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Thread: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

  1. #25
    Has delusions of Kawi grandeur konichd's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Oil becomes acidic sitting in your motor.
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  2. #26
    In A Land Far Far Far Away Lifetime Supporter
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Old Thread,

    But............

    Another reason the stands are good is to keep the carbs from laying sideways sorta, especially if you got gas in them still.
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  3. #27
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    I keep mine in tip-top shape over the winter by riding them...

    Scott should have some ice-racing track days to let everyone get their fix during the winter months

  4. #28
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    We were talking about this at dinner last night. There are enough nice days over the winter to ride, so I've never really put my bike away save the first year that I started riding. I just keep up maintenance and plug in the battery tender. I check the tire pressure perhaps more religiously, since cold will decrease pressure.
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    ... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...

  5. #29
    Senior Member sprtbkbabe's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Revised from the dead:

    But, this is a reminder that we will finally hit below freezing temps this week. So, take care of your bike if you leave it outside
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  6. #30
    Business in the front, party in the back! CYCLE_MONKEY's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Quote Originally Posted by sprtbkbabe View Post
    Revised from the dead:

    But, this is a reminder that we will finally hit below freezing temps this week. So, take care of your bike if you leave it outside
    ....especially if you still have "water wetter" in it instead of anti-freeze from the last trackday.
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  7. #31
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Yeah... As great as water wetter is, it still freezes! I use Engine Ice. A little pricey, but I only use it to store my moto for the winter... then switch back to WW come springtime.

  8. #32
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    I use Silkolene Pro Cool…..just as good as EI and cheaper. Also run some Stabil this time of year and keep the tank on the FZR full.
    John
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  9. #33
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Guess I should drain the track bike this weekend.
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    ... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...

  10. #34
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Quote Originally Posted by asp_125 View Post
    Guess I should drain the track bike this weekend.

    after talking with some peeps, I filled mine up with antifreeze rather than just draining it. should help keep the seals and such in good shape til next season

  11. #35
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    I was reading on TT about flushing your cooling system with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar. Run til warm, then drain and fill with your coolant of choice. The acid in the vinegar does a good job of cleaning but will not harm seals.
    John
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  12. #36
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Quote Originally Posted by OUTLAWD View Post
    after talking with some peeps, I filled mine up with antifreeze rather than just draining it. should help keep the seals and such in good shape til next season
    Hmm... maybe that's why it puked last time. Ok, here's the situation: unheated garage, attached to condo, only the garage door is exposed to weather (other garages either side, upstairs floor above). So far it seems to stay above freezing.

    Think I should just add WW again? Or do anti-freeze? maybe just a space heater?
    When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    ... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...

  13. #37
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Hey Jeff, I picked up that propane heater that BK was recommending. So far it rocks, but I haven’t used it enough to fully evaluate. I’ll update the Garage Heater thread soon.
    John
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  14. #38
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Well, any heater will have to be electric, no air circulation once the garage door is closed, and there is one connecting door into the unit. The other way is a 100W lightbulb in a worklamp wired to a timer for those cold January nights.
    When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
    Current stable:09 Thruxton \ 09 FZ6S2
    Sold List:97 Ninja500R, 03 SV650K3, 01 Ducati 750Sport, 73 CB350/4, 03 F650GSA, 08 Gixxer600, 03 Gixxer600, 91 VFR750F, 09 KLX250, 06 Thruxton 900, 02 VFR800, 08 Spyder RS, 12 Street TripleR, 09 KLX250S, 16 KTMRC390, 10 F650GS
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    ... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...

  15. #39
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    I’m not venting it or the garage, but def not the kind of heater to use to keep the garage warm 24x7. It puts out 50k BTU on low and I haven’t needed it on for more than 25 minutes to get the garage warm. I’ve been using a CO detector and it has not gone off, nor have I noticed any effects while working in there. Best use for this heater is for short periods to warm up the garage so you can work. I’ve only used it twice tho, but very pleased with it so far.
    John
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  16. #40
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Sorry NOOB question, but the point of adding antifreeze verse just draining the coolant for a track bike that will not be run over the winter is to keep the seals in better shape? I just hate having to put antifreeze in just to drain it in the spring to put WW back in.

  17. #41
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Yes I believe that is the case, dry seals shrink and don't work as well until they expand again. I *think* that was the initial reason my bike puked coolant the first time out after last winter.

    If where you store it is never below freezing for extended periods, ie more than a few hours. Theoretically you could keep plain water in the system all through the winter. People come up with elaborate heaters and blankets and ideas to not have to drain the bike.
    Last edited by asp_125; Tue Nov 23rd, 2010 at 11:58 AM.
    When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    ... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...

  18. #42
    On my toes! Lifetime Supporter PunyJuney's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    I had a dead battery on my bike when I first bought it (bait and switch by the seller). I didn't even contemplate jumping it with the car. It was easy to leave my house as my driveway is a steep down hill. Once out I just had random strangers give me a push and dumped the clutch.
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  19. #43
    Senior Member TinkerinWstuff's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    problem is a lot of bikes sill have shitty weak charging systems. The RR's and stators are not adequate and relying on the bike to charge a dead battery is inviting trouble. It happens from time to time and you deal with it but should be avoided whenever possible.
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  20. #44
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Battery Tender FTW!
    John
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  21. #45
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Quote Originally Posted by mdlb View Post
    Sorry NOOB question, but the point of adding antifreeze verse just draining the coolant for a track bike that will not be run over the winter is to keep the seals in better shape? I just hate having to put antifreeze in just to drain it in the spring to put WW back in.
    I wouldn't just drain, there is a possibility that a passage or pocket in the system doesn't empty when drained and that area could freeze and still cause a problem cracking something. Antifreeze circulated through is cheap insurance.


  22. #46
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Just keep riding the damn things.
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  23. #47
    Business in the front, party in the back! CYCLE_MONKEY's Avatar
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Sorry NOOB question, but the point of adding antifreeze verse just draining the coolant for a track bike that will not be run over the winter is to keep the seals in better shape? I just hate having to put antifreeze in just to drain it in the spring to put WW back in.
    Quote Originally Posted by asp_125 View Post
    Yes I believe that is the case, dry seals shrink and don't work as well until they expand again. I *think* that was the initial reason my bike puked coolant the first time out after last winter.

    If where you store it is never below freezing for extended periods, ie more than a few hours. Theoretically you could keep plain water in the system all through the winter. People come up with elaborate heaters and blankets and ideas to not have to drain the bike.
    The main reason I'd think, is that you can NEVER get the last little bit of water out, and all it takes is a little to crack your block. As for the heaters and blankets.....all it takes is a power outage of any sort, or, worse yet, a garage fire from a bad heater, to ruin your day. Best to be safe and run a minimum of 50% anti-freeze in it. Why chance it?
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  24. #48
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    Re: Long-term/Winter Storage tips

    Of those of you that ride all winter, how long do you wait after the roads are 'clear' before getting back out? The reason for the question is the amount of sand and checmicals that get thrown up on the chain, plastics and rubber seals between said plastics and in the chain. I am just curious as to the effects of "ice melt" from CDOT on your bikes.
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