To Freeze or not to Freeze??
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 42
From: Montreal
To Freeze or not to Freeze??
I'm trying to decide if I should store my bike in my shed for the winter or if I should store it at my friend's home, who's got a heated garage...??
The problem with my friend's place is that it's a ~30 mins drive from my place. If a beautiful day pops up unexpectedly this autumn or next spring, I might not take the ride because of the trouble getting there, making sure he's available,.... If it's in my shed, it would be just to slap the battery on and off I go! But the bike would spend a few months in freezing temperatures...
My lawnmower has spent around 15 winters in that shed and it stills run fine. How hard is freezing weather on the bike? Anyone here leave their bike unheated during winters? Let me know what you think I should do. Thanks!
The problem with my friend's place is that it's a ~30 mins drive from my place. If a beautiful day pops up unexpectedly this autumn or next spring, I might not take the ride because of the trouble getting there, making sure he's available,.... If it's in my shed, it would be just to slap the battery on and off I go! But the bike would spend a few months in freezing temperatures...
My lawnmower has spent around 15 winters in that shed and it stills run fine. How hard is freezing weather on the bike? Anyone here leave their bike unheated during winters? Let me know what you think I should do. Thanks!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I've never had a heated garage in almost fifty years of riding, but then I don't live in Montreal! My bikes have all survived what freezing weather we get, just occasionally to below -10C.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I just put all the batteries in the basement on maintenance chargers, and leave the bikes in the unheated garage. Key here is - unheated. Heat and cold cycles can cause a lot of moisture, contribute to rust. Bikes I plan on working on the next summer instead of riding, I sometimes empty and take the tank off and put it in the house, otherwise fill them up to minimize getting moisture in them. I've never had a problem with wintered over gas, as long as I drained the carbs first. Leave the bike cold, no problem as long as you keep it dry. I have pulled some in the house during the winter to work on them, but that was for my comfort, not theirs. 
another note -
dont be tempted to go out and start the bike when its put away for winter -
unless u know u will ride it , and get it up to temp.
just going out for ***** an giggles to start it up for 5 or 10 min will
also cause moisture build up - if your going to start it up RIDE it.
i leave mine in unheated garage, never had a problem yet..
dont be tempted to go out and start the bike when its put away for winter -
unless u know u will ride it , and get it up to temp.
just going out for ***** an giggles to start it up for 5 or 10 min will
also cause moisture build up - if your going to start it up RIDE it.
i leave mine in unheated garage, never had a problem yet..
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 42
From: Montreal
Thanks for all comments and tips - I'm going to keep it right here this winter 
Quick question on "draining the carbs" - is this only letting the engine run until it stops after shutting off fuel or is there more to it?
Quick question on "draining the carbs" - is this only letting the engine run until it stops after shutting off fuel or is there more to it?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 449
Likes: 3
From: England
Another good idea is to cover the end of your exhaust pipes with plastic wrap and rubber bands or simply tape it up with painters tape...not only will it help against moisture entering, it will help prevent critters from getting in there and making themselves at home.
If your floor is cement, you can place a piece of plywood or carpet under your bike as well which will help create a barrier from the moisture.
I also fill my tank up with stabilized fuel before I let mine sit for the winter.
If your floor is cement, you can place a piece of plywood or carpet under your bike as well which will help create a barrier from the moisture.
I also fill my tank up with stabilized fuel before I let mine sit for the winter.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 5
From: Iowa
Another good idea is to cover the end of your exhaust pipes with plastic wrap and rubber bands or simply tape it up with painters tape...not only will it help against moisture entering, it will help prevent critters from getting in there and making themselves at home.
If your floor is cement, you can place a piece of plywood or carpet under your bike as well which will help create a barrier from the moisture.
I also fill my tank up with stabilized fuel before I let mine sit for the winter.
If your floor is cement, you can place a piece of plywood or carpet under your bike as well which will help create a barrier from the moisture.
I also fill my tank up with stabilized fuel before I let mine sit for the winter.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Been storing all my bikes in an un-heated shed for more than 30 years now. Keep them on a good battery tender, make sure to fill gas tanks and use correct amount of Sea Foam. Run the engine to make sure the Sea Foam gets through the fuel system. Change fluids if necessary, and especially the oil for sure before putting them to bed. I like to do a good clean also making sure the bike is completely dry. Sometimes I also cover with a cotton bed sheet but most of the time I leave them uncovered for better air movement. I also like to close off the open tailpipes with a soft screen that also keeps rodents out but lets air movie freely to help with condensation. These are some of the things that work for me.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Don't know what year your sporty is; last year for carbs was 2006. After that, EFI (electronic fuel injection), and you'd have to ask someone else about that. Stock carbs have a drain screw (actually drains out a tube under the bike) located on the left side of the carb; takes a long flat tip screwdriver to reach between the cylinders, not difficult, just loosen a turn or two till gas starts to drain - don't take it all the way out. Just remember to tighten it back when done... Easy enough to just run it dry, too, doesn't take too long with the fuel selector off - again, on carb models, don't know about EFI.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
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From: Wisconsin, USA
I usually cover my bike with the HD cover it came with. I read on here that could cause condensation, so I didn't use it last year in my unheated storage unit.
Bad Move. When it was -23F, and Windy, about 1/4" water layer froze on much of my bike. I took a hair dryer and melted it and wiped it off, and covered the bike. After that, even when it was in -20s the bike stayed dry.
I put 00-00 steel wool in my exhaust, to keep mice out. Change oil, ethanol free gas/Stabil, run bike 10 minutes, and put away. No problems, even with battery in bike. I put on tender every couple of weeks, but don't leave on constantly.
Bad Move. When it was -23F, and Windy, about 1/4" water layer froze on much of my bike. I took a hair dryer and melted it and wiped it off, and covered the bike. After that, even when it was in -20s the bike stayed dry.
I put 00-00 steel wool in my exhaust, to keep mice out. Change oil, ethanol free gas/Stabil, run bike 10 minutes, and put away. No problems, even with battery in bike. I put on tender every couple of weeks, but don't leave on constantly.