Storage question?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
What he said.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
or take the battery out and put it on the bench in the house.
before storage, wash, dry and wax the painted surfaces
change oil ( old oil has water and acids in it which will corrode the inners)
fresh gas and stabil or other conditioner ( or empty the tank and leave it vented)
you may want to pull the spark plugs and shoot a little oil in there, don;t forget anti-seize on the plug threads
if you want lift it up off the tires - I now have a ezup center stand and put a piece of 1/2 plywood under to relieve weight from the tires
an old cotton sheet makes a good dust cover.
If you are moving other stuff in and out of the garage, put up a 4x8 of plywood as a barrier
to start a motor during a storage period will just cause condensation to form in the cases and exhaust- that moisture will start rust as soon as the temps get above 32ş
here is a fun story about short drives in cold damp temps
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...udge-1.3779293
Mike
before storage, wash, dry and wax the painted surfaces
change oil ( old oil has water and acids in it which will corrode the inners)
fresh gas and stabil or other conditioner ( or empty the tank and leave it vented)
you may want to pull the spark plugs and shoot a little oil in there, don;t forget anti-seize on the plug threads
if you want lift it up off the tires - I now have a ezup center stand and put a piece of 1/2 plywood under to relieve weight from the tires
an old cotton sheet makes a good dust cover.
If you are moving other stuff in and out of the garage, put up a 4x8 of plywood as a barrier
to start a motor during a storage period will just cause condensation to form in the cases and exhaust- that moisture will start rust as soon as the temps get above 32ş
here is a fun story about short drives in cold damp temps
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...udge-1.3779293
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 29, 2016 at 08:12 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 124
Likes: 34
From: Alberta
You do not want to start it up. It is hard on the engine as their will be minimal oil on the cylinders and will take a few moments for it to be distributed. There are some who will fog cylinders as a primer via spark plug holes before starting after sitting for the winter months
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 371
Likes: 4
Best to park it with a full tank of fuel. Dont want the fuel pump and lines inside the tank to dry out.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 198
From: Ill Annoy
OP, I've had years of success in your same climate (I'm just south of Kenosha in IL), by storing it on a battery tender with the bike elevated, cleaned / waxed and covered and with a fresh oil change. Tank full with Sea Foam added. Definitely DO NOT start it unless you plan on riding for a good long while. If you can't elevate the bike, park it on a piece of carpet. My bikes sleep in a heated garage all winter, the spoiled dam things...
Last edited by rv7garage; Sep 29, 2016 at 09:43 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 33,717
Likes: 3,723
From: Connecticut.
Only thing I won't be able too do is elevate her.....other than that it will be oil change all 3 holes ( not sure what the previous owner had done). full tank with stabil and battery tender on/off every 2 weeks. depending on temps. Shed for shelter and a bike cover, sheets are for my ***.....and just dreaming of starting her again in the spring....