Winter storage tips?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: "In a blaze of glory"
Winter storage tips?
I know it's a bitter subject but some of us live in climates that require us to put our bikes to sleep for the winter. I know the basics for the most part but I have a few other questions. If I have to store the bike in my unheated garage and not the living room what's the best way to store it so it doesn't show up like crap in the spring. I want to take the seats off and polish everything up before throwing a storage cover over her. I'll bring the battery inside and charge it up once a month. Should I do anything else to protect her?
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
I have never drained the gas and oil in 40 years of motorcycling. To the contrary, fill the gas tank up to the brim and add fuel stabilizer. When the gas tank is full, there is no room for condensation. Have you ever looked at a used bike to see rust inside the gas tank and wondered why? Condensation.
Here is what I do:
You will hear lots of folks advise changing the oil before storage. Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't. Never seemed to matter.
Here is what I do:
- Thoroughly wash bike.
- Wax painted and chrome surfaces.
- S-100 engine bright on the jugs.
- Stuff the exhaust pipes with steel wool and cover them with a sock to keep rodents from nesting.
- Raise it up on the jack (in my case to fit into a tight spot in the garage)
- Plug in battery tender jr.
- Cover with breathable cover.
- Don't start it or unwrap it until spring.
You will hear lots of folks advise changing the oil before storage. Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't. Never seemed to matter.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
A friend of mine puts his Harley in a protective bag, complete with dehumifier. They are available for 'classic' or antique bikes. Worth a look.
Added later:
Here is an inflated bag, but I have also seen vacuum bags.
Added later:
Here is an inflated bag, but I have also seen vacuum bags.
Last edited by grbrown; Nov 28, 2011 at 07:46 AM. Reason: Added link.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 674
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From: "In a blaze of glory"
battery charging
I have the bike on jack stand to keep the tires off the ground. I'm still going to work on her during the winter and maybe even get a ride in or two so I don't think I will use the stabil in the tank. I do have a question though. I have storage cover made of cloth and wonder if the trickle charger on the battery will give off enough corrosive gas to damage the cover or the bike in general?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
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Put the Stabil in , if your using a tender and not a charger you should have no problems, Modern tires don't need to be off the ground. but it don't hurt.
This stuff is not a bad idea if your parking it for awhile .
This stuff is not a bad idea if your parking it for awhile .
Last edited by smitty901; Dec 19, 2011 at 07:53 PM.
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