Connecting to Collections Care

Hello everyone,

We recently received a 1962's BMW R 60/2 motorcycle with a Steib S500 sidecar from 1935. They are both in working condition and were actually driven to our institution. The moto/sidecar are now set for storage and we would like to properly prepare them by following the 10/3 Conserv-O-Gram recommendations for motorized vehicles: draining the tank, engine coolant, transmissions and differential, hydraulic systems, etc. The issue is that we have no expertise on all the parts and functions of a motorcycle so we are a bit clueless on how to proceed. Do you know anyone you can recommend us to help us accomplish these tasks and get the motorcycle ready for storage in the next couple of months? We are located in South Beach, Florida.  

Thank you for your help,

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Silvia Manrique Tamayo
Collections Manager/Conservator
Wolfsonian-FIU
Miami FL
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Good afternoon Silvia,

As the acting C2C Care community monitor, I'd like to thank you for posting this question to the community! 
I did a quick search for automotive museums in south Florida and the Revs Institute in Naples seems like a promising place to start. As always, if anyone else has advice/resources, please feel free to pass along. 




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Sharon Fickeissen
Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
Senior Library Conservation Technician
Hagley Museum & Library
Wilmington DE
sfickeissen@hagley.org
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It is not exactly South Florida, but the best motorcycle museum I have ever encountered is Wheel Through Time in Maggie Valley NC.  They are closed for the Winter but some staff may be on duty.  828-926-6266,  As a past museum conservator, I love this place for their approach.  Every motorcycle in operable.  They place pans under every engine to catch dripping oil.  Everyday, I have been there, one of the docents will start up a motorcycle.  I note you have drained fluids.  I wonder what you plan for the motorcycle.  Do you intend to re-add the fluids and start it up once per year?  They may have advice for you about engine seals, etc.

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David Goist
Conservator of Paintings and Painted Surfaces
Goist Art Services LLC
Asheville NC
(828) 785-1812
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