by Dax Mickelson
Originally Published in the IAMC Newsletter, January 2015
The following article is a recompilation of the winter maintenance tips sent to me from the experts over at Big Twin Motorcycles. So enjoy learning, or being reminded, about how best to maintain your motorcycle over the cold winter months so that it will be in Tp top shape come next riding season!
Clean & Shine
Washing, waxing and polishing the motorcycle might seem like a waste of time since you are putting it away and no one will see it. But applying wax is a very important part of storing a motorcycle. Wax will act as a barrier against rust and moisture.
Don’t forget to spray any other metal surfaces (such as the frame or engine) will a very light spray of WD-40. This will keep these areas shiny and protect from corrosion as well.
Fuel
Gas tanks have a tendency to rust when not in use, and untreated pump gas breaks down and becomes gummy over Time. To prevent rusTng and make sure your fuel is ready to run ager a few months in storage, you’ll want to fill the tank with fresh fuel, but do not overfill. The correct level is when the fuel just touches the bottom of the filler neck. This gives enough room for the fuel to expand without overflowing the tank when temperature rises and treat your fuel with a product like Star tiron Fuel Treatiment or Sta-bil fuel stabilizer
Battery
Batteries have a tendency to self-discharge when sitting over Time, especially when they remain hooked up to the bike. The easiest way to combat this is to hook up a battery tender to monitor the charge and keep the battery topped off without overcharging. Normally you should pull the battery from the bike for storage, but with a smart tender you can also connect the tender with the battery leg in the bike. Before doing this, make sure the electrodes are clean and corrosion free. If necessary, clean them off and give them a light coating of grease.
Tires
Check both front and rear Tres with your air pressure gauge. Make sure each Tre is properly inflated to the maximum recommend pressure. As it gets colder, air condenses in your Tre so it is important to pump them up as to keep your Tres healthy. Rubber is a flexible material and does not like to freeze (it cracks when it freezes). Placing 1/4″-1/2″ piece of cardboard, carpet or wood board under each Tre will help keep the rubber raised up from a freezing floor. Be_er yet, elevate bike on a stand such that the Tres are not bearing any of the weight of the bike.
Resources
1. Store Your Bike Rights This Winter. http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Street/Resources/
StoreYourBikeRight.aspx
2. Winter Storage for Motorcycles. http://www.clarity.net/adam/winter-storage.html
3. 7 Ways to Keep Winter from Trashing Your Ride. h_p://blog.esurance.com/motorcycle-storage-7-ways-to- keep-winter-from-trashing-your-ride/#.VHjv4daVGvM
4. Ten Simple Steps to Winterize your Motorcycle. http://www.bikebandit.com/community/guides/how-to- winterize-your-motorcycle