Winterize 101

Thought I would open this up and hear what the more experienced cold weather folks do to their bikes for winter break.

(i am a FL rider originally, and I have heard many conflicting reports of what to do vs what not to do especially regarding stabilizer)

I have stands to get the bike off the cement floor of the garage. And a trickle charger... What else? Any tricks to the trade? Chime in on your vote of Stabilizer or not Stabil...

My routine is easy and never fails. I don't "winterize" because I don't let the bike sit idle over the winter. It gets cold where I live (at this moment it's 31F that feels like 24F with wind chill), so riding year 'round isn't a good option for my old bones. BUT, I start the bike once a week and let it idle for 15 minutes or so until it is up to full operating temperature. Doing this prevents old gas from fouling the carbs, keeps oil on the cylinder walls and other parts, and keeps the battery charged. Another big plus in doing this is that when a warm day does appear the bike starts right up and I can ride without fiddling with it and without worrying that I need to winterize it again after the warm day passes and the cold returns. Since buying the bike 37+ years ago I have done this every year except one. That one year taught me a lesson because when spring came I had to remove the carbs and clean them. Never again. Ed

Depends where you live and how cold it gets. My bike is under a cover since last week and I wont see it until March. We have snow on the ground and temperature is currently -8 C

I
Change the oil
Clean the bike
Put Stabil in the gas tank and fill the tank right up - prevents rust
Drain the carbs
Put a tea spoon (5cc) oil in the cylinders and turn engine over a few times with the plugs out.
Remove the battery and bring it inside and put it on a charger once a month or so
Place bike on center stand and raise front wheel off the ground
Let some air out of the tires.
Stuff a plastic bagl in the exhaust to discourage critters.
Stuff the airbox
Put on the breathable cover
Dont look at it until March

In the Spring I usually transfer the gas with Stabil to the car and buy fresh gas

A little snow doesn't prevent me from starting it once a week. Ed

You poor guys. We get to ride almost year round. We pay for it in the Socialist State of California, taxes,taxes,taxes. It does get cold in the desert though. When it does, there's my trusty old 69 F 250. Gas mileage sucks but it's warm. There's always a cost.
Steve

Definitely drain the carbs. That was my bread and butter when I was wrenching. $40 per carb. They didn't do it again.
Steve

scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1...2d6beceb&oe=55187621

I live in Toronto, Ontario and I do the same as 650 Ed., I start my bike once or twice a week, and I have my battery on trickle cell charger.. ^

pete greek1 wrote: scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1...2d6beceb&oe=55187621

That's a good one! Problem is, If I ride further south, I'll be being hit by illegals like June bugs. The bugs hurt like hell, the other can kill you. Where I live, the free way is right over the hill.
"Had to learn the hard way, let them pass by, let them pass by." GD
Steve

Swest wrote
That's a good one! Problem is, If I ride further south, I'll be being hit by illegals like June bugs. The bugs hurt like hell, the other can kill you. Where I live, the free way is right over the hill.
"Had to learn the hard way, let them pass by, let them pass by." GD
Steve
A couple of Burps from an Uzi mounted on your handlebars, should scatter them out of your way :evil: :woohoo:
Pete

650ed wrote: My routine is easy and never fails. I don't "winterize" because I don't let the bike sit idle over the winter. It gets cold where I live (at this moment it's 31F that feels like 24F with wind chill), so riding year 'round isn't a good option for my old bones. BUT, I start the bike once a week and let it idle for 15 minutes or so until it is up to full operating temperature. Doing this prevents old gas from fouling the carbs, keeps oil on the cylinder walls and other parts, and keeps the battery charged. Another big plus in doing this is that when a warm day does appear the bike starts right up and I can ride without fiddling with it and without worrying that I need to winterize it again after the warm day passes and the cold returns. Since buying the bike 37+ years ago I have done this every year except one. That one year taught me a lesson because when spring came I had to remove the carbs and clean them. Never again. Ed

I did the same thing with my snowmobiles during summer months. Fire it up and run it at least once a month.

I guess I should move again. I am in the process of buying a house, and keeping the bike in a friends garage. Until I close. I think I will likely ride it less than I would like or have access - so I am going to go with some stabil in tank, Run it through the bike, then drain the carbs.

That or pack my sh** and move to arizona.