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Winter storage - what do you do?

Started by jamanta, November 03, 2009, 12:24:02 PM

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jamanta

November 03, 2009, 12:24:02 PM
Winter is almost here. I read the owner's manual, all over the web and I'm pretty familiar with all that is involved when storing the bike for the winter. This is my first winter owning a bike, so I wanted to share with you and get your thoughts.

This is what I did/do:

- I washed it really well and waxed it before the cold weather arrived
- I have the bike on a battery tender and stored in my garage which doesn't get too cold
- Tank is almost empty, maybe 1/2 gallon left.
- Every 5 to 7 days i roll the bike out of the garage and run it for about 15/20 minutes until operating temperature.

Is this ok to do?

Thanks

64duc

#1
November 03, 2009, 01:27:32 PM
 What year/model do you have?
94 M900, 64 Diana 250

jamanta

#2
November 03, 2009, 01:55:22 PM
Quote from: 64duc on November 03, 2009, 01:27:32 PM
What year/model do you have?


05 S2R

uclabiker06

#3
November 03, 2009, 06:26:16 PM
Take that last step out and you should be fine.  Wouldn't be a bad idea to squirt some oil down your spark plug holes and then hand crank.  A light coat of WD-40 over stainless steel screws wont hurt either.  Also put some fuel stabilizer in there and fill the tank up all the way. You might want to run it for a few seconds w/ the stabilizer to make sure stabilizer gets in the carbs.
Life is never ours to keep, we borrow it and then we have to give it back.
2006 S2R
2009 Smart

Monsterlover

#4
November 04, 2009, 03:36:37 AM
Id fill the tank to minimize the air in there (condensation).  Some add fuel stabilizer but I never do and I never have a problem in the spring.

I wouldn't be starting it until spring.  It'll be fine, really.

Generally I don't do an oil change before winter as oil goes bad with time and with use.  Yes there are acids in the engine oil after it's old, but I've never had it eat a hole in my cases ;)

Battery tender - good.

I just push it in the corner and sulk until spring hits [laugh]

I do the oil first thing in the spring also.
"The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet in Dallas that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time."--HST    **"A man who works with his hands is a laborer.  A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman.  A man who works with his hands, brains, and heart is an artist."  -Louis Nizer**

positivecarry

#5
November 04, 2009, 03:44:34 AM
For the serious motorcycle novices in the crowd, can you go over how to crank the engine by hand? 

Monsterlover

#6
November 04, 2009, 03:54:17 AM
Turn the key on and push the starter button with your thumb

?
"The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet in Dallas that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time."--HST    **"A man who works with his hands is a laborer.  A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman.  A man who works with his hands, brains, and heart is an artist."  -Louis Nizer**

positivecarry

#7
November 04, 2009, 04:08:28 AM
Hmmm, I guess that's pretty simple.  [bang]

jamanta

#8
November 04, 2009, 06:09:16 AM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 04, 2009, 03:54:17 AM
Turn the key on and push the starter button with your thumb

?

or if you have a rear stand, put in neutral and roll the rear wheel i guess...

Monsterlover

#9
November 04, 2009, 07:23:56 AM
You could also do that (but it will need to be in gear if you want to roll the engine over)

I can't see why cranking the engine over would be useful though.
"The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet in Dallas that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time."--HST    **"A man who works with his hands is a laborer.  A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman.  A man who works with his hands, brains, and heart is an artist."  -Louis Nizer**

scott_araujo

#10
November 04, 2009, 07:24:53 AM
Starting the bike every few weeks is likely to foul the plugs, it never really gets hot enough to burn off deposits.  It's better to either use fogging oil or squirt some oil into the cylinders and crank the engine over a few times to coat them, then just reinstall the plugs and leave it for the winter.

It's still good to move the bike every week or so if it's not on stands, keeps the tires from developing flat spots.

I remove the battery so it doesn't accidentally overcharge, crack or explode, and dribble all over the bike.  I just put it on the shelf and charge it up in the spring.  Maybe not likely to happen but it takes me about 5 minutes.

I plug the intake and exhaust with rags to discourage critters from sneaking in and  building nests in there.

As mentioned, it's important to fill the tank to prevent condensation and rusting on the inside.  I don't bother with fuel stabilizer, only a few months of down time.

I do an oil and filter change before I put it away.  Oil that's been in a running engine tends to collect corrosive sulphur compounds.  No point letting them sit there all winter.  Plus it's one less thing to do it spring.

Lastly, throw an old, clean cotton sheet over it.  Cheap and it keeps the dust off.

Scott

Howie

#11
November 04, 2009, 10:22:26 AM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 04, 2009, 07:23:56 AM
You could also do that (but it will need to be in gear if you want to roll the engine over)

I can't see why cranking the engine over would be useful though.

Man and machine bonding.

ducpainter

#12
November 04, 2009, 11:35:25 AM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 04, 2009, 03:36:37 AM
Id fill the tank to minimize the air in there (condensation).  Some add fuel stabilizer but I never do and I never have a problem in the spring.

I wouldn't be starting it until spring.  It'll be fine, really.

Generally I don't do an oil change before winter as oil goes bad with time and with use.  Yes there are acids in the engine oil after it's old, but I've never had it eat a hole in my cases ;)

Battery tender - good.

I just push it in the corner and sulk until spring hits [laugh]

I do the oil first thing in the spring also.
We're pretty sure that dirty oil trashed the main bearing on the 750 while stored. It had been stored for quite a while before I got it. All it really takes is acid eating the hard surface of a ball or race and it's history.

I'd also recommend fogging the motor.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Monsterlover

#13
November 04, 2009, 12:01:19 PM
Why fog?
"The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet in Dallas that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time."--HST    **"A man who works with his hands is a laborer.  A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman.  A man who works with his hands, brains, and heart is an artist."  -Louis Nizer**

ducpainter

#14
November 04, 2009, 12:15:11 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 04, 2009, 12:01:19 PM
Why fog?
Because the valves and seats will rust. I think ethanol is compounding the issue.

I learned my lesson this past spring. Remember the Monster was busted?
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


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