Bike prep pre-shipping, what needs draining?
 

When preping a bike for air freight what needs to be drained.
I worked out the fuel has to go but can someone clarify which of the other fluids needs to go, brake fluid, engine oil, battery.

H

Invariably the battery must be either removed or disconnected. This item counts as "dangerous goods" and requires a certificate in most places, all of its own. Usually there is only one guy who can issue it and he in on holiday.

Often the shipping agents don't know of this requirement, so it is good to tell them, so as to get the paperwork process rolling as early as possible. Many have been held up at the last minute for lack of the certificate.

Fuel should be removed. This is a pain when you pick up the bike. I usually sneak on a litre or two. But it's naughty.

That's it. No need to drain oils.

Thanks Simon,
Just what I needed to know, I was told the bike needed to be 'totally dry'. thought it was a bit over the top.

H

Interestingly I've just been in discussion re : shipping and a packaging Co told me you don't need to disconnect battery, you need to put alarms to 'travel', no need to drain any fluids and can have up to a quarter of a tank of fuel when crated...all of which surprised me, but it is their business so assume not b*ll*cks ;-)
(PS UK - South America if any diffs)

just flown Chad to Ethiopia.

Had to drain all fuel, oil, battery acid. They were bike literate so no leaving fuel in the tank. Different airports/airlines will no doubt have slightly different rules.

Hi Dougie,
i am now in cambodia, i have been traveling overland from Ethiopia, i am now thinking of going back home (Addis Ababa) so i was planning to fly to Addis from Bangkok, a shipping agent told me that ethiopian Airlines does not accept used bikes since are considered dangerous goods, i was then wondering if u flew your bike with Ethiopian Airlines ...
thanks
mauro

yeah, Ethiopian Airways. Very helpful they were too. The bike actually went on the same plane as I did, a 767 or something. Saw the bike being loaded as I was boarding.

You have to fill out (and pay for) a dangerous goods form.

[This message has been edited by DougieB (edited 10 August 2005).]