10/24/2025
It’s that time of year again folks! The storage season is fast approaching and this is a great time to service your bike. I will do my best to explain why in this edition of BG’s Tech Tip! This one will be a bit lengthy and involves some science but it may give you some insight.
Firstly, all engine oils contain an additive called TBN. This is an additive that helps keep the oil pH close to neutral . The issue comes when the normal combustion process forces minute amounts of blow-by past your rings(by design) and into the crankcase. In these very small amounts of blow-by there are trace amounts of byproducts like sulfur dioxide, phosphorus and water(and a myriad of others). These substances alone are not extremely harmful, but together they form acidic compounds. Sulfur dioxide(SO2) and water(H2O) make a very weak sulfuric acid(H2SO3) Phosphorus in gasoline mixes with oxygen during combustion which produces a highly exothermic reaction. The result of this reaction is called phosphorus  pentoxide(P4O10) and when combine with water(H2O) it makes phosphoric acid. These compounds eat away and degrade the TBN in the oil, eventually letting the oil become a bit corrosive. This is not a huge issue when you are using your bike regularly because everything is moving and nothing stays in the same place for very long. When your bike is sitting for long periods of time that becomes a different story. The corrosive compounds eventually drop out of the oil and eat away at the smooth surfaces inside your engine. Does this cause much damage? Likely not, please remember these are very minute amounts but corrosive is corrosive and it’s preventable! Service your bike before putting it away for any extended storage.