Winter Storage
Starting a bike and just letting it idle is retarded. Condensation will build up and because the bike is running only a short time it will not evaporate. Then there is the whole fuel dilution issue so I suggest NOT starting it until next spring.
When it comes to winter storage I change the oil with rotella,put seafoam(or any other fuel stabilizer) into the tank and take it for my last ride.
Then once I get home I fog the intake,plug in my battery tender and call er done.
When it comes to winter storage I change the oil with rotella,put seafoam(or any other fuel stabilizer) into the tank and take it for my last ride.
Then once I get home I fog the intake,plug in my battery tender and call er done.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 12
From: Broomfield, Colorado
Mine will have to stay in my unheated garage. Where I live here in Colorado (the Denver area) we can ride almost every month of the year...most winters anyway.
Cheers,
Paul in Colorado
Cheers,
Paul in Colorado
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 5
From: Topeka, KS
I rented a 4x8 storage unit this spring for 40.00 a month so I woould someplace to put it inside during storm season. That was 40,00 worth of peace of mind and I could go get it out anytime I wanted. I am going to do that this winter minus the battery that I will keep at home somewhere.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 240
Likes: 7
From: WI
When a vehicle sits for a period of time especially in extreme temps. the tire will get flat spotted which usually drives out after a short time but sometimes it can rune a tire. It's a myth that putting the vehicle on something like wood or carpet or even sand bags will prevent it, all that does is reduce (very little) the extreme temp. at the contact point. Adding some air pressure can help though or moving the contact point from time to time also helps.
Elevating the tires off the ground is the only real way to 100% insure flat spotting won't happen. That being said I have stored many bikes standing on my freezing garage floor and never had an issue but this is my first bike that weights 900lbs. so this off season my J&S jack will get used.
Elevating the tires off the ground is the only real way to 100% insure flat spotting won't happen. That being said I have stored many bikes standing on my freezing garage floor and never had an issue but this is my first bike that weights 900lbs. so this off season my J&S jack will get used.
Last edited by W.P.; Sep 24, 2012 at 12:33 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
I keep mine at home. You never know when you will get a nice day and be able to ride. Heck last year I was out on New Years Day. I figured, Why not? It was the only New Years I can ever remember without snow.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
I used to run my Dyna in the basement, but the baggers won't go through the sliding door.
One of our local stealers offer the $250 storage, which includes pick up in an enclosed trailer, oil change,fogging, stabil, battery tendor, sitting on a pallette, and detail in the spring (plus they call 4 times during the winter trying to sell ya stuff).
I started this last year and for the $250 it is great, out of sight/out of mind.
For I would be tempted to use Xmas and property tax money trickin the paint out or somethin silly like that if it sat around home.........
One of our local stealers offer the $250 storage, which includes pick up in an enclosed trailer, oil change,fogging, stabil, battery tendor, sitting on a pallette, and detail in the spring (plus they call 4 times during the winter trying to sell ya stuff).
I started this last year and for the $250 it is great, out of sight/out of mind.
For I would be tempted to use Xmas and property tax money trickin the paint out or somethin silly like that if it sat around home.........
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,998
Likes: 11,439
Modern tires and bike are a bit different then the old stuff so many of the old rules just do not apply any more.
Clean it well, if it is out side cover with a breathable cover that fits lose.
Change lubes, attach battery TENDER. Stabilize the fuel top off tank run it a bit to allow stabilizer in to the system.
Air up tires. If it is going to be awhile and on cement park it on some thing to reduce moisture. Once parked don't start it unless your going to ride it.
Out side storage Products like S100 Corrosion Protectant are not a bad idea.
Mouse traps near by the mice eat wires.
Many dealers offer free or reduced storage if work is done..
After many years of doing with out a heat storage place. We built a bedroom for the bikes. Now they stay in a warm room all winter and I can work on them when I want. It was worth the wait. Thanks to the boys. Jim,Mike and Walter. to my friend Bill , Wife and daughter. Lausdorf Excavating for digging the hole. And lot of weekends . Under budget and on time.
Clean it well, if it is out side cover with a breathable cover that fits lose.
Change lubes, attach battery TENDER. Stabilize the fuel top off tank run it a bit to allow stabilizer in to the system.
Air up tires. If it is going to be awhile and on cement park it on some thing to reduce moisture. Once parked don't start it unless your going to ride it.
Out side storage Products like S100 Corrosion Protectant are not a bad idea.
Mouse traps near by the mice eat wires.
Many dealers offer free or reduced storage if work is done..
After many years of doing with out a heat storage place. We built a bedroom for the bikes. Now they stay in a warm room all winter and I can work on them when I want. It was worth the wait. Thanks to the boys. Jim,Mike and Walter. to my friend Bill , Wife and daughter. Lausdorf Excavating for digging the hole. And lot of weekends . Under budget and on time.
Last edited by smitty901; Sep 24, 2012 at 06:36 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,998
Likes: 11,439
Plenty more room the back wall opens up to the basement. So if need be I could line up more in there.
I had for years promised wife a room for her flowers and stuff. we saved up the money and it was time to do it. When we made the plans it was clear that instead of just pouring 4 foot frost walls we could go down another 5 feet with not much extra cost. So we saved for 1 more year and added the bike room. below her room.
With Sales at Menard's and the help we had the project was surprisingly low cost. I am not a builder but Mike and Bill know their stuff so it was not hard to do.
Concrete contractor was more than fair he was short on work at the time. Sadly I totaled the RGU out August 30th. Waiting on a new 2013 RGU in red to show up and a bit more healing.
Last edited by smitty901; Sep 24, 2012 at 07:06 AM. Reason: Spelling I was a soldier not an English major