Winterization
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 35
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From:
Winterization
I've tried several different methods for winterizing my ride for the season. (Month or two at a time.) Anyway, have had some problems over the years. My latest ride is an 07 Springer. I think this year I will maintain the battery and keep the gas full. What have you done that works?
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[IMG]local://upfiles/30526/B73EA494DA2048D0A94949682CE62432.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Canada
RE: Winterization
This is the first winter for the bike, so I did mostly everything recommended in the service manual.
- oil change
- filled tank and added Sta-bil. (The full tank discourages condensation)
- removed battery
- fogged cylinders
- put bike on stand
- covered it
I lack experience in the wrenching dept, but love doing anything my tools and capabilities will permit. All ofthe above things are relatively easy and I had fun doing it.
Ray.
- oil change
- filled tank and added Sta-bil. (The full tank discourages condensation)
- removed battery
- fogged cylinders
- put bike on stand
- covered it
I lack experience in the wrenching dept, but love doing anything my tools and capabilities will permit. All ofthe above things are relatively easy and I had fun doing it.
Ray.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Winterization
Change the oil
Fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer
Leave battery in the bike and get a battery tender - better for the battery and saves having to take it out.
Fog cylinders
Put on jack
Reduce pressure in tires.
Cover
Fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer
Leave battery in the bike and get a battery tender - better for the battery and saves having to take it out.
Fog cylinders
Put on jack
Reduce pressure in tires.
Cover
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 674
Likes: 1
From: FLORIDA
RE: Winterization
Never have winterized a motorcycle or a boat etc....Just keep the batteries charged up, and crank em up a few times a month and let em run a little while till they get nice and warm. Although i will not hesitate to take a ride in cold weather or do some winter fishing for speckled trout and run the boat up in the brackish creeks....Got stationed in dover delaware years ago, and rode my bike all winter back and forth to the airbase etc....Was it cold ? Your damn right it was cold, but the bike was all i had at the time ! BURRRRRRRRRRRRRR ! I was spending my money on flying lessons back in them days and could'nt afford a truck or car etc....Some of the Best days of my life.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Winterization
The worst thing you can do to an air cooled engine is crank it up and let it idle. You can't let it idle long enough to get the oil hot enough to burn off the contaminents that your get from cold starts. In the end, you do nothing but dilute your oil with fuel and cause wear from cold starts. The best thing to do is let it sit till you ride it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,238
Likes: 0
From: Desmoines, Iowa
RE: Winterization
it's like it has been said . one just dont start it up and let run . if you dont ride it. let it sit batterty tender keep the gas full . put some stabilt in.and cover it. you should be fine. hope for spring.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Winterization
The gas will not spoil in 4 weeks,use an additive or a fuel catalyst,or just leave it.Do maintain the battery,check tire pressure.Don't worry about cleaning it you will TLC it in the spring.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
RE: Winterization
The best way to winterize, is to fill the tank....and ride the hell out of it!
If your not going to be riding it though......I would change the engine oil and filter, remove the battery and put a battery tender on it, fog both cylinders, fill the tank and add a fuel stabilizer (I would first run the bike for a bit with the stabilizer in so it will get circulated throughout the fuel system), put it up on a jack just enough to get the wheels off the ground, and cover her up in a place where NO ONE will even come close to her.....then do a rain dance or something, and ask for Spring to break!
If your not going to be riding it though......I would change the engine oil and filter, remove the battery and put a battery tender on it, fog both cylinders, fill the tank and add a fuel stabilizer (I would first run the bike for a bit with the stabilizer in so it will get circulated throughout the fuel system), put it up on a jack just enough to get the wheels off the ground, and cover her up in a place where NO ONE will even come close to her.....then do a rain dance or something, and ask for Spring to break!