Author Topic: Winterizing and Bike Storage  (Read 6608 times)

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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Winterizing and Bike Storage
« Reply #25 on: October 17, 2006, 07:46:24 AM »
My bike is not a pretty bike.  I got her for riding, not for polishing.  Maybe someday I'll do a full out restore like many of the bikes I've seen and lusted over here!

My plan is to ride when I can.  Much of the Michigan winter at my particular latitude and longetude (South and inland from the lake) means a foot or so of snow, but generally dry roads.  Even some wet (as long as the temp stays above freezing) isn't too scary to me.    What worries me is the road salt corroding my already iffy megaphones.  What scares the hell out of me is even the slightest possibility of ice!

I'm hoping to be able to ride at least once or twice a week.  I'll keep the tank topped off with Seafoam added.  Charge the battery when I notice slow winking or, if it has had to sit longer then a week, take the battery inside and charge.  A thick coat of wax on the static parts that don't get hot and oil up the parts that do move.  On warm-ish days, take her to the auto wash and spray down the parts that do get hot.  A quick "blow dry" and park her in the garage on carpet and on center stand.

Sound reasonable or am I deluding myself?
Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
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Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
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Offline spitfire

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Re: Winterizing and Bike Storage
« Reply #26 on: October 17, 2006, 10:43:23 AM »
You are right Dave but it's oh so tempting to fire her up and listen !

Cheers

Den
Wirral UK
1976 CB750F1 bought new in 76
1977 CB750F2: Restoration started
1964 BSA A65R: Waiting restoration
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Offline 750goes

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Re: Winterizing and Bike Storage
« Reply #27 on: October 17, 2006, 02:24:47 PM »
dusterdude

I tried really hard - but I think no one is in the mood  :)

Offline nickjtc

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Re: Winterizing and Bike Storage
« Reply #28 on: October 17, 2006, 02:30:54 PM »
Every two weeks (-ish) I let the starter spread some oil around and put the battery on the charger for an hour or so. I never had a battery tender so I don't know what it does for battery life.

A Battery Tender is to your battery as a Scottoiler is to your chain. (All right, all right, I hear the stifled groans!!) If you make sure the cells are full when you take the battery off your bike at storage time you can connect it up to the Tender and forget about it. My VFR was still on its original battery when I sold it last year, after 5 winters.

And as long as they are completely charged you can 'gang' several batteries on the Tender together.
Nick J. Member #3247

2008 Triumph Tiger 1050
1977 Suzuki GS750

"That which does not kill us reminds us to wear proper motorcycle clothing...."

Offline ProTeal55

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Re: Winterizing and Bike Storage
« Reply #29 on: October 17, 2006, 02:34:57 PM »
The battery tender is a great product.
I use them religiously on both my car and motorcycle.
The best way to keep your battery alive is to always have the bike plugged into the tender
WHENEVER the bike is not in use. This way the battery is at a constant 12 volts, ready for a ride.

I got 6 years outta the stock HD battery in my old Roadking using a Battery tender.
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline kghost

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Re: Winterizing and Bike Storage
« Reply #30 on: October 17, 2006, 04:19:49 PM »
The battery tender is a great product.
I use them religiously on both my car and motorcycle.
The best way to keep your battery alive is to always have the bike plugged into the tender
WHENEVER the bike is not in use. This way the battery is at a constant 12 volts, ready for a ride.

I got 6 years outta the stock HD battery in my old Roadking using a Battery tender.

Keeps the plates from sulfiding. (keeps the lead plates from corroding up)
Stranger in a strange land