Winter Storage
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Midland ON Canada
I have to store in an unheated garage as well. A battery tender is a great idea. I didn't have shed power at my last house so I removed the battery always promising to trickle charge it over the winter (usually forgot). I dump engine oil, trans and primary out of concern for moisture and contaminants. I wipe down all bright work with a rag soaked in light oil, WD40, etc. If critters are a concern, stuff steel wool in exhausts (better than rags 'cause it breathes), bring in seat and hang some mothballs near openings under faring (make some little bags out of cheesecloth). I had a problem a few years ago with a squirrel or chipmunk storing pine cones inside the faring. I had to take the faring apart to get them all and found some of the instrument wiring chewed.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Midland ON Canada
"Uugly's" idea of mothballs and cloves sounds like a good idea. Forgot to mention fuel stabilizer in a full tank and if you cover it, make sure the cover breathes. I just put an old bedsheet over it to keep the dust off.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I have been using the carbag for years when I put my Triumph Spitfire away. It really does what they say it does, all but stops time over the winter.
They sell a motorcycle version as well. Called the Motojacket. $149. It's not cheap, but if it's anything like the car version, it's darn good. Especially in a shed.
They sell a motorcycle version as well. Called the Motojacket. $149. It's not cheap, but if it's anything like the car version, it's darn good. Especially in a shed.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
Looking for tips on storing my bike for the winter. I would like to put it in my shed versus the garage so I have more room. Now the shed is not insulated so it will be much colder than my garage. Other than fuel stabilizer and a battery charger, is there anything else I should do? Is it ok to keep the bike in such cold temps?
honestly, temp makes no difference. the only thing is what is your shed floor like? if its wood or concrete, its the same as a garage. if it is dirt or grass or? any wet nasty substance,it turns the shed into a green house. that will cause rust and corrosion, and animals to reak havoc. also grass/vegetation actually releases oxygen that amplifys rust.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
Here's where I keep mine. Obviously unheated. 4th bike that's been kept here, and never had a problem. Stabil in a full tank of gas, cardboard under the tires, towels in the pipes to keep the mice out, battery tender plugged in, cover it up, see you in March or April.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
I do out of habit but its probably unnecessary for 4-5 months. Fresh oil change then run it up to temperature to burn off any moisture. Adequate coat of oil on the cylinders from running it up to temp I'd bet. If you fog just put in a teaspoonful of fresh oil in each cylinder. Run the starter for a couple of seconds WITH PLUGS OUT and you are good. Pop plugs back in, and in the Spring fire it up.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
The only real differences between storing in a garage or a shed deal with the extra care needed to protect against little creatures and dust. Put lots of Dcon in the shed and put the steel wool in the exhaust. You will also want to put a good cover on the bike.