winterize question

[coolbreeze]

This is the first time I have owned a bike in a cold climate so I have no clue how to winterize other than putting fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. So, can some one tell me if it is better to have the tank full to avoid rust problems and should you pull the battery and bring it inside, pull the plugs and shoot some oil down each cylinder, or what else?
Thanks,Bill

[Hawkmann]

[youtue]v=FIkBo-nPcEs[/youtube]

[Hawkmann]

[Hawkmann]

Sorry vid is not coming threw so in words fill tank and add stabilizer.Take battery into a warm spot and use a battery tender to keep the charge up.Make sure the bike is clean before putting away and use a good breathable cover.

[Dave63]

If only storing over winter, battery on a Battery Tender and treat the FULL tank of fuel with Seafoam/Stabil, (insert brand here). I prefer Seafoam. You want a full tank, so there's less airspace for condensation to form, equaling water, equaling contaminated fuel and rust in your tank. If carbed, run it long enough to get treated fuel into carb.

If it's an unheated garage, you could take the battery out and take it in the warm house, and put it on the Tender there. Jack bike up off suspension if you have that option. Sitting on carpeting is another idea, or on a rubber mat, to be use as a moisture barrier. Plastic on the cement floor with carpeting over it is the cheapest.

I always tell people to wash and wax their bike before storing. Especially a good coat of wax on the chrome.

Cover with soft sheets or blankets or a motorcycle cover with a soft under-lining. A small, low running fan isn't a bad idea either, in some garages, due to moisture build-up on cool metal with block walled garages, when it gets warmer out, but it was a cold night.

Lastly: Change oil and filter before storing and DO NOT restart, contaminating new oil with acidic cumbustion byproducts. Resist the temptation. Tape a large note on the tank to restart bike in spring, then recheck and top-off oil if needed.

No need to add oil to cylinders if only storing for winter. For a year or longer....I'd fog the cylinders with a good lubricant, or synthetic oil.

[Homebrew]

I've looked everywhere locally for this fogging oil (advance auto, auto zone, etc), but no one knows what I'm talking about.

I guess you can just use regular oil, but where do you use it? in the spark plug tubes?

[Ohutchins]

yea in the spark plug holes. pull the plugs and pour in about a tsp. but i would trust dave and not bother unless you are storing for a long time

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

I've looked everywhere locally for this fogging oil (advance auto, auto zone, etc), but no one knows what I'm talking about.

I guess you can just use regular oil, but where do you use it? in the spark plug tubes?

You don't need fogging oil for winter storage. Period. Probably a contributory factor as to why you can't find it.

I own a 13 year old snow blower that gets an oil change and a fuel stabilizer every spring. Never run, all summer long. No issues.

I own a 15 year old Simplicity 15hp riding mower that gets an oil change, battery yanked and fuel treated, and sits in a cold outside shed from fall to spring. No issues.

Your HD sitting over the winter with "dry" cylinders will be fine.

If it were a plane, or a coastally stored boat (salt water) then yes.

If it makes you feel any better, then just add 2-3ml (Half a teaspoon) of synthetic oil (high film strength) to your cylinders, leave plugs out, turn engine over, reinstall plugs and leave it sit all winter.

It's that easy......

[Badinfluence]

Dryer sheets or moth balls to keep rodents away.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Badinfluence

Dryer sheets or moth balls to keep rodents away.

I always forget that one. Capping the open exhaust will work to keep them out of there too. I've used socks, doubled over with mothballs in the in between layer.

Ever smell mothballs?

Was it hard getting their little legs apart?