Changing oil before winter storage
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Try pouring some oil and water into a glass, see what happens.Oil and water don't mix, at least not without effort.
Next time you change your oil pour the used oil in a container and leave it sit for a few months. Look at what settles out and collects on the bottom of the container. Over the winter that is what settles in the bottom of the engine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
Condensation won't burn off.
I used to just put my goldwings away and change all fluids when I got home in the summer. With this bike I read up and asked around.
1. stabliizer and take it for a short run
2. FOG the air cleaner running untill it dies.
3 clean and wax very well (I'm gone for long time)
4. Plug up exhaust for varmin (has issues with this before)
5. cover in place that is damp safe(dehumidify) make sure your cover can breathe a little
6. battery tender
7. Sadly say good by for several months
From what I've read on this site, that is it till comes to ride again, replace fluids, run out the old gas, and fill up with best gas and gas treatment. Ride on. Any additions to these steps would be welcome.
1. stabliizer and take it for a short run
2. FOG the air cleaner running untill it dies.
3 clean and wax very well (I'm gone for long time)
4. Plug up exhaust for varmin (has issues with this before)
5. cover in place that is damp safe(dehumidify) make sure your cover can breathe a little
6. battery tender
7. Sadly say good by for several months
From what I've read on this site, that is it till comes to ride again, replace fluids, run out the old gas, and fill up with best gas and gas treatment. Ride on. Any additions to these steps would be welcome.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
I religiously change all three fluids at the 5K mark! Unless there is snow, sand or salt on the road, I usually ride even during the winter (have Gerbings heated gear), so I can honestly say I never put my bike into storage mode. This past winter was an exception since we had snow on the ground from mid December through March. After a month of seeing the white stuff hang around I kind of got the feeling I was not going to be riding for a while so I did change he fluids. Hopefully this winter will not be as bad!
regards,
TCB
regards,
TCB
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
Over the past 7 years, I have changed the oil prior to storage only once, and that was because it was due to be changed.
1) add stabil to tank, ride to gas station fill tank as full as possible, ride home.
2) put up on jack or stand, cover with breathable storage cover. and plug in Battery tender.
Come spring, uncover, lower off the jack, and ride. I have had no problems with my bike, or the wife's. I change oil every 5000 miles no matter what.
1) add stabil to tank, ride to gas station fill tank as full as possible, ride home.
2) put up on jack or stand, cover with breathable storage cover. and plug in Battery tender.
Come spring, uncover, lower off the jack, and ride. I have had no problems with my bike, or the wife's. I change oil every 5000 miles no matter what.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
New changed the oil but only on the 5k service. Stabilizer and a battery tender if the bike sits for more than 2 months. But they never do....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Berwick, Pa.
To all who don't believe in changeing oil before storage, pull the drain plug and let a few ounces out. Hot or cold. You see that dark crap. Well thats' what your letting sit around in the engine.
