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Difference between revisions of "Winterizing your Motorcycle"
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== | ==Instructions== | ||
Although storage procedures vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, there are some general processes that you should do for your ride before you put it into storage. | Although storage procedures vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, there are some general processes that you should do for your ride before you put it into storage. | ||
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# Clean your machine - Your machine should be cleaned thoroughly. Use conventional car wash or whatever you typically use to clean your ride. The chain should be cleaned, lubed and adjusted as needed. Metal polish can be used on the exhaust pipes and chromed metal parts. A good wax job is recommended on plastics and tank. Clutch cables and alike can be lubed. | # Clean your machine - Your machine should be cleaned thoroughly. Use conventional car wash or whatever you typically use to clean your ride. The chain should be cleaned, lubed and adjusted as needed. Metal polish can be used on the exhaust pipes and chromed metal parts. A good wax job is recommended on plastics and tank. Clutch cables and alike can be lubed. | ||
# Secure your machine – Flip the fuel petcock to “off”, run switch should be set to “kill” or “stop”, lock the bars, and chain the bike to a fixed object or something that would otherwise be difficult to move. Commercially available chains like Bully and [[Kryptonite]] can be used for this purpose. The chain should ideally be wrapped around the machine’s frame and rear wheel. A brake disk lock can also be used on the front or rear brake rotor. A motorcycle alarm ([[Chatterbox]], [[Scorpio]], etc.) can be used if the battery remains in the machine in storage (see below). | # Secure your machine – Flip the fuel petcock to “off”, run switch should be set to “kill” or “stop”, lock the bars, and chain the bike to a fixed object or something that would otherwise be difficult to move. Commercially available chains like Bully and [[Kryptonite]] can be used for this purpose. The chain should ideally be wrapped around the machine’s frame and rear wheel. A brake disk lock can also be used on the front or rear brake rotor. A motorcycle alarm ([[Chatterbox]], [[Scorpio]], etc.) can be used if the battery remains in the machine in storage (see below). | ||
# Battery power - Remove the battery if the bike is in a relatively cold environment for storage. You don't want the battery to freeze; it's a costly replacement. | # Battery power - Remove the battery if the bike is in a relatively cold environment for storage. You don't want the battery to freeze; it's a costly replacement. An automatic charger/maintainer [[Battery Tender]] is ideal; it keeps the battery unit in tip-top, The advantage of the Battery Tender is that you can leave it plugged in, and it automatically maintains the optimal charge all winter. Some Battery Tender units come with cable assemblies that allow you to maintain the battery without removing the battery from the actual machine. | ||
# Get some lift - If your machine does not come with a center-stand, get set of race stands; basic sets start at $100. Many self-maintainers use them to help with chain adjustments and oil changes. Putting your bike on stands during periods of inactivity will protect expensive tires from flat spotting and warping. Additionally, moisture on the ground can be trapped beneath the tire and can corrode the rubber compounds. | # Get some lift - If your machine does not come with a center-stand, get set of race stands; basic sets start at $100. Many self-maintainers use them to help with chain adjustments and oil changes. Putting your bike on stands during periods of inactivity will protect expensive tires from flat spotting and warping. Additionally, moisture on the ground can be trapped beneath the tire and can corrode the rubber compounds. | ||
# Covers – Machines that are going to be stored outdoors require more sophisticated covers. Some riders use an old, clean bedsheet to simply protect against dust for garage-stored machines. Get the cover that's right for your storage environment. Tires also need to be covered; the rubber compounds are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. | # Covers – Machines that are going to be stored outdoors require more sophisticated covers. Some riders use an old, clean bedsheet to simply protect against dust for garage-stored machines. Get the cover that's right for your storage environment. Tires also need to be covered; the rubber compounds are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. | ||
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# I like to put some type of water displacing, penetrating oil in each cylinder to sort of dry it out, before I put in the engine oil. Combustion makes a lot of water, and some of it always seems to get into the piston ring area. | # I like to put some type of water displacing, penetrating oil in each cylinder to sort of dry it out, before I put in the engine oil. Combustion makes a lot of water, and some of it always seems to get into the piston ring area. | ||
# I like to use some kind of Armor All type preservative on all plastic and rubber parts. | # I like to use some kind of Armor All type preservative on all plastic and rubber parts. | ||
# If you change the fluid in your bike's radiator, use distilled water and a motorcycle type anti-freeze. Car type anti-freezes use additives that can wear out your water pump. | # If you change the fluid in your bike's radiator, use distilled water and a motorcycle type anti-freeze(silicate free). Car type anti-freezes use additives that can wear out your water pump. | ||
# If you change your brake or clutch fluid, use the type recomended for your system, Dot 3, 4, or 5. Which one ? It's in your Shop Manual. You do have one, don't you ? | # If you change your brake or clutch fluid, use the type recomended for your system, Dot 3, 4, or 5. Which one ? It's in your Shop Manual. You do have one, don't you ? | ||
# It costs a bit more, but you can get a trickle charger that will shut off automaticly when the battery is fully charged and start up again when it's charge goes down. You can leave it connected and on all the time. | # It costs a bit more, but you can get a trickle charger that will shut off automaticly when the battery is fully charged and start up again when it's charge goes down. You can leave it connected and on all the time. | ||