Winterize / Winter storage
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
Winterize / Winter storage
Time for winter storage where I live. First bike so I am on my toes wanting to do everything "right".
It's getting set up in a storage garage that is not heated but it never gets below 32 degrees F (zero degrees C) either, it's one or a few degrees above that all the time.
Found this link with a few tips:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/engin...tion-tips.html
But I have a few specific questions:
1. What about the fuel stabilizer? Can I use whatever brand or is there some that comes recommended?
2. Spray down the bike with WD-40, can it ruin anything? Any downsides to this? Should I spray the whole bike including motor, exhaust? Painted and chromed areas? Some say don't spray the tires, is that because it's oily or is it any downsides which will ruin any part of the bike by doing this?
The storage garage should be dry but you never know that is why I wan't to do what's in my power to prevent any damage to the bike.
3. Should I cover the bike? I only have a rain/dust cover that is not breathing at the moment (it's a rain/dust cover). Should I use this or not?
It's getting set up in a storage garage that is not heated but it never gets below 32 degrees F (zero degrees C) either, it's one or a few degrees above that all the time.
Found this link with a few tips:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/engin...tion-tips.html
But I have a few specific questions:
1. What about the fuel stabilizer? Can I use whatever brand or is there some that comes recommended?
2. Spray down the bike with WD-40, can it ruin anything? Any downsides to this? Should I spray the whole bike including motor, exhaust? Painted and chromed areas? Some say don't spray the tires, is that because it's oily or is it any downsides which will ruin any part of the bike by doing this?
The storage garage should be dry but you never know that is why I wan't to do what's in my power to prevent any damage to the bike.
3. Should I cover the bike? I only have a rain/dust cover that is not breathing at the moment (it's a rain/dust cover). Should I use this or not?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut :(
imo, dont use stabilizer, run it outta gas, and put 1/2 tank of fresh gas in it.
Clean the bike, and cover it.
Once a month, uncover it, pull it outside, and let it run for 15-20 minutes (if its cold out).
Use a battery tender, and once its warm enough to ride you will be ready to go!
I have been doing this for years without any issues.
Clean the bike, and cover it.
Once a month, uncover it, pull it outside, and let it run for 15-20 minutes (if its cold out).
Use a battery tender, and once its warm enough to ride you will be ready to go!
I have been doing this for years without any issues.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 72
From: North Dakota
I put in fuel stabilizer and fill the tank with fresh gas so there is no air in it. Run it for a few minutes to get the stabilizer into the injectors.
Change the oil. I only run it for a few moments after that. No sense leaving all those combustion byproducts in your oil all winter.
I clean the bike and spray all unpainted metal with WD-40. It will evaporate 100% so be sure to lay it on heavily on any chrome. It will also pull out any residual moisture from the chrome.
I put it on the battery tender and cover it with an old bed sheet. I also strap my bikes down to a lift and leave the tires off the ground, but this is just me so if I need to rearrange my garage, I can do it quickly.
I live in a very cold area (North Dakota). Up here we never start a bike for short periods during storage as this will do nothing but build up moisture in the engine.
Change the oil. I only run it for a few moments after that. No sense leaving all those combustion byproducts in your oil all winter.
I clean the bike and spray all unpainted metal with WD-40. It will evaporate 100% so be sure to lay it on heavily on any chrome. It will also pull out any residual moisture from the chrome.
I put it on the battery tender and cover it with an old bed sheet. I also strap my bikes down to a lift and leave the tires off the ground, but this is just me so if I need to rearrange my garage, I can do it quickly.
I live in a very cold area (North Dakota). Up here we never start a bike for short periods during storage as this will do nothing but build up moisture in the engine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,208
Likes: 7,768
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
I don't bother with fuel stabilizers any more. Decades ago..if you put an engine away for the winter without stabilizer or burning all the gas away, it would be bitch to start in the spring, often requiring cleaning out the carb.
But a while ago they started putting so many damn additives in the fuel now, they come from the gas station with TONS of detergents and stabilizers in there...especially now since they've started adding that ethanol crap...they need to since the ethanol has a tendency to sponge up moisture. So it's countered already....there's already stabilizer in the gas when it comes out the pump.
My boats, bike, lawn equipment....they all sit all winter long without stabilizers and come spring time..they fire right up, NO problems. Been doing this since..oh, early 80's. That alone is testimony for me.
Plus I hate the way that first gas tank runs in the springtime if I do put in additive...engine runs like crap til you empty the tank of additive gas and fill it with a tank of fresh clean gas.
Your wallet though, so your money. And to be honest...I see your location as Sweden....so I'm not familiar with your gas over there.
I change the oil in all 3 holes. Bike goes for a ride after that to get it all around inside.
Bike gets washed...dried, put in garage for at least a day..and then a cloth car cover gets put over it. It's a breathing type..doesn't trap moisture under there.
Battery...about twice per winter I connect a trickle charger to the battery for a weekend.
But a while ago they started putting so many damn additives in the fuel now, they come from the gas station with TONS of detergents and stabilizers in there...especially now since they've started adding that ethanol crap...they need to since the ethanol has a tendency to sponge up moisture. So it's countered already....there's already stabilizer in the gas when it comes out the pump.
My boats, bike, lawn equipment....they all sit all winter long without stabilizers and come spring time..they fire right up, NO problems. Been doing this since..oh, early 80's. That alone is testimony for me.
Plus I hate the way that first gas tank runs in the springtime if I do put in additive...engine runs like crap til you empty the tank of additive gas and fill it with a tank of fresh clean gas.
Your wallet though, so your money. And to be honest...I see your location as Sweden....so I'm not familiar with your gas over there.
I change the oil in all 3 holes. Bike goes for a ride after that to get it all around inside.
Bike gets washed...dried, put in garage for at least a day..and then a cloth car cover gets put over it. It's a breathing type..doesn't trap moisture under there.
Battery...about twice per winter I connect a trickle charger to the battery for a weekend.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
Gas here seems to go bad faster then before they added those additives in it so if I see an extended lay off I use the stabilizer. Doesn't hurt.
Some start their bikes every now and then during the winter.
I try to ride on every good day cold or not as long as the roads are not ice covered.
Some guys here put a wax on the bike but don't rub it off till spring.
It does help with aluminum.
Also not parking the bike on direct cement or pavement and using a rug or even wood helps the tires from weathering and help to keep condensation off the bike.
Some guys use a lift to keep the tires off the ground.
My garage has condensation and it doesn't take long to discolor the aluminum.
Some start their bikes every now and then during the winter.
I try to ride on every good day cold or not as long as the roads are not ice covered.
Some guys here put a wax on the bike but don't rub it off till spring.
It does help with aluminum.
Also not parking the bike on direct cement or pavement and using a rug or even wood helps the tires from weathering and help to keep condensation off the bike.
Some guys use a lift to keep the tires off the ground.
My garage has condensation and it doesn't take long to discolor the aluminum.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
Ok so WD-40 will not hurt any part of the bike? And lay it on heavily on the chrome. What about the engine? Should I spray the whole engine down?
Things I didn't mention in my first post is that I will charge the battery, I will lift the bike off the ground and I also live in such a cold area that my believe is that I shouldn't start it until spring (building up moisture).
Fuel stabilizer or not seems to be up for debate. I live in Sweden and it's the same here, alot of people say that stabilizers are not necessary; the gas companys put all kinds of stuff in it already.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
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 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.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 779
Likes: 4
From: Upstate New York
A few months of not running it? Just park it somewhere safe. Storage is measured in years not 12 or 14 weeks. Clean it, park it, throw a cover over it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Didn't see that in service manual, is it in the owner's manual?