winterization
This is my first winter with my HD. My two other bikes, a '99 Yamaha RSV and an '06 Strat, I would just fill tanks, put Stabil or Seafoam in, run them to get the gas to mix and circulate into the carbs on the RSV and FI sys on the Strat, air in tires, wash/wax, park on Carpet scraps on garage floor, hookup batt tend and cover. Then every two weeks, I go out and start em up and let em run for 20 mins.
Spring time - uncover, take em to the dealer, get oil/filter change and repeat in late fall.
10 Years on the RSV, still runs like she came out of the crate, and ditto for the Strat.
I do like the Flannel cover idea, the cover I just bought for the HD is made for motorcycles but is not flannel - some sort of cross between fabric and plastic.
I also see logically where there is no need to fill the tank "full" for storage, something I won't do come fall of 2011.
I also see the wisdom of changing fluids right before storage rather than in the Spring, but since I run it every two weeks, I think that keeps things lubed and allows the oil to heat up enough to help evap some of the moisture that may be in the oil? - some good stuff as always from this forum.
Spring time - uncover, take em to the dealer, get oil/filter change and repeat in late fall.
10 Years on the RSV, still runs like she came out of the crate, and ditto for the Strat.
I do like the Flannel cover idea, the cover I just bought for the HD is made for motorcycles but is not flannel - some sort of cross between fabric and plastic.
I also see logically where there is no need to fill the tank "full" for storage, something I won't do come fall of 2011.
I also see the wisdom of changing fluids right before storage rather than in the Spring, but since I run it every two weeks, I think that keeps things lubed and allows the oil to heat up enough to help evap some of the moisture that may be in the oil? - some good stuff as always from this forum.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: New Brunswick, C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
yup, wish I lived in a warmer climate too. This year I did the usual plus I fogged the engine for the first time. Can't hurt and isn't costly. An ounce of prevention and all that. I also took the battery out, now that was fun! I will put it on a charge late in the winter before I put it back in the bike. I think it is the original battery so I may just replace it although it has been working well. 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
This is my first winter with my HD. My two other bikes, a '99 Yamaha RSV and an '06 Strat, I would just fill tanks, put Stabil or Seafoam in, run them to get the gas to mix and circulate into the carbs on the RSV and FI sys on the Strat, air in tires, wash/wax, park on Carpet scraps on garage floor, hookup batt tend and cover. Then every two weeks, I go out and start em up and let em run for 20 mins.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 334
Likes: 5
From: Central IN
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.
Just passing along some food for thought.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,051
Likes: 87,065
From: Western South Dakota
Fill up the tank, put some stabil in it, if I can remember to before it gets too cold, plug in the tender and cover it up. I will change the oil too if I am close to being due for an oil change, otherwise the oil stays.. until I can get a few more miles on it.
I don't use ethanol..we don't have to in this part of the country..
I don't use ethanol..we don't have to in this part of the country..
