winter maintenance question
Novice
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From:
RE: winter maintenance question
Put metal studs on the tires.....
Then hang on....
Or you could put a heaver weight motor oil
Some gas saver in the tank
A battery conditioner/charger "get a good one for about 20$"
Cover the bike with a sheet or the like but make sure it can vent off condensation.
If you want to start the bike up during the winter make sure to run it for a good while so you burn any condensation out of the engine.
Then hang on....
Or you could put a heaver weight motor oil
Some gas saver in the tank
A battery conditioner/charger "get a good one for about 20$"
Cover the bike with a sheet or the like but make sure it can vent off condensation.
If you want to start the bike up during the winter make sure to run it for a good while so you burn any condensation out of the engine.
RE: winter maintenance question
[sm=welcomesign.gif] to HDForums from Orange County, California [sm=biker2.gif]
Keep the shiny side up!
Another perfect day in paradise. THE best place on Earth to RIDE!!!
Keep the shiny side up!
Another perfect day in paradise. THE best place on Earth to RIDE!!!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth, IN
RE: winter maintenance question
Welcome from Northern Indiana.
Iron Horse
Iron Horse
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,629
Likes: 0
From:
RE: winter maintenance question
Welcome to HDF from Longview, TX!!!
[sm=biker2.gif]
[sm=biker2.gif]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
RE: winter maintenance question
Welcome from Michigan! See your from Toronto (great city!).
You really should post questions in the Forums for your specific bike but I'll give this one a shot.
The advice I received (all from HDForums ... verified w/dealer (not that that means a lot
):
a. Top off the fuel, add fuel preservative (ie. Sta-bil). Run bike just long enough to circulate preservative & warm up for oil change.
b. Change the oil (don't want to store it with dirty oil).
c. If unheated garage/storage get tires off floor (for moisture draw) if at all possible.
d. Attach battery tender (just paid 39.95 for mine at the dealership)
e. Cover with breathable cover (old bed sheet being best/cheapest).
f. Set it and forget it ... RESIST all desire to start it up during winter, condensation is bad.
This was the basic winterizing. Other interesting tips I got:
- Clean/wax & wax again bike before storage.
- Spray metal (non-chrome) with light coating of WD-40 for moisture barrier. Can be messy but effective. Spraying on chrome won't hut just is a pain to clean off.
- Put the cheap oil in for winter then replace with your regular in spring before you ride.
- Take parts off bike to reduce the desire to ride it on those occasional nice winter days.
- Salt + anything is bad, don't ride until a good rain washes the salt (if they salt in Toronto).
Hope this helps.
You really should post questions in the Forums for your specific bike but I'll give this one a shot.
The advice I received (all from HDForums ... verified w/dealer (not that that means a lot
):a. Top off the fuel, add fuel preservative (ie. Sta-bil). Run bike just long enough to circulate preservative & warm up for oil change.
b. Change the oil (don't want to store it with dirty oil).
c. If unheated garage/storage get tires off floor (for moisture draw) if at all possible.
d. Attach battery tender (just paid 39.95 for mine at the dealership)
e. Cover with breathable cover (old bed sheet being best/cheapest).
f. Set it and forget it ... RESIST all desire to start it up during winter, condensation is bad.
This was the basic winterizing. Other interesting tips I got:
- Clean/wax & wax again bike before storage.
- Spray metal (non-chrome) with light coating of WD-40 for moisture barrier. Can be messy but effective. Spraying on chrome won't hut just is a pain to clean off.
- Put the cheap oil in for winter then replace with your regular in spring before you ride.
- Take parts off bike to reduce the desire to ride it on those occasional nice winter days.
- Salt + anything is bad, don't ride until a good rain washes the salt (if they salt in Toronto).
Hope this helps.
