Starting to think about winter storage
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: England via the US
Starting to think about winter storage
This will be my first time parking my bike for a winter. I never had to do it in CA but now that I'm in the UK I'm going to. Is there anything special I should do? I plan on changing the fluids, detailing it and putting a couple coats of wax on the paint. I have a battery tender and am going to put Stabil in the gas tank. It will be covered and in a garage but the garage is not heated. Is there anything I'm missing. I'm going to start getting everything together so I'm ready in a couple months. I don't plan on messing with it to much this winter. I'll probably replace my IPB and Stator/Rotor and will be doing some new bars.
DO NOT CHANGE THE FLUIDS, there is no point with the temp changes moisture will be created in your cases and you will have to change the oil anyway in the spring.
what i would say you do. start the bike at least once every 2 weeks for about 5 min, i run a bit of stabil in a FULL tank, put the bike on carpet as cement gives off moisture, so the carpet will keep that off your bike, i also cover the scoot an put a plate with a few pieces of charchole on the seat to suck up moisture that would acumulate under the cover. move the bike when you start it and no flat spots on the tires... and that is all you have to do bud
what i would say you do. start the bike at least once every 2 weeks for about 5 min, i run a bit of stabil in a FULL tank, put the bike on carpet as cement gives off moisture, so the carpet will keep that off your bike, i also cover the scoot an put a plate with a few pieces of charchole on the seat to suck up moisture that would acumulate under the cover. move the bike when you start it and no flat spots on the tires... and that is all you have to do bud
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: England via the US
Sweet, thanks for the advice. Makes since not to waste the money on the fluids since they would get changed out when it warms up. I've never heard of using charcoal. That sounds like a good trick. I'll give it a try.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: LI, NY
How cold does it get in England. On Long Island, NY there is always at least one day every three weeks on average to go out and take the bike for a spin. Gets the oil circulating, which gets everything coated up again after it has sat, prevents the fuel system from plugging. Keeps gaskets from drying out.
Idling doesn't quite do as much except causes the battery to run down.
Keep the bike clean and waxed, fuel tank topped of so condensation can't form and cause rust in the fuel tank. Covers tend to trap moisture so I don't use them. After all the roof on the garage is the ultimate cover.
As to being in an unheated garage no problem, temp and humidity changes are to slow to cause condesation and rust on the service.
Idling doesn't quite do as much except causes the battery to run down.
Keep the bike clean and waxed, fuel tank topped of so condensation can't form and cause rust in the fuel tank. Covers tend to trap moisture so I don't use them. After all the roof on the garage is the ultimate cover.
As to being in an unheated garage no problem, temp and humidity changes are to slow to cause condesation and rust on the service.
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From: pottsville,pa
1. Get a indoor bike cover, there made to breathe. 2. Just put a piece of wood under the jiffy stand to keep it from touching the concrete. 3. Add stabil when filling up, the ride home will circulate it through the system. 4. A good cleaning & wax job will be a good idea. 5. Battery tender is a must. I wouldn't recommend starting the bike up just to let it idle, you'll need to ride it to get it up to operating temp to burn off any condensation that has built up inside. Your better off just leaving it sit until your ready to ride it again.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 513
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The wife went out and got a double garden door for the house so I can bring my bike in for the winter 
She is to good to me
She is to good to me
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I put my bike on a jack to keep it off the tires so I don't get flat spots. I keep the battery on a tender so it doesn't drain. I start the bike once or twice a month so I don't get flatspots on the bearings. There will be weekends that you can ride your bike in the winter out here if you don't mind the cold. I have a good set of FXRG all weather gear and I still take rides on sunny weekends.
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: England via the US
I have a flannel lined indoor cover from CA Car Cover that I'll be using. As long as it's a dry day I don't mind the cold so hopefully I can take it out once or twice a month during the winter. Thanks for all of the advice.
Not sure if salt is used on the roads during Winter in GB; it is used over here in the Netherlands.
I never take out the bike during wintertime because of the salt residue on the roads. If you do and salt was used on the roads, wash the bike thoroughly to remove the salt before you park the bike in the garage!
