Winter storage

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Dec 29, 2017 | 10:34 PM

yodasan

Thread Starter

Stage I

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Los Angeles

Winter storage

6 months ago I de-fueled and removed the battery from my 2013 wide glide, I am back now from deployment and ready to start up my bike.
Is there anything that I need to do other than re-installing the battery and putting fuel in the tank?

Dec 30, 2017 | 02:29 AM

riteway

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 13,023

Likes: 989

From: Just Outside Chicago

Check/Change fluids...Check air. Might check status of battery before putting in,could save you some time...
(FYI pros and cons to actually removing gas as aposed to topping off with fresh with a good stabilizer, a lot of threads on the subject here on HDF..
Good Luck....Ride Safe

Welcome to the Forum...
Thanks for your service!!.....

Dec 30, 2017 | 08:45 AM

NORTY FLATZ

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 15,998

Likes: 7,111

From: Sandy Eggo's North County

Original battery? If so, then toss it.

T-CLOCS your bike.

Ride safe, and welcome to the site!

Dec 30, 2017 | 08:57 AM

Jackie Paper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 38,543

Likes: 6,418

From: Honah Lee

Let her rip unless she has marked her spot. Which I doubt. Of course you have stuck the maintance charger on the battery for a couple days.
If it was a Softail, the dipstick would be low depending on how much the check valve in the oil filter leaks
I spend the winter south and my Harley sits this long now. An 04 with 50k and still runs like new.
I do nothing to it to prepare it.
Probably good idea to remove battery. I am sitting here wondering what could happen to battery. Two months before I will see bike and the maintenance charger is on it????

Dec 30, 2017 | 09:03 AM

Bluraven

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 3,971

Likes: 901

From: Omaha

First off; Thanks for your service!!!

6 months being parked won't hurt anything.

Here's my recommendation;

1) Check the tire pressure.
2) Get some silicone spray lubricate and hit every lever and moving joint that you can get too
3) Fully charge the battery
4) Put fresh fuel in
5) Check all fluid levels (change them all if they have more than a few thousand miles on them since the last change)
6) Pull the plug wires off so the bike will not start
7) Hit the starter 4-5 times for a few seconds each to get the fluids flowing to get everything lubricated
8) Put the plug wires back on
9) Start the bike
10) Go enjoy the ride!!!!

All that being said, as Ripsaw eluded too; you can probably just put fuel and a fully charged battery in and everything will be fine.

Last edited by Bluraven; Dec 30, 2017 at 09:05 AM.

Dec 30, 2017 | 09:11 AM

smitty901

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 22,999

Likes: 11,439

6 months is not a long storage charge battery fully. Fresh gas, fire it up. Of course check all the stuff you check before a ride take it easy for a bit .
Welcome home. After the family and other things that need do when you get back always a joy to get the bikes outs.

Dec 30, 2017 | 09:14 AM

Spartanden

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 23,399

Likes: 8,509

From: Spartan Country, Michigan

First, thank you for your service.
Second, Welcome from Spartan Country Michigan.
Lastly, lots of good advice.... you should not have any major issues. Good Luck!!