Well it’s Saturday, November 18th 2017 and winter has all but arrived here in Toronto, Ontario. It's that dreaded time of year: Motorcycle Hibernation Time.
It won’t be long until we are all suffering from PMS (Parked Motorcycle
Syndrome) but be strong fellow Bikers, spring is around the corner.
Come January if you need a motorcycle fix the North American International Motorcycle Show is running at the Toronto International Centre in Toronto on January 5th, 6th and 7th 2018.
Here are a few tips and basics to prepare your motorcycle for the long winter sleep.
Come January if you need a motorcycle fix the North American International Motorcycle Show is running at the Toronto International Centre in Toronto on January 5th, 6th and 7th 2018.
Here are a few tips and basics to prepare your motorcycle for the long winter sleep.
Change Your Oil:
Head to your local dealership
and have your oil and filter changed, this way you’re ready to go in the spring
and the best part is you’ll miss the spring rush at your local dealership. You
should not store your bike with oil that has anymore that 4000km on it.
Clean & Lubricate Your Motorcycle:
Dirt, sand
and road grime will damage your paint, metal surfaces and chrome if left on
during winter storage. We recommend giving your motorcycle a bath before
putting it away for the winter. If applicable lubricate the chain and all moving
parts such as cables and the seals of your front forks. NEVER use WD40 to
accomplish this always use proper part specific motorcycle lubricants.
Stabilize Your Fuel:
High octane
fuel only has a shelf life of about 90-100 days before it begins to
deteriorate, lower octane fuel has an even shorter shelf life. Adding the
recommended amount of fuel stabilizer can keep fuel fresh for upwards of 12
months. Our club Members recommended filling your motorcycle fuel tank to the
brim with the highest octane gas available in your area then add your choice of
fuel stabilizer. We don't have a preferred brand of stabilizer they all seem to
do a great job. I personally use Motomaster fuel stabilizer which is available at all Canadian Tire
stores.
Adding fuel stabilizer will prevent the remaining
fuel residue from oxidizing and turning to varnish. After adding the stabilizer
let your motorcycle run for 10-15 minutes to circulate the stabilizer after
which shut off your motorcycle.
Your fuel system has now been primed and protected.
Preparing Your Battery:
Batteries should be kept under
a constant charge in order to prolong their life. Attach a Battery Tender or
specialized charger that won't overcharge your battery. I personally have
a lead installed from the battery that allows me to “plug the bike in” and
saves me from removing the battery from the actual bike. There are a few
different brands of smart chargers on the market. I’ve been using this one fromBattery Tender for years. If you have multiple motorcycles or other toys that
need batteries attention I also use this larger version of the Battery Tender
for my ATV and trailer batteries.
Checking Your Tires:
Make sure your tires are
properly inflated before storing; while it’s a best practise to a use center
stand not all motorcycles come equipped with one. You could always you a high
quality lift; personally I don’t know if I would trust my Harley sitting on a
lift all winter, lifts can fail especially in cold temperatures while under a prolonged
load. Front and rear motorcycle stands are your best case scenario for
protecting your motorcycle tires. That being said the most important part is
making sure your tires have a barrier between them and the freezing concrete. The
freezing concrete robs rubber of moisture, which cause your tires to prematurely
age and crack. I use thick pile Berber carpet swatches which you can obtain
from almost any carpet store for a nominal cost, sometimes they’ll even give
them to you for free.
Cover Your Motorcycle:
Even if you store your
motorcycle inside you should still cover it with a breathable motorcycle cover.
You should NEVER use a plastic tarp; plastic tarps will trap moisture and in
turn that could damage the paint and other finishes on your motorcycle. If you are storing your motorcycle somewhere
rural; ensure that you plug and\or cover over your exhaust pipe ends this will
stop unwanted critters from making a winter home inside your motorcycle.
You’re Done:
With your bike nicely tucked
away for the winter, now would be a perfect time to complete any off season
upgrades that you’ve been eyeing. This year I plan on adding some blacked out
parts to my Street Glide along with a quick detachable chopped trunk.
Do you have any other
additional tips you’d like to add? Comment below and let us know!
Tank
Vice President
Roughnecks MC
Toronto Chapter
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