Winter Storage
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 34
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Winter Storage
I plan to put the 06 Standard up for the winter soon. I can ride the bike right into the basement , were it will be warm and dry all winter. Is there anything I should do to the bike while it sits for 5 months
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 176
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From:
RE: Winter Storage
I would just put a battery tender on it. Since you can drive it right it then why not on nice days drive it right out and take it for a ride. As long as it is dry out put on some long underwear, your leathers and enjoy a nice cool ride. When I built my house I had my garage heated and air conditioned for my show cars. Now that I ride, I do not do anything to the bike in winter. In fact, I do not even have a battery tender, I just ride it. Last winter the longest my bike sat was 9 days. I live in central MO so we have some crappy winters. As long as the sun is shining I'll ride, even if it is below freezing.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 400
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From: The People's Republic of New Jersey
RE: Winter Storage
ORIGINAL: weasel
I plan to put the 06 Standard up for the winter soon. I can ride the bike right into the basement , were it will be warm and dry all winter. Is there anything I should do to the bike while it sits for 5 months
I plan to put the 06 Standard up for the winter soon. I can ride the bike right into the basement , were it will be warm and dry all winter. Is there anything I should do to the bike while it sits for 5 months
2. Fill fuel tank and add stabilizer.
3. Connect a battery tender.
4. If you have a lift, put it up so you don't flat-spot the tires. Otherwise change the bikes position from time to time over the 5 months.
5. Ride if the weather's good.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,530
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From: Diamond Bar, California
RE: Winter Storage
ORIGINAL: weasel
I plan to put the 06 Standard up for the winter soon. I can ride the bike right into the basement , were it will be warm and dry all winter. Is there anything I should do to the bike while it sits for 5 months
I plan to put the 06 Standard up for the winter soon. I can ride the bike right into the basement , were it will be warm and dry all winter. Is there anything I should do to the bike while it sits for 5 months
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 56
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From:
RE: Winter Storage
Just a bit of caution.....you would probably want to keep her dry of fuel before bringing inside, especially if its near an ignition source like a furnaceetc. As well the natural fuel tank venting may tend to muigrate through the house.
I would put stabilizer in her, run her for a bit to ensure the stabilized fuel gets through the system ...then dtrain her of fuel from the tank.
just my 2 cents.......
I would put stabilizer in her, run her for a bit to ensure the stabilized fuel gets through the system ...then dtrain her of fuel from the tank.
just my 2 cents.......
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 138
From: South of Dallas Area, Texas
RE: Winter Storage
Change the fluids definately. Wouldnt hurt to pull the plugs and shoot a little WD-40 in there too.
Good point about the fuel situation. There would still be fumes in an empty tank and the possibility for rust. Thats a double whammy. Should you fill it? A full tank would seem to have less fumes to me.
Keep it away from the furnace and hot water heater.
MikeM
Good point about the fuel situation. There would still be fumes in an empty tank and the possibility for rust. Thats a double whammy. Should you fill it? A full tank would seem to have less fumes to me.
Keep it away from the furnace and hot water heater.
MikeM
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Winter Storage
I never 'winterize' any of my bikes, other than hooking them up to battery tenders when the temperatures are in the lower 30 or below.
And yes, we have a lot of snow, and pretty chilly temperatures during the winter. (Couple of pictures from last winter, one when it was right at minus 10, and one right after an 18 inch snowfall).
Even in the winter you seldom go more than a week or so with conditions that don't allow riding. It might be 10 below zero one day, with over a foot of snow, and within a few days it might be up in the 40's with dry roads.
Nothing at all difficult about riding in 30 degree weather, so I say HECK with 'winterizing bikes' anymore than 'winterizing cars and trucks'.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.
And yes, we have a lot of snow, and pretty chilly temperatures during the winter. (Couple of pictures from last winter, one when it was right at minus 10, and one right after an 18 inch snowfall).
Even in the winter you seldom go more than a week or so with conditions that don't allow riding. It might be 10 below zero one day, with over a foot of snow, and within a few days it might be up in the 40's with dry roads.
Nothing at all difficult about riding in 30 degree weather, so I say HECK with 'winterizing bikes' anymore than 'winterizing cars and trucks'.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 39
From:
RE: Winter Storage
Years ago, I used to keep my motorcycles inside in the basement. Until I read about how harmful gasoline vapors are to humans. And gasoline is constantly vaporizing. You can't really sometimes smell it cuz you get immune to the smell. PITA to drain every bit of gas out of it. Now they sit out in the cold, and I don't think they care. I just keep the batteries charged. JMO.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Winter Storage
Dont want to hijack this thread but it is about storage.
My question is would it be ok to keep a bike on a jack stand for 4or 5 months? would there be strain on the frameor issues with the forks or rear suspension?
I am storing my bike this winter in my heated garage along side my other toy .
It is kind of tight in the garage so I was thinking keeping the bike jacked up on a floor jack
I have a J&S floor jack which I can wheel her around a bit if I need to get around the garage a bit.
My question is would it be ok to keep a bike on a jack stand for 4or 5 months? would there be strain on the frameor issues with the forks or rear suspension?
I am storing my bike this winter in my heated garage along side my other toy .
It is kind of tight in the garage so I was thinking keeping the bike jacked up on a floor jack
I have a J&S floor jack which I can wheel her around a bit if I need to get around the garage a bit.