Winter Prep

Thom · 11-19-2015, 03:09 PM

I was just wondering what all the northern guys do to their bikes while waiting for spring to arrive. While I never really store my bike for good, once the 30's hit up here in Mass I am done riding. I usually fill the tank and add some ethanol/stabile treatment. Place the tires on carpet pieces and cover her up. Always looking for tips and suggestions. She does get started up every week or so while hibernating

recumbentbob · 11-19-2015, 03:34 PM

In addition to what you are doing is put a battery charger automatic type and don't start it unless you are going to ride it.

dshelly · 11-19-2015, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

In addition to what you are doing is put a battery charger automatic type and don't start it unless you are going to ride it.

X2, get yourself a battery tender.

redjay · 11-19-2015, 07:54 PM

I used to take the battery off and put it in the basement and charge it once a month.
I put the bike in a shed and never saw the bike from October to April.
Three feet of snow gets hard to move.

Thom · 11-19-2015, 09:15 PM

Thanks guys

**Top Cat** · 11-19-2015, 09:15 PM

A smart charger is a must, along with gas stabilizer.
I don't change the oil till spring though some people like to change it before putting the bike away for the winter.
I never start the bike till spring once it is on life support.

What is the carpet for? I park all 3 of my bikes on the cement garage floor, no problems so far.

ndbigfish · 11-19-2015, 09:24 PM

Along with the things mentioned, I always fogged the cylinders. If the storage area was humid I'd put some penetrating oil on a soft cloth and wipe down any metal where corrosion is present. I also dropped the air pressure in each tire. I'm glad those days are gone and I can just ride instead.

**ringadingh** · 11-20-2015, 12:22 AM

I don't do too much other than put the battery on charge a couple times throughout the winter, try to leave it with a full tank of gas, and usually change the oil, but not every year.
If we have as warm a winter as they are saying we may have I'll possibly take the bike out for a run on the really nice days. It would be neat to try and ride it at least once each month of the year if the weather allows it. I got on it 11 of the 12 months the first year I had the bike.

Brydgy · 11-20-2015, 04:51 AM

My 1st year having a bike survive until winter.:)
Will place a battery tender on, tank is full of stabilized gas and covered.
Hoping for fair weather too like ringadingh and get out for a ride during the winter months.

Thom · 11-20-2015, 12:10 PM

I have always placed tires on carpet. Call me crazy but it always seemed to help with flat spots. I am probably wrong, but no harm none the less. I too also like to take it for a spin if the road is clear and free of sand which my town is great for using in the winter months. Battery tender I agree is a great thing to have. Good advice.

**Top Cat** · 11-20-2015, 04:54 PM

I was just curious. I have heard it is not good to park for extended periods on cement. I also heard some guys drive the bikes up on wood.

cactusjack · 11-20-2015, 06:56 PM

Here's your winter prep...move to a warm climate!

**cnc** · 11-20-2015, 07:58 PM

Starting a bike or any vehicle in storage is a bad idea, unless you plan to ride it and fully warm it up. A by product of combustion is moisture. Ever see water dripping out of a tail pipe or steamy exhaust coming from vehicles on a cold day? It takes quite a while to get everything hot enough to evaporate the moisture, just starting a bike up for 5-10 minutes is only going to produce moisture that will sit on your cylinder walls and lay in your mufflers.

**Top Cat** · 11-20-2015, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Here's your winter prep...move to a warm climate!

Hey Mister I rode 25 miles this season

cactusjack · 11-22-2015, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Hey Mister I rode 25 miles this season

That was a low blow, Tim. You should know it wasn't by choice.

11-19-2015, 03:09 PM	#1
Thom Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Webster MA Posts: 188	Winter Prep I was just wondering what all the northern guys do to their bikes while waiting for spring to arrive. While I never really store my bike for good, once the 30's hit up here in Mass I am done riding. I usually fill the tank and add some ethanol/stabile treatment. Place the tires on carpet pieces and cover her up. Always looking for tips and suggestions. She does get started up every week or so while hibernating __________________ 2006 Nomad 1600 "Big Irish" BatWing Fairing 12" KST Mayhem Dresser Bars Demon Cycle Mirrors Tunes supplied by Pioneer and Polk Exhaust courtesy of Vance and Hines and Big City Thunder Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-19-2015, 03:34 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	In addition to what you are doing is put a battery charger automatic type and don't start it unless you are going to ride it. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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11-19-2015, 09:15 PM	#5
Thom Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Webster MA Posts: 188	Thanks guys __________________ 2006 Nomad 1600 "Big Irish" BatWing Fairing 12" KST Mayhem Dresser Bars Demon Cycle Mirrors Tunes supplied by Pioneer and Polk Exhaust courtesy of Vance and Hines and Big City Thunder Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-19-2015, 09:15 PM	#6
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	A smart charger is a must, along with gas stabilizer. I don't change the oil till spring though some people like to change it before putting the bike away for the winter. I never start the bike till spring once it is on life support. What is the carpet for? I park all 3 of my bikes on the cement garage floor, no problems so far. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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11-19-2015, 09:24 PM	#7
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Along with the things mentioned, I always fogged the cylinders. If the storage area was humid I'd put some penetrating oil on a soft cloth and wipe down any metal where corrosion is present. I also dropped the air pressure in each tire. I'm glad those days are gone and I can just ride instead. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13 Last edited by ndbigfish; 11-19-2015 at 09:35 PM.
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11-19-2015, 07:54 PM	#4
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	I used to take the battery off and put it in the basement and charge it once a month. I put the bike in a shed and never saw the bike from October to April. Three feet of snow gets hard to move.
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11-20-2015, 12:22 AM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I don't do too much other than put the battery on charge a couple times throughout the winter, try to leave it with a full tank of gas, and usually change the oil, but not every year. If we have as warm a winter as they are saying we may have I'll possibly take the bike out for a run on the really nice days. It would be neat to try and ride it at least once each month of the year if the weather allows it. I got on it 11 of the 12 months the first year I had the bike. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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11-20-2015, 04:51 AM	#9
Brydgy Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 115	My 1st year having a bike survive until winter.:) Will place a battery tender on, tank is full of stabilized gas and covered. Hoping for fair weather too like ringadingh and get out for a ride during the winter months. __________________ Brydgy 2003 Nomad 1500Fi V & H pipes MS Batwing Meanie spring with Judges washers Phat risers ‘97 Royal Star rear fender rack
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11-20-2015, 12:10 PM	#10
Thom Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Webster MA Posts: 188	I have always placed tires on carpet. Call me crazy but it always seemed to help with flat spots. I am probably wrong, but no harm none the less. I too also like to take it for a spin if the road is clear and free of sand which my town is great for using in the winter months. Battery tender I agree is a great thing to have. Good advice. __________________ 2006 Nomad 1600 "Big Irish" BatWing Fairing 12" KST Mayhem Dresser Bars Demon Cycle Mirrors Tunes supplied by Pioneer and Polk Exhaust courtesy of Vance and Hines and Big City Thunder
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11-20-2015, 04:54 PM	#11
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I was just curious. I have heard it is not good to park for extended periods on cement. I also heard some guys drive the bikes up on wood. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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11-20-2015, 06:56 PM	#12
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Here's your winter prep...move to a warm climate! __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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11-20-2015, 07:58 PM	#13
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Starting a bike or any vehicle in storage is a bad idea, unless you plan to ride it and fully warm it up. A by product of combustion is moisture. Ever see water dripping out of a tail pipe or steamy exhaust coming from vehicles on a cold day? It takes quite a while to get everything hot enough to evaporate the moisture, just starting a bike up for 5-10 minutes is only going to produce moisture that will sit on your cylinder walls and lay in your mufflers. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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