Storage
#1
Storage
so i was just planning on keeping my bike on the back porch for the winter. i start it like every week and move it around a little so the tires dot get spots . im going to replace them next season anyway. i have engine ice in it so i figure ill be ok in the cooling department . is there anything else i should do or watch out for? oh yeah i live in cincinnati ohio so our winters are not very long or cold so you know.
#3
Give the chain a final lube, especially if you're gonna keep it covered. Condensation will collect under the cover and and spots on the chain / sprockets light on lube can rust pretty damn fast.
When I replaced my chain, fecking arount with the rivet tool left the master link without lube. Didn't think about it till I noticed spots of surface rust less than a week later.
When I replaced my chain, fecking arount with the rivet tool left the master link without lube. Didn't think about it till I noticed spots of surface rust less than a week later.
#4
#5
Gas doesn't freeze. The freezing point of gasoline is somewhere around -150C. Ohio ain't that cold yet
What happens is when sitting for long periods of time, the gas breaks down and forms a hard varnish. That clogs fuel systems, carbed and fuel injected. Putting stabil or seafoam in the tank isn't going to hurt unless its abused (running seafoam every tank might have some negative side effects).
So best thing is to:
Riding back from the station with the Seafoam in the gas will give it a chance to work through the fuel system. Topping it up once home will reduce the empty space left in the tank, preventing rust in the tank.
Do yourself a favor take the battery out and bring it into the house as well. Motorcycle batteries aren't car batteries and can't take the temp as well. Go out once a week and move the bike a little so its not sitting on the same spot on the tires (can form flat spots). Wait (im)patiently for spring
Optional: cover any intakes and exhaust with plastic bags and rubber bands to prevent nesting critters
What happens is when sitting for long periods of time, the gas breaks down and forms a hard varnish. That clogs fuel systems, carbed and fuel injected. Putting stabil or seafoam in the tank isn't going to hurt unless its abused (running seafoam every tank might have some negative side effects).
So best thing is to:
- grab a bottle of Seafoam
- ride over to the gas station
- fill the tank
- add the correct amount of Seafoam to the tank
- ride home
- top up the tank
Riding back from the station with the Seafoam in the gas will give it a chance to work through the fuel system. Topping it up once home will reduce the empty space left in the tank, preventing rust in the tank.
Do yourself a favor take the battery out and bring it into the house as well. Motorcycle batteries aren't car batteries and can't take the temp as well. Go out once a week and move the bike a little so its not sitting on the same spot on the tires (can form flat spots). Wait (im)patiently for spring
Optional: cover any intakes and exhaust with plastic bags and rubber bands to prevent nesting critters
#6
The battery will not be charged effectively by just starting the bike every couple days. I use a 'battery tender'. It is a trickle-charger. Certain types have a wire harness that you can hook up to the battery on the bike and just plug the charger it whenever needed. It works great for me.
Last edited by viper03; 01-06-2010 at 10:06 PM.
#7
The battery will not be charged effectively by just starting the bike every couple days. I use a 'battery tender'. It is a trickle-charger. Certain types have a wire harness that you can hook up to the battery on the bike and just plug the charger it whenever needed. It works great for me.
These things aren't the Diehard battery they freeze in a block of ice and start a car with. A battery tender would be ideal if you can run a line out to it (or have a garage). But if those options aren't open to someone, the best thing they can do is bring it into the house.
And deal with the extra 5 minutes it takes to pop back in on those days (or in my case, hours) the temp climbs.
Edit:
My bad. I didn't mean start the bike once a week, trying to keep the battery charged. I meant go out and physically move the bike (assuming its not up on front & rear stands). The tires can form flat spots from sitting in the same place on a hard surface + cold temps hardening the rubber.
Last edited by Kuroshio; 01-06-2010 at 10:19 PM.
#8
#10
crap, I have been trickle charging my battery in my unheated garage (probably gets to - 20 C in there) I guess it may be dead come spring then?
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