After winter check
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After winter check
What are some things that you guys would check/replace after winter to make sure they are in good working condition. This is my first bike and the first winter ive ever gone through with it.I think my chain and sprockets need replaced because it is loose and last time i tightened it, it went into the replace chain part if the indicator.I know change oil. What are some other things you guys would check / replace.. thanx
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From: Northern Michigan
RE: After winter check
Im not sure if you did, but a before winter check is more important as your bike will be sitting for some time. Hopefully you used a good fuel stabilizer, lubed the chain, filled the gas tank, used a battery tender....ect.
As for your checkup on after winter. Your on the right track. Check the condition of your chain and sprockets, check air pressure in your tires, (should bedone at least once a week during yourriding season).Nows also a good time to go over tires really close to inspect for any checking, cupping or dry rot. Oil change as you said. Check to make sure all of your blinkers, lights work. Check to make sure throttle returns freely. check brake feel to make sure front and rear still feel good.
Potentially a brake fluid flush and change... depending on your mileage. Also, a coolant flush and refill .. again, depending on miles and or years on the current coolant.
I would pull it out and give a really washing. Dust and grime will collect over the winter and should be removed before you start to ride.
As for your checkup on after winter. Your on the right track. Check the condition of your chain and sprockets, check air pressure in your tires, (should bedone at least once a week during yourriding season).Nows also a good time to go over tires really close to inspect for any checking, cupping or dry rot. Oil change as you said. Check to make sure all of your blinkers, lights work. Check to make sure throttle returns freely. check brake feel to make sure front and rear still feel good.
Potentially a brake fluid flush and change... depending on your mileage. Also, a coolant flush and refill .. again, depending on miles and or years on the current coolant.
I would pull it out and give a really washing. Dust and grime will collect over the winter and should be removed before you start to ride.
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RE: After winter check
I did, like you did prolly, a few searches and most articles in the data base are pre winter storage
I think as justasquid says it does depend on what condition your ride was in when stored..?
How old is you ride? how many miles has she done since the thing already mentioned were done ?
a little info from you will tell us allot and may save you allot of time ripping her apart unnecessarily..
I think as justasquid says it does depend on what condition your ride was in when stored..?
How old is you ride? how many miles has she done since the thing already mentioned were done ?
a little info from you will tell us allot and may save you allot of time ripping her apart unnecessarily..
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RE: After winter check
lets see... i have an 02 f4i with about 20,000 miles on it.. i bought it from a motorcycle tech that works at shanendoah honda in VA. He said that hedid the 16,000 mile maintenance but im not sure what all that is. before winter i filled up the gas tank, used sta-bil fuel stabilizer, lubed the chain, and did a real good wash before i put it away.. i did not put it on a tender, ive just been starting it every week and so far so good its been starting right up.
i took it for a ride friday and i filled the tires up, filled the tank back up, and all the lights/blinkers worked. also i did not notice anything abnormal from the throttle or brakes, but i will be changing the rear pads because they are getting a little low. i did put a piece of cardboard under the bike and nothing is leaking.
my grandmother just got a big shed about the size of a 1 car garage and its being stored in that (in the cold).
im just worried that i will forget to do something that will either mess the bike up or mess me up if there is some kind of malfunction. thanx for your help guys. hope im not being annoying
i took it for a ride friday and i filled the tires up, filled the tank back up, and all the lights/blinkers worked. also i did not notice anything abnormal from the throttle or brakes, but i will be changing the rear pads because they are getting a little low. i did put a piece of cardboard under the bike and nothing is leaking.
my grandmother just got a big shed about the size of a 1 car garage and its being stored in that (in the cold).
im just worried that i will forget to do something that will either mess the bike up or mess me up if there is some kind of malfunction. thanx for your help guys. hope im not being annoying
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RE: After winter check
You are not being annoying either mate..
The annoying peeps are the ones that do not ask questions until they have gone and done something stupid and cause there ride an injury...
It sounds like you did nearly everything quite ok ..
At 4000 miles since the last oil change / service , I would be giving her one ASAP .... [:-]
The coolant should be quite ok ...to be safe (just pop the filler cap and see how it looks)
If it is as black as sin ... change it ! If it looks a nice clean funny color like green? ..it will be ok
The brake fluids if they look clean and were looked at during the last service 4000 ago should also be quite ok ..?
Better to be safe rather than sorry
and your welcome to any small amount of help we can give mate
The annoying peeps are the ones that do not ask questions until they have gone and done something stupid and cause there ride an injury...
It sounds like you did nearly everything quite ok ..
At 4000 miles since the last oil change / service , I would be giving her one ASAP .... [:-]
The coolant should be quite ok ...to be safe (just pop the filler cap and see how it looks)
If it is as black as sin ... change it ! If it looks a nice clean funny color like green? ..it will be ok
The brake fluids if they look clean and were looked at during the last service 4000 ago should also be quite ok ..?
Better to be safe rather than sorry
and your welcome to any small amount of help we can give mate
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From: Northern Michigan
RE: After winter check
yeah, classic is right. It sounds like you did everything fine. the 16,000 mile check should have included a valve check, so you shouldnt have to have that done until after 32,000 miles, and thats good because to have a dealer do it, its a bit pricey.
The only thing I would suggest not doing is starting the bike up once a week. It sounds like a good idea, but when the bike is sitting in the cold, starting it up for a few minutes only creates condensation everywhere, which can lead to rustand corrosion. Its not a bad ideaevery 6 weeks or so togo and start it, butlet it run for a long time. making sure everything is equally warmed up. This will also recoat your engine's internals with oil. but again, the bike needs to run for quite some time to make sure no condensation forms.
The only thing I would suggest not doing is starting the bike up once a week. It sounds like a good idea, but when the bike is sitting in the cold, starting it up for a few minutes only creates condensation everywhere, which can lead to rustand corrosion. Its not a bad ideaevery 6 weeks or so togo and start it, butlet it run for a long time. making sure everything is equally warmed up. This will also recoat your engine's internals with oil. but again, the bike needs to run for quite some time to make sure no condensation forms.
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RE: After winter check
since i had electrical problems before with my 954 i like to check all the wires and electrical components too, make sure everything is plugged in and secured well and there are not any visible areas where the wires are getting worn or melted and no corrosion on the plug heads. also, just because i had problems with mine, i like to check the charging system and make sure its working properly every few weeks or so and will do so when i get it back out after the winter. most importantly, after winter and get back out to ride, be safe, everyone wants to get out and ride hard after a long frustrating winter, just dont push it too hard and get yourself in trouble or hurt. I cant wait for winter to be over!!
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RE: After winter check
oh yeah classic i did forget to mention i changed the oil at 18,000 and right before winter.. never thought about the electrical connections so ill deff look into that. i usually start the bike for about 10 minutes so ill make sure it runs for a while from now on.. thanxs for all your help guys
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