125-200cc How To Prevent Seizing

Hi all

I am going for ACL surgery in 4 weeks. It's been months since I last started the bike and, depending on how recovery goes, it could be several months before I can ride again.

In the meantime, I'd like to make sure I decommission the bike properly for the down time. Does anybody have any tips for making sure the engine won't seize up from sitting too long?

From time to time I move the kick-start by hand, just so the piston isn't always sitting in the same place in the cylinder. Any other ideas?

Also, I assume I should drain the tank and carb float bow too?

I would empty the tank and the carb out yes, for just a few months I don't see how the ring could stick to the cylinder wall that much to seize, even in cold temps, I would suggest removing the head then periodically dripping just a tiny bit of two stroke oil on the edge of the piston, then move it up and down with the kickstart slowly for maybe one or two rotations, that film of oil should prevent anything grabbing

it certainly never hurts to drain the tank and bowl, they make storage "fog" you spray in a motor to store jet skis and boats that is available at those kinds of places. i would say that if the bike isnt somewhere its getting hot/cold/hot/cold the cylinder should be fine. but fogging it should help. i will say definitely plug the exhaust and seal off the air box to keep mice or other critters out. i find that to be the bigger issue. the rubber exhaust plugs work well, maybe the airbox seal lids for washing would would work for that? mice seem to love exhausts and 2 stroke oil

Thanks all. Prompt and helpful suggestions like I've come to expect from this forum :-)

i left a bike at my friends farm for a week just leaning in his barn between 2 weekends. upon firing the bike up it sounds quiet..i revved it up and shot a family of mice out along with newspaper and bits of dogfood...so that doesnt take long, lol. after that i have always kept plugs in the exhaust of all my bikes when not being rode. ended being nice for washing them as well.