 Winterizing...
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78 |
I looked around a bit, couldn't find anything & used the search & that didn't come up with anything either....
Here's my question, especially being a newbie, I just wanted to get some more real world ideas, theories, pros & cons to any & all winterizing methodologies....
Drain the tank or just add a stabilizer?
decrease the air pressure in the tires or just move the bike 'round every few days?
Trickle charger or remove the battery completely?
I've been blessed with a very mild winter & have actually been able to get out a few times this January but it's most likely still gonna get a bit too cold for my wussy ****** to be out riding & the job of winterizing my SM for storage is prolly just 'round the corner.
Anyone? What do you do?
The BIG print giveth & the small print taketh away!
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179 |
Here's a decent link with sound principles: WinterizingRegards, Tom
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
The last few years have been mild enough I 've been able to ride every few weeks at the least so I just leave it in the garage and take it out when I can. On the other hand, a little fuel stabilizer doesn't hurt just in case the weather stays nasty. If you need to keep the battery charged get a float charger (harbor freight $4.99) instead of a trickle charger. That avoids the possiblity of over charging.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
What do I do for winter? Put on an extra sweater and leave the choke on a little longer. 
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78 |
Must be nice...
From Wikipedia:
Queensland is drenched in sunshine, has warm seas, cool sea breezes and an enviable warm climate all year round; the weather in Queensland is incomparable to most other Australian states. The Queensland region has two weather seasons: a winter period of rather warm temperatures and minimal rainfall and a summer period of warm balmy temperatures and higher levels of rainfall.
The Average Summer Temperature in the South East of 19 to 29 degrees Celsius and the Average Winter Temperatures in the South East of 9 to 21 degrees Celsius. The averages for Tropical North Queensland do vary somewhat for winter with the Average Summer Temperature of 17-31 degrees Celsius and the Average Winter Temperature of 17-26 degrees Celsius.
My hometown from Wikipedia:
Chicago, like much of the Midwest, has a climate that is prone to extreme, often volatile, weather conditions. The city experiences four distinct seasons. In July, the warmest month, high temperatures average 84 °F (29 °C) and low temperatures 63 °F (17 °C). In January, the coldest month, high temperatures average 29 °F (-2 °C) with low temperatures averaging 13 °F (-11 °C).[7] According to the National Weather Service, Chicago's highest official temperature reading of 105 °F (40 °C) was recorded on July 24, 1934. The lowest temperature of -27 °F (-32 °C) degrees was recorded on January 20, 1985.
Chicago's yearly precipitation averages about 38 inches (965 mm). Summer is the rainiest season, with short-lived rainfall and thunderstorms more common than prolonged rainy periods.[8] Winter is the driest season, with most of the precipitation falling as snow. Chicago's highest one day precipitation total was 6.49 inches (164 mm) which fell on August 14, 1987. (I actually remember that day... had to skip football practice to bail out the basement of my parents house)
Now only if I had such problems as Sandman when it came to winter. If ya ever feel like freezin yer arse off... come on up we'll go for a spin....
The BIG print giveth & the small print taketh away!
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 Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
Living in FL I don't really worry about winterizing my bike, but I do travel for business and some of my trips are long. When I know I will be gone for more than a couple of weeks I add some gas additive/stabilizer and run the bike for a short period and then turn the petcock off and run the bike until it almost dies. Then I drain each carburetors bowl of all gas.
When I get back I connect my Battery Tender via the Power Adapter and let the bike charge over night. I have been gone as much as 5 weeks and the engine will fire up 1 or 2 seconds after pressing the start button, if I do the above.
Tom
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
Quote:
Must be nice...
uhuh! 
Quote:
Now only if I had such problems as Sandman when it came to winter. If ya ever feel like freezin yer arse off... come on up we'll go for a spin....
Six months ago (our winter) I took a 6000km ride with a friend (SRS from here)... headed down toward Sydney then inland over the Blue Mountains and back up north again. We got as far as Lithgow, NSW (bottom of the western side of the Blue Mountains) and stayed overnight in a pub. Woke up the next morning to find snow on the bikes and ice warnings on the roads. I bought a set of thermal underwear from KMart, Stewart bought a thermal nexk warmer thingy from a local bike shop, and we unsteadily wove our merry way towards Bathurst on icy roads for the first time ever. (Should have seen Stewart's reaction when we came across a snow-covered field... priceless!)
So yes... I've ridden in real cold, and no... I have no intention of repeating it. Snow's a stupid idea and should be banned. 
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 78 |
Banned is a little steep... maybe just greatly restricted to high in the mountains for skiing....
The BIG print giveth & the small print taketh away!
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Re: Winterizing...
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 532
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 532 |
HI Kevin, welcome to the nut house. I live in Indy and am getting the same mild winter. Last year wasn't bad either. Last year I pulled the battery and put it on the wood bench in my garage with one of those $6 dollar Harbor freight tenders. Also put some stabilizer in the tank, If you get one of those 50 degree days the stabilizer will burn. This year I havent taken the battery out but I have the stabilizer in the tank. Put the bike on a jack to get the tires off the floor. Then cover it to keep the dust off.Pick up a ATV jack from Harbor Freight or Tractor supply for $55 bucks. Same one Sears sells only without their name stamped on it. hope this helps, see you on the road this spring, only a 3 hour ride south for you. Better riding roads down here.  Steve
Where's my $6 million??
05 TR America;2010 T-Bird
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