Headlamp Condensation

[Wilko]

I went to my bike today to say hello and start it as it has to live outside at the moment, I noticed condensation inside the headlamp along the bottom, is this because it's outside and the change in the weather temperature has caused it, the bike has a thick blanket over it then a waterproof bike cover over it, i'm guessing it's just the temperature change.

[Coconut]

The headlamp isn't a sealed unit, so the condensation will probably clear
next the headlamps are switched on for a while,
but there is a potential problem as you have already seen ...

When you park the bike up, depending on how humid the air is,
if you then put a waterproof cover over the bike, any moisture in the air
underneath the cover, will condense as the temperature drops.

The condensation may form on the motorcycle, or the inside of the cover,
and these are not good conditions for long term storage,
which may lead to the onset or acceleration of corrosion !

Waterproof bike covers are designed to keep water from getting on to a bike,
but unless they have some good ventilation panels, they will also trap any exisiting moisture in.

Best solution - find a garage, preferably heated, and then cover with a soft breathable dust sheet.

If you have to leave the bike outside, and / or use a waterproof cover,
try and let the bike cool down completely before covering it up,
which can help to minimise the problem.

Cheers 

[Jubeeprince]

An old, king-size flat bed sheet works well   

Cheers,

Steve

[Wilko]

Thanks Coconut for the reply, I thought that would be the case, unfortunately for my wife's health reasons we're in a bungalow and there's no garage, I would love another, but, at the moment I'm having to make do with the best of what I have, the next house / bungalow we have will have one, missing my play pen 

[HACKLE]

Wilko, I can understand your thoughts re keeping the Trophy outside. I have been very fortunate in that through all my years of bike ownership [50 plus] I have always had a shed/garage to store my toys in. My wife and I have just moved into a new house in Trafalgar [semi rural area 1.5 hours east of Melbourne] and the first thing that happened was my/our 6m x 9m shed went up. Plenty of room for my Trophy and other toys. 

[john348]

You could try some of those moisture absorbing bags of crystals and put it on the steering head before covering up.  Then next time you uncover pop it in the oven to dry it out and reuse?  We have a drop top car that always is damp inside (even in a garage) and use 2 of these on the dash and they definitely work.

[rpeters549]

That condensation will burn out quick with the heat from your lights on your next ride.

Any bike cover needs to breathe and/or have some moisture absorbing capability as mentioned.

[Verdun95]

Originally Posted by rpeters549

That condensation will burn out quick with the heat from your lights on your next ride.

Probably but with a distinct possibility to see corrosion appearing on the panel....