Under the New Fallen Snow - Preparing your motorcycle for winter storage
Nov 24 '07
The Bottom Line Motorcycles are emotional creatures, and more spiteful than your old girlfriend! Showing some care and interest in the fall will return a happier bike in the spring.
You spent a whole lot of money for that motorcycle, and yet there it sits – under a frost covered tarp in the driveway or a corner your garage. As each fall day becomes colder that impulse-buy motorcycle becomes more invisible. Maybe you will become more interested next spring, and maybe you have already thought about winter riding, but for now there is nothing exciting about a freezing ride. Unless you plan on moving it to the curb for a spring trash day, it might be a good idea to give that investment a fighting chance when the robins return. A neglected motorcycle will be tough to start, and even tougher to sell, when the weather becomes more cooperative.
By The Book
There really is not a lot to do to prepare a motorcycle for winter hibernation. If you still have that owners’ manual that came with it, there is usually a checklist for winter storage. That list should always beat any advice given you by the gear head down the street or me – the folks who designed your motorcycle know better than any of us what should be done. Most tasks are easy for even the most mechanically challenged to complete, and I will bet there was even a simple tool kit included with the bike to facilitate their completion. No owners’ manual, then here is my own quick list for the long winter nap:
By The Numbers
1. Wash and wax the bike I know it is getting cold, but removing the dirt and grime will make all the other tasks a whole lot easier. Wax will protect all the visible parts from accidental bumping and environmental stuff during storage. Parts and fasteners will be a lot simpler to work when they are visible. And a clean motorcycle is a whole lot easier to ride – see number 2.
2. Take a ride I know that it is getting cold, but even a ride of 10 miles will warm up all the lubricants that need to be changed. That ride will also put a light charge on the battery and hopefully inspire you to finish the job.
3. Change all the fluids Yep, replace all the oils, lubricants and even the coolant if there is any. I am not a chemist, but I have seen how the acids and stuff that builds up in lubricants when exposed to the engine’s internal combustion can eat away at the best of metals. Changing those fluids will remove the acids so that the bike does not rot from the inside. If there is a chain drive, then it should be cleaned and re-lubricated. If not, then make sure to change any fluids for the driveshaft or final drive. And do not forget the transmission if it is separate from the engine. Oh yeah, I will bet that there is some kind of grease fitting for the swing arm and control levers. If so, go ahead and pump some grease into them to clean out that dried up stuff from the summer heat.
4. Gas If the bike has carburetors, make sure to empty any gas out of the float bowls. Usually this can be done by snapping a spring clip and removing the bowl. At least fill the tank with fresh gas, or better yet, once filled you should add some gas stabilizer. That will keep the gas from absorbing moisture from the air or becoming a gummy paste over the next few months. A bit of advice here is to make sure you take reasonable precautions so as not to start a fire or breathe too many fumes during this operation. Firemen are known to be nice people and it is better to meet them somewhere other than when they are trying to save your house.
5. Change any oil or fuel filters New filters will give the bike an even better shot at running properly next spring.
6. Check the tires Make sure tire pressure is up to the specifications of the maker or that of the bike manufacturer. Tires with too little air pressure will tend to “flat spot” during storage, that flat spot will be a very uncomfortable “thump” every time it hits the pavement next spring.
7. Electricity Here is where you might need to invest around $10 by buying a “trickle” charger. That is one that only puts out around 3 amps. It will keep the battery happy and ready for warmer weather. Then there are two ways to store the battery. The first is to remove it completely from the bike, hook up that charger, and forget about it until you need it. The other is to hook that charger up to the battery while it is still in the bike. Either way, be sure any vent hoses are clear and any cell caps are open – combustible fumes are given off while a better charges, so give the local firemen a few extra hours of rest during the holiday season.
8. Center stand Most motorcycles have a center stand that allows for fully upright storage. Using the center stand will make it more stable.
9. Cover Up Either outdoors or indoors storage should include some kind of cover. That cover will lessen accidental bumping and discourage prying eyes. You like a thick blanket in the winter and so does your bike. This is one way to show it you care.
10. Ready for spring! Properly preparing your motorcycle for long term storage will pay off big time in the spring. Fresh gas, a charged battery, and properly inflated tires should be about all it will need to begin spring training.
So if you do plan on climbing back in the saddle during the first warm days, or listing that impulse-buy motorcycle in want ads, a couple hours invested in the fall will become very important in the spring.
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