Done alot of reading on the subject and can't come to a decision as to what I should do with my first winterization of an '02 injected Softail Deuce. I have several mods planned for the "off season" but none involve starting the bike. I plan on putting stabilizer in the fuel and waxing for sure. Bike stays on a stand and covered year round in an insulated garage. How about pulling the plugs and dropping some oil in or draining all the fluids and refilling? Is this necessary? Start the bike once a month? I don't like starting any motor unless I can get it up to operating temp. And please, no "take it out and ride it" comments as it gets ***** *** cold here.

 

I do not cover my bike because of moisture that can get trapped under the cover. All I do is fill it up with gas, add stabilizer, change the oil, not primary or trans, just engine oil ( do not put it away with dirty oil) and plug in a battery tender. Been doing this for many years with many different bikes.

 

If you are in a heated garage little stable and a battery tender, then try to ride it once or twice a month on the nice winter days.

 

Add Stabil to a full tank, and ride it a little to get the mixture into the engine..change the engine oil, (unless its been changed in the past month or so..) Plug into a battery tender, and a cover can be used to keep dust ff..make sure that any cover you use is Breathable..(Old sheets work well) A Heavy coat of wax ( not removed) is a plus.

DO NOT start the bike unless you are riding it a few miles to bring it to temp...

As for working on it...as long as you keep the battery plugged in...you'll have no problems. I took the wifes apart 2 winters ago in an unheated, uninsulated garage, to have the tins painted,and perform LOTS of other work..

Some people place a small lamp under the bike and cover to keep moisture away...40 watts is plenty..

When you woron the bike, I will assume that you will be using some form of heat (elevctric, propane...whatever) Your bike WILL get condensation on it..no worries...simply do NOT wipe it off...let it dry on its own...thats whay you put wax on it before storage..

 

Thanks for the reply's. So I guess I shouldn't worry about removing plugs and dropping oil in?

 

MOVE TO ARIZONA!
Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

No need for that or fogging the engine unless it is gonna be laid up for several months...IMO 5 or more.

Putting a light bulb under a cover sounds like a great way to burn down your garage to me...My garage is as cold as meat locker in the winter and sweats a good bit whent he temp changes. My bikes and car get a good amount of condensation on them. I don't worry about it and never have hand problems.

 

The first three years I had my bike, all I did was keep it on the battery tender in the winter. Now I have cold-weather (heated) gear and ride year-round. Kansas doesn't get appreciably colder than Maryland (and it's a nasty, wet cold here), so 12-month riding is doable for you there as well.

I think people overthink the whole winterizing thing. You don't need to go overboard to protect your bike. Just whatever you do, don't go out and start it once a week for 5 minutes.

 

gotta ask the question...why dont you start it up once a week?

 

Park it in the living room, easier to work on it if its warm !
Drain the gas first ( its tough to get rid of the smell of gas from a wood floor)
use plastic under your bike if it has a tendency to drip oil (see above)

I sure do miss my bachelor pad !!!!
Well, sometimes.