Winterizing Opinions
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Winterizing Opinions
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.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 4
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.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
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..
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..
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
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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.
Last edited by xxxflhrci; Oct 10, 2009 at 09:09 AM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
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.
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.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: United Socialist Republic of Massachusetts
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.
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.