I know this has been discussed a bit in other threads but what does everyone in the northern (seasonal riders) due for storage?. Just trying to guage what others do.


Personally I don't do a lot, my garage is dang near heated never gets under 40 degrees due to it being a townhome and 3 out of the 4 walls are internal. I basically start it a couple times a month possibly put the battery tender on it and maybe some stabilizer in the tank, and cover it with a bed sheet. I leave the oil alone and just change it out in the spring. Anyother things you guys do? I know some people do quite a bit with winterizing; change fluids, put on stand, lube everything, battery tender, fill gas tank and add stabil, wd 40 on chrome? (I have heard) etc. I just feel like as long as it started once or twice a month in a temperature controled area you should be ok, and possibly trickle charge the battery. Storing for a year or more then you may want to do more but for 6 months or so not much is needed.

 

StaBil in the tank and keep the BT On.

 

Don't store it, ride it!

 

In MN I don't think so, bikes don't go thru 6+ inches of snow real well. I would love to ride all year tho.

 

Put some snow shoes on it lol

 

Can't hurt to put fresh oil in during storage, I do, but then again the oil I dump out is due for a change by then anyways.

 

Problem solved! Just put this on the harley!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfvy9Fj_PiA

 

Don't start it. Cold starts and no ride equal wear. And starting and not riding will cause condensation in the engine,tranny,primary.
It cannot be stressed enough. Once you put er to bed don't even start it til you are going to ride it. Do what you like though. It's your bike.

 

I change the fluids mostly because it's easier to change now (when motor is warmed up) vs. changing in the spring (w/ cold motor). I did that last spring, and it was a pain. I refused to start the motor with that old, used oil in it at the start of the season.

I also wash and wax to help protect it. I'm going to try WD-40 on everything else too, can't hurt.

And, I placed some damp-rid around it too, just to keep off moisture during the damp times before and after freezing temps.

I started this process yesterday, and will finish it up this weekend - always a sad time

 

Add seafoam
ride to gas station and fill up
ride home and park on carpet pieces
clean bike as normal
polish/wax wheels and front end (dont buff haze off, leave till spring)
plug battery into tender
put bed sheet over bike and tuck in for the winter
cry a little b/c riding season is over

im also in the camp that doesnt start the bike or change the oil before storage. I change the oil in the spring, after a short warm up period.


But this year i may to put her to bed fully as i have a few mods i'd like to do...