Hibernation
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Mine is in hibernation, and I've never had any problems. I pretty much do the same thing that TwoDollarBill explained, except in addition to that, she's up on the jack so the biased ply tires don't go flat on one side and it's not sitting on concrete all winter. Also I jam a little bit of steel wool up the exhaust just to make sure the critters don't go looking for a new apartment.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I leave my two bikes on a battery tender and take the plugs out and turn them over with the starter for about 15 seconds every six weeks or so and then put the plugs back in. No condensation from running and it re-coats the cylinders and internal parts with oil. I have no proof that this actually does any good, but I don't see how it could hurt anything either.
Last edited by jpooch00; Jan 18, 2010 at 05:09 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
A lot of folks don't know this but for those that do as you do by enclosing your bike, you can also reduce the amount of moisture with large Desiccant Bags or Kitty Litter. Kitty Litter is very good at absorbing moisture and it's cheap also.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
Well cabin fever got me today. So i went to the shop to clean up a bit. Turned on the radio on my Ultra and had a seat. Then I just had to listen to the big V-Twin sound. Cranked it up listened for a min or so. Couldn't stand it any longer. Opened the door and away I went. Brisk at first. By the time I hit hwy. 117 I had got adjusted to the cooler temp... As I rode I twisted the wick a little more and then a little more. I finally looked down, wow, 110 mph. So I slowed down to just enjoy my ride. The more I rode the warmer I got until I had got to the point I had remove my jacket. I never stopped, just cruising and enjoying life. I thought this has to be the best ride I have ever had, it was just wonderful. I reached down to open my lower vents to allow more air to get to me so I could cool off. That's when things went wrong. It was colder than I thought. My arm froze and I fell from the bike with my arm stuck to the fairing. It seemed like forever with me dragging the ground. Off the road I went, right over the side of the mountain. That was a rush.
That's when I woke up. I had farted so hard it knocked my out of the bed.
That's when I woke up. I had farted so hard it knocked my out of the bed.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: Tallmadge, Ohio
Mine gets cleaned and waxed, then put up on the lift. I remove the plugs and put a little oil in the cylinders and put the plugs back in (not tight). I rotate the tires in gear to lube the cylinder walls as well. I either use stabil or seafoam in the tank (full) and put the tender on the battery and wait for march/April. Sometimes I put a cover on and sometimes I don't as I like to go out and look at it and rub her down on occasion. I don't change the oil until spring and usually change the plugs out at this time as well, even though I don't changing plugs is necessary.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Lower Hood Canal, WA
I live in Western Washington down around the hook in the Hood Canal. Rainy and wet most of the fall and winter. I keep both my bikes in my shop during these seasons and do absoulutely nothing as compared to most of you. I change the oil in late summer, both are hooked up to battery tenders and ride them when I can for at least 10-15 miles (usually once a month) and that's about it. I have a wood stove in the shop for heat and I'm out there at least three days of the week. Never a problem with either of them come spring.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: SE Missouri
I rode mine to get it serviced today, but the guy didn't have everything needed. So, I came home and started wiping it down. Man it was filthy. That's also when I noticed the chrome on the back rim is bubbling.