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Difference between revisions of "Winterizing your Motorcycle"
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# Lube and filter - Change that dirty oil! You don't want spent oil to become acidic and damage engine internals. While the engine is still warm, drain the oil and remove the filter. Once most of the oil is drained, hit the starter a couple of times to get the excess oil on the gears to fling off and drain out. Replace the [[drain plug]], add fresh oil, fill a new stock oil filter to the top with oil and install it. Now that you've got fresh oil in the engine, don't start your bike !! The moisture and acids that are the by-products of combustion will contaminate your new oil and can cause corrosion during the months ahead. | # Lube and filter - Change that dirty oil! You don't want spent oil to become acidic and damage engine internals. While the engine is still warm, drain the oil and remove the filter. Once most of the oil is drained, hit the starter a couple of times to get the excess oil on the gears to fling off and drain out. Replace the [[drain plug]], add fresh oil, fill a new stock oil filter to the top with oil and install it. Now that you've got fresh oil in the engine, don't start your bike !! The moisture and acids that are the by-products of combustion will contaminate your new oil and can cause corrosion during the months ahead. | ||
# Stabilize your fuel - Fuel stabilizer protects your fuel system from gumming and varnishing. Add some stabilizer to the tank and then top off using the recommended octane gas. By adding the stabilizer solution to the tank before filling up and running the engine for a few minutes, you allow the stabilizer to penetrate into the fuel lines and [[combustion chamber]]s. | # Stabilize your fuel - Fuel stabilizer protects your fuel system from gumming and varnishing. Add some stabilizer to the tank and then top off using the recommended octane gas. By adding the stabilizer solution to the tank before filling up and running the engine for a few minutes, you allow the stabilizer to penetrate into the fuel lines and [[combustion chamber]]s. | ||
# Check the antifreeze - If you are going to be storing your bike in a cold environment make sure to check the antifreeze. It's possible the cylinder heads could crack or the water pumps burst if someone has replaced it with lower than a 50% glycol anti freeze(most likely straight water). You can normally buy an antifreeze tester at an auto parts store, they normally consist of a bulb attached to a tube, and if enough balls float then your antifreeze is good. | # Check the [[antifreeze]] - If you are going to be storing your bike in a cold environment make sure to check the antifreeze. It's possible the cylinder heads could crack or the water pumps burst if someone has replaced it with lower than a 50% glycol anti freeze(most likely straight water). You can normally buy an antifreeze tester at an auto parts store, they normally consist of a bulb attached to a tube, and if enough balls float then your antifreeze is good. | ||
# 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 [[petcock|fuel petcock]] to “off”, [[Kill switch|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 [[petcock|fuel petcock]] to “off”, [[Kill switch|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). | ||
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# 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(silicate free). 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 | # If you change your brake or clutch fluid, use the type recommended 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 | # It costs a bit more, but you can get a trickle charger that will shut off automatically 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. | ||
# Aluminum does rust...sort of, so an application of spray wax or the like, to all surfaces of the engine, wouldn't hurt. | # Aluminum does rust...sort of, so an application of spray wax or the like, to all surfaces of the engine, wouldn't hurt. | ||
# Keep the bike in a dry, heated garage, if possible. | # Keep the bike in a dry, heated garage, if possible. | ||