Winter storage

[scratch]

Hello all,

Being a former m/c mechanic, I don't know how many times I have 'fixed' a motorcycle because it wouldn't start in the spring.  I would like to outline all the nessessary things needed to do to a motorcycle to prep it for storage (not nessessarily winter, especially for those in the military).

If you can put it in a garage, great!  If not, pull the battery out and use a Dow motorcycle cover.  Everything else will apply to both situations with the exception of using cloth or bedsheets to cover the bike in the garage.

Battery: Pull it out if you can store it someplace else and charge it periodically, or if your leaving, put it on a trickle charger (.5amp).
At least disconnect the negative terminal. Both preferably.

Feul tank: Fill it completely and add fuel stabilizer, I don't know what kind, I'm an all-season rider, and I don't remember what I used when I was in the military.

If the tank has a shut off valve, use it.  Turn it off.

The fuel selector should be in the On position.

Carburetors: DRAIN THE FRIGGIN' FLOAT BOWLS!!

Oil: Change the oil.

Tires: Over-inflate.  Just a few psi over what you're using now.  Don't exceed 42psi, I will not accept any responsibility for what any of you do.
There, there's my disclaimer  :nana: .

And ideally, if you can, block up the bike so that both tires are off the ground, but this may be too instable for comfort and peace of mind, especially those in earthquake areas.  That's why I suggest over-inflation.

If you're storing outside (you know who you are...college kids, fellow Californians, etc.) close up the bottom of the cover so the neighborhood cats can't get in and minimize the spiders climbing in.

And if you're storing outside and you know it's going to rain, remove the brake pads and the brake levers to prevent the brakes from rusting together.

Did I miss anything?  It's late, I'm tired, and my brain hurts.

My apollogies to anybody I offended, I did not mean to.

I hope this helps.

Signing off!  Good night!

[john]

Good advice.  I use Stabil brand stabilizer but any brand will do.

[scratch]

Bump. Seems to be that time of year again. :mrgreen:

[klimber]

nooooooooo...not yet!

[glenn9171]

F-U-E-L.

Not to be picky or anything. :nana:  :mrgreen:

[scratch]

No, no, appreciate it! I spell things phonetically, so when I say fuel out loud it sounds to me like 'feul' (or, I'm sitting too close the stereo speakers). Now, I undadand why dey keep popp'ng balloons do clote do my hed.

[pandy]

Speaking of dusting off old threads.... I think this is the first "first post" I've found that actually has helpful information in it!  :lol:

You rawk, scratch!  :kiss:  

[John Bates]

.................................
Battery: Pull it out if you can store it someplace else and charge it periodically, or if your leaving, put it on a trickle charger (.5amp).
At least disconnect the negative terminal. Both preferably.
.........................

Nice write-up Scratch.

It may be helpful to some to be a little more specific about the type and capacity of the battery charger.

Something like, "put it on an automatic one amp charger".

The word automatic means that the charger will automatically switch to trickle (maintenance) mode when the battery becomes fully charged.  Then will automatically switch back to full charge mode when needed, etc.
This eliminates the need to be there to check and manually charge it.

The ideal capacity of the charger is 1/10 of the amp-hour rating of the battery.  In the case of the GS, a 11 amp-hour battery, about 1 amp is the preferred capacity for a charger.

[scratch]

Thank you both.

I agree with using a charger that is automatic, I was understanding that a trickle charger was automatic.

Also, here's that addendum that I keep forgetting: http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=35214#35214

[calamari]

I tought we were supposed to ride no matter what wind/rain/hail we come across with?  :dunno:

I even bought new insulated/wateroproof gloves today  

storage? c'mon!  

[pandy]

storage? c'mon!  

:lol: Storage is for the poor folks back east that get buried under 10 feet of snow... I can't even imagine!

I will say, however, that I was a wuss and caged it today. It's supposed to be mega stormy later, so I decided to play it safe (and warm in my heated cage).

Scratch rides in all weather... I'm unworthy!  

:mrgreen:

[Badger]

A few days this week have been marginally good riding weather (some very good...*looks longingly out window* like today).  Unfortunately, I'm a knucklehead and have been taking the car.  It's somewhere in the mid-40's here, and my bike is sitting at home.  

I think I'm going to ride in tomorrow regardless.  I think it's supposed to be nice out.  Maybe I'll get some quality seat time on Saturday.

[pandy]

I think I'm going to ride in tomorrow regardless.  I think it's supposed to be nice out.  Maybe I'll get some quality seat time on Saturday.

I have to admit...if I lived in Boston, I'm not sure how much cold-weather riding I'd do.....

[Badger]

I think I'm going to ride in tomorrow regardless.  I think it's supposed to be nice out.  Maybe I'll get some quality seat time on Saturday.

I have to admit...if I lived in Boston, I'm not sure how much cold-weather riding I'd do.....

Eh.  You get used to the cold.  In the winter, if it hits mid 40's it feels like t-shirt weather.  Mid 40's in the summer and you're dragging wool sweaters out of storage.  

I lived in Monterey for a bit and it always seemed to feel chilly in the evenings and early mornings...that was probably 60 degrees.  I moved to upstate NY and 25 degrees started to feel balmy during the winter.  Comparatively, I guess Boston is fairly moderate.  Seattle seems more so in my experience, lacking the extremes we get out here.

[Daniely]

Whats the meaning of this word...storage....

hehe just playin, nice write up scratch, good info had there.

[Alphamazing]

Bah. I'm going to be out of town for a month! I'm going to this tiny little Texas town called Plainview, and I won't have the GS. Should I do anything to it while it sits in my garage for a month, or will it be fine if I just leave it be?

[scratch]

At least do the minimum mentioned here: http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18202&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Update: I remember some information about tire inflation, I think it was even mentioned here on GStwin, that if you can get both tires off the ground (in a secure fashion), to actually reduce tire pressures; this will help prevent tire cracking (and something else I can't remember (I'm old, bear with me)).

[calamari]

I've been riding on 36-48 degrees F for the past few days.

I must say, is much more fun than I tought, specially if you add some rain, a bit of mist, and wind to the mixture.

I don't really have to, and my gf is reluctant to this (she offers to lend me her car every day), but I figured I better ride in these conditions now that I don't have to, so I'm not surprised or stressed about it when I really have to.

The tires stick pretty good to the wet pavement   so I'm not that concerned now (except the painted wthite lines/letters on the road, or the manholes...mmm, sure sounds strange).

Anyway. a good pair of insulated/waterproof gloves and the waterproof inner lining for the jacket  is all I need to keep me warm now (except for my chin, that gets a bit too cold  :lol:  )

Oh yeah, and I love that white puffy smoke the GS emits every cold morning    (smells funny too)

[niteshade]

darnit... i would ride this winter if I had my license, but they don't offer the MSF course until the spring.  Late spring.  Like May 22.  

I'm tempted just to learn in a parking lot.  Hate to have the GS in storage until freaking June...

[niteshade]