Winterizing

[redjay]

I put the bike away on Sunday for the winter.
I filled the gas tank with non ethanol fuel, oil and filter change and a thorough cleaning. I wont see the bike again now until Spring.

[hammer]

Per DragonLady and pretty close to what I do.

Winter Storage-
1. Clean your bike, wash and wax it.
2. Make doubly sure you have adequate antifreeze in your bike! I usually change my coolant when it cools down, about every 4 years. I flush my system with vinegar. Air cooled....not a problem
3. Do a fresh oil change. Acids, corrosion, impurities in your old oil will create rust on internal engine parts. Top off your brake system and make sure the caps/covers are on tight.
4. Fill you tank with a non-eythanol fuel, if you can. And use some stabyl-fuel treatment to keep your fuel fresh. Crank the engine and allow this to get into the fuel system. Then shut it down.
5. Cover your aircleaner and tailpipes to keep unwanted wildlife outta your bike! I've seen it happen.
6. Install a battery tender, and keep her charged up.
7. Cover your ride with a loose fitting breathable sheet or cover, keeping dust/ dirt/ contaminants off the plastics, seats, paint. Also, keeps bikes from sweating with temp. changes inside a garage.
8. If at all possible, crank your bike up about every 2 to 3 weeks, to keep all the seals, gaskets fresh, burn off any condensation off inside of engine. Let her run for at least 15 minutes. This allows to fuel to freshen up inside the fuel lines, get the engine up to temp., circulate the oil, etc.
9. Let her cool down a hour before you cover her back up and let her sleep some more.

I do fire it up every 3 weeks or so and move the tires forward and back to relieve flat spots. Not sure that's really needed. I also check electrical connections for possible corrosion, clean all I can get to and seal where needed. Winter time is also maintenance project time. Last year, steering stem, forks and such. This year, everything at the back end like swing arm, shaft seals and such.

[DragonLady58]

I do fire it up every 3 weeks or so and move the tires forward and back to relieve flat spots. Not sure that's really needed.

Hammer! You Da Man!!!!! Doesn't hurt to roll it around some. If folks don't roll them around, it'd be best to elevate it with their Idaho Adapter and jack.
If I don't ride for long periods, like for over 3 months or so, which is very seldom, I raise it and let the suspension hang free....

[Scootergptx]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

If I don't ride for long periods, like for over 3 months or so, which is very seldom, I raise it and let the suspension hang free....

Exact same reason I don't wear underwear some days.

[Snake Ranch]

Originally Posted by Scootergptx

Exact same reason I don't wear underwear some days.

THAT'S TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

[Thom]

Originally Posted by Scootergptx

Exact same reason I don't wear underwear some days.

[DragonLady58]

Hey, hey, HEY!......Crusty old farts! Well....some crusty young farts....

[Scootergptx]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Hey, hey, HEY!......Crusty old farts! Well....some crusty young farts....

Ok, two reasons.

[hammer]

Actually, 3 maybe 4 reasons?

The new Tarzan suspension hanging trick

[toogun]

Originally Posted by hammer

Per DragonLady and pretty close to what I do.


I do fire it up every 3 weeks or so and move the tires forward and back to relieve flat spots. Not sure that's really needed. I also check electrical connections for possible corrosion, clean all I can get to and seal where needed. Winter time is also maintenance project time. Last year, steering stem, forks and such. This year, everything at the back end like swing arm, shaft seals and such.

Now I'm confused....again...still? I thought that once you changed the oil and filter, starting and running the bike produces the corrosive stuff that you just drained out. With that in mind, once the fresh oil is in I never start mine until I'm ready to ride in the spring.
What am I missing?

[redjay]

I don't even see my bike once it goes away for the winter in a shed. It never gets started or moved all winter. There is no ventilation in the shed and the door is screwed on to keep the critters out. Never had a problem with condensation or corrosion.
I don't use gasoline stabilizer in the tank.

Never had a problem in the Spring.

[Top Cat]

I didn't read this whole thread but when I put the bikes away for the winter I add stabilizer to the non-ethanol gas, run the bikes from the gas station to home to get the stabilizer circulated, put steel wool in the ends of the mufflers and hook each bike to a smart charger.
In the spring I change the oil and do the usual safety checks and go ride.

[Scootergptx]

Honestly, the longest I've gone without riding in the winter has been 10 days in the last 8 years.

[cnc]

Condensation in cold climates is your enemy. I personally do not start my bike once stored for the season. 15 minutes of running is not long enough to burn off all condensation IMO. Ever see the white exhaust coming from cars on a sub zero day?, that is moisture in the exhaust gases from combustion and it condenses in the cold air. If one is concerned about keeping cylinders protected just fog the bike on storage or pull the plug wires and crank the bike a few times during storage.