When my bike was new I just kept it in the garage and did nothing to it except let it sit and never had any issues with it... Now that it is older it seems to be somewhat more touchy.. If I just let it sit I have issues with the carbs and the battery. The last winter I took the battery off and putting it on a trickle charger. But I still have an issue with the gas sitting and turning gummy in the carbs. A friend of mine told me to put seafoam in the gas to stablize it and run it until white smoke comes out of the exaust then shut it off and store for the winter. I tried that last winter and still had an issue. Not sure what I should do.. Should I just let it sit and start it every so often?? I have a 1998 CBR F3.. What do most of you do to store in the winter months??

 

There are a few things you can do for winter storage. Remove all 4 spark plugs and pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into each cylinder. Turn the engine over for a few seconds while the spark plugs are still out to distribute the oil, making sure all 4 sparkplugs are earthed onto the head, but well away from the spark plug holes! Replace the spark plugs, smearing some copper slip onto the threads. Get both wheels off the floor and reduce the tyre pressures by 5-10psi. Empty the fuel tank and spray some WD40 around the inside of the tank. Drain the fuel from all 4 float bowls on the carbs. Remove battery and keep it on a trickle charge 'til fully charged and do this every month. Smear some vaseline over fork legs but not too near the fork seals as vaseline can damage the rubber. Use the vaseline on any bright metal surfaces as well. I spray the whole of the rest of the frame, engine and wheels with WD 40. Sounds messy, but come spring just wash everything off with fairly hot water and plenty of car wash and the bike should look as good as new! Apply a wax polish to painted parts such as the fuel tank and fairing panels, but don't polish to a shine. You should also spray all wiring joints and switches with the WD40 as well to disperse any moisture and to leave a coat of protective oil on them. Lubricate all cables, stands and lever pivot points and give the seat a coat of vinyl cleaner. Plug silencer outlets and air intakes carefully with clean lint-free cloths, but get the bike hot first then let it cool a bit. Check strength of antifreeze mix. Finally, cover bike with a nice warm blanket and all will be well!

 

u must fill the gas tank with gas and put fuel stableizer in the gas tank . then take it out for a ride for 5 miniuts to make sure it has gone through all the carb pasages. u are best to leave it with a full tank of gas so it will not rust the inside of the tank. the fuel stabilizer will keep the fuel from going bad and gumming up the carb pasageways. just draining the carbs does no good for the passageways. do this with all of your motorized lawn equiptment as well, and u will be happy in the spring.
bring all batteries in the house, and put them on a trickle charge, or recharge them once, each month.

 

Simplest solution is to keep riding it. I can however appreciate that some parts of the US look like santa's back garden for several months of the year.


Starting it up every now and again does more harm than good.

 

What's winter ??

 

In addition to some of the previous suggestions put the bike on a set of stands to raise both wheels off the ground if you're going to let it sit for months. Either that or push it a few feet every few weeks so the tires are not resting on the same contact point.

 

I am putting my bike away today for the winter (sad face). I just filled up the gas tank and my next step is to drain the carb by turning off the petcock and let the engine run. This is my first time doing this, so I just want to make sure I am doing it right. I have a question: the petcock on my F4 has 3 positions. 12 o'clock, 9 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Its currently on 6 o'clock position. Do I just turn it to 9 o'clock position to turn it off? What does the 12 o'clock position do?

And how long does it take to drain the carb?

 

why would u drain the carbs? if u trust that Stabil will keep the passages clear, it will be fine in the bowls too.

 

can you elaborate?

 

starting a bike and letting it run for awhile in the winter is not a great thing to do despite popular belief. im sure youve noticed before starting your car or bike or seen other vehicles start and moisture comes spraying out of the exhaust, running the bike will do the same thing especialy if its just running and not actually being ridden, it will build moisture and gunk in the engine which can then freeze in the cold and cause other damage and corrosion, if you cant take it out for at least a 10 mile ride after warming it up dont run it just stable the gas pull the batt and leave her sit, put it up on stands if you got em. if you want a set thats cheaper and work perfectly then check these out, i bought a set years ago and never had an issue they work perfectly. there are other ones that are cheaper but they are bolt together ones and not as solid (ive bent a set once).
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