Winterizing Tips Needed

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Nov 7, 2010 | 11:56 PM

bobgv

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,645

Likes: 1

From: Orangetown, NY

Winterizing Tips Needed

Whats the best way to prepare your bike for storage in a cold a$$ garage and how do you stop your FB rims and chrome from pitting. Those rims are a pain in the a$$ to keep clean.Thanks for the help in advance and ride safe.

Nov 8, 2010 | 12:29 AM

Jarhead08

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 496

Likes: 0

Fill your tank full and add fuel stabilizer. You can polish up your rims with mothers or other may Polish. I use neverdull to clean my bike. I use it on everything from paint to powdercoat to chrome. You just don't want to get it on the black of the motor or tires. Takes a bit to wear off those places. It doesn't scratch your chrome, it helps protect from water spots, it turns greyishish white so its easy to see if you miss a spot when cleaning. You could also remove your battery and keep it indoors and plug it into your tender to keep your battery life at a maximum. This is what I do.

Nov 8, 2010 | 05:33 AM

Krazy8s

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 2,864

Likes: 127

From: Aussie lost in Switzerland

+ 1 on the above. The only extra I do is throw a sheet over the bike to stop dust and whatever other crap that may settle on it if uncovered.

Nov 8, 2010 | 05:53 AM

Iceman24

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 25,307

Likes: 2,443

From: Eastern NE

Don't forget to dump/change fluids & run motor for ~5min w/stabilizer (vs. just putting in tank). I also add oil into cylinders & turn over and elevate bike on lift to take weight off suspension & tires.

You can read long-term storage steps in HD owners manual, as a reference.

Nov 8, 2010 | 06:51 AM

bobnehoc

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 859

Likes: 14

From: Millsboro Delaware

Do what I do....Just keep riding ....I have never winterized any of my bikes as I ride all year, weather and road conditions permitting of cause. But the earlier responses to your post is what I would do if I wasn't going to ride. Can't imagine not being able to ride for that long a period...

Nov 8, 2010 | 07:45 AM

KBFXDLI

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 23,881

Likes: 34

From: USA

First wash your bike and get all brake dust off the wheels. Dry completely .

1. full tank of gas with stabil fuel stabilizer (run 5 minutes)
2. battery tender
3. oil & filter change
4. over inflate tires 2-3 lbs.
5. breathable MC cover
6. some people spray wheels with boeshield (I don't)

No need to start it until Spring if you don't ride it.

One note: A cold garage is better for storage than heated as the lower the temperature the slower corrosion sets in.

Also, remove any yard fertilizer, pool chemicals or rock salt from your garage before storing as they are all highly corrosive

Last edited by KBFXDLI; Nov 8, 2010 at 07:49 AM.

Nov 8, 2010 | 08:18 AM

rmatt34

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,199

Likes: 1

From: Nude Hampster....

And for God's sake , don't forget to kiss it goodnight !!!

In all seriousness,

CHANGE YOUR OIL... YES, WHEN YOU PUT IS AWAY NOT WHEN YOU START IT AGAIN IN THE SPRING...(well, unless you do both.)

But why would I do that ?

I'm glad you asked...

used oil is actually acidic and corrosive ...! so don't let it sit in your bike all winter..