ANY winter storage tips?

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C

cnflyboy

Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Ct, USA
Hi; wondering what others do for winter. appreciate any tips!

I try to:

(1.) ride or at least start bikes every couple weeks. (amt snow/ice we get here dictates former)
(2.) add dry gas (methanol) or product StaBil (same thing i think) to tank to dehydrate fuel (we have E10 all fuel here; ruinous.)
(3) keep tank filled to minimize condensation.
(3.) use a product called Star Tron....supposedly enzymatic to prevent crud...not sure if it's a scam.
(4.) sometimes a few mothballs around frame, seat, engine. supposedly keeps mice away
(5.) keep inside shelter. never cover, as think covers provide mice with shelter (and nest material)
(6.) finally bought a float charger (20 buck, on sale!) with a nice permanent wiring lead you can plug in!

whew!

appreciate any thoughts/recipes! hurry spring!
 
You can forget all that n just ride it?? Mothballs to keep mice away that's a new one on me? If I was you I'd put the bike on paddock stands n keep it off the floor so the fuckers don't climb all over it
 
Plug in optimate charger ..... go to the pub for the winter ....... un plug and ride in the spring !


Not cold enough at the mo to stop riding though !!!
 
Ride it like I did this morning.

If it gets too ******/icy/snowy don't ride it.

If I don't ride it for more than a week, next time I want to put it on the Optimate overnight.

Job done :thumbup
 
Over the years, I've lost wiring on (1) a Triumph (2.) a Pontiac (3.) heater innards on an Alfa Romeo to mice. But none since using a couple mothballs strategically placed. Also works for squirrels, if you ever get them in your attic.. they can't stand the smell, I guess.

Ya I ride in cold wx, but I'm not a fan of riding one of these torquemonsters on ice/snow covered roads, which we get here Dec- June (or so) :(

There was an indoor motoX place which was good in winter here, but it closed after roof fell in (from snow load one storm)
 
c, I'm sure I've read that some of your states are moving to E20. apparently it's gonae be a total nightmare fir pleasure machines.

As fir yer bike I'd take the battery oot and intae yer hoose but don't charge it until yer want to use it. Give yer machine a generous coating of acf50 or similar and shove the brake pistons back intae their calipers.

Aye and keep the tyres aff the deck.
 
Aldo said:
c, I'm sure I've read that some of your states are moving to E20. apparently it's gonae be a total nightmare fir pleasure machines.

As fir yer bike I'd take the battery oot and intae yer hoose but don't charge it until yer want to use it. Give yer machine a generous coating of acf50 or similar and shove the brake pistons back intae their calipers.

Aye and keep the tyres aff the deck.
Click to expand...

thanks Aldo! Hope not; E10 is bad enough! Seems the pendulum may swinging back against the bad idea of going to E20 tho.


Re batt: Do you think "float" chargers are inadequate/problematic? Batt removal/replacement is kind of a pain on the Tuono V4.
 
cnflyboy said:
thanks Aldo! Hope not; E10 is bad enough! Seems the pendulum may swinging back against the bad idea of going to E20 tho.


Re batt: Do you think "float" chargers are inadequate/problematic? Batt removal/replacement is kind of a pain on the Tuono V4.
Click to expand...

I've had the V2 for 5 years now and only once I had to charge the original battery, no shame to it, it was 4 years old.

BTW loads of guys use "float" if that's the same as an Optimate type charger without any issues, though most have alarms fitted to their machines.
 
All good stuff Aldo.

I always disconnect my battery, but put the trickle charger on a couple of times over the winter, I don't leave it connected all winter.

Agree with lifting the bike off the floor, the tyres can get flat spots.
 
Aldo said:
I've had the V2 for 5 years now and only once I had to charge the original battery, no shame to it, it was 4 years old.

BTW loads of guys use "float" if that's the same as an Optimate type charger without any issues, though most have alarms fitted to their machines.
Click to expand...


yes, thank you. My (OE) batt went dead last winter, same one has been fine all summer of course, so I'm being extra cautious.

The "Battery Tender Jr." I have charges batt, then switches to float mode. It's nice cuz it comes with a permanent quick connect "tail" you install. Set up and tested rig last nite on both bikes...works fine...colder than a motha here this A.M. but bikes charged fully, started like it was August!

IMO the Aprillia is a lot of (hi compression) engine for that little battery to crank, so I think my "oz. of prevention" will be worth it. I hate running and bumping something so beautiful.

re tires (tyres): I'm constantly rolling the bikes around in garage to get at the snow removal equipment, so I doubt I meed to jack the bikes up. never heard of that, actually...i hope you aren't pulling my leg...I'm totally gullible. :)

I've seen tires "rot" but usually it's sidewall, revealed as cracks, ArmorAll works to slo that down, imo.

cheers
 
cnflyboy said:
re tires (tyres): I'm constantly rolling the bikes around in garage to get at the snow removal equipment, so I doubt I meed to jack the bikes up. never heard of that, actually...i hope you aren't pulling my leg...I'm totally gullible. :)

I've seen tires "rot" but usually it's sidewall, revealed as cracks, ArmorAll works to slo that down, imo.

cheers
Click to expand...

Flat spots on tires is an issue for bikes or cars that sit for long periods of time, so he's not pulling your leg, as least this time.
 
I wouldn't be starting it every few weeks, the condensation can create problems.
Just keep the battery nicley topped up.
If you can, as Aldo's said, take the weight off the tyres, and other than a quick once over with ACF50 or similar, that should do.
 
Tifa said:
I wouldn't be starting it every few weeks, the condensation can create problems.
Just keep the battery nicley topped up.
If you can, as Aldo's said, take the weight off the tyres, and other than a quick once over with ACF50 or similar, that should do.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! I've never heard of ACF50 (and I should have), been using WD-40 which I'm reluctant to get on any other than metal parts!

there seems to be some controversy about suitability/cost effectiveness of the two products here: ACF-50 (rust inhibitor) is no better than wd-40!!

But I'll give it a shot, if can find some!

Else I'll put bike in the living room as soon as we get rid ot the Christmas tree.
 
Else I'll put bike in the living room as soon as we get rid ot the Christmas tree.

Now yer talkin. :thumbup
 
cnflyboy said:
Thanks for the tips! I've never heard of ACF50 (and I should have), been using WD-40 which I'm reluctant to get on any other than metal parts!

there seems to be some controversy about suitability/cost effectiveness of the two products here: ACF-50 (rust inhibitor) is no better than wd-40!!

But I'll give it a shot, if can find some!

Else I'll put bike in the living room as soon as we get rid ot the Christmas tree.
Click to expand...
have a read of this dude
ACF 50 Corrosion Preventative Review - Motorcycle USA
 
ACF50 is light years ahead of WD40 which is basically just a water dispersant.
One of it's better properties is that it can leech in between tight fitting paneis and parts, coating and protecting.
Great to use on contacts and conectors too.
I know guys that coat their bikes liberally with the stuff and continue to ride right through winter on salty roads without washing it until spring, when months of road crap washss off with no bother leaving the bike spangly clean.
It's not cheap...but a standard aerosol can should see you Ok for 12 to 18 months easy.

Almost forgot.....you can spray it everywhere, with the exception of brakes & tyres...obvious really.
 
starting the bike occasionally does more HARM than good.
take out the batt and bring it indoors. float charging is NOT a good idea. at most, do it once before you take it out in the spring.
take the weight of the tires and deflate about 10 psi
empty the tank (nylon) or fill it up (metal) and add stabil
cover/plug up exhaust
a light coat of wd40 on the steel parts helps retain the finish
refresh oil before storage if possible
I keep it covered in the garage when the roads get sand and salt (usually its till end-Dec/early-Jan). this year was earlier than usual :(

and by far the best advice - just ride the fooking thing already :)
 
good article this months Fast Bikes ref Winter storage tips, defo worth a butchers
 

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