Time for Winterization

[Dave Dark]

Well...'Tis the season.

With the rain and cold weather we've been getting over the last couple weeks in Ottawa I've decided to put my bike away for the winter. I've been preparing for this for a while and have a large amount of the things I will need. I'm going to write a list of the things I plan to do and a couple of questions I have and hopefully anybody who has gone through this before will be able to give me a hand.

1. Wash and wax bike
2. Change oil
3. Put fuel stabilizer in the tank
4. Fill up gas
5. Use fogging oil to coat the inside of the engine
6. Lube all pivot points
7. Drain float bowls
8. Put oily rags in in air intake chamber
9. Take out battery and put it on a trickle charger
10. Put oily rags in the muffler
11. Lube chain
12. Protect chrome and engine with WD-40
13. Protect leather with a leather protectant
14. Lube clutch and throttle cables
15. Cover bike with a breathable cover

Questions

1. I want to use fogging oil to protect my engine. I've heard of doing it through the air intake and through the spark plug. For those who have done it what is the best way? Will spraying fogging oil into my air intake mess up my filter? I googled for videos but there are none.

2. I want to lube my cables. Do I need the pressure tool I've seen on the videos and in stores? Can I do it without and just have it be slightly messier? Also, do I lube my brake cables with the same lube or should I just leave them alone?

3. I need some new brakes and was planning on installing them over the winter. I'm pretty confident I can do this with all the advice and help on the messageboard. But, should I wait to install them? Is there any detriment to putting them on and then letting them sit unused for 5 - 6 months?

Thanks for all your help! Truly appreciated!

Dave

[Gz Rider]

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[5th_bike]

- Instead of filling up with gas, I'd run it dry.
- With the oil change, also change the oil filter.
- When changing the brake pads, don't forget the shims and afterwards do apply the brake until the pads grip. Be prepared for reducing braking action in the beginning, when you take it out next year.

No further comments.

[Gz Rider]

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[5th_bike]

Regarding "I'd run it dry" (I'm assuming you mean running the gas tank dry)... with most tanks it is better to keep them full as water will condense in the empty space and rust steel tanks not covered by gas.
Oops. Thanks for the info. I do that to my lawn mower, which has a plastic gas tank.

In that case: run it dry and hang a cloth or mesh bag of silica gel inside your tank for the winter, to keep it dry.

[Gz Rider]

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[blaine]

Much easier to fill the tank,and add some stabilizer.Zero chance of rusting.In the past if I was removing the tank for the winter, I would take about a 1/3 of liter of 10-30 motor oil,and coat the inside of the tank,and pour out the excess.In the spring when filled with fuel,the oil residue would be washed away and burnt with the fuel.
:) :2tup:

[Gz Rider]

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[blaine]

With the tank filled to the top ,I have never seen any rust in the neck area of the tank.Again if this is a concern,,just rub a little oil around the neck.I have never used fogging oil so I don't know.I even put a teaspoon of oil down the cylinders and turn the engine over a couple of times to coat the cylinders.
:) :2tup:

[Dave Dark]

Thanks for all the help! I knew I could count on you.

Forecast calls for wet flurries the first week of November so I'm washing and storing the bike this weekend.

I am taking all the advice that I'm capable of following. The silica gel sounds good but I'm not the greatest baker (joke) and there is not a plethora of gun shops here in Canada (true). I'll fill it and add the fuel stabilizer. That should be good.

Some of my friends think I'm a little ana* about my winterization but then again, it is not their baby going to bed for the winter!

Take care!

[Gz Rider]

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[Water Warrior 2]

Been there done that. Yeah I forgot to put the fuel on prime after a long sleep. Something to remember come spring.

[DJK]

Living in Minnesota, I'm getting close to having to shut down for the winter.I feel I can follow all the steps in the manual, except I'm unsure about the oily rags in the air intake. Where exactly is that? Any other advice would be appreciated for ending my first motorcycle season. It has been fun and I've enjoyed this site a lot. Thanks!

[Peachy140]

Ive never really had to put a bike away for the winter. We dont get any snow here just lots of wind and rain and i ride through it. But if you gotta put it away for the winter do it right. The last thing you wanted is months of neglect so that come summer it needs to be put right. If your friends think your being anal let them neglect their bikes and when theyre having problems getting their bikes started in the summer they can join the forum and take advice from you :)

[alantf]

oily rags in the air intake. Where exactly is that?

Remove the left side panel (the one with the saddle lock) You'll see the air filter (held on with 3 screws) The air intake is that thingy sticking out from the air filter.

[DJK]

Thank you, another thing learned today!