Winterizing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
I don't put anything under my bike. The reason people do it is to limit moisture from the ground/cement from condensing on your bike causing rust. I stored my bike in a new storage unit with no cement in unheated WI and didn't have any rust. I do put steel wool in my exhaust to keep mice out, run Stabil for 10 minutes in a full tank of Premium nonethanol gas. I usually change the oil but only had 800 miles on my Mobil 1 so I didn't.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 15
From: The City Of New York
The alkali in concrete causes dry rot, as will moisture.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Scotia NY
I'm sure it been beaten to death here, but...... Do any of you guys winterize? I'm in Kansas,many winter is certainly here. In the past I've just topped off, stabilized the fuel and ran her for a bit every now and then, and shifted through 1st and 2nd and rolled it a few feet in the garage to keep the primary and trans fluid moving a little. I also kept the tender plugged in.
On my ATV and dirt bikes in the past, we just topped off, stabilized, ran some fogging oil in the intake and waited till spring. I've never winterized any of my Harley's, but I'm new to this kind of winter with them (Army has always kept me in warmer climates)
What's the consensus?
On my ATV and dirt bikes in the past, we just topped off, stabilized, ran some fogging oil in the intake and waited till spring. I've never winterized any of my Harley's, but I'm new to this kind of winter with them (Army has always kept me in warmer climates)
What's the consensus?
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
I use fuel stabilizer, full tank of gas, let it run a bit to circulate, fresh oil change, check the other fluids, clean the bike & give it a really good coat of wax, remove the battery & seat (just because I have it off & have room inside) and take them indoors for the winter. I'll roll it occasionally so the tires don't develop flat spots. (Never did the cardboard thing, and I'm wondering if that would help. Probably won't hurt.)
Normally I don't remove the battery, but it's damn cold out this week, and I just bought the thing in Sept & would rather it not go bad on me.
In the past, I've left it on a lift, but the hydraulic cylinder leaked down. No damage, but I don't want to risk it falling over. What I need is a nice metal "bike rack" to lift it up & take the weight off the tires.
Oh yeah... and I cover it.
Probably it's overkill, but I enjoy taking care of it & for 30 years have never had an issue with storing bikes that way.
Normally I don't remove the battery, but it's damn cold out this week, and I just bought the thing in Sept & would rather it not go bad on me.
In the past, I've left it on a lift, but the hydraulic cylinder leaked down. No damage, but I don't want to risk it falling over. What I need is a nice metal "bike rack" to lift it up & take the weight off the tires.
Oh yeah... and I cover it.
Probably it's overkill, but I enjoy taking care of it & for 30 years have never had an issue with storing bikes that way.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I use fuel stabilizer, full tank of gas, let it run a bit to circulate, fresh oil change, check the other fluids, clean the bike & give it a really good coat of wax, remove the battery & seat (just because I have it off & have room inside) and take them indoors for the winter. I'll roll it occasionally so the tires don't develop flat spots. (Never did the cardboard thing, and I'm wondering if that would help. Probably won't hurt.)
Normally I don't remove the battery, but it's damn cold out this week, and I just bought the thing in Sept & would rather it not go bad on me.
In the past, I've left it on a lift, but the hydraulic cylinder leaked down. No damage, but I don't want to risk it falling over. What I need is a nice metal "bike rack" to lift it up & take the weight off the tires.
Oh yeah... and I cover it.
Probably it's overkill, but I enjoy taking care of it & for 30 years have never had an issue with storing bikes that way.
Normally I don't remove the battery, but it's damn cold out this week, and I just bought the thing in Sept & would rather it not go bad on me.
In the past, I've left it on a lift, but the hydraulic cylinder leaked down. No damage, but I don't want to risk it falling over. What I need is a nice metal "bike rack" to lift it up & take the weight off the tires.
Oh yeah... and I cover it.
Probably it's overkill, but I enjoy taking care of it & for 30 years have never had an issue with storing bikes that way.
Put it on a tender and leave it alone. The bike can sit for 3 or 4 months just fine.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Mission BC
+1.....tires don't flat spot, no such thing as cardboard/carpet preventing condensation or rust transfer !! lol
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 144
From: SC
winterize
We don't do that here in SC, sorry.... had to....
