after winter questions...

[ARoy1]

So i believe this will be the last possible snow storm till next winter and was wondering what i should do to get the bike back up. i put it on its center stand for the winter, put in some fuel stabolizor, and put the battery on the tender.

is it as easy as putting the battery back in, and start her back up? should i schedual an oil change?(i have the 3 year free oil change plan thing-so wont hert, just wondering if its a need?)

also im assuming the fuel stabolizer burns as well as the gasoline-aka it wont damage my engine?

thanks for da help! haha



also, i noticed my chain feels a little "sticky" rather than more of the easy sliding feeling, is that ok? or should i attempt to clean the old chain lube off, and if so, how should i go about doing it?

[dang84119]

Wow, just by you thinking spring gets me thinking bout spring!!

If you are under warranty, take it in and make em do the work. I think its a good idea to change the oil in the spring, As far as the chain goes, some of those chain lubes are meant to be tacky so while your at the shop have em take a look. Also I think its a good idea to go out to your garage or shed during the winter months a few3 times, and start the bike and let it idle for 5 min or so.

[porange]

Originally Posted by dang84119

Also I think its a good idea to go out to your garage or shed during the winter months a few3 times, and start the bike and let it idle for 5 min or so.

I beg to differ, if you put fuel stabilizer in it and the battery is on a tender, there is no real need to start it up every so often. Although, like yourself, many people seem to do it. I'm not saying right or wrong, just another opinion I suppose!

To OP though: I agree with having the dealership take care of it if they do the work for free under warranty. You shouldn't really need an oil change if you changed the oil and filter before Winter, but if it sat with dirty oil then yeah change it. And yes fuel stabilizer is fine for your engine.

[Dodsfall]

It's probably more harmful to start the bike up for short periods in cold weather than just leaving it sit full of stabilized fuel. It's probably not too bad to do it, but some condensation can potentially build up and moisture causes corrosion. It's not needed if the fuel is stabilized.

The one thing I would check for first is tire pressure. Changes in temperature and time alone usually cause the tires to lose a little air during storage.

Make sure no critters have made a nest in the exhaust or intake.

Check lights and signals, and brake function and fluid level. Start it up and check for leaks of any kind.

[WintrSol]

One other thing, sometimes the clutch will stick a little while sitting. No big deal, but before you start it and pop it into gear (and lurching forward), put it into gear, pull the clutch, and roll it to make sure it isn't sticking. Or, point it away from anything that would stop you abruptly, and go for it.

[Badlands-4-2]

I agree with the occasional start up issue. If you do not let it get warmed up to operating temps so all that condensation burns away you are going to harm the engine. If the oil was clean when you put it away (wich is how it should be) you are good to go in the spring. Ride and enjoy.

[dang84119]

I've never used stabilizer with this method and never had to hook it up to a battery tender either, usually 3 plus years on a battery.

[rexmitchell]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

It's probably more harmful to start the bike up for short periods in cold weather than just leaving it sit full of stabilized fuel. It's probably not too bad to do it, but some condensation can potentially build up and moisture causes corrosion. It's not needed if the fuel is stabilized.

The one thing I would check for first is tire pressure. Changes in temperature and time alone usually cause the tires to lose a little air during storage.

Make sure no critters have made a nest in the exhaust or intake.

Check lights and signals, and brake function and fluid level. Start it up and check for leaks of any kind.

+1 And go ahead and change the oil, it will never hurt.

[PerrySB]

DodsFall & Badlands thanks for the advice and from what my motorcycle doctor says you are right on target. I was told if you can’t let it run for at least fifteen minutes that one shouldn’t start it for the same reason you guys gave.

[ARoy1]

alright guys thanks for the help! haha...ive been ache'ing to start the 500 up and start riding instead of driving!

comon snow, you know i love yeh but i need you to leave asap!

[Kazakaz]

I scheduled a service appointment at my dealership for the 20th. I bought the bike from them two years ago, and put about 3000-4000 miles on it, so now it has about 22,000 miles. They said they'd adjust the valves, lube the drive shaft, check the plugs, and all the usual 20,000 mile maintenance. I figured while it's in I'll have them change the oil.

I keep looking at the extended forecast and waiting for 40 degree temps to come. It's taking for ever!

[ccRider246]

I would change the oil for sure. I would also clean the chain and relube. And check your brake fluid. If it is has darkened at all in color, change it and bleed the brakes. Brake fluid can absorb moisture and not compress properly. Changing brake fluid in the spring is cheap insurance.

[clockdaddy]

Originally Posted by dang84119

Also I think its a good idea to go out to your garage or shed during the winter months a few3 times, and start the bike and let it idle for 5 min or so.

The greatest wear on the motor is during startups especially in cold weather with cold oil. While we cannot totally eliminate cold starts because we sometimes ride in the cold, don't add to the wear unnecessarily by running the bike needlessly.

Before you put the bike up for the winter add a gas preservative to the fuel (or drain it completely) and set the bike aside until you are ready to ride in the spring. Before riding change the oil, check your fluid levels for your clutch and brakes. Check your tire pressure (tires loose pressure through the rubber).

CD

[dang84119]

You have your way I have mine! I have never heard of this!. As long as RPMs are low there is no problem. The crank will stay primed for the first few seconds. Can't start you motorcycle in the cold? Come on!!!

[clockdaddy]

I just do everything I can to protect my bike. My bike ain't cheap and with all the add-ons I've got runs my investment way up there in the money. I just want to insure that it'll be around for awhile!!

CD

[WintrSol]

While it's true that starting a bike in winter, and not riding it enough to really get it up to temperature, will build up moisture and other combustion by-products in the crankcase, the oil has plenty of additives to counter this. As often as most rider change the oil, it's unlikely those additives will be used up. So, while I think it's not necessary to start it over the winter, I also don't believe it does any harm. Just change the oil at least once a year, and the brake and/or clutch fluid at least every two.

[PerrySB]

Ok guys I got a question for you. The Honda dealer that takes care of my Goldwing treats the engine with Slick 50 about every 25 thousand miles and swears by it. However the Harley guy that is now taking care of the Road King says not to use it. Any opinions, thoughts, or data on that?

[toehead]

Overpriced and a scam. Dupont actually refused to sell teflon to these guys, but was sued and eventually forced.

Read this for a little laugh.

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/legal/s50com.html

[PerrySB]

Hey Toehead thanks for the advice and the link. I think that pretty much says it all. I printed out the entire thing and I’m going to place it in the Honda guys hands. It is my belief he is truly misinformed because he has always dealt fairly with me and others that I know.

[Rambler]

what happens if you dont put your bike up for the winter?

[WintrSol]

You get frostbite?

[Dayypete]

I go to sea for a living and while I am gone, I have my bikes started weekly and run for a few minutes. I used to put them up on a lift to get the wheels up off of the ground. Or ask to have the bike moved to avoid sitting on same section of tire. Last 5 years, I have started using stabil in the fuel. I have never seen a problem arise from this and have had this done for the last 24 years. I have seen plenty of problems on other peoples bikes that have not been run enough, gaskets, seals dried out and dry rotted, Carb problems from gunk, etc. There has been a couple of occasions where the person could not get the bike started, 3 tries on the electric start without success. I tell them if that happens, do nothing, don't keep trying. Next week come out and give it another try. Unsuccessful the second week, leave it alone. I will take care of it when I come home. I do not run a battery tender. That has been my experience anyway.

[Jbo24]

If your battery is more than 3 years old you should replace it just to keep from taking a chance. And it would be a good idea to change the oil as well. It doesnt hurt.

[Haglaz]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

Make sure no critters have made a nest in the exhaust or intake.

When putting it away for winter, would it be a good idea to cover holes like exhaust up? Like a piece of cloth and a rubberband?

This is something that really concerns me about leaving it. I had a Blazer stored for more than a year, and when I got back to it, some squirrels or something made an enormous nest in the engine bay out of peanut shells and twigs. The stuff was everywhere, a real mess.

[Jbo24]

Yea its always a good idea when storing your bike or anything for that matter. You need to cover up the exhaust intake and all other places that you see where dirt dobbers and field mice could get in.

Josh
Bohannon Battery
"For All Your Battery Needs"

[toehead]

Steel wool woks best for plugging up the exhaust. The mice won't chew that. They will chew right through cloth though, and use it to help make the nest!

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by Jbo24

If your battery is more than 3 years old you should replace it just to keep from taking a chance. And it would be a good idea to change the oil as well. It doesnt hurt.

Wouldnt it make more since financially to take it out, run to the parts store, dealer etc and have the battery tested. If it tests good whats the point in replacing it?

I just replaced a motorcycle battery this year with a 1998 date code. I kept a constant eye on the fluid level and it stayed on a maintainer when not in use. Every year I tested it and it was fine....this year it still started the bike but tested weak - I replaced it.

By your theory I would have literally wasted over $200 on batteries...

Granted that was an exceptional battery....I usually only get 5 to 7 years out of them.....but still, why replace a good battery?

[tolas]

I didn't have my battery on a tender. This was my first winter/spring with a bike. I tried to charge the battery and start it up, but no go. I took the battery out and realized there was NO liquid in the battery. I put in some distilled water and am trying to charger her up now, but she won't seem to start. Could trying to charge it with no liquid in there have ruined the battery. Do i need to fill it up with electrolytes/acid and not just distilled water?

Sorry, I'm a newb to all this.

[badinfluence63]

Originally Posted by Haglaz

When putting it away for winter, would it be a good idea to cover holes like exhaust up? Like a piece of cloth and a rubberband?

This is something that really concerns me about leaving it. I had a Blazer stored for more than a year, and when I got back to it, some squirrels or something made an enormous nest in the engine bay out of peanut shells and twigs. The stuff was everywhere, a real mess.

Sooo how is it being a Nigerian billionaire....that was hillarious to see, thanks for the chuckle.