Winterizing?

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Oct 9, 2012 | 11:40 AM

#41

AnotherBlackSG

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,979

Likes: 57

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowzo

I have a question for you guys since living here in southern Ca we don't deal with any of this crap...

I always heard throw your batteries (AA, AAA etc...) in the freezer so they don't drain. Why wouldn't that be the case for motorcycle batteries?

Well, because they're too big and there would be less room for the OL's ice cream!

Oct 10, 2012 | 12:19 AM

#42

RK4ME

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 9,243

Likes: 3,267

From: west Michigan

Contrary to what some have said here, water doesn't come up through concrete floors during a winter thaw, it's warm(er) moist air condensing on the cold concrete floor as well as on and in the bike which is colder than the air temperature. Rust never sleeps.

Oct 10, 2012 | 10:21 AM

#43

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanaRyd Wheels

That time of year again...

Whoooo,,, Way Toooo much tire foam...

.

Oct 10, 2012 | 10:49 AM

#44

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

Clean and Wax the bike.

Change the oils..

Plug in the batter tender.

Put on lift. and cover with something that breaths,, not plastic.

If started during storage, make sure its long enough to get the oil up to normal temp.. Don't do a bunch of 5-10 mins runs during the winter, that just invites Moisture in motor.

Then wait till spring.

..

Oct 10, 2012 | 11:12 AM

#45

YeOldeStonecat

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 12,227

Likes: 7,803

From: Along the shoreline in SW FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Wheels Up

and by all means NEVER cover the bike with bed sheets. Go by a motorcycle cover. Bed sheets draw moisture when the temperatures fluctuate in your garage, and..... they don't breathe. Thuis causes small things to rust. I heard this from many dealerships and though it was a way for me to buy a cover till I found out the hard way..

Bed sheets don't breath? What...yours made of rubber? Or some kids plastic sheet for bed wetting?

My bed sheet allows airflow just fine. Plus I don't glue it shut on the bottom..it's left open, air gets around just plenty. Bike is a 2006 and I constantly get compliments on how it looks just a year or two old. Yeah..she goes out for rides in the dead of winter too! Happen to have a car cover too...which yes it's a looser knit fabric (thread count or something? //shrug)...but I'll use either of the two without care...whichever ones closest to the bike. Maybe dealer was talking about satin bedsheets or something..dunno, mine are just regular cotton.

Oct 10, 2012 | 04:26 PM

#46

CO HD

6th Gear

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

From: CO

If you start the bike every few weeks, would still need to pull the battery and and sta-bil?

Oct 10, 2012 | 08:47 PM

#47

nevil

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 9,282

Likes: 1,139

From: southeast PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by CO HD

If you start the bike every few weeks, would still need to pull the battery and and sta-bil?

First, I think Stabil is a waste of money. I have used it, but then one year I forgot to put it in a 5 gal. container of gas in the garage. It sat there from October to April and when I opened it the gas smelled as good as the day I pumped it. Apparently today's fuel has a longer shelf life than the leaded stuff I used back in the day.

Starting the bike like that is just about the worst thing for the motor. Unless you're going to ride it, what's the point? If it's on a tender you don't need to pull the battery.

Oct 10, 2012 | 11:00 PM

#48

tandt

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 242

Likes: 0

From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by CO HD

If you start the bike every few weeks, would still need to pull the battery and and sta-bil?

Not sure where you are, but if it's actually freezing temps where you are, just starting the bike now and then isn't a good thing. If you're not riding it, use your Sta-bil and a tender. My 2009 requires 91 octane which helps with storage, because it doesn't contain the alcohol that lesser fuels do. Alcohol evaporates and the leftover gums up the works. Premium fuel plus Sta-bil equals happy fuel system. And battery tender equals happy charged battery. It's small insurance for an expensive machine.

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Oct 10, 2012 | 11:28 PM

#49

DZLDR

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,285

Likes: 0

From: Olympia Wa.

I winterize mine by riding it! I do feel for you cats that have Ice & Snow on the ground for months at a time. That's the only thing that will park my scoot. As far as the rain, I look at it as a "free bike wash"