winter storage/maintenance

[callam_nffc]

So ive got the bike under a nice dry shelter til the winters shifted, but except letting the bike tick over now and again, is there anything else i should be doing?

[lloydie]

Have you got good antifreeze in there ? .

[callam_nffc]

The honest answer is I dont know, it was last changed by the previous owner who used to have servicing done at a garage.

I could check all paperwork and see if its stated, but unlikely I guess

[AMCQ46]

Callum,
I would say NOT to start it up and let it idle unless you are going to get it fully up to running temp [engine and exhaust] otherwise you are just washing the oil off the bore and encouraging condensation in the exhausts.

better to:

1) fill tank to the brim so there is room for moisture build up in the tank to rust that.
2) front & back wheels off the ground
3) optimate on every few weeks [but dont leave it plugged into the battery when it is switched off]
4) douse the bike with WD40 or similar [not teh brakes]

other options are
a) run engine till hot and do oil change so only clean oil being left in the bike over winter
b) run engine with fuel tap closed till carbs are empty
b) drop oil down the bores and turn engine over slowly to get it to cover the cyls
c) put covers over the pipes


truth is I only do 3 and 4!

[lloydie]

Callum,
I would say NOT to start it up and let it idle unless you are going to get it fully up to running temp [engine and exhaust] otherwise you are just washing the oil off the bore and encouraging condensation in the exhausts.

better to:

1) fill tank to the brim so there is NO room for moisture build up in the tank to rust that.
2) front & back wheels off the ground
3) optimate on every few weeks [but dont leave it plugged into the battery when it is switched off]
4) douse the bike with WD40 or similar [not teh brakes]

other options are
a) run engine till hot and do oil change so only clean oil being left in the bike over winter
b) run engine with fuel tap closed till carbs are empty
b) drop oil down the bores and turn engine over slowly to get it to cover the cyls
c) put covers over the pipes


truth is I only do 3 and 4!

Fixed one for you

[callam_nffc]

The furthest ive got is wash/wax then gt85 over it

I do leave it to run for a fair while and it has virtually brand new oil/filter

[darkember]

Just running the engine will heat that up but your transmission will still be cold. Personally, stud issue aside, I lay mine up fully as AMCQ46 suggests.

[callam_nffc]

Tempted to just take it for a blast once a month instead lol

[leevtr]

I always leave mine ready to rock n roll, theres many a decent day to get the bike out in the winter. If I dont use it for a while then I just do what your saying, let it run up to temp once a week...Never had any issues.

[Shauned71]

Tempted to just take it for a blast once a month instead lol

That's what I would do... Iv'e never laid a bike up for the winter, my bike is always ready to roll regardless of weather or time of year. Won't be no different this year, don't look like i'll be getting my car back on the road anytime soon so bike will be out if needed come sun, rain or snow There is always the odd dry day here and there through the winter when you can blow the cobwebs off and take the bike for a half decent spin. Think the only time bike has been treated any different through winter is at times keeping the battery topped up through lack of use, other than that there's never been enough lack of use to worry about anything else.

[fabiostar]

unless its really nasty just take it for a weekly spin... when it does turn nasty for a few weeks I just put mine on paddock stands and start it every week, click it into 2nd gear and let it run until its well warm,,

[darkember]

unless its really nasty just take it for a weekly spin... when it does turn nasty for a few weeks I just put mine on paddock stands and start it every week, click it into 2nd gear and let it run until its well warm,,

Be careful when doing the above as there is no load on the chain & it can quite easily jump off the sprocket. The other issue is that paddock stands are not the safest way. You would be safer on an Abba stand & keep dipping the clutch to prevent chain slap.

[T8ull]

Got mine in a vac bag this year, complete with silca crystals brick inside.
Will let u know what it looks like in due course.

T

[ging500]

Mine has been protected by allweatherbiker and is used everyday !!

[VTRDark]

Tempted to just take it for a blast once a month instead lol

Exactly.

(:-})