Long Island New York

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alantf

Not MY comments - Just copying a paragraph from "the motorcycle handbook" by Ben Gresler, S.A.E. and Kevin M.G. Maher, A.S.E.

This comes at the end of 10 pages of good advice on winter storage, so it's up to you whether you take their advice or not. :popcorn:

Thank you sir!
Wonder what it says about removing the battery ??
I honestly don't know; never read the book......but probably have heard quotes from it before.

[mrlmd1]

I should have said," IF YOU WANT TO, you can start it up ......"
I have no problem letting it sit quietly for the winter without starting it up, but the fuel tank should be completely filled, not drained. Unless you can completely seal all openings, vents, etc. from the air.
All agree with that? Recommended in all (excuse me, most of) the marinas for winter storage of boats too.

[DrJimmy]

I want to thank everyone for all the advice.
It looks like I will storing it in my shed, with a cover, gas topped off, stablizer and battery in the house on a trickle charger.
This is a great siite t

Thanks again

Mark

[alantf]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

but the fuel tank should be completely filled, not drained.

Yes, they mention that, too. Actually, they say :-

Your decision on whether to add fuel stabilizer or to completely drain the system should really depend on how long the bike is going to be stored and how willing you are to go through the trouble. Frankly, adding stabilizer is the easier of the 2 solutions, but for long term storage (again, speaking more in terms of years than months) draining is the better solution.

So, it appears to me that they recommend filling up the tank (see below) & adding stabilizer, if it's just over winter.

They said :- Be sure to TOP-OFF the fuel tank to minimize the amount of air (and therefore moisture) that is present in the tank. If you store a fuel tank with air in it, the moisture will cause rusting on the inside of an uncoated tank and that rust can play havoc with your fuel system come spring.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by DrJimmy

and battery in the house on a trickle charger.

Be careful with that. It is neither necessary nor desirable to have the battery charge continuously. Unless you get a fully automatic battery maintainer....like a Battery Tender....then connecting your "trickle charger" for 12 hours a month will be PLENTY.

[Water Warrior 2]

All good info here. Each of us has a slightly different storage routine so we can use the info to fit our own circumtances and have a bike ready to go in the spring.
We hope to ride a bit during the winter if weather permits but both bikes will have a dose of Stabil in the tank and the batteries will stay in the bikes with a periodic charge from the Battery Tender. Oh yah, also picking up some more TourMaster heated gear at the end of the week. That stuff rocks. Check out Cycle Giant for the full line of heated gear available. Live better electrically.

[mrlmd1]

First off, the inside of the tank should be painted at least, if not coated, for some rust protection, but also the moisture in the air can condense on the inside walls of the cold tank and can add a significant amount of water into your fuel over a period of time. Not good. That's why you fill the tank, to remove the air space.
As an aside, this is a bigger problem with diesel than gas because mold (fungus) and slime grow in the tank at the fuel/water interface and can clog up filters and/or injectors real quick and is a bitch to get rid of. Diesel tanks also need to be filled and a biocide added to the fuel to prevent this growth during long-term storage.
I'm so glad I moved to Florida from NY/NJ so I don't have to do that shit anymore, although we do get an occasional freeze down here we have to prepare for.

[mrlmd1]

For interest - this is from the latest issue of Boat US magazine, an article about storing E10 fuel (which a lot of us may have) over the winter. It should apply to E10 in general, not only in boats.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/boatus/200911/#/66

[burkbuilds]

Great article mrlmd1, thanks for sharing the link!

[mrlmd1]

Thanks for that.
That's supposed to be why we're here, to share some factual as well as interesting and helpful knowledge with our fellow bikers.