Recommended Post Winter Storage Maintenance? [Archive]

Jer

03-16-2009, 03:54 PM

Hello again!

My GZ is out of storage from its long winters nap. I've started it up and ran it a bit.

Now what?

I'm new to bikes, its got about 4400 miles on it. I bought it at the end of summer last year.

I suppose I'll change the oil and filter now. I've only put about 400 miles on it since getting it but its likely due. Better safe than sorry. What else do you recommend? The tires look good....

I saw chain lube mentioned.

I'm not real mechanically inclined but my brother is, I'll have him come help me if I think I need it.

Thanks for the recommendations!

alanmcorcoran

03-16-2009, 04:26 PM

Did you happen to fill the tank before you stored it? I've heard that is supposed to cut down on rust. I have also heard that the gas get's "old" and should be drained and replaced with fresh. Not sure if a few months really is considered long term storage.

Jer

03-16-2009, 04:41 PM

Yeah, I filled it and put "stabil" in it.

It sat for 5 months.

Once I got it started it seems to be fine.

mrlmd1

03-16-2009, 04:44 PM

Next time you lay the bike up for the winter, change the oil BEFORE you put it away so it doesn't sit for 6 months with dirt and acids in it eating up your engine. And keep the battery on a trickle charger during the cold layup period. Check the tire pressure. Lube the chain. Check all the lights.
If the bike doesn't run smooth when started, you may need to run a tankful of gas with carb cleaner (Berrymans 12 or Seafoam) in it. See how it runs before you start messing with all kinds of things.

Jer

03-16-2009, 04:49 PM

I can do the carb cleaner in it anyway. Any harm in that?

Can it be too clean?

The oil in the little window looks brand new. Can I use that as any sort of guide?

Trickle charger, got one.
Lights and tire pressure I'm good on.
Good tips. Thanks!

Chain lube... Is this something I can buy and apply easily? Or does the chain need to come off?

music man

03-16-2009, 06:43 PM

If you put Stabil in it, and the gas that was in it at the time you did it was fresh, then you shouldn't have any problem whatsoever with the gas being bad. If your not going to drain that gas out, I would burn most of it up before putting in carb cleaner, plus when you run stuff like that in your tank, it is better to put it in first then fill your tank, it mixes with the gas better that way.

And one other thing i didn't think of, did you run your bike AFTER you put Stabil in it, because if you didn't that means that the gas that was in your carb was not protected by the Stabil.

Easy Rider

03-16-2009, 07:40 PM

Chain lube... Is this something I can buy and apply easily? Or does the chain need to come off?

90W gear lube. Dribble some on, turn a few revolutions (by pushing maybe) then wipe off the excess.

Sounds to me like you need to get an owner's manual.

In addition to what's already been mentioned, check for loose screws and bolts and consider lub'ing the cables and pivot points.

Bottom line is: from now on, you should be doing all those things on a regular basis and, if you do, then starting it up after storage should be no different than starting it any other time.

I don't generally favor replacing good oil just because it is a few months old but since you really don't KNOW how old your's is, I agree it should be changed this time.

Jer

03-16-2009, 08:01 PM

Stabil - Yep, it was a fresh tank with stabil added. And I ran it for about a mile after filling it and adding stabil.

Gear lube - Thanks!

Owners Manual - Yep. Got one. Read it front to back when I got the bike. Didnt think to check again for recommended maintenance. And I figured asking other owners in the "maintenance section" was a wise idea. Since the owerns manual doesnt know my mileage, where I live, when it was stored, how it was stored, how old it is, etc.... Correct me if I'm wrong but I credit this site with more info than that manual has.

Starting it up after storage - No, I didnt assume it was any different. It just seemed like a good time to visit the maintenance side of things. Since minus the storage time, the bike is only 2 and a half months old to me.

Thanks for the tips!

mrlmd1

03-16-2009, 09:43 PM

Some of us use Dupont Teflon spray lube for the chain, A lot less messy than oil and we think it stays cleaner.
(Comes in a blue spray can- at auto or hardware stores).

If the chain is really dirty it may have to be cleaned with kerosene and a toothbrush first before lubing - do a search on here for chain lube and read the manual online here.

Jer

03-16-2009, 09:44 PM

Great idea.

Less mess = awesome.

Can I just use PAM?

joke.

Water Warrior 2

03-16-2009, 09:54 PM

Great idea.

Less mess = awesome.

Can I just use PAM?

joke.

Yes but not on the chain. lol. Years ago we would spray Pam on the engine and cases of dirt bikes so mud and dirt would wash off much easier after the ride. Chains are happier with Du Pont.

Jer

03-16-2009, 10:16 PM

and not on the brakes right?

;)

Easy Rider

03-16-2009, 10:44 PM

Easy Rider

03-16-2009, 11:01 PM

Can I just use PAM?

You probably should ask her first.
Probably depends on WHAT you want to user her for !!! :shocked:

:crackup

Jer

03-16-2009, 11:39 PM

Can anyone point me to info on lubing cables?

And what pivots are?

mrlmd1

03-17-2009, 10:41 AM

Some of us use Dupont Teflon spray lube for the chain, A lot less messy than oil and we think it stays cleaner.

I really like that stuff (or similar) for cables and pivots. Maybe I should consider it for the chain too. Does it come in small, portable cans? I haven't seen any recently.

What do you mean by small portable cans? It comes in an 11 oz. blue spray can, a little over 7 in. tall (regular size spray can).

Easy Rider

03-17-2009, 10:46 AM

What do you mean by small portable cans? It comes in an 11 oz. blue spray can, a little over 7 in. tall (regular size spray can).

Something that won't take up so much space in a saddlebag.
I still have some Dura Lube in an 8 oz. non-pressurized pump can.....but it is about 20 years old and I probably should throw it away.
I take 4 oz of 90W with me in a plastic squeeze bottle from the hobby store (in a zip lock bag).

adrianinflorida

03-17-2009, 10:50 AM

Can anyone point me to info on lubing cables?

And what pivots are?
Here's a link to a pretty good how to:
http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc8.html

The pivots are the piunst that allow the hand controls to, well, pivot, sort of like a hinge pin.

Easy Rider

03-17-2009, 10:53 AM

Can anyone point me to info on lubing cables?

And what pivots are?

You find the TOP end of the cable, put a drop or two of lube on the center cable where it enters the sheath, operate it a time or two and let gravity do the rest. May want to repeat a few times for max. benefit. P.S. WD40 is NOT a good cable lube because it is mostly solvents and gets sticky after it dries.

Pivots are the point where a lever or brake pedal or shifter lever attaches to the body of the bike. The point it rotates around needs a little lube from time to time. Also where the shifter shaft goes into the transmission case.

Almost everything that moves needs lube of some kind........but ***NOT*** the brakes. :)

Jer

03-17-2009, 11:02 AM

Great, thanks for the help!

alantf

03-17-2009, 02:38 PM

The pivots are the piunst that allow the hand controls to, well, pivot, sort of like a hinge pin.

Er......... What is a piunst? Is it just a mis-spelling, or is it a real word that I've not heard before.
I'm not trying to be awkward, but there are many American terms that I've not heard of.

alanmcorcoran

03-17-2009, 03:58 PM

It's a classic left shift typo + letter transposition = "points"

-CSI Qwerty

(My typing is atrocious too. I'm someone that thinks they can touch type, but I really can't.)

adrianinflorida

03-17-2009, 08:51 PM

Water Warrior 2

03-18-2009, 04:58 AM

Some of us use Dupont Teflon spray lube for the chain, A lot less messy than oil and we think it stays cleaner.

I really like that stuff (or similar) for cables and pivots. Maybe I should consider it for the chain too. Does it come in small, portable cans? I haven't seen any recently.

You should try to find Du Pont in Canada. Can't be done. I have one can that was brought back from Washington last year. Time for another. I can see a long ride once the weather gets warmer.

Easy Rider

03-18-2009, 11:11 AM

You should try to find Du Pont in Canada.

If you have a little flexibility with brand names, you might have more luck. The last can I got was "Slick 50"........from Farm and Fleet, I think. Check the label for PTFE (generic teflon).

Water Warrior 2

03-19-2009, 04:44 AM

[quote="Water Warrior":rvskmbsj]You should try to find Du Pont in Canada.

If you have a little flexibility with brand names, you might have more luck. The last can I got was "Slick 50"........from Farm and Fleet, I think. Check the label for PTFE (generic teflon).[/quote:rvskmbsj]

Everything but Du Pont here. ...............But I want and need Du Pont. Gotta justify my passport and GPS. Actually Du Pont is the best I have ever used.

mrlmd1

03-19-2009, 10:56 AM

Can someone down in the lower 48 mail/ship you a can or is there some law or restrictions on sending an aerosol can through the mail?

Easy Rider

03-19-2009, 10:59 AM

Gotta justify my passport and GPS.

And a good excuse for a nice RIDE. I understand THAT!!!

Jer

03-19-2009, 08:04 PM

Success.

I changed the oil today and lubed the chain.

Went for a 15 mile ride or so at 45-60mph and all seems well.

I can tell its running better. And the oil that came out of there.... YUCK.

Yeah, it was past due.

Next time I buy a bike I'll change it the day I get it.

music man

03-19-2009, 08:21 PM

Next time I buy a bike I'll change it the day I get it.

You should change the oil, check the air filter etc............ in any vehicle you get first thing, when i buy a car, once i drive it home, I try not to drive it anywhere until all those things are done.