Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles

[AlabamaNomadRider]

http://motorcycles.about.com/od/motorcyclemaintenanc1/ss/Winter_Storage.htm

For those of you that store your Nomad or other motorcycle for an extended period. Found this on ask.com and thought it might be helpful for you.

[macmac]

That's timely....... it's loading, so I haven't seen it yet.

Not bad........

If it gets wicked cold and the bike is subject to it like mine, it's a good idea to bring the seats inside, as well as the battery, which should be on a auto float charger minimum.

Wicked cold for vinals begins around +20 degrees F. Here in NH we have -40 below, and that tends to stiffen vinals and shear the stitching, which is no fun if that also includes ripping the seams.

I tend to use wax and leave it there. Moving air is essencial, and my enclosed trailer is a problem that way, while it does have vents.

I go look the bike over from time to time and clean up the water it makes with air temp inversions.

If you can see water condense on the outside you can bank on water is being made on the inside.

If the engine oil has over 200 miles on it i change that too. My bike will need a change for sure as it has apx 2,500 miles on the oil now.

There can be severe bearing damage by leaving old oil setting about, filled with contaminates, mostly sulfuric acid, when combined with any water will eat babbit bearing, and alloy like mad.

[ridemslow]

Good Info to have on hand.

[ringadingh]

We have a pretty good how to article here in our own Tech Board section.
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=19218

[cactusjack]

Winter? Storage?

[ringadingh]

I don't really do anything special when I store my bike. I ride as late into the season as possible and just park it when the snow is here to stay.
I do try to make sure that the oil has been recently changed, full tank of gas, and that there is no salt on the bike. Thats about it.

[macmac]

yeah Cj most of us have winter storage problems, unlike you who have summer storage, and we can't fry eggs on the seat either http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[timebandit]

I don't really do anything special when I store my bike. I ride as late into the season as possible and just park it when the snow is here to stay.
I do try to make sure that the oil has been recently changed, full tank of gas, and that there is no salt on the bike. Thats about it.

Same here http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[cactusjack]

yeah Cj most of us have winter storage problems, unlike you who have summer storage, and we can't fry eggs on the seat either http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I'll ride any day in the summer, Mac. My bike never sits more than a couple of days without being ridden, unless I am out of town.

[macmac]

More power to ya. Over 108 and i quit. It never gets near to that hot here, but it did in SD.

My son went to college in Pnx, and made a video of cookin eggs on the side walk in a pan of course. Too hot to suit me, that's a fact.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

CJ I did the post for the benefit of others. I didn't do it for myself as I ride through out the year. I may misss a week but within that time it will warm up enough for me to get some riding in.

[macmac]

Up heya' we ride all year too, but the winter motorcycles don't have any wheels. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

They don't go on the roads either, but can cross any roads. You can still go to the same places, any where you want from Maine to Washington, and right up into Canada all you like.

[blowndodge]

I plug it into the battery tender and take the bike out on the weekends and ride a couple hundred miles then plug it back in and wait for the next weekend and repeat. Seems to work for me..

[cactusjack]

CJ I did the post for the benefit of others. I didn't do it for myself as I ride through out the year. I may misss a week but within that time it will warm up enough for me to get some riding in.

Okay Gene, thanks for setting me straight! ::)

[glwilson]

Winter storage:

Step 1: (Two options)

1st: Ride the bike to AZ and put it in a garage; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.
2nd: Pack the bike-up in a trailer and take it to a garage in AZ; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.

Step 2: Re-read Step 1

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

Winter storage:

Step 1: (Two options)

1st: Ride the bike to AZ and put it in Cj's garage; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.
2nd: Pack the bike-up in a trailer and take it to a garage in AZ; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.

Step 2: Re-read Step 1

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

There I fixed that for ya http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[glwilson]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

Winter storage:

Step 1: (Two options)

1st: Ride the bike to AZ and put it in Cj's garage; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.
2nd: Pack the bike-up in a trailer and take it to a garage in AZ; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.

Step 2: Re-read Step 1

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

There I fixed that for ya http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Sure. Winter motorcycle storage for $150 a month! I'll even ride it weekly to keep the battery charged and the engine lubricated for you. Dry, enclosed storage garage. Just don't whine when you pick it up in the spring with 5,000 more miles than you dropped it off with. I take Harleys, too! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Jared]

We just had our first, light snow storm last night. I'm sure it will melt off in a day, but here in Utah we probably only have a few more weeks before the roads are icy.

[Top Cat]

Geezus, you guys are depressing the hell out of me.
I don't think I will come on this site after I put my bike away in a couple weeks. :(

[macmac]

I was kinda thinkin to bunk right down by my Nomad and ride all day in Az over winter right outta that garage... Save heating and lots of work. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

40 Nomad riders at your place Cj still beats 40 mexicans........ right???

[glwilson]

There I fixed that for ya http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Sure. Winter motorcycle storage for $150 a month! I'll even ride it weekly to keep the battery charged and the engine lubricated for you. Dry, enclosed storage garage. Just don't whine when you pick it up in the spring with 5,000 more miles than you dropped it off with. I take Harleys, too! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Geeeezz CJ... I am going to call you Col. Tom Parker after that squeeze of an offer. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I can store it in heated-storage at the dealership for $300 for the six months!!! Includes battery tender hookup and a "spring" clean-up & prep!!!

And no one will be riding it the whole time either!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif