"Winterizing???"

[Deerman82]

This is my first year having a bike and i need to know what i have to do to store it for the winter(drain fluids,etc.) The winters here are cold and snowy. I have at least a shed to store it in so weather isn't a concern but it will be sitting for at least 4 months. Please tell me even the obvious. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[YoTRacer158]

im probably not the most educated on this subject, as where i live the temperature never drops below 50 or hits over 85...but i'd say definately drain the fluids. other than that i cant think of anything. also it would probably be a good idea to put some fluids in it and start it up at least once a month to keep everything lubed

 

[DANIEL JOSEPH]

I winterize by putting on Friction Spikes:p

 

[Someone]

I put my bike in the living room (we don't use it). It makes for an easy start in the spring.

I do know that it's suggested to put a little bit of oil in the spark plug hole and drain the tank and bowl of the carb.

 

[SPD]

All I ever did was put some fuel stablizer in the bike , run it a few minutes,check anti-freeze and park it. In the spring drain the gas. Put in freash gas and a new plug and kick it a few times and away we go.

 

[a454elk]

What's winter? Is that the thing between Fall and Spring? We don't have fall either so I'm really lost. All I know is that bewteen November and March is the best time to ride in Ocotillo! Sorry I can't be much help.

Elk

 

[KXaggerator]

In addition to the oil in the spark plug hole place the piston at TDC that way the oil does not just run out the ports if it is a two stroke. If you look in some catalogs the also sell desiccant devices that are shaped like spark plugs to keep moisture out of your combustion chamber. I would also drain the old oil out of the case after your last ride so that all that crude does not settle into a sludge layer in there. I would then add clean fluid back in. Before your first ride after winter I would work the clutch lever a few times, as the plates can become semi-dry as the oil gets pressed out of the plates over long periods of storage and the clutch can feel grabby. Also clean and really lube your chain. If you are a die hard you may want to remove your brake rotors and store them in a dry place as they can really rust over a long damp winter.

 

[ktmboy]

I'm with Elk---I thought winterizing meant pulling out your sweatshirts and long-johns for the cooler weather rides! :p :p
So-cal desert----riding year 'round and loving it!

 

[Papakeith]

winterizing?! simple-rejet for the colder temps and get some trellies.:)

 

[Peer Lovell]

Wash bike, spray everthing that might rust with WD-40. Plug exhaust. If you are worried about rodents, remove air filter and tape over air intake and leave some mothballs in airbox. Change trans. fluid. Drain all the gas, including the carb. Lube all cables and chain. Pour two teaspoons of 2 stroke oil down spark plug hole, turn engine over once and replace plug.
Remove battery, if it has one. Put bike on stand so suspension is off the ground. Cover with a cotton sheet.
During the winter try and resist the urge to sit on the bike and make vroom vroom noises. If any moisture is present the cold will tear the fork seals.

 

[Treestomper]

What does getting cold mean. You can still ride if it gets cold. Down here in Texas the best riding reason just is about to start. Just wear more layers of cloths.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Buy some fogging oil and spray into the cylinder. Fill up the gas tank, so no moisture can get in. Spray chain with wd-40 after washing the bike. Change the oil. Spray any parts that will rust with WD-40 and put up on a stand so that the suspension is not compressed. I don't think I'm forgetting anything. Oh yeah, as said above, it might be a good idea to plug the exhaust and maybe put a mothball in the airbox. Last spring my dad found a mouse nest in his airbox!!!

 

[smb_racing]

I always flush and refill my cooling system to make sure there's nothing bad in there to cause corrosion, at the very least make sure you've got enough anti-freeze in there for the temps it will be stored in.

 

[Hucker]

Originally posted by Peer Lovell
Wash bike, spray everthing that might rust with WD-40. Plug exhaust. If you are worried about rodents, remove air filter and tape over air intake and leave some mothballs in airbox. Change trans. fluid. Drain all the gas, including the carb. Lube all cables and chain. Pour two teaspoons of 2 stroke oil down spark plug hole, turn engine over once and replace plug.
Remove battery, if it has one. Put bike on stand so suspension is off the ground. Cover with a cotton sheet.
During the winter try and resist the urge to sit on the bike and make vroom vroom noises. If any moisture is present the cold will tear the fork seals.

Talking about winter, I think I need to get you down to Niagara Falls for some Welland Canal riding. Ever ride on the ice with 1inch spikes? Its a blast.....

 

[smb_katoomer]

winterizing? man snow is a good way to hone slick/slippery riding skills! late feb/early march, it is so sloppy that nothing else can even compare. plus, if you ride year round, no need to train in off-season!

 

[One Dollar]

Here in Fla we dream of winter, the best weather for riding. I have done some "summerizing" but now I'm going dual sport so I don't have to.