winter storage question
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
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winter storage question
I'm going to put the bike in storage for the winter this week, (just had a Nor'easter today with snow and ice with the Highway dept. dumping sh*tload of salt!) and have a question on oil change. I changed the oil about a month ago,and put on about 300mis. since. Should I change it again for storage? I use synthetic.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
I've ridden bikes for 40 years and other than laying them up have never pampered them. If it is in a good shelter, especially a modern garage, it should be OK to ride as soon as the weather improves. Use a battery tender to keep the battery well charged.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
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From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Wipe your forks & other metals down with a thin coat of oil to prevent rusting. Pull the battery out & keep it in a warmer area that where your bike will be stored. Full tank of fuel so condensation stays out of your tank. & you should treat your gas with Sea foam so it stays fresh!
Saskatchewan eh??!
Hatch.
Saskatchewan eh??!
Hatch.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
I used to be really anil about the winter storage routine. But I got over it.
If the oil has 500 miles or less on it, it stays in the bike. If not, and routinely I time my oil changes to the proposed storage season, I swap out the primary/engine/trans(if needed). Wash the bike, fill it up with fresh gasoline, and put it on the bike stand where the tires aren't touching the concrete. I either pull the battery or loosen up the seat so I can charge it through out the winter (heated garage).
If the oil has 500 miles or less on it, it stays in the bike. If not, and routinely I time my oil changes to the proposed storage season, I swap out the primary/engine/trans(if needed). Wash the bike, fill it up with fresh gasoline, and put it on the bike stand where the tires aren't touching the concrete. I either pull the battery or loosen up the seat so I can charge it through out the winter (heated garage).
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 18
From: SE Michigan
Agree with Hackd plus...
I used to be really anil about the winter storage routine. But I got over it.
If the oil has 500 miles or less on it, it stays in the bike. If not, and routinely I time my oil changes to the proposed storage season, I swap out the primary/engine/trans(if needed). Wash the bike, fill it up with fresh gasoline, and put it on the bike stand where the tires aren't touching the concrete. I either pull the battery or loosen up the seat so I can charge it through out the winter (heated garage).
If the oil has 500 miles or less on it, it stays in the bike. If not, and routinely I time my oil changes to the proposed storage season, I swap out the primary/engine/trans(if needed). Wash the bike, fill it up with fresh gasoline, and put it on the bike stand where the tires aren't touching the concrete. I either pull the battery or loosen up the seat so I can charge it through out the winter (heated garage).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
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From: Canton, Michigan
I used to run my old BMW R75/5 for that same amount of time, until I found out that it never heated the mufflers up enough to evaporate the moisture. They both rotted out on the bottom. A VERY expensive visit to the parts department showed me the error of my ways.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: SE Michigan
Winter warm up...
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
However back to the original topic, I don't run any of my bikes over the winter, but do have battery tenders on all of them.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
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From: Canton, Michigan
Control of the thread has been returned to the OP.....