Bike storage for winter?

[Khalid 171]

How do you guys store your race bikes over the winter? Do you guys winterize them or just put it up on the stands and let it be, or something else?

[BlueDevil]

I replace water with Antifreeze, if any fule left in the tank add some Stabil, and put it on stands then cover it up.

[BenDover]

I replace water with Antifreeze

Just curious, Why? Why wouldn't you just drain it?

[Cleveland]

I replace water with Antifreeze

Just curious, Why? Why wouldn't you just drain it?

rust.

[jontflesh]

100% drain the water out and replace with antifreeze. You don't want to start your season out like I did last year. Went to change the oil for my first race and was changing out the water too. Well as I had the oil drain plug out letting the oil drip out I put new water in the radiator and watched water just puke out of the oil drain Luckly the GSXR has 5 tabs in the head that are made to pop out if water freezes in the case to keep it from cracking. Had to JB weld them back in and flush out the motor multiple times with gas to get all that milky oil out of her. No fun, this was in an insulated garage too.


This year I have antifreeze in there, rag stuff in exhaust (mice like to nest in small areas like that), Stabil in the tank, battery is out (will plug into battery tender a few times as the winter progresses), up on stands, and covered.

[The GECCO]

I replace water with Antifreeze

Just curious, Why? Why wouldn't you just drain it?

rust.

well, since bike engines and radiators are all made out of aluminum rust isn't really a concern....the main reason that draining isn't sufficient is that it's impossible (without some significant disassembly) to get 100% of the water out of all the nooks and crannies of the water jackets and there will be enough left over to possibly do some damage if there is a hard freeze. the best thing is to add antifreeze if your garage gets cold enough. My garage is attacehd to the house and well insulated, even when it's below 0 outside I've never seen it get below 45 or so in there so I leave mine alone.

[rforsythe]

Mine just has the water/water-wetter in it, but I also have an attached garage. It isn't insulated great, but I ran a duct from the furnace into there which supplies a continuous flow of ~70 degree air.

[BlueDevil]

I replace water with Antifreeze

Just curious, Why? Why wouldn't you just drain it?

I still ride it. Just to cold some times to leave water in it.

[two-stroker]

just drain it, adding antifreeze won't hurt but is not needed. in spring flush it out and don't forget ti change oil!!! stabil is a must but don't forget to run the bike after you ad it, there will still be fule to break down in the lines/injectors/or carbs.

[rforsythe]

I gotta say, running that duct to my garage worked wonders! At 11 degrees outside temp (and in a garage with poor insulation and outside air leaks on two doors) it never dropped below 38 degrees in there. Not bad for $20 in parts fromo Home Depot and an hour of installation. If I bothered to insulate it and seal the space, I dare say it might actually be comfortable in there!

[~Barn~]

I have Distilled and Water Wetter in currently, and I'm probably just going to drain out a bit, and top off with anti-freeze.

The oil got changed w/in the last 500 miles, so I'm okay with that.

I'll consider Stabil, but I'm guessing I'll be starting the bike atleast once a week anyway, just for the sake of doing it.

The bike is garaged, but not heated, so I'm sure it gets pretty chilly overnight.

[rforsythe]

Barn, I'd drain half the capacity of your system and make 50% antifreeze, 50% water+water wetter. You're going to have to flush it to get the antifreeze out later (if you decide to remove the antifreeze at all) and the extra freeze protection might save you from cracked parts later.

[~Barn~]

Yeah, I guess I should have been more clear. I was planning on draining out a good amount.

[Khalid 171]

Thanks guys. My bike is in the garage which stays pretty warm, but just to stay safe I might add some antifreeze and some Stabil then just cover it up.

[BlueDevil]

I gotta say, running that duct to my garage worked wonders! At 11 degrees outside temp (and in a garage with poor insulation and outside air leaks on two doors) it never dropped below 38 degrees in there. Not bad for $20 in parts fromo Home Depot and an hour of installation. If I bothered to insulate it and seal the space, I dare say it might actually be comfortable in there!

I actually checked into this and in some citys, garages are a fire wall between it and the house and if U cut it, then decide to sell your house the inspector will fail it and make you replace the firewall....Unless the buyer is willing to take it anyway..... Try mentioning "fire" to a potential new buyer and watch them run away from your house like the plague....

If U want U can always just install a unit heater in there..... I went to Home depot and bought a heater that attaches to any old propane bottle. Crack the bottom of the garage venting and in 15 mins U will be working in shorts and a tank. Cost was 10.00

Or U can buy Antifreeze for less than 5 and take 3-5 minutes to swap it out in the bike and be doen with the whole mess.