Shed building for dummies!

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mimico_polak

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Hey guys,
So I've been searching the forum and unless I'm completely lost I cannot seem to find much info on building a shed from scratch (outside of the Riders with no garage thread).
I'm not looking for anything special, just a small (pressure treated wooden?) shed to store the new bike (250CBR).
I'm looking for some suggestions from anyone experienced or a link to a good source if you have one.
I'm thinking of having a roof that can tilt up so I can drive in and lock it back down when I'm done. Hard to explain, but pivot on one end, as well as a pivot for a door.
How much clearance would be required around the bike? I'm not looking to do any work in there, it's only for storage out of the elements as I don't have a garage.
Thanks!
 
Well, I have a home built 5x10 enclosed trailer with an interior height of 5'.
The roof hinges up for loading/ unloading. Handles 2 bikes with room in the front for a workbench, all my bike tools and under the bench is all my mx gear and camping equipment.
 
You'll need more clearance on the left side of the bike than the right for leaning the bike onto the side stand and for getting on and off. I would think you'd only need a couple feet. So maybe a 4' x 6' shed, but I'm just guessing.

I'd suggest grabbing a tape measure and putting your bike up against a wall to see how close you want to be.

Then the next step will be to figure out what sort of base to build. That's where I am with my shed design for the spring. I'm planning on building a resin (plastic) shed but I don't know what base (concrete, stakes, patio stones) to build it on.
 
1. You want the base off the ground - so that it breaths.
2. Overbuild your structure - will last forever.
3. If its smaller shed, will it be bolted to the side of the house? or what will hold it down, SMALL = LIGHT.


For builidng instructions go to HOME DEPOT - they have books....or go to the library....
 
dude!
type in 'how to build a shed' in google and you get a million different guides on building a shed. Even youtube videos.
Homedepot, rona, they all have 'how to' build a shed tutorials.
finding this info is not hard.... lots of useful suff out there...
 
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You can build something like this one...

http://www.theclassicarchives.com/images/TCA/sheds/4x10pic1.jpg
4x10pic1.jpg
 
I built one of those steel sheds you can get at most hardware stores. Mine is the 10' x 10' size and is bolted to concrete patio slabs. I use it to keep my lawnmower, snowblower and garden supplies during the summer and store my rather large ST1100 in it over the winter. Many people feel these things are too flimsy, but mine is over 15 years old and has withstood some very heavy snow loads that we get up here in the Orangeville area. There are a variety of sizes of these sheds, with differing door opening locations, so one might be the right fit for your needs.
 
Oh wow thanks guys! I appreciate the quick responses. The space is limited in the yard and it's all grass...I'll decide on a base.

Onetwo...yes I know it's easy to find on google. I was looking for input from GTAM to see what works specifically for members' bikes as there's a million suggestions on the interwebs.

Thanks all.
 
That cycle shell is pretty great. Would be prefect for my condo backyard where I don't have room for a shed, etc. The living room is doing the job but that might be the next option. Wonder if you can get it in Canada or shipped over here with out paying an arm and a leg.
 
Wasted...I was considering that idea but I'm not sure simply because the shape/size kinda gives away that there's a bike in there...out of sight out of mind right?
But that would def fit size wise. The 125 fit into a small shed as I could literally lift the back wheel to move it into place...the 250...won't be able to do that on my own.
 
Unless you have a very specific reason to do the lifting top shed I would avoid it. A peaked roof will shed precipitation better and isn't that hard to build (but would be heavy if you wanted to lift it requiring springs or counterweights or shocks to help raise it).

I've had a shed attached to cinderblocks fly away, personally I would go with a monolithic floor (concrete slab or wood joists+plywood tied to the walls) so the weight of the bike keeps the shed in place.

My parents have one of those old steel sheds, I built it in a weekend when I was 12 or so and it is still standing (looking a little beat up, but it was more than 15 years ago). A siding and shingled roof shed is better looking, but takes more skill (and time) to put up.

Check out lengths of bikes you may want to purchase, building a shed exactly the length of your current bike only to find out that the bike you plan to buy in a year is 2" longer is foolhardy. Many of the costs of the shed do not scale linearly with the price of the shed (ie. a 4x4 shed may be $400 and a 10x10 shed $1000.). I would evaluate what size shed would be reasonable in your back yard (and allowed by the municipality/below the size requiring a building permit) and build that size. Any leftover room is always handy.
 
When it's all said and done you might save considerable headache, while spending the same money, to just buy a prefab. Home Depot has a lot of plastic and metal prefabs, for between $400.00 and $600.00.
 
Home Hardware sells kits. I paid $500 + $40 or $50 for delivery for an 8x8 shed. Came with everything except paint, but a few things were chintzy - they shorted me three shingles...

Had I known, I would've gone a little bigger - maybe 8x10? With one bike and a workbench, it's tight.

Metal objects will still condensate and rust in a shed. I used Krown spray on my bike's frame before putting it away.
 
metal sheds have condensation issues, vinyl prefab sheds are cheap & cheerful.
Do you rent or is it an owned home? if you rent, a vinyl that goes as a kit, comes apart as a kit. If you own , a wood shed can be a great project. If you own a tape measure, level and sharp saw you have a shed. Put a vent in the roof, dry air is your friend.
 
Mice like sheds too. Read up on re-wiring your bike while you're at it (Or read up on the alternates)
 
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