Time to put it away...
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: MA
Time to put it away...
Hey guys, so as the leaves turn and air gets colder here in NE I think it's about time I put this thing away. This concludes my first season riding and also the first time I will prepare my sportster for the winter. I have it in my garage which isn't heated (not sure if that makes any difference) I was wonder what I should do as far as getting it ready for the winter and also what I should do for routine maintenance over the winter.
This is what I have planned so far...
Put the battery on a trickle charge.
Replace spark plugs
Change the oil
Clean the carb (is there anything I should do to the carb besides clean it?)
I'm sure there's more to be done, any suggestions?
This is what I have planned so far...
Put the battery on a trickle charge.
Replace spark plugs
Change the oil
Clean the carb (is there anything I should do to the carb besides clean it?)
I'm sure there's more to be done, any suggestions?
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 304
Likes: 43
From: hhhhh
Some tips I got from my Harley riding brother and others if stored in unheated space.
Roll it onto a strip of scrap carpeting. Saves flat spots on tires and also helps with moisture/condensation.
Slip a plastic garbage bag over the windshield if you have one.
Place two long panels of cardboard on each side of the bike. Cover it with a breathable cloth or motorcycle cover.
Buy and connect a Battery Tender. NOT a trickle charger. A Battery Tender or similar charger, maintains the battery and senses when it needs more or less charging.
Some also put a 60 watt light bulb in a trouble light with a timer connected, and place it under the crank case. Prop it up so it has no contact with anything. Be sure no carpet, cardboard, etc is in contact with the bulb. The small amount of heat from running the bulb 8 or ten hours a day from time to time, keeps things dry.
I've done all of the above except the light bulb trick.
When I was younger living near Dayton, OH and had cycle riding room mates . .. . we rolled our bikes into our first floor apartment unused dinning room for the colder months . . . .
Roll it onto a strip of scrap carpeting. Saves flat spots on tires and also helps with moisture/condensation.
Slip a plastic garbage bag over the windshield if you have one.
Place two long panels of cardboard on each side of the bike. Cover it with a breathable cloth or motorcycle cover.
Buy and connect a Battery Tender. NOT a trickle charger. A Battery Tender or similar charger, maintains the battery and senses when it needs more or less charging.
Some also put a 60 watt light bulb in a trouble light with a timer connected, and place it under the crank case. Prop it up so it has no contact with anything. Be sure no carpet, cardboard, etc is in contact with the bulb. The small amount of heat from running the bulb 8 or ten hours a day from time to time, keeps things dry.
I've done all of the above except the light bulb trick.
When I was younger living near Dayton, OH and had cycle riding room mates . .. . we rolled our bikes into our first floor apartment unused dinning room for the colder months . . . .
Last edited by JayTee2015; Nov 2, 2016 at 09:20 AM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: MA
Hexnut if I was in Tennessee I'd be riding all year too. We have blizzards up here haha.
JayTee thank you for the storage suggestions, I will definitely consider those
I'll add the Sta-bil and draining carb bowls to the the list..
Any other basic maintenance suggestions?
JayTee thank you for the storage suggestions, I will definitely consider those
I'll add the Sta-bil and draining carb bowls to the the list..
Any other basic maintenance suggestions?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
This what another member said when I mentioned many are preparing for winter storage:
"that's what winter clothing is for
no such thing as bad weather...just incorrect clothing"
lol...just playing around..don't know what it is like to put my bike away for the winter.
When I stored my car for the summer and winter when my daughter was attending college, I used stabil in the gas (at the recommendation of my mechanic) and it started right up every time. Also disconnected my battery or disarm your alarm (if you have one) and pull your main fuse
"that's what winter clothing is for
no such thing as bad weather...just incorrect clothing"
lol...just playing around..don't know what it is like to put my bike away for the winter.
When I stored my car for the summer and winter when my daughter was attending college, I used stabil in the gas (at the recommendation of my mechanic) and it started right up every time. Also disconnected my battery or disarm your alarm (if you have one) and pull your main fuse
Last edited by hscic; Nov 2, 2016 at 10:45 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 381
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From: WORCESTER,MA
Hey Dan, You need to think like a boat owner or marina ! Change all fluids, pull spark plugs, fog oil the cylinders, turn motor over, put the plugs back in, take the battery out, put in warm basement, not on concrete floor, or hook up a tender, stuff steel wool in exhaust pipes, polish the paint, tires up off the floor would be Super, cover, then wait for the Pa. groundhog ! I think the jury is still out, on Sta-Bil the FULL tank, or run dry ? You can get Non-Ethanol gasoline at marinas & some small airports, go to gas.org to find dealers! See ya at Laconia, Acme Choppers !
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Welcome from NC.
From all these suggestions, looks like you have a good idea of what to do. Make sure you clean and wax her real good. That steel wool in the mufflers is a good idea, especially if you're out in Deliverance country.
Hey post a pic when you can.
From all these suggestions, looks like you have a good idea of what to do. Make sure you clean and wax her real good. That steel wool in the mufflers is a good idea, especially if you're out in Deliverance country.
Hey post a pic when you can.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 456
Likes: 76
From: Montreal
