winterization?

[coopstar55]

well I finally have to leave summer and go back away to school so prob. will not be riding my bike until spring again. anyone got any tips or things i should do to bike to keep it in good shape until next spring. I own a 04 gs500f and it almost makes me cry leaving her like this after all our good times we had this summer. so any tips would be helpful. thanks

[Susuki_Jah]

do you have a manual or a service manual. you have to do a couple of things to store it. like drain the gas and put fresh oil in it

[Kerry]

do you have a manual or a service manual. you have to do a couple of things to store it. like drain the gas and put fresh oil in it

Actually, draining the gas is not such a good idea.

On the one hand, with no fuel in the system there is little chance of gumming up the carbs or filters.  On the other hand, an empty gas tank will be full of atmospheric air (which has some moisture in it) and may develop rust.  For a more thorough explanation see THIS PAGE.

The best route is to leave the gas tank and fuel system full ... but with TREATED fuel that won't separate and leave varnish deposits throughout.  How do you treat the fuel?  By adding something like STA-BIL to it.


Here's what I would suggest:

1) Buy a bottle of STA-BIL just about anywhere (auto parts store, home center, etc.)

2) Fill the bike's gas tank with the freshest fuel available.

3) Pour in approximately 2 oz of STA-BIL.  A little less for an '89-00 model, a little more for an '01+ model.

4) Go for one last, several-mile ride.  This will burn all of the untreated fuel out of the system and introduce treated fuel throughout.

5) As you complete the rest of your winterization procedure, add some (hopefully TREATED) fuel from a gas can to top off the tank and minimize the amount of moist air that can get in.

There are several alternatives to STA-BIL, but I have no experience with them.  The cheapest I have found so far  is Maxima Fuel Storage Stabilizer ... $2.19 for 8 ounces from Chaparral.  It doesn't have the cool self-metering pour bottle, but "close" is good enough with this type of stuff.

[glenn9171]

Put it on blocks if possible to keep the tires from getting bad spots on the bottoms.  

Take the battery out and keep it out of the weather.  A trickle charger every now and then will keep it ready for Spring.  

Kerry, as always, is right-on with the gas advice.  

Change the oil and start it up for a few minutes to get the fresh oil circulated.

[manofthefield]

Oil change before or after winter?

[vtlion]

Oil change before or after winter?

some say both.  That's what I do anyway.  

Sta-bil in the fuell system, top off the tank and run it into the carbs.

Fogging oil in the cylinders.

Front and rear stands.

Change the oil.

Come spring, just swap out the oil again and fire it up.  

[vtlion]

p.s.  IF you will only change it once, do the oil before you store.  Running the bike adds acids to the oil that you don't want sitting in the crank-case all winter long  

[Cal Price]

Oh! deep joy, Autumal equinox today, winter draws on and all that, soon we will have all those slippery leaves on the twistees to contend with, unless of course you are a Southern hemispher rider in which case, happy vernal equinox. At least it's the same day all over the planet.

[JohnNS]

You guys/girls living in warmer climes are missing the boat. You could offer a service where people who live in the arctic like us could drop our bikes off for you to "take care of" over the winter.    

[scratch]

Shipping would be expensive!

I'm doin' a little experiment: I have reaccuring rust on the threads of the mirrors, I have a small tub of Bel Ray's waterproof grease that I'm going to use on the threads and fill up the cups(er, nuts) to keep the water out; hopefully to keep the rust out.

I'm looking forward to riding the rainy season this year!