Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Winter Storage

This may be somewhere else on the sight. But I can not locate it. I am getting ready to store my ride for the season. It will be in storage for about 3 1/2 months. What all do I need to make sure she is beded down nice for the winter? I know Stabil and a good wash. What else am I missing? Thanks in advance for your help with this.

Change the oil. And drasin the carbs-even with sta-Bil. Takes the pressure off the seating surface in the carbs.

1. Fill the fuel tank
2. add fuel stabilizer
3. set the fuel petcock to "off" and run the bike until it runs out of gas so there is nothing sitting in the carbs
4. Hook the battery up to a trickle charger.

I usually support the bike on my lift and depressurize the tires a bit. I also put carpet pads under the tires out of habit - not sure it matters. Oh, and I hose it down with WD-40, again I'm not sure it matters.

I strongly disagree with the advice to drain the carbs. It's been my longstanding experience that nothing causes carbs to need cleaning/rebuilding like letting them sit dry for a few months. If you feel compelled to add stabilizer, I suggest running it into the system for a few miles, then shutting off the petcock. The carbs will take care of themselves at that point.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have put her on some plywood to get the tires off of the cement. I have her stored at my in laws for the winter. No garage or storage sheed here yet. I do not know if the plywood will help or not but figured it would not hurt. I will take the advice given here and see how she fairs this winter. Thanks again for the advice.

I'm with Jack on this one.You can never get all the gas out of the carbs by running it out of gas.

Give the chain a good coating of lube as well, not being anodised it rusts quick if there is any damp or condensation about.

Lol Bill I wish I was in California. I live in wonderful Western North Carolina. I figure I will be able to start riding agin in March. It will prob. be a bit chilly still but I will need some therapy (riding) after the holidays. Thank you everyone for the great advice. I just want to make sure she is bedded down correctly for the winter.