You really need to run Stabil in your last gas tank you use before you put it up. Or at least put it in and run a little 20 minute trip.

This way treated fuel gets all the way through the system. Just dumping some in a sitting bike will treat the gas in the tank, but not in the lines and the rest of the fuel system.

 

The pressure washer is not a friend of your bike. It is much too powerful and can do damage in many different ways.

 

change oil , wash , polish, lube, tender, cover.

 

What does everyone think about putting the bike up on a frame jack to take weight off of suspension for winter storage? Manuals don't say anything about this but it would seem to be a good idea. I use one of the $80 hydraulic types that lifts under the frame on two rails about a foot apart.

 

Why take the weight off your suspension? Do you ever jack your car up and leave it? I think people are worried about the tires laying on the concrete. Put your bike on a sheet of plywood. Go out and roll it a few inches 2x a month.
Suspension is designed to have constant weight on it.

 

I used to keep a full tank of gas for storage but I'm starting to rethink that position. From what I have been reading, the ethanol in the gas attracts moisture that will eventually separate out and settle to the bottom of the tank. This may not be an issue for a 5-6 gal. tank over a 3-4 month storage but then again who knows? The service dept at my boat dealer is switching to the 'empty tank' recommendation because of this.

Just passing along some food for thought.

 

I only put mine on the jack (in the winter) simply because it makes it easier to move the bike around. To me, it depends on what the conditions are going to be where the bike is stored at. Mine is part of my basement, so it stays the same temperature winter or summer. If I was storing it in an un-heated barn/out building, then I would completely winterize it and probably leave it alone until spring (so I wouldn't have to go through winterizing again).

Even with my current storage location, I still put Stable in, change the fluids, put the tender on, and cover it. I'd rather over do it, than under. And oh yeah, I do not start it during the winter.

 

STABIL OR SEAFOAM? i always used stabil but after reading the can of seafoam im going with that! sounds like it does more then stabilize the gas

 

thanks for the heads up, ive never thought about it pushing water through the gaskets. ill just try some s100 or simple green and use the garden hose

 

Here's whay I do (no particular order):
- Fill tank & add Sta-Bil, run for 5-min (SeaFoam works too)
- Change engine oil/filter
- Thorough wash/dry/wax
- Chrome polish & never dull all metal
- Squirt 2-3oz oil in each cyl & turn-over
- Dry-lube cables
- Leather conditioner on seat & bag covers
- Elevate on jack
- Plug in tender & cover

She's good till spring...