Thanks to manofthefield for posting this link up a few weeks back:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/winter-storage-content.html

That pretty much says it all
and thus far, I think i pretty much can do all of this on my own
(thank god, I don't wanna pay someone to help me winterize my bike)

The only thing I don't get is
step #5:  Spray fogging oil in cylinder(s)

How exactly do I get there and really hope no one says
that I have to remove the entire fairing
(I have a 2004 GS500F)

By the way, call me nuts
but I rode yesterday
with snow shooting into my face like pieces of glass

That was nuts, but something i'll never ever forget!

cheers,
joel

Quote from: dolepineappleBy the way, call me nuts
but I rode yesterday
with snow shooting into my face like pieces of glass

That was nuts, but something i'll never ever forget!

Everything in life is an experience!

don't winterize!!!
we can still ride

check out my pics from yesturday...riding from Hamilton to Toronto (>100km)

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2134240244

you're telling me,
i came home and took a look in the mirror while i was washing my hands

it looked like i was target practice
for a dart school!
(well not really, but i had a ton of noticeable red spots)

cheers,
joel

lol
this week should be good and without snow.......shouldn't be that bad...

Frost:  you are NUTS!  by the way, we have the exact same helmet (CS-12), but mine's in black to match my bike. . .

you are one crazy ass rider. . .
but i've been getting really sick lately because
i'm still riding in this weather

you've got some serious goonads. . .
be safe out there
these toronto rides can get a little slippery

lol...ya i know... :lol: ...

i'll be riding all year round...hopefully will be able to ride christmas day...that'll make everythign just perfect

if you wanna ride...give me a shout...i'm in markham until January...

sounds like a plan. . .

but my last ride might be today
if i get my ass out of bed
and to a gas station to fill my tank
add that sta-bil crap to my tank
let it run
and then back home
to be *sigh* put away for 98 days

i said it once
and i'll say it again, Frost

you're a nut!
be safe. . .

not to be rude,
but can anyone answer my question about getting
to the spark plugs?
(do i have to remove the fairing)

I think you are going to have to remove just the fairings that cover the engine, because I don't think you can reach your sparkplugs without doing so.

DAMNIT!
thanks for breakin it to me

now, how to hell do i remove these fairings?
what tools do i need?

:sigh:  wish I could still be riding, but we got about 6 inches of snow since late last night, and we look to be getting at least another 6 before the storm ends tomorrow.  And snow flurries all week.  I'm thinking about getting a vintage snowmobile for the winter to do some riding with the others in my school's motorcycle club.

To your question: 1.  I don't know how to get the fairings off, cause I don't have em, and  2.  I didn't use any fogging oil in my engine, though it would not have hurt for me to do so.  Sorry that doesn't help

manofthefield:  thanks. . .any responses to this post is helpful regardless because at least i know people out there care!

thanks again for the link, it's just what we winterizers need (is that even a word?)

snow sux, i know
but anything to keep me from getting killed
or seriously injured is worth the wait for spring!

cheers everyone,
joel

Your probably going to need a 4mm Allen wrench, but I'm just guessing because I don't actually have an "F" model, and I have yet to work on one...

thanks scratch. . .i have a strange feeling i'm going to have to get my hands on some sort of drill to get it out. . .damnit

the reason i have this feeling is because i remember vaguely when my fairing protectors were installed, i'm pretty sure the guy that did it for me had a power drill. . .but that was so long ago and my short term memory is so SHOT due to an abundance of illicit plant inhalation over the past 2 years. . .(doh, was i supposed to mention that?)

cheers,
joel

woohooo. . .thanks to srinath for responding to my PM about taking off the fairings. . .he said he didn't know, but gave me an uber load of other good winterizing tips. . .here's what he said:


You could ride till it gets nice and hot ... say 1 hr max, 20 mins minimum ... then park it, and right away plug the exhaust opening with cloth. People say drain the carbs, I dont like that, draining the tank also is bad IMHO... Fill tank of course, all the way to top. Put pettcock in on or res. Spray the carbs with silicone spray on the outside ... and every month repeat that step ... make sure silicone gets everywhere in between the carbs and on fuel hoses as well and the tank petcock gasket ... Battery out and in the house and charge it on trickle every month or so. All other rubber, vinyl and non metal pieces can get a light spray of silicone like fork seals, switches, cables outer, grommets under seat, tank, headlight, grips all rubber and vinyl bits ... except tires.... the same time carbs get it.
Now every other month ... drain the carbs and put in prime for 1 min ...
That will replace old gas in carbs with fresh gas from tank ... I dont like stabil in tank ... but if you must use an additive to preserve gas ... pick one that has no methanol or any alchohol, and no ammonia ... that makes it rust easier ... even though it cleans carbs well ...
In spring ... change oil, change that old gas out from tank and carbs and shiuld be good for the year.
Problems with storing ...
Battery dead... You charge it ...
Carbs have gummed gas.... You drain and fill new gas every month
Tanks rust - not if its full of gas.
Rubber seals crack... not if its sprayed with silicone
Cables and plastic and vinyl stuff breaks/dries out - not with silicone
Carbs o rings dry and crack. Not with silicone
Oil has acids and eats motor - not if its run till very hot and then shut off and sealed from elements.
General shaZam! rusts ... OK you keep it out of most weather right ... just no direct snow and rain and ice ... OK 90% safe ... whihc is the best you can against rust ...

now back to my other question:

anyone know how to remove the fairings off an F?
what tools would i need and what exactly am i removing besides the bolts, if there actually is anything else to remove?

this forum is awesome

cheers,
joel

if you need help...i can come by to help...