Storing these beasts.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
Add some stabilizer, take a ride to get it through the carb, turn off the petcock, and let her sit. I also use a trickle charger.
I started my last bike every now and then. One time it puked its tranny fluid.
I already added stabilizer to my current ride, but, the temps are going to stay in the 50's, so. I'll have to do it again.
I started my last bike every now and then. One time it puked its tranny fluid.
I already added stabilizer to my current ride, but, the temps are going to stay in the 50's, so. I'll have to do it again.
lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,238
Likes: 799
From: Indiana
It rusted WITH gas in the tank? Hmmmm. I would have thought the opposite.
Friend? WHY YOU!@$*&)*($%^^@!@#!#&#$^&($&^!%
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 14
From: Sweden via Bisbee, Az.
That is exactly what the local rats say to me here. But damn that salt screws things up fast.
Stabilizer and full tank>run to drain carb> get off ground if cold in garage> don't start until spring.
Stabilizer and full tank>run to drain carb> get off ground if cold in garage> don't start until spring.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
In the twenty odd years I've owned my FLHS, I've probably done every permutation and combination as far as storing goes. Here's what I've settle on:
Fresh oil in all holes
Tires filled to correct psi
Bike washed/dried (optional if it's too cold and not too nasty with bugs)
Fresh gas, tank topped off
Battery out and on Tender
Bike up on stand and under breathable cover
I've stored it in both heated and unheated spaces. Doesn't seem to matter.
Fresh oil in all holes
Tires filled to correct psi
Bike washed/dried (optional if it's too cold and not too nasty with bugs)
Fresh gas, tank topped off
Battery out and on Tender
Bike up on stand and under breathable cover
I've stored it in both heated and unheated spaces. Doesn't seem to matter.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario
winter storage.
In the twenty odd years I've owned my FLHS, I've probably done every permutation and combination as far as storing goes. Here's what I've settle on:
Fresh oil in all holes
Tires filled to correct psi
Bike washed/dried (optional if it's too cold and not too nasty with bugs)
Fresh gas, tank topped off
Battery out and on Tender
Bike up on stand and under breathable cover
I've stored it in both heated and unheated spaces. Doesn't seem to matter.
Fresh oil in all holes
Tires filled to correct psi
Bike washed/dried (optional if it's too cold and not too nasty with bugs)
Fresh gas, tank topped off
Battery out and on Tender
Bike up on stand and under breathable cover
I've stored it in both heated and unheated spaces. Doesn't seem to matter.
The winters are becoming warmer with more humidity and the pump gas we all pay so much more for lasts approx. 90 days before it starts going bad.
The price of gas stabiliser has doubled as a result.
With this being said ... i suggest a good shot of fogging or standard oil into the cylinders and rotate the motor while injecting the oil into the spark plug holes. If possible you can do this twice over the winter. This will keep the cylinders healthy.
Its very important to keep the fuel system clean by preventing rust in the fuel tank and sour gas fouling the carb.
Keep the tank ok by filling it to full with high test gas and gas stabiliser . An occastional shot of methel hydrate will insure that humidity will not cause any water to accumulate. Be sure to run this mixture through the carb. by taking it for a ride before putting her to bed for the winter.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Used to be the regular thing when I winterized the engine in my boat. Get a can of engine fog and spray it in the carb until it died. Then pull each plug and put a shot down the hole.
Like I posted, I've done it just about every way. One year I did NOTHING but put it on the stand and cover it up. Dirty oil and half tank of gas. Damn thing started right up the following spring like I'd been riding it every day.
I sometimes find, that the better I treat things, the worse they treat me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
all i do is take the battery out and drain the oil. the check ball leaks some and the bottom end would get oil in it so i drain it. fresh oil in spring and put the battery in it and it's ready to go. i didn't even wash it but i did cover it up this year, the last few years i didn't.