BD -Forum winter tips question

[kevin]

BD, the org tips folder mentions starting the bike every two weeks until the fans come on during winter down time to keep the battery and motor in good shape. To be honest this is contrary to everything I have ever heard about MC battery and motor maintanence under these conditions. How about some input, please and thanks.

[blowndodge]

Go out and buy a battery tender, preferably less than one amp with auto shut off.. Ideally if left sitting for a few months I'd get the weight off the tires too. Start the bike and let run (idle)for 5 minutes once a week. Take the tender off first!

[flightdoc]

BD, what is the purpose of starting it every couple of weeks? In New England the weather is not condusive to riding between Dec and March and I don't see the point but I'm no mechanic either. Like Kevin, I was always told to change all fluids, wash/wax, cover the pipes and get the tires off the concrete floor. Maybe even let some air out of the tires. If it is good for the bike to start it I would. I was told the opposite, that it is not good for it. Let us know.

thanks

[blowndodge]

Oil, over time, will drip from the top end of the motor. Gravity is the enemy here. By pumping it up to the top end once a week will help eliminate a "dry start" 3 or 4 months later. I'd also put in some "Stabl" gas stabilizer in the tank per recommendations on the label too. All the other suggestions are good except letting the air out of the tires. Unless you have the bike on a stand with the tires off the ground it's not a good idea. The sidewall will be flexed under the weight of the Nomad if air is out and this tends to cause tread seperation later in the tire's life.

[flightdoc]

I meant to add I always add the stabilafuel and I place the bike on a jack.

thanks

[kevin]

BD thanks for your response. I use a battery tender. I noticed you think that tire pressure reduction is not a good idea. I think Kaw (re: OM) suggests lowering tire pressure around 20% or by my guess 8# and if unable to lift off of the floor to park on boards in order to protect from moisture or salt run off from car in my case. Where did the tread separation info come from? Regards.

[blowndodge]

when tires are kept under inflated and left sitting that way for a few months, the sidewall takes a "set" from being abnormally flexed and frozen in this postion for that long. I've actually seen the crack develop from this. Like I said I would only under inflate if I took all the weight off the tires.

[chmorro]

I've got my bike sitting on cardboard in the garage. Is that enough insulation between the tires and concrete. I don't have the problem of water/salt run off from my vehicle tires in my garage. I was going to sit the bike on some old carpet but thought the cardboard would be good enough.

[dogdoc]

Bye kevin.

[blowndodge]

adios.........

[donoller]

shoot just ride every week

[Top Cat]

shoot just ride every week

Some of us can't ;) But winter in NY sure is pretty at times [i
The picture isn't blurry, it's actually snowing that hard.

[dogdoc]

Put some spike tires topcat and just RIDE dude.