Archive for January 7th, 2010
Preparing Your Motorcycle For Storage
Well if it hasn’t already been done it’s time to prepare your bike for the long winter. Here are the things I prefer to do when preparing my bike for the winter. I take the bike for one last ride to make sure I haven’t forgotten any repairs that need to be addressed. Next I make sure it has a full tank of gas to prevent condensation as a full tank keeps exposed metal to a minimum and I add a good fuel stabilizer. After the stabilizer is added the bike should be run for a period of time to make sure that it is throughout the entire fuel system.
The engine oil should be changed to remove any harmful deposits accumulated since the last oil change. These acids can cause unwanted corrosion inside the engine over the winter. If the bike is going to be outside or in a cold environment the battery should be removed. If stored inside in a warm environment a battery tender or maintainer can be used to keep battery charge at a safe level. If equipped the bike should be placed on the center stand this helps relieve pressure from the suspension components. The bike should have a good thorough wash to remove any harmful residues or chemicals that may be on the bike as these may cause rust or corrosion. The bike should be covered to keep it dry and dust free.
And last but not least make sure that there is protection from varmints like mice. Place dryer sheets around bike or some type of poison to keep those varmints away. Make sure your your Black Leather Jacket, your rain suit and all the rest of your gear are removed and stored in a good clean safe environment. It would be a good idea to clean and treat your leather jacket and other leather accessories before storing for the winter.
If you have the privilege of a heated shop or garage it would be a good idea to clean and polish your bike over the winter months so its ready for spring. When the weather turns it’s nice to be ready for the season. If these steps are taken I’m sure your experience in the spring will be rewarding. The bike should start and perform as usual.