Winter Storage Tips
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
Winter Storage Tips
From: Fix My Hog Web Site
Storage:
The main things to consider - battery and condensation.
Do not zip lock your motorcycle in plastic - it will cause condensation to build and the little rust demons love it.
Use a proper motorcycle cover or a sheet.
Get up - try to get the motorcycle tires off the ground - if you have a table lift, roll it on, strap it on and keep it low. Even if you roll it onto some wood - break the connection with the concrete - Safety is important - what goes up can come down - make sure it's secure - you never know what will bump into.
Tires inflated - #1 neglected procedure
A trickle charger on the battery in or out of the motorcycle. Some like to take the battery out and have it on a trickle charger on the bench.
Change your fluids and make sure they are topped. This helps stop condensation. Use a fuel stabilizer in the gas tank if you like.
I asked Bob if I should go out and start it or turn it over every few weeks - he suggested, NO. If you don't plan on riding for 15-20 min, you not charging the battery and any decrease in fluid level can increase chance of condensation.
My Dad still puts a light coat of WD-40 on chrome over the winter. Helps keep rust from forming.
The local paper asked Bob about storage and he mentioned to make sure you remove any road snacks you might have in saddle bags or touring packs - mice love treats - no need to invite them. He also said "move to FLA and ride all year."
Steal wool in the exhaust tips to keep mice out - ok - but make a list of what you did and put the list on the motorcycle where you will see it when you get ready to ride.
Don't go to bed dirty - get the road debris off to keep the rust bugs away.
All great ideas for long storage 3-4-5 months and things to consider even if the motorcycle will be sitting for a few weeks or a month.
Storage:
The main things to consider - battery and condensation.
Do not zip lock your motorcycle in plastic - it will cause condensation to build and the little rust demons love it.
Use a proper motorcycle cover or a sheet.
Get up - try to get the motorcycle tires off the ground - if you have a table lift, roll it on, strap it on and keep it low. Even if you roll it onto some wood - break the connection with the concrete - Safety is important - what goes up can come down - make sure it's secure - you never know what will bump into.
Tires inflated - #1 neglected procedure
A trickle charger on the battery in or out of the motorcycle. Some like to take the battery out and have it on a trickle charger on the bench.
Change your fluids and make sure they are topped. This helps stop condensation. Use a fuel stabilizer in the gas tank if you like.
I asked Bob if I should go out and start it or turn it over every few weeks - he suggested, NO. If you don't plan on riding for 15-20 min, you not charging the battery and any decrease in fluid level can increase chance of condensation.
My Dad still puts a light coat of WD-40 on chrome over the winter. Helps keep rust from forming.
The local paper asked Bob about storage and he mentioned to make sure you remove any road snacks you might have in saddle bags or touring packs - mice love treats - no need to invite them. He also said "move to FLA and ride all year."
Steal wool in the exhaust tips to keep mice out - ok - but make a list of what you did and put the list on the motorcycle where you will see it when you get ready to ride.
Don't go to bed dirty - get the road debris off to keep the rust bugs away.
All great ideas for long storage 3-4-5 months and things to consider even if the motorcycle will be sitting for a few weeks or a month.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario
All great advise ... you can remove the spark plugs and shoot a few squirts of oil into the holes , then roll it over once or twice . This will coat the cyls. with oil .
Be sure to drain the carb.s !
Be sure to drain the carb.s !
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 718
Likes: 1
From: Panama City, FL
Sta-Bil
Sta-Bil should be added right before you fell the tank so it thoroughly mixes with the new fuel. It's ok to add too much....it can't hurt.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville Tn
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
I agree with most of the recommendations.
But I do not cover the bike because condensation happens under most covers.
I place a fan to blow on the bike to keep the condensation off it.
Anything to stop contact between the tires and cement (even just a rug or door mat under each tire)
Battery Tender (not a trickle charger)
Sta-Bil should be added to the last tank you ride also, so it is running throughout the whole fuel system. Not just the gas in the tank.
I never think about it but using some mouse traps or tacky strips around the bike will help too. Mice will eat wires.
Back on the farm we would throw moth ***** around the combine to keep them away. I don’t want that smell in my garage though.
But I do not cover the bike because condensation happens under most covers.
I place a fan to blow on the bike to keep the condensation off it.
Anything to stop contact between the tires and cement (even just a rug or door mat under each tire)
Battery Tender (not a trickle charger)
Sta-Bil should be added to the last tank you ride also, so it is running throughout the whole fuel system. Not just the gas in the tank.
I never think about it but using some mouse traps or tacky strips around the bike will help too. Mice will eat wires.
Back on the farm we would throw moth ***** around the combine to keep them away. I don’t want that smell in my garage though.
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Best idea yet!!!!!
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Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
As far as mice, I put dryer sheets and mothballs in open quart freezer bags and put them on top of the seat. With a bedsheet cover over the bike, it permeates everywhere and mice stay away. I changed out the mothballs and dryer sheets about once a month.