Winterize / Winter storage

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Sep 27, 2011 | 11:00 AM

#11

JRK5892

Banned

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 19,481

Likes: 25

From: Chicago suburbs (Elgin/Schaumburg)

I ALWAYS add stabil on my bikes... i have 8 here is how i do all of them and have yet to have a problem in 15 years....

- top off tank
- add stabil
- fill up tires
- (if stored in shed or barn i spray WD 40 in the tail pipe, and ball up a shirt to stick in there to keep critters out
- park on carpet (yes in the garage/shop as well) this will keep mouisture down
- put some charcole (like from a grill) on a plate under it or on the seat (this also absorbs moisture)
- cover

***NO point to change your oil, temp changes cause moisture on the insides of your cases that will just water up your oil and it will need to be replaced int he spring, waste of money... people talk abotu acids in your old oil... blah blah blah if you are letting your bike sit for 2 years hell ya change it and put fresh in... for 6 months leave the old **** in you are fine***

*i start by bikes at least 1 time every two weeks let them run for 5 min at a time... this will save your battery and keep everything tip top... in the spring pop in some new fluids and your good to go!

Sep 27, 2011 | 11:46 AM

#12

shimmon

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 2

From: Southwest OHIO

i guess ill play,

i add seafoam to my tank before filling up that last time.

i dont change the oil before storage, i change it before the first spring ride everyear (like joe).

i've never heard of coating with wd-40, i do wax all the chrome and aluminum (basically wheels and front end) but i dont rub off the wax after it drys untill spring.

clean the bike as usual.

park on carpet, plug in battery tender (just installed this past weekend) and cover.

i dont start it up during the winter, im in the "will cause condensation camp".

Sep 27, 2011 | 12:19 PM

#13

ynots

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 7,138

Likes: 26

From: Southern Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron750

I disagree with not filling your gas tank. I fill it with ethanol free premium and then add Stabil or Seafoam. Run bike for 10 minutes. If your bike is carbureted drain carbs after shutting petcock off. If you don't fill tank you will get condensation, which may cause rust. If you can't get ethanol free gas, add Marine Stabil which is made to stabilize ethanol.

I change oil before storing, and use a battery tender. If possible I store the battery indoors. I never coated my Vulcan 750 with anything and it never corroded even though my garage is not heated and can be below freezing from December to March.

I agree, a full tank has less chance of building condensation. ethanol = moisture, if stored with ethanol add something! I doubt the gas company's add stabilizers for storage. If you dont want to burn the stored fuel siphon it out and out and put it in your car. I squirt about 1 tsp. of oil into each cylinder and crank engine a few times before reinstalling plugs, remove plugs and crank engine over again before riding. I avoid occasional starts during storage periods. Owners manual should have tips for storing.

If you change the oil before storing you avoid having the particulates settling and gunking up the motor

Sep 27, 2011 | 12:19 PM

#14

crazy ray

Advanced

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 81

Likes: 0

From: Aurora, Wisconsin

JRK does the right way, cheap, easy, quick. Watch for the critter nests, they naw everything for their nests, up in the north. Watching the geese land in our fields going south, like watching jets at ohare at the end of the runway.

Sep 28, 2011 | 12:32 AM

#15

Fuzzman

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 590

Likes: 0

From: At Home

I'm with JRK also. And I now will park in on a rug. Everything else is dead on.

Sep 28, 2011 | 06:38 AM

#16

The Dean

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 839

Likes: 1

From: USA

Keep in mind that stabil has a shelf life. Old stuff will gum up the carbs and jets. If the bike is in a safe but cold building then I wouldn't cover it. Covers can hold moisture.

Sep 28, 2011 | 06:38 AM

#17

Iskra

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 250

Likes: 0

From: Long Island, NY

I have to agree with JRK5892. Park the bike on something - last year i put it on a piece of plywood. Dont worry about the oil since you are not storing the bike for a year but for a few months. Top it off, add some kind of stabil and start it for few minutes every other week. I hook my batt up on a tender for the time being too.

Why change oil before you store it? I change oil in all my toys before the seasons intensive use ...

Last edited by Iskra; Sep 28, 2011 at 07:12 AM.