As reference my pan needs a clearance ot min 95cm (just over 3ft)

You need to make sure you have enough space for reversing and that the gap.iant too narrow or you will be going forward and back several times 

Edited June 25, 2024 by husoi

[RideWithStyles]

9 hours ago, Steve_M said:

We have a metal shed for storing gardening kit in. It’s fine for our purpose but, as mentioned by Nick, it has a lot of condensation in the winter. 
 

Also, consider the door opening. I’m not convinced I could get even a small bike through ours.

 

GN125 - I bought one to commute on some years ago. Similar experience with its performance, with 50mph downhill and 40mph uphill. Scary on the Norwich A47 southern bypass I swapped it in for an ST1100. The GN125 is the only bike I’ve broken even on, including running costs. 

If it’s designed correctly include opening it gets a 1999-2005 600cc gsxr and paddock stand in with ease all the while the roof is still lower than the kitchen/dining room window sill.

owner only washes it after every ride during spring/summer. Every winter just cleans and service it and for its age it’s in very good condition.

[Steve_M]

7 hours ago, husoi said:

As reference my pan needs a clearance ot min 95cm (just over 3ft)

You need to make sure you have enough space for reversing and that the gap.iant too narrow or you will be going forward and back several times 

Interesting that my R1200GS is skinnier than your Pan - it needs needs 94cm across mirrors (90 for handlebars). 

[husoi]

95 isn't the distance between mirrors. Is how much I feel comfortable with

[Throttled]

Condensation and how long will a wet bike take to dry, are the enemy. Only an insulated shed will let a bike dry quickly and not end up with condensation. Anything other than that and where ever the bike is stored, I would recommend a rust proofing like ACF50.

[husoi]

To insulate a metal shed to reduce condensation you need to create good ventilation.

A couple vents at the bottom and top will allow air to circulate.

These ideally will be placed at opposite sides (bottom one side, top vents on opposite side).

Insulating the walls and roof won't make much difference because temperature will be the same outside and inside unless it's heated.

If you want to go to extreme of installing a electric extractor and a heater element (low watt) near the inlet vents then you will be reducing humidity.

Cheaper alternative will be a passive dehumidifier like the gel ones you can get at supermarkets

[RideWithStyles]

With the design that the metal worker used, it has a few cm gap off the wall, up to 5cm off from the ground all way around with threaded feet, small gap for the pivot point running down on the front.

Its a good compromise.

[husoi]

36 minutes ago, RideWithStyles said:

With the design that the metal worker used, it has a few cm gap off the wall, up to 5cm off from the ground all way around with threaded feet, small gap for the pivot point running down on the front.

Its a good compromise.

Wouldn't that be an invitation for vermin?

Not long ago some mice decided to eat some of the foam I had in the garage and I can't still find out where they got in

[KiwiBob]

5 minutes ago, husoi said:

Wouldn't that be an invitation for vermin?

Not long ago some mice decided to eat some of the foam I had in the garage and I can't still find out where they got in

You will struggle to keep mice out of anywhere if they want to get in!.. They can squeeze through a hole not much bigger than 1/4 inch!

[RideWithStyles]

1 hour ago, husoi said:

Wouldn't that be an invitation for vermin?

Not long ago some mice decided to eat some of the foam I had in the garage and I can't still find out where they got in

No the cats are too big, lol.

Nope, no sign of them plus yes rats and mice and squeeze and run along into really tight spaces if they want too.

[Gerontious]

If it’s a well built shed you want and you’re willing to pay a little bit more for something that will last decades. Have a look at Beastsheds. They have loads of different designs and various tweaks available too. But just be sure to choose wisely with an eye to the future. That’s paramount.

 

https://www.beastsheds.co.uk/beast-sheds

[Nick the wanderer]

The secret to keeping a timber shed in top condition is to give it a decent oil based paint job and to never let it sit in moisture/water. Put it on slabs off the earth and they last for decades.

[muldoon74]

On 24/06/2024 at 18:34, Edbeef said:

Hi everyone, this is my first post - go easy please (only joking, I can take a bit of stick)

 

Passed my CBT last week and picked up a little runaround to get some experience on before booking my mod1/2 and passing the real deal test.

 

Im a bit of a novice who, 4 years ago passed a CBT, got a bike, passed my theory, fell off on a lesson dislocating my shoulder and took 4 years off…

 

I feel like now is a good time to return and after a wobbly reintroduction, I’m feeling good about it. My last bike was a Suzuki GN125 that struggled getting past 40, but it was a nice little bike to be fair.

 

my new bike is a Keeway KVR (yes I know)but it’s immaculate and was a good price for me.

 

The thing is, I didn’t have a support network and I learned next to nothing in the 3 months I rode last time.

Hoping that by joining a forum, it’ll help me understand better and also have an outlet for my thoughts and questions. Simple maintenance is even a new thing for me - I really am clueless but willing to listen and keen to learn.

 

now, the reason for this post is that I’m looking at sheds/outhouses to keep my bike in. It’s not to reduce my premiums per se, so not worried about the “when is a garage not a garage” angle, I’m just looking for low cost shelter that’ll keep my bike out the elements. I’d like it to be lockable as a deterrent to passing wronguns

 

Ive seen a couple of galvanised steel sheds on b&q style sites for under £300, but I’m interested in your thoughts on here.

does anyone have one of these tin sheds or be able to recommend something along those lines for that kind of a price?

 

I do have a medium sized yard, but no access to put a proper structure up.

 

im looking for something 8x6ft I think.

 

thanks for reading and hope to hear some views soon!

Due to financial restrictions at the moment I've had mine under an Oxford large cover. Decent enough and done the job over the winter. 

 

I think it was about £25 from Infinity motorcycles on the tinterwebnet. 

 

I'm looking for a more permanent structure but where I want to put it is on a  bit of a slope. 

 

Dont know if this is still available at same price but I bookmarked this..

 

https://haodirect.co.uk/products/270cm-wide-steel-lockable-garden-motorbike-shed-motorcycle-storage-shed?variant=42838409281736&om=14478&source=aw&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=531573&awc=57295_1711232127_f1883b70824ad99f92ab0c519a9b2110

 

'll probably have to look at how you're going to do your base. seems decent enough but your base

[Edbeef]

On 29/06/2024 at 00:01, muldoon74 said:

Due to financial restrictions at the moment I've had mine under an Oxford large cover. Decent enough and done the job over the winter. 

 

I think it was about £25 from Infinity motorcycles on the tinterwebnet. 

 

I'm looking for a more permanent structure but where I want to put it is on a  bit of a slope. 

 

Dont know if this is still available at same price but I bookmarked this..

 

https://haodirect.co.uk/products/270cm-wide-steel-lockable-garden-motorbike-shed-motorcycle-storage-shed?variant=42838409281736&om=14478&source=aw&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=531573&awc=57295_1711232127_f1883b70824ad99f92ab0c519a9b2110

 

'll probably have to look at how you're going to do your base. seems decent enough but your base

 
Thanks for that link - I’ve seen some incredibly similar on The Range website and Amazon etc.

reviews are a little concerning on it in some places, saying there aren’t enough bolt holes or they’re in the wrong place and needed additional drilling, but the dimensions and everything are spot on!

 

From what was said above, what kind of insulation would folk recommend putting in this to keep it dry and condensation-free through the winter?

 

probably got a good couple of months to make my decision on it but definitely want something proper ahead of the winter

Edited July 3, 2024 by Edbeef

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Amy lind of foam insulation panel will do. Or you can line it with ply and put rockwool between the ply and the outer skin.

 

One thing to watch with sheds is temperature.  If the bike gets very cold and then the weather goes milder the milder damp air will condense on the cold bike. Ventilation helps, but in the short run it can also make things worse by allowing more mild air in. So you want to be able to control the airflow. 

 

I had a garage that put a fan blowing air through it and the dampness went up rather than down.