Winter storage of a motorcycle

[metallicat]

I have a quick question about my bike. My manual suggests that I remove the spark plugs, and add a small amount of motor oil into the spark plug hole, and then put the spark plug back. Do you do this on your bike when storing it for the winter? The reason I ask, is because it is relatively difficult to access my spark plugs, and then add the oil. Not the most accessible things in the world. How important is doing something like this? My service department is closed for the day, or I'd call and ask them.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I have a quick question about my bike. My manual suggests that I remove the spark plugs, and add a small amount of motor oil into the spark plug hole, and then put the spark plug back. Do you do this on your bike when storing it for the winter? The reason I ask, is because it is relatively difficult to access my spark plugs, and then add the oil. Not the most accessible things in the world. How important is doing something like this? My service department is closed for the day, or I'd call and ask them.

I've owned bikes for 20 years, and I've never done that. I just go for a ride to burn off my last tank of gas as far as possible, run it on idle till its dry, pull the battery out and throw it on a trickle charger.

[speede5]

I never considered winter storage as long term so I would just through some stabilizer in a full tank and run it a bit. Other than that I would change the oil in spring and let er buck. If you do use stabilizer make sure it is compatible with your fuel. Most of the ethanol blends don't work with the cheap red stuff, you need a more expensive (of course) stabilizer. I have heard that premium shell is good on it's own over a winter as well, but you might want to look into that.

If you really want to protect the internals, you can fog the engine. http://www.syntheticoilnlubes.com/en...gging_oil.html

[Pinner]

I'm surprised you guys don't fog the engine before storage. I've used it before storing sleds for the summer, you just spray it into the air intake.

Oh I see speeds post now

[WilsonFourTwo]

I've winterized my bikes the same way every year.

1. Fill the tank, with stabilizer added.
2. Disconnect the battery.
3. Scrub the bike clean (including under plastics, wheel rims, chain, etc)
4. Store in a heated (ideally) garage under breathable bike cover.

Before I ride each year.....

1. Charge the battery, reconnect it.
2. Lube the chain, and warm the engine really well.
3. Oil Change.
4. Ride.

My bike advice......Doing a "simple" winterization ain't gonna add/remove life from your bike. Be strict about regular maintenance and how you ride, and the bike will be fine for a long time.

PS. I forgive you for being an Oilers fan. No hard feelings.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by speede5

I never considered winter storage as long term so I would just through some stabilizer in a full tank and run it a bit. Other than that I would change the oil in spring and let er buck. If you do use stabilizer make sure it is compatible with your fuel. Most of the ethanol blends don't work with the cheap red stuff, you need a more expensive (of course) stabilizer. I have heard that premium shell is good on it's own over a winter as well, but you might want to look into that.

If you really want to protect the internals, you can fog the engine. http://www.syntheticoilnlubes.com/en...gging_oil.html

The quality of the fuel stabilizer is something I didn't consider at all. I threw it in there, but I don't know anything about compatibility at all. Oh well, I guess it's too late now.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. I didn't do the spark plug thing, but I washed and waxes the bike, did the fuel stabilizer, and added oil as per the manual recommendation. I changed it last week as well. This is my first year riding, and I really wish I could keep the thing out all year round. It's going to be a long winter.

[TRIX]

hell we're riding in November on 15-20 degree days...not gonna be that long...just wait for some chinooks and watch out for the gravel