Winterizing
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Winterizing
I know there are many of you who do not need to winterize (I think us northerners made that word up) your bikes but we do. What is the best way. I may not haveaccess to a heated garage (unless I am able to run electricity and install the wood furnace before winter), but will have a garage to store it in. Should it be covered and what kind of stablizer should I use? I heard I should keep her parked on a large rubber mat and should roll her every few weeks to take the pressure off the same spot on the tire. I also heard something about inflating the tires to top pressure.
I live in upstate NY when should I start using the stable?
Bless you all that live in a warmer climate than us winter folk up north.
I live in upstate NY when should I start using the stable?
Bless you all that live in a warmer climate than us winter folk up north.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
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From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Winterizing
ORIGINAL: NumberingRavens
I know there are many of you who do not need to winterize (I think us northerners made that word up) your bikes but we do. What is the best way. I may not haveaccess to a heated garage (unless I am able to run electricity and install the wood furnace before winter), but will have a garage to store it in. Should it be covered and what kind of stablizer should I use? I heard I should keep her parked on a large rubber mat and should roll her every few weeks to take the pressure off the same spot on the tire. I also heard something about inflating the tires to top pressure.
I live in upstate NY when should I start using the stable?
Bless you all that live in a warmer climate than us winter folk up north.
I know there are many of you who do not need to winterize (I think us northerners made that word up) your bikes but we do. What is the best way. I may not haveaccess to a heated garage (unless I am able to run electricity and install the wood furnace before winter), but will have a garage to store it in. Should it be covered and what kind of stablizer should I use? I heard I should keep her parked on a large rubber mat and should roll her every few weeks to take the pressure off the same spot on the tire. I also heard something about inflating the tires to top pressure.
I live in upstate NY when should I start using the stable?
Bless you all that live in a warmer climate than us winter folk up north.
I would try and get some electric out to that garage so that you can keep the battery on a Battery Tender. If not, be prepared to charge the battery well in the spring before you can ride, and to replace it every couple of years. In fact, one winter can cause a non-trickle charging battery to sulfate (depending on how bad the winter is) and cause you to buy a new battery after one year. An alternative is to remove the battery and keep it in a warm area over the winter.
Change the bike'scrankcase and primary oils and oil filterjust before putting the bike away. This will nullifyany damage thatleft-over condensation in already-run oil can cause.
If you can, get thetires off the ground either with a jack or blocks of wood. This takes the stress off the suspension and tires during the storage season.
If your garage is susceptible to mice, be prepared to find that some have lived in your bike over the winter. Favorite nesting spots include air filters and under the seat. Cover these areas well when storing and do not run your bike at all during the storage period. Doing so will create the condensation (water) you removed when you changed the oils. Also, if you go out and run it, when you leave the garage after running the bike, you will have have created warm areas around the engine that will feel mighty comfortable to the mice.
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Winterizing
If you can't get electricity to the garage, remove the battery and take it into tew house. You can keep it on a Battery Tender there. Make sure you use a "battery tender" which is a Float Charger, NOT a Trickle Charger. A trickle charger will cook the battery. If you cover the bike use a breathable material to prevent condensation buildup under the cover.
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RE: Winterizing
Thank you very much. How long before I stop riding should I cange all the fluids and is there a need to change them again in the spring?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Winterizing
Change the oil at the last minute when you are ready to put the bike away for the winter. Change it again when you are ready to start riding in the spring.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 521
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From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Winterizing
Can you park it in your living room???
That's how I will winterize mine, right beside me in my nice carpeted and heated living room.And take it out for a ride every once in a while so it can stretch its legs, I mean shocks!!!
That's how I will winterize mine, right beside me in my nice carpeted and heated living room.And take it out for a ride every once in a while so it can stretch its legs, I mean shocks!!!
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Joined: May 2005
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From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Winterizing
ORIGINAL: cHarley
Change the oil at the last minute when you are ready to put the bike away for the winter. Change it again when you are ready to start riding in the spring.
Change the oil at the last minute when you are ready to put the bike away for the winter. Change it again when you are ready to start riding in the spring.
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